by Jaime Marks
Pain of this level could drive any being insane. It was not just one’s body that had to endure the brutality but also their mind. The only way to ride it out was to find the one thing that gave you strength, the one thing that would give you a reason to hold on, a reason to fight, and hold it tightly. As Dark tendrils of essence began to burrow into his veins he closed himself off to it. He thought of only one thing. He thought of Reyn.
Chapter 19
Marcus sat as his desk combing over texts and tomes from before his time. He had found them in the library here in the Palace. A Scholar he was not, but there were things he needed to determine the potentiality of. He was finding nothing pertinent.
He knew what he felt in Reyana, knew what a threat it could bring to her. She was struggling. It had been three days and still she was struggling. There was nothing he could do to reassure her on his own. Every angle he attempted was only a small comfort to her. He needed to ease her mind and find a way to keep her from tearing herself apart, quite literally, before he could reveal this. There was nothing in these tomes that spoke of the chaos he felt brewing within her or her condition.
He sighed sitting back in his seat trying to wrap his head around what he could do. What he really needed was to assess the possibility of his twin’s Redemption. Could they co-exist? It would be impossible. The Fae would never accept this. Marcus scrubbed his face pondering all the implications. At first he had just been worried, it had been more of a sixth sense. Now he knew, but it made no sense.
Could he forgive Cymeryn? Could he ever trust him? It was unlikely. He would relentlessly pursue Reyana, and he would use this to his full advantage. Or would he? Marcus had seen his affection for her with his own eyes. Cymeryn loved her. He had to realize, to understand the life she would lead. Could he, now that the Gray flowed through his veins, deliver her to Lazurys?
Reyana had told him how he continually put off her presentation to the Dark Lord. Cymeryn had found every reason to delay. They had conversations that led to his decision to present her, but when the moment came there had always been something to deter them. It was true that his twin had been lost in his love and desire for her but if he were truly as Dark as Marcus had always believed he would have taken her to Lazurys to cement his hold not caring of the pain and suffering she would endure. Was he protecting her?
“What are you researching Marcus, perhaps I can be of assistance?” Mythos queried as he entered the study.
“That won’t be necessary,” Marcus forced a smile as he gathered the materials, setting them aside. “I was merely searching for further information to add to the report regarding the history of Lunya for Scholars’ Hall. I thought since Alyric was here that it might be prudent to handle such things.”
“Hmm,” Mythos studied him closely as he sat down. “I get the feeling there is more to what you are up to, my friend. I wish you would trust me.”
He sighed. “I do trust you, Mythos. There is nothing that you need to know or I would volunteer it.”
“Perhaps, but you will not tell me what occurred in that safehold. It is something that is wearing on you and my sister is still avoiding all those who would support her.”
“She needs time. Give her a couple more days. She has agreed to have meal with you. Allow her to ease back into all this. You must remember she was human but a few days ago.” He reminded him.
Mythos grunted but nodded. “Where are we with the unawakened?”
“Actually we have made great progress. When we brought them here there were six hundred forty-seven. Four hundred and fifty eight were of Fae decent, the remainder were Shade. Those who knew of their lines we were actually able to reunite with family in most cases.”
The King eased somewhat. “That is good news.”
“Indeed.” He pulled out his ledger that he tracked the numbers on. Byryn had been reporting to him regularly and sending requests through him to contact specific lines in an attempt to reunite the young with their blood. “As of this morn two hundred and eighty-four unawakened Fae have been reunited with their lines and we have actually been able to reunite thirty-eight of the unawakened Shade with their lineage. Their Parents may be human and Shade but either the Shade themselves have been turned or in some cases their parents before them. Twenty-six of them are staying with their family here in realm now. They were welcomed openly once they were reassured of the ability to safely awaken them. At least one from each line will need Redemption once Reyana is ready. The other twelve are still transitioning. Their families are uncertain what to make of this but they are at least talking to the young and seeing for themselves that they are merely young that need their guidance.”
“Those are reassuring numbers, but what of the others. How will you manage them?”
Marcus shrugged. “Byryn has managed to separate them accordingly by age and gender. He has also separated Fae and Shade to attempt to foster comfort. They begin classes next week which will help to keep them out of trouble. We’ve agreed in most cases to adopt longer hours for their courses to keep them occupied. They’ll be mixed in some cases but there were certain individuals in each group that Byryn felt would be best kept with their own race for now. It will be a slow transition for them.”
“It is perhaps for the best. They need time to adjust to this life and find their place in it. We will have Kato and the other Fae of the Forest in realm begin working on ascertaining their lines as soon as you or Byryn give the order now that you’ve sorted most of them out. It will be a slow process in many cases as we do not know where to begin, but in time it should make a difference.” Mythos glanced around his study. “Would you like me to have your materials and furniture brought over from the Realm of Light?”
Marcus took in the décor, the carpeting and drapes, so similar in color to the color of Reyana’s hair as it was so long ago. The beige of the walls and the sofa that sat against the one wall was soothing. His old study had been adorned in gold and back then such refinery had been what he was accustomed to. Now however, this was far more suited to his tastes. It was like the middle ground of the two worlds he had once existed in.
“No, I am actually fairly comfortable with this. Perhaps my old manuals, but that is all I require.” He replied.
Mythos nodded. “Grifyn informed me he already procured a current edition of our protocols and procedures for you as well as the codex of our current laws?”
“Yes, it was helpful. He also retrieved a history for me of the last hundred years so that I may read and catch up on my own.”
“Good, unless there is anything else to update I will see you at meal.” Mythos rose but hesitated. “If there is anything you need, Marcus, anything I can do to aid either you or my sister, you realize you have only to ask?”
“Of course.” Marcus rose clasping his arm.
He watched the King leave knowing in some respects he was misleading him. It was unavoidable. Whatever was necessary to protect Reyana in her fragile state is what he would do. It was odd to him that it honestly did not bother him as much as he would suspect. In his mind this was the right course. It might not be the Fae manner of how things were done, but it was the right thing to do for his mate.
Byryn sighed writing his notes. It had been an extremely long day. He was still working on getting through meeting with each of the unawakened personally so that he could feel them out. It was something he enjoyed but there were just so many. All he wanted was to finish up here so he could spend some time with Staryana and Kylion. He smiled thinking about them. She was so good with him and Kylion had never taken to anyone the way that he took to her. His Brightness. She was amazing to him.
“Here, I thought you could use a break.” Grifyn offered sitting down across from him in the library handing him a drink. They’d offered him an office but he wasn’t ready for that. This was fine for now and he was really better on his feet, monitoring the halls than stuck in some room.
“Thanks.” He replied. “Everything alright?”
“Go for it.” Byryn shrugged. “I have a few minutes until I meet with the next unawakened Fae. I’ve been alternating between Fae and Shade.” He shrugged. “Less chance of any of the Shade that don’t get along running into each other and it keeps this moving more smoothly.”
Grifyn nodded but seemed to study him closely a moment. “First, you’re Claiming is in a couple of days. Did you have any questions on what is to occur?”
“No, you explained it pretty clearly.” They’d talked about it like five times already. “I’m cool with everything. I swear I’d ask if I had any concerns.”
“Good,” He hesitated. “How would you feel about making it a double Claiming?”
He smirked knowing exactly what this was about. “You want to Claim Kylion.”
Grifyn smiled. “He is a very special boy and I know how attached you are to him. Trina and I adore him.”
Byryn sighed sipping the glass of wine his soon to be Father brought him. “There is where we have a problem. I trust you Grifyn, and I will be honored to call you Father. I love that you asked me and I know Kylion would be so loved by you, but I have a small issue with you Claiming him.”
The Fae frowned studying him. “You do? If you have some concern Byryn, please address it. I am your Father, in every way that matters and soon in blood. I’m ever here for you.”
“I know.” He smiled warmly, “And you have no idea what it means to me that you want Kylion to be of your blood as well, but…how would you feel about having him as a grandson instead of a son?”
Realization crossed his face. “You mean to Claim him yourself?”
Byryn nodded. “I’ve raised him since he was brought to me. If I had known what was going to happen with Staryana that day and where it would take me, I would’ve had him with me the entire time.”
“It is a rather large responsibility to raise a young,” Grifyn mused, “but if this is what you want, and you are certain, I will support you. We all will, Byryn. We’re your family now.”
“I know and I thank the Divine or whatever fates made this possible for it every freaking minute.” He admitted.
Grifyn rose coming around the table and Byryn rose accepting his embrace. “I thank Lucerna for you as well, Byryn. You are so much stronger than you know and I am so proud of what you have accomplished.”
“Thanks…Dad.” He offered trying out the title.
A knock on the door brought his head up and a shy young girl stood there. “Sorry,” she motioned over her shoulder, “I’ll, uh…I’ll come back later.”
He studied her a moment. Odd, she was timid and shy, scared to be there. Her gaze was averted and her demeanor almost suggested that she was subservient. He’d expect her to be unawakened Shade but sensing her he could tell she was Fae.
“No, I was just leaving, please, Liaison Byryn will see you.” Grifyn offered trying to calm the girl.
She nodded tentatively, but stayed in the doorway. Something had hurt her. She was scared of them. “Ok.”
Byryn nodded to Grifyn as he clasped his shoulder and quietly left the room, leaving him with her and a curious puzzle he needed to solve. He took his seat back at the table hoping it would make her feel like he was less of a threat.
“Please, sit so we can talk.” He offered smiling slightly and gave her the time she needed.
Slowly she came into the room looking around at the shelves of books. It was a round room with shelves on floor level and a ramp that led to a semi-circular second level of shelves. He was sitting at one of the tables in the center. This room seemed one of the brightest in the Palace and he thought its open and airy features would help put most of the kids at ease. It only seemed to intimidate this girl though.
He studied her, feeling as if there were almost something familiar about her but not being able to place it. She was short, petite really with that delicate graceful frame of hers. Her mahogany hair framed her chin in gentle waves and her eyes were as blue as the ocean. He couldn’t place why she was so familiar to him, but then he often encountered unawakened over the years and he didn’t monitor the Fae as well as he had the Shade when he was outside of school. They tended to disappear when they came of age and weren’t a threat.
She sat down opposite of him and he smiled warmly at her trying to put her at ease. “I’m Liaison Byryn a Grifyn, what’s your name sweetheart?”
“Narysia Reynolds.” She replied quietly.
He nodded noting her name. “Did you know what you were before all this happened to you, Narysia?”
“Yes, my Mom gave me journals of information she recorded from my Father.” She explained. “She was human.”
He arched a brow. That was odd, generally the Fae parent informed and taught them. They rarely allowed written records to exist on Earth. Both races were pretty careful about it. “Do you know who your Father was?”
“No, she never told me.” The girl admitted. “He died before I was born.”
He tapped his pen a moment. “Do you still have the journals, or are they maybe at your home that I can retrieve them for you?”
She sighed seeming distant. He reached over and took her hand startling her. “Hey, listen to me sweetheart, whatever it is that you’re worried about I’m not going to judge you.”
“I don’t mean any disrespect, but…you’re Fae, I think.” She measured him questioningly but continued, “And I get that I am, but all I have to go on is a bunch of stories. I didn’t grow up that way and I really don’t belong here.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “Someone made you feel uncomfortable here. Tell me.”
Narysia shook her head. “No, it’s not that. It’s not even intentional, just…they don’t seem to understand me. I’m just…weird.”
He smirked and he could tell it caught her off guard so he sat back giving her space. She was far too nervous and he needed to get her to relax. “Narysia, I may be Fae, but I’m not exactly normal. Give me a chance. Us weirdos need to stick together, right?”
She smirked stifling a laugh. “You’re not a weirdo.”
“Sure I am.” He shrugged. Staryana picked that moment to walk in with a sandwich for him and he smiled. “Hey baby, aren’t I a weirdo?”
She laughed leaning down to kiss him. “The weirdest I’ve ever met and I love you for it.” She turned measuring the girl before offering her hand. “Hi, I’m Star.”
She hesitated but took her hand as she bowed her head respectfully. “Narysia.”
“Don’t worry about Byryn, he’s just a goof ball.” She smirked glancing at him. “But he’ll take good care of you if you let him.” She added reassuring her. “I look forward to getting to know you Narysia, but I’ve got a little ball of trouble I need to get back to that won’t sit with his soon to be Aunt too much longer.”
Byryn stood kissing her as she turned to him. “Is he giving you a hard time?”
“Nah, he’s good for me. It’s Demytria he’s giving a headache today. She takes it in stride though.”
He sighed. “I’ll have a talk with him later. I shouldn’t be too much longer. I just have to meet with three more today.”
“No worries.” She smiled. “I’ll see you tonight. Nice to meet you, Narysia.”
They watched her leave and he couldn’t help but smile. His Brightness had a way of interpreting what he needed and showing up right at the perfect moment. He turned back noting the ease that embodied Narysia now. “Sorry about that, Staryana says I don’t stop to take time to eat when I’m working.” He shrugged motioning to the plate as he picked up half of his sandwich. “Would you like some?”
“No, I ate earlier thanks.” She studied him as he ate. “You’re not what I expected.”
He smiled setting down his food. “Good, I’d hate to be predictable. I’ll level with you sweetheart, I’m new to all this myself. I grew up Shade and life here’s a lot diff
erent than what I’m used to. I get it, it’s hard to fit in. I know you’re trying to find your way and figure out who you should trust. You don’t know me and I don’t expect you to trust me overnight, but give me a chance. I just might surprise you.” He winked.
She took a deep breath but nodded. “My Mom died a few years ago and they put me into a group home. The people there sucked and I lost almost everything including the journals.” She watched him for his reaction as she continued. “I don’t trust easily because people suck in general. They’ll be nice to your face and stab you in the back.”
He nodded his understanding. No wonder she felt like she didn’t fit in with the Fae. “I hear ya, but if you never take a chance, then you lose out on some of the most important things in life. You’re Fae, Narysia, and because of that you have a way of sensing people. Do you know how to do that?”
She shook her head. “No, I read about it but it didn’t really tell me how.”
“It’s easy, would you like me too teach you?” He offered.
She paused seeming to consider it a moment. “Yeah, actually I’d like that.”
He smiled that she was willing to let him. He liked guiding the unawakened. It was something he’d always enjoyed to some extent. Letting his essence wash over the girl he felt her relax as he started explaining the technique to her. Her essence was strong, it really wasn’t difficult to guide her. There was something about this girl but he couldn’t place it. Maybe he was just feeling protective of her because she didn’t know her lines and it was obvious she’d been hurt in the past. He’d look out for her and try to get her in with Kato as soon as it was feasible. He was supposed to start working through identifying their lines but there were a lot of them that were really young. They needed their parents and unfortunately the others had to wait.
