Connections (Mists of the Fae Book 5)

by Jaime Marks

  “Good, I trust they are satisfactory to suit the three of you?”

  “Indeed, quite, and I must thank you for your personal attention to the questions that Astryn had regarding the Order of Light. It has gone a long way towards easing the strain in our household though I will not deny I still hope to sway her into applying to the Scholar’s Academy.”

  He nodded. “I can understand this, but you must remember to allow her to find her own way, my friend. If that is where her heart truly lies then who are you to question. None other than Lucerna have such right.”

  The Fae nodded thoughtfully. “Yes well, I suppose in this you are right as always…I was wondering, are there any restrictions currently on the Gray? I have not seen many in the Realm of Light.”

  “Not precisely. Many prefer to remain here due to the safety it affords but as I am sure you have noticed it has become slightly cramped for them. There is a new colony that some families have settled into the Western Forest of Mists, and another is ready to open in the East. We are simply holding to proceed for the Securine to be fully established. It is not wise to add additional strain to the Guardians. Their focus at the moment must be at reestablish balance and arresting some of the Shade’s influence on humanity,” Mythos explained. “Why do you ask?”

  “We were considering requesting Redemption while we are here, just Lauryn and myself. Astryn has not yet come into her full body of Light. I must continue to traverse between realms currently however, as I am still Head Scholar of the Academy in the Realm of Light. Once the new facility here is erected I will oversee both from here and a new Head will be appointed to oversee back home.”

  “As I said there is no rush nor is Redemption a requirement, but if you wish I am sure Queen Reyana or the Kings of Balance will be able to accommodate you. It will not inhibit or restrict your ability to see to your duties.”

  Suddenly Byryn appeared looking slightly worn and they all jumped.

  “I…apologize for startling you as well as for the delay your majesties, Alyric,” Byryn offered bowing. “The King of Night wouldn’t release me from training until I managed to accomplish his task.”

  Steph rose a brow curiously but kept quiet. They were sparring later and she wondered what Cymeryn had been showing him. She had no intention of letting Byryn get too far ahead of her in training.

  “Alyric, this is Byryn a Grifyn of the Grifyion Lines, Liaison of Redemption, Head of the Personal Guard and Guardian in training under the tutelage of Praetor Marcus a Cymarcion. He is also the proclaimed mate of the Princess Staryana a Reyana,” Mythos offered introducing him.

  They clasped arms. “We have met briefly. Good to greet you again, Liaison. The Scholars you requested shall be along shortly. They were organizing the materials they felt you would want to see.”

  “Good,” he nodded inclining his head towards her. “The Lady Steph will be overseeing this project primarily. I’m just here to facilitate in order to see she has the means to achieve her goals.”

  “I see,” he smiled warmly to her. “What is the precise nature of the project you are undertaking, my lady? Perhaps I will be able to ascertain if there is more we might do to aide you.”

  “Well, I’m not sure how comfortable you are with the lingo, but I’m basically looking to develop some form of inter-realm telecommunications network. Our primary focus should be to initiate communication between the Realm of Balance and the Realm of Light. I was thinking once we’ve managed to accomplish that we can try to initiate something between here and the fronts and territories, but that might be trickier because that needs to be fairly mobile.”

  He nodded. “So you will be attempting to what? Adapt Earth based technologies in some way?”

  “That’s where I plan to begin at least. I have some ideas what direction to go with it if they prove completely incompatible. If this works out though, I might even be able to gain access to the internet which could assist in planning missions on Earth as well as the guidance of humanity,” she shrugged. Really until she saw what she was working with it would be hard to gage.

  “The Scholar’s Academy would certainly back you on such endeavors. It would aide in our research and study greatly.” Three Fae entered carrying several packs. “Ahh, here we are. Might I present Scholar Talerys, Scholar Hyphinea and Scholar Maveryous? Hyphinea and Maveryous are experts in this matter. Talerys has accompanied me as my assistant.”

  They bowed then immediately sunk to their knees upon seeing her necklace. She shifted uncomfortably as they paid her reverence. Once she was done with the wallflower routine, Steph took charge and directed them to the table requesting materials on specific technology and telecommunications infrastructures while Mythos stood back watching her. Byryn supplied answers regarding available materials and if certain options were or weren’t possible. The entire thing gave her a bit of an adrenaline rush, being able to discuss and develop all this. If she were honest, being in charge only increased the rush. She’d never been in charge of anything but it felt like she’d been doing this for years.

  Mythos watched her with pride. The way she took charge of the meeting to gather the information she wanted and how she held their attention? She was born to lead. Knowing it was one thing, but witnessing it in this room no Fae would question.

  The workings of her mind were awe inspiring. She was processing the information they provided her and sending ideas and suggestions at Byryn so quickly he had to summon some of the court engineers to answer them more adequately. Talerys had even begun aiding the other Scholars at processing through the materials to help meet her requests timely enough.

  Alyric came to stand beside him and spoke softly so as not to interrupt their discussions, “That is quite a female you have found yourself, my lord. Beautiful, strong, and intelligent? She will make a phenomenal Queen.”

  “I was indeed just thinking precisely that, my friend,” he smiled warmly not taking his eyes off of her.

  “I must say, Mythos. I have never seen you so taken with anyfae. This was not merely an arrangement then? You have bound?”

  “Completely and irrevocably. She is my world already and we have yet to mate. I count the days until I may have such an honor.”

  Alyric smiled with a nod, “It is how I felt with my Lauryn. I am glad you found her, Mythos. Of all of us, you deserved this love. Treasure it, my friend.”

  “Always,” he nodded sincerely. “I cannot imagine even breathing without her. Even this, standing idle here is enjoyable now. Just being able to witness this, seeing her in action in such a way. She is magnificent.”

  She set a tablet of paper aside that she had been taking notes in and nodded, “Ok, I think we have enough to attempt to build a scaled down version to test the effectiveness. Now I just need the materials and a lab so I can assemble the model.”

  Engineer Bartyrous bowed, “I will begin to gather the materials you have requested my lady.”

  “And I will see if I can get you more information on the previous attempts at integrating electronics into the realms in preparation,” Scholar Hyphinea offered. “It will allow us to field any unforeseen difficulties that might have been incurred.”

  Byryn nodded, “We’ll talk to the Kings of Balance later to see where we have the room you need. They’ll gladly accommodate your requests, my lady.”

  Mythos glanced at his watch. He wondered if he could steal her away for noon meal. He desperately wanted to hold her and show her exactly how enticing she was. It was an ache in him that had built over the last hour.

  She seemed to be reviewing things a moment and then looked up and nodded, “Alright, I’ll expect to have a report on when I can expect the supplies as well as the information from previous attempts by Monday.” She rose gathering her notebook. “Thank you for all your help.”

  They all smiled warmly and bowed. She walked over to him as the others gathered the materials that needed to be returned to the Hall of Scholars.

  Byryn stepped up behind her as
she reached him. “Impressive sprite, I’m gonna head out though. I’ve got to check on Felycia and I want to see how things went with Staryana after I left training. She was working with Devyn.”

  Mythos raised a brow but said nothing. Byryn was very leery of the Fae but he was a good male. He just did not know how to process all of these changes. He would likely feel the same himself if he had not been present for most of them. Even still, if Stephynia had not called him to heel when he had been faced with Reyana’s pregnancy he may have reacted similarly, at least towards the twins. Perhaps worse seeing as he was blinded by his rage.

  “Alright Byryn, if we do not see you before we will see you at the meeting and Banquet.”

  Byryn leaned down to hug Stephynia impulsively but hesitated, the shock of his own actions written on his face, but she had already started to lean into his embrace and hugged him loosely. He glanced to Mythos with raised brow and released her but the King only nodded his approval. Her accepting his show of affection openly may have been as confusing to Byryn as his comfort with expressing it but Mythos knew the connection they shared.

  “Later sprite,” he bowed to Mythos, “my lord.”

  “Give your sister our best, Byryn.”

  He watched him mist away minorly annoyed that the boy had been gifted such talent in the realm and he was yet denied. It was not that he particularly cared but it was annoying to be King of the Fae and have to rely on others if he needed to quickly traverse the realms.

  He reached out and pulled Stephynia to him now that she was within reach. “You my Queen, are extraordinary. May I steal you away for a while?”

  She smiled warmly, “You’re the King, my lord. You can do anything you want.”

  “Hmmm, if only that were true,” he murmured kissing her softly.

  She blushed slightly as she caught his meaning. He had every intention of enjoying her body as much as was allowed within convention. He could not wait until the day she awakened.

  Chapter 31

  Devyn stood afore her door staring at it. What was he doing here? He should leave the girl be. He leaned back against the wall staring at it blankly. For some reason this female was dominating his thoughts. He could not help but to worry for her.

  A part of him was tearing himself apart that somefae else was awakening her. Which was utterly ridiculous, of course. Trina was a fine Fae and by awakening her it would tie Felycia to both the Natryn and Grifyion lines. She would benefit greatly from the protection of the Lucerna Lines as a result and many doors would be open to her. Even if he had awakened her he would not be able to offer her any better. She was young. She needed somefae to care for her like a parent, not a mate. A mate? What in the realms was he thinking?

  He sighed heavily. He knew exactly what was happening despite his misgivings but it made absolutely no sense. The girl was unawakened Shade. Such things were not supposed to be possible. Of course neither was the mixing of essences or a Fae carrying twins born of two different Fathers. Things were changing. He just could not decide if they were for the best or if they would lead them further into ruin.

  He could hear her crying. Would it be better if he left her be? He ran a hand roughly through his hair and stepped forward knocking softly on the door before he truly decided. “Felycia, it is Devyn a Devyion. Might I see you? I wish to see that you are alright. I will leave if you would prefer it.”

  He waited feeling as though he were on the verge of unravelling. It took every ounce of control he had not to burst into that room and go to her, but she was awakening. He could tell she was proud and independent. There was no telling how she would respond if he did such a thing. Aside from that if she did not wish for him to see her suffering she might never allow him to see her again.

  “You may come in, Devyn,” Trina responded.

  He entered quietly closing the door behind him. She was wrapped in Trina’s arms. The essence appeared to be decently balanced between them. The girl was in pain, but it was not a physical pain. He walked to the bed and knelt before her as she looked to him with tears in her eyes.

  “Felycia, is there aught I can do to ease you? I can sense your pain, dear girl.”

  Her eyes clenched shut. “I can’t, Devyn. I just can’t.”

  The pain in her broke him in a way that he could not explain. He reached over and ran a hand through her hair admiring the now multitoned texture of its color as he comforted her. “Shh, my dear. Whatever it is that is haunting your mind, you must release it. Do not allow it to own you in such a way.” She shook her head and he slowly rose to sit beside her. “If you allow this to torment you in this way, you are still giving whoever has harmed you power over you. Free yourself from these chains. Release it.”

  She pulled from Trina and surged towards him. He wrapped her in his arms feeling the essences that were surging through her. He could no longer feel pure Darkness, but a blending of Light and Dark, Gray. It no longer burnt. He held her closely glancing to Trina with uncertainty. In truth he could see the miracle in it, but his mind would not allow him to trust it.

  “She is Gray now. The awakening is waning in her,” Trina explained. “Your Light will not harm her, Devyn. If you wish to ease her, you may.”

  He hesitated, “I…I do not wish to compound her pain.”

  “It will not cause her pain,” Trina stated plainly. “Gray is not Dark. It is the combination of Light and Night, the pure form of Darkness minus the corruption. I know it is confusing for you, Commander, but we are Fae. Her essence will no longer harm you nor yours her. Neither is she vulnerable to the influence of the Shade. Sense her and see the truth for yourself. It is obvious you wish to comfort her, do so.”

  She sobbed against his chest gasping for air and he gently caressed her back allowing the smallest amount of his essence to flow through her. The tension in her eased slightly. “It will be alright, Felycia. I swear to you, we will make it alright. Now I want you to breathe, dear girl. Breathe slowly with me.”

  Nodding her acceptance of his guidance she breathed with him, clinging to his chest as if he gave her the very air she sought as he held her. He allowed his essence to flow through her attempting to comfort her. Such pain she felt, such anguish. He would do anything, give anything simply to ease it for her.

  “Why…” She choked out. “Why are y-you being so k-kind to m-me?”

  What was he to say to her? How could he explain that they had only just met but already he felt her in his heart growing stronger with every breath? He shook his head and let the only words that would come to his mind slip past his lips, “Because, you deserve kindness, dear girl. You deserve love and Light in your heart and you have known none of it. There is Light in you, Felycia. I felt it in you the moment I saw you despite the Darkness. You only need somefae to show you how to feel it.”

  “No. No, I’m a horrible person,” she shook her head.

  “Do not speak such things, dear girl, and do not allow yourself to believe it. Those who are truly horrible, Felycia, do not see any faults in their actions. They do not feel guilt nor shame and regret.” He hooked her chin lifting her face so he could meet her eyes. “You are not a horrible Fae. Just a dear girl who has walked a path that has been too hard for too long who needs somefae to show her love.”

  She stared into his eyes. She wasn’t even sure why she told Trina that he could come in. It completely freaked her out that she’d ended up in his arms…again. What was happening between them? Who was he to her? She’d never been this comfortable with anyone. At one point she’d been close to it with Byryn but this was different though. She didn’t know how to explain it. All she knew was as much as she needed him near her right now this entire thing terrified her.

  The only thing life had ever taught her was that you don’t let people get too close. If you did, you paid the price. That were especially true if those people happened to be Shade. She was undecided as to where the Fae and the Gray fit into things, but it didn’t really matter. The people who got the clo
sest to you always hurt you the most. That’s what she’d learned anytime she ever tried. She couldn’t trust him.

  She pulled back slowly struggling to regain her composure as she gave herself some distance. Letting him hold her and comfort her like this? It was only going to break her heart in the worst way. She couldn’t rein in her emotions though. It was as if the walls she had built to protect her from these feelings had suddenly crumbled to the ground and she was having an extremely hard time shutting down this feeling. She wasn’t even sure what it was that she was even experiencing. She’d never felt this way before.

  A knock sounded on the door, “Felycia, can I come in? I want to see how you’re doing.”

  She rolled her eyes. Just what she needed. She glanced to Devyn who still held her gently by the arms despite the fact that she had moved back from him. His hands gently caressed her skin.

  “If you wish, Felycia, I will talk to him and ask him to return when you are feeling more able to have visitors,” Devyn offered, studying her with concern.

  She shook her head and glanced at Trina but she only nodded. It was her choice to make. “Come in, Byryn.”

  She watched him enter. His eyes narrowed momentarily when he met Devyn’s but he didn’t say anything about it. She felt his essence flow through her tentatively before withdrawing. He was checking to see if she was ok. He’d done it before but never stayed in contact with her in an attempt to avoid upsetting her.

  Byryn shifted uncomfortably the tension in him building. He met her eyes as he ran a hand roughly through his hair. “Are you ok, Felycia? Do you want me to leave? I know your awakening is ebbing so it has to be the memories that have you this upset and I don’t want to make that any worse for you.”