by Jaime Marks
She was still fighting this, fighting him, her guilt over the bonds and vows she was breaking causing her to war with herself internally, but she was on the edge. Even she could not deny the pleasure he was evoking in her and he could feel her Darkness merging with his own within her. She was already caving under the near ecstasy he called forth, under needs she didn’t yet understand.
His mouth released her flesh and he watched her as he withdrew his thumb from her core. She was panting to regain her breath. When Reyn met his eyes, they were insecure, uncertain, and rapt with lust. The soft Dark swirls in them brought a smug smile of satisfaction to his lips. He was breaking her. Slowly, sweetly, but she would be his at last.
Reyana met his eyes. She wasn’t prepared for this. She had expected cruelty, abuse beyond measure, but not this. He did inflict pain on her, but damn her if it wasn’t sweet and seductive. Every time he hurt her, bruised her, cut her, it was so laced in pleasure she almost lost herself. Even when she did resist he turned it into foreplay.
She could feel Marcus’ love, the Light he sent her but it almost made this worse. His body and Cymeryn’s were so close to identical the only real difference in the feel of them was where Marcus’ flesh was warm sometimes even hot, Cymeryn’s was cool to the touch. Marcus was warmth and tenderness, love and Light; Cymeryn was cold and bracing, hard and Dark. It should be simple to keep them separate in her mind. It should be simple to resist, but the truth was just as part of her responded so easily to Marcus, there was a part of her that responded to Cymeryn in the same way. There was some remnant, an echo of something more that she felt every time he touched her as if he had every right. Her body responded to his so easily as if it had waited, craved his touch for so long and she couldn’t reconcile it.
There had been something, she had remembered something earlier when she allowed the essences in her to begin to balance, when she chose no dominance of Light or Dark but a merging, a Balance of both. She hadn’t fully understood it at the time, but it was as if some barrier she hadn’t known was there had broken and it allowed Cymeryn free reign. She fought it, but she could feel his essence merging with her own.
“Let go, Reyn. Lose yourself in the pleasure of it, the pleasure of me.” He coaxed almost pleading with her but she shook her head unwilling to give in.
He chuckled at her stubbornness. They both knew she was caving. She was straining to gain control. She knew losing herself to him in this way was the ultimate betrayal of her bonds. Even if Marcus forgave her, she didn’t know if she would forgive herself.
“I will not take you Reyn, until you beg for me, and you will beg me, Reyn.” He gazed up at her, his tongue teasing her sensitive flesh.
She gritted to restrain herself and turned her head from him. She wanted to tell him she would never beg him for anything, she wanted to tell him no, but she couldn’t form words. She gasped as he flicked over her clit teasingly.
Suddenly he drove his mouth into her, taking her breath away. His tongue thrusting deep into her core while his nose pressed into her sensitive folds. Each slight movement he made took her closer to the edge. His tongue slid from inside her and ran up her moist slit as he began to nip and suck at the tender flesh with ravenous abandon. Pain laced with pleasure waved through her as their essence seemed to pulse in time to the pulse that thrummed through her. She squirmed pulling away, her body feeling like it would explode if she didn’t get some relief but his arm restrained her and pulled her closer to him as he locked his mouth to her core.
She moaned arching off the bed as she felt his fingers slip inside working her core, his mouth still working her clit. She lost herself, her hands suddenly gripping his hair holding him to her as her body trembled with the need for release. He groaned into her core and her body shuddered. She was right on the verge of release but he slowed, changing rhythm preventing it but holding her at that edge.
Cymeryn watched her as he worked her, relishing in her. He felt her resistance snap as she gripped him pulling him harder against her core. She gave in to the emotions and connection between them for the moment as he tormented her, controlling her body. He was keeping her here, on edge. He needed to know for sure she knew who she was with, needed to hear her say his name. The soft moans escaping her mouth were the sweetest success, and he could not wait to make her scream, but slowly, he reminded himself. He was going to take her there so slowly until he knew every bit of her.
“Tell me.” He groaned as he worked her clit. He could feel their essence merging, could feel her desire. He just needed to hear it from her lips. He needed her to give herself over to him.
“Please,” she moaned her body arching as he hit her sensitive spot just right.
“Please, what?” He demanded working her faster, driving her harder.
“Please Cymeryn, please.” She moaned lost to anything but him and her essence reached out to him, imploring him.
“Say it love. Tell me what you want. I will give it to you if only you ask.”
“You, I want you……please.” She pulled him tightly to her again.
He smiled as he delved into her ravenously, roughly. He worked her hard until he felt her crest over the edge. Moving his fingers to her clit continuing to work her out, his tongue sank deeply into her core as he drank in the delicious wine of her.
When he had his fill his mouth released her but his fingers continued to work her taking her to the edge of another release as he watched her. He rose pressing the tip of his sex against her core as he positioned her higher on the bed and climbed up her body biting and nipping her flesh. He reveled in the feel of her nails as they dug into his skin.
He felt a moment of realization break through the haze of her desire and she railed against him in what almost felt like a feigned attempt to hold fast to something she couldn’t even connect with in this moment between them. Her nail drew blood on his chest and he smiled down wickedly at her as he caught her wrists pinning them above her head.
Cymeryn leaned over her taking his chest to her mouth, the tip of him penetrating her just slightly and she gasped softly at the sensation. He still had her, she still wanted him, though she fought it. “Taste it Reyn, drink from me. Complete the bond with me and I will take you making you mine.”
Her eyes drifted to the Dark blood that slid slowly from the wound and he watched as a drop landed on her lip. Her tongue slipped out rolling over it and he had to bite down on his desire to keep from thrusting deep inside of her. He felt the Darkness taking hold of her. The connection between them was stronger than he had thought and she was succumbing to it.
Her eyes met his and he sent his essence surging through her releasing the blocks in her mind. Memories she had long forgotten now released as he held her gaze, watching her emotions as she relived their past. Tears ran freely a moment as she held his gaze though she did not sob. His name left her lips almost as if on a whispered prayer and he could feel all the emotions that rose within her.
He swelled with satisfaction as he felt her essence flow through him once more in its odd mixture of Dark, Gray and Light. The burn of pain only adding to his pleasure. He had no need worry about infection, the purity of his Darkness was strong enough to resist its hold. The swirls of Darkness that began wisping from her and the shift in her essence told him all he needed to know, The Darkness was dominating the Light in her. The Gray would always remain, but he would own her. He had her and she would give herself to him.
He slid his hand behind her head gripping her hair, holding her gaze as he brought her mouth up to his chest. “You are mine, Reyn. Take of me.” He commanded.
Teasing his flesh with her tongue, her mouth latched on and she drank in his essence with hard pulls as she sucked at the small wound she had made. Her teeth pressed into his skin opening his flesh more as the blood slowed and he felt all the resistance in her bleed out as she gave herself over completely to him.
Cymeryn threw his head back in a victorious roar as he thrust deep into her core, sla
mming into her. He rocked into her, again and again as she drank in his essence. Her nails gauging into him as he felt her body begin to rock meeting his thrusts and he drove into her harder.
Her mouth released his chest as a loud moan escaped her. He gripped her by the throat roughly taking her mouth. Groaning, he drew near the edge of his own release. “Come with me, Reyn. I want to feel your desire as I release inside you.”
He thrust into her hard as he felt her release spasm around his sex, his own release rocketing through her as her core milked his erection. He roared, echoing through the halls as he spilled into her. Their bodies shuddered as one as he collapsed on her and they panted catching their breath.
He kept them engaged as he rolled them onto their sides and drew a sheet over their bodies to shroud her should any intrude. It was a liberty he had never taken with his slaves, but she had never been a slave. She never would. He would not allow her to partake in the other Shade and he would slay any who tried. She was his, and he would be damned if any other marred her flesh but him.
She was shifting to Darkness, but she had not fully turned. He should call forth Lord Lazurys, but he had said he wanted her Dark. Besides, he had so many levels of pleasure and pain to pace her through, he thought as she looked up to him with her eyes almost black. Her nails grazed over his skin and he watched as she brought her finger covered in his essence to her mouth licking and sucking it clean. He could feel himself growing firm inside her again.
He rolled onto his back drawing her on top of him, rocking into her. He watched as she rode him, his hands running over her skin that was slowly paling. Reaching down he teased her clit as she slid her flesh up and down on his sex. He grabbed the tawse he had lain out on the bed stand and lashed her lightly. The Darkness in her reveled in the pain and it brought her to the edge of another release, a quiver running through her core.
He would delight in her through the day, he thought as he continued to lash her. How delicious she was, her soft moans rocking him closer to losing his own control. He whipped her slightly harder and she moaned as her release spasmed through her, hard. Gripping her hips he thrust roughly into her as he traced bruises, welts and scratches that were his.
No, they were nowhere near done. He would be remiss if he did not attend properly to her turning. Pacing her through it until he was sure she could no longer fight its hold, he would take her to even higher levels of pain, and pleasure. He would be sated fully on her and then he would release her to Lord Lazurys. Once he was done with her, there would be no turning back. She would be Shade evermore. She would finally be his, and the Fae, would be finished.
Chapter 2
Grifyn studied Marcus as they entered the cave. He had collapsed a few times, refusing to speak of what had brought him to his knees. The rage in him was thick and permeated the air. It did not bode well for them. There was Darkness swirling in him though he maintained control, barely. Grifyn could only assume that Reyana was succumbing under whatever torture Cymeryn was inflicting. If Marcus lost control, all hope was gone. He was likely the only one who could pull her back to the Light.
He had not felt similar shifts from Trina yet, though he knew she was in pain. If they had left her be for the time being it was only because they were busy. He knew she was on borrowed time until Cymeryn felt things were secure enough to allow Trevyn free reign. The things that Shade was legend for forcing females to endure…he could not allow his mind to go there. He only hoped he could reach her in time. He couldn’t image bearing the anguish he saw in Marcus.
Of course, his connection with Reyana was the strongest Grifyn had ever seen and he knew the two had often shared thoughts in the past and seemingly now. Marcus knew what was happening with her before he even attempted to reach out to her. It was as if they shared a mind at times and in situations like this that could be a curse. Living through your bonded mate’s torture in such a way would have to be horrendous.
Ryo came rushing to them from the cottage as they entered the cavern. “Where is the Princess?” He asked, the urgency written on his face and Grifyn felt a knot form in his gut.
“What’s happened?” Marcus demanded roughly and headed directly to the cottage.
“It’s Byryn, he has gone into his awakening.” Ryo explained tensely.
“Impossible,” Mythos gaped, “he is too young and too unstable. Even in its constant state of flux as his essence sought balance in him, he was not showing even the beginning signs of the awakening before we left.”
“I believe Syneous was flooding Staryana slowly with his essence and she began to shift.” Ryo began, hesitating at Marcus’ growl. “I tried to reach out to her but my essence would not connect with hers. Byryn drew as much of her essence into himself as he could handle, balancing her but sacrificing himself to save her. I believe it triggered his awakening, but it is almost as if his body is rejecting both essences now. I have no idea what is truly happening to him. I have never seen anything like it nor has my research ever presented such a case. Even those with Shade Sickness can at the least accept Darkness but it appears when the Dark essence pulses it does not integrate only exasperate the issue. I tried to balance him hoping that Light would reach him, but it only made it worse. The pain he felt when it entered him was unbearable.”
“It is the awakening of a Shade in his imbalanced state.” Mythos spoke grimly, “Without a Shade to bring his Darkness back into balance and see him through this the boy will die. What say you Grifyn? He could be taken to the Earth. Perhaps they will find him, but to leave him here means certain death.”
“No,” Ryo shook his head. “Someone has been reaching out to him in his sleep. He argues with them. He says he will not awaken, that he will not betray her and when he wakes if I am in contact with him he draws on my essence. I believe he is trying to take his own life.”
Grifyn grimaced. “They want the girl. They are holding her over him as payment for his awakening. He would sooner die.” It was a realization that cut him deeply.
“If we lose him, we will lose Star. They are too closely connected and her Mother is not here to balance her.” Marcus looked like he was about to drop to his knees again. “We may never be able to find her without the boy.”
“What has happened?” Ryo demanded his eyes narrowing.
“There is no time, tell the Guardians to set up camp here in the cavern.” Grifyn jogged into the cottage with renewed resolve. He had no idea if he had the ability to save Byryn, but there was something about the boy. There was some connection he felt to him and he had seen a strength in him that few possessed. He could not sit back and allow him to pass.
The bedroom door was open and he saw Star look to him with pleading eyes. Byryn lay back against her as she cradled him wiping his brow. He grimaced in pain as she tried desperately to sooth him. The Darkness in her was alarming. If she lost him, if he died they would indeed lose her. Their fates were tied to one another.
He knelt beside Byryn, assessing him as she pleaded with him, “Please, where is my Mom? She has to save him.”
“Your Mom has not yet returned.” Grifyn replied hoping that it would be good enough. She did not need the full truth right now. As mad as she was at her Mom, she would never want to think of her in pain and this situation was difficult enough for her without adding the stress of her Mother’s loss.
“Can you help him? I would help him, I want to, but I’m not enough.” Tears streamed down her face.
“Brightness,” He heard Byryn croak as he reached up. She took his hand, holding it to her cheek. “It's…ok.”
The scene was heart-breaking. He was on his deathbed and he was struggling to comfort her. Somehow, they had already bonded. They loved each other, even in this short time, and his heart broke for them. He stood taking off his weapons and sheaths then stripping his shirt.
“Star, I’m going to need to switch places with you, honey. I want you in front of him where he can see you.”
“What are you going to do?
” she choked out trying to hold back the sobs that were racking through her.
“I’m going to try to awaken him.”
She shook her head, she looked so defeated. “He can’t tolerate the Light.”
Grifyn gave her a sad smile. “I’m no longer Light, Star. Search with your senses. I have been redeemed Gray. I don’t know if it will work, but Ryo thinks his body is rejecting both Light and Dark. I may yet be able to save him if I can get his essences to merge and integrate.”
He lifted Byryn’s weight as she slid out from under him. He stripped off Byryn’s t-shirt before taking her place. Reaching out he took her hand. “Listen to me, honey. I know you’re scared but I can’t do this without you. My essence may save him, but he will only fight for you. I need you up here in front of him, Star.”
She nodded, stubborn resolve hardening her face as she wiped her tears. So much like her Mother he thought as her strength resurfaced. She might fall apart on her own, but if one she loved was in danger the girl was fierce and unrelenting. He made room to accommodate her as she climbed up and straddled Byryn’s legs.
He spoke into Byryn’s ear. “Listen to me son, I am not ready for you to pass. I have claimed you as my own and I will not lose you so soon. So you fight, you fight for me.” When he strained to protest Grifyn urged, “Fight for Star, she loves you, Byryn. She needs you.”
Grifyn reached into the boy pulling as much from him as he could. He didn’t know if it could be done, but it was their only option. He heard Star begin to murmur to him softly urging him to come back to her. Reaching into his mind as he let his essence flow back and forth between them, he struggled to balance Byryn and see him through the awakening. He had to reach him or they would lose him.
