Shades of Redemption (Mists of the Fae Book 3)

by Jaime Marks

  Alayne resented Cymeryn’s very existence. The favor the Dark Lord had always paid him had bred greed and jealousy between them. The High Priest wanted nothing more than to destroy him slowly and extinguish his essence with his own hand. If it was only he that would suffer, Cymeryn would pay it no thought, but as he had but one weakness, he would not be the one to bear the brunt of Alayne’s wrath. Alayne would make him bear witness to the depths of depravity and heights of pain that he slowly, painstakingly put Reyn through before he even began to torture him and even then it would only be so she could rest and heal that he might begin again.

  The sound of a door opening broke his thoughts.

  “Are you awake, Supryn?” Syneous’ voice drifted to him.

  “Tell me Syneous, how deep does your deception go?” Cymeryn choked out.

  When he had found Syneous, he was an unawakened human that appeared to be weak and his origins were unknown. He would have overlooked him and left him to his fate if he had not been married to Reyn in her human form. He had been the perfect weapon. In hindsight, it was too perfect.

  “I am the blooded born of Alayne, Father of the Shade.” He replied factually. There was no emotion or inclination in his voice but just the use of the title told Cymeryn where his allegiances lie, even if he was unaware he had revealed it. Lazurys was the Father of the Shade, only the Elder Priests and his loyalists referred to Alayne as such and none of them would ever deign to follow a warrior.

  “Yes, and how is it that went unknown, Syneous? I am certain Kato a Kacyion sensed you himself and that Fae is well adept at teasing out the Darkness of the Shade. He has a gift for it.”

  “Alayne had me hidden by Lord Lazurys. My true essence was masked so he could protect me from his enemies until he was ready to awaken me or found the proper use.”

  “How lovely for you to have the strongest of the Shade as not only your sire, but your blooded sire.” Cymeryn let his disgust seep through in his tone and he tried again to open his eyes. Everything waved in a blur.

  “I’m bound to both of you, Cymeryn. There was nothing you requested from me that I didn’t fully apply myself to and that is the only information I withheld. I even gave you more knowledge than I was supposed to, which I paid my penance for.” Syneous replied and he heard drawers being opened and closed. “There are clothes on the foot of the bed when you feel up to it. I don’t have any of your robes here but I’ll get some once you’re well enough to see to your own defenses. You’ve only been here an hour so, judging on the rate you seem to be healing, it’ll be soon.”

  “Are we in your home, Syneous?” It was the only thing that made sense.

  “Yes.”

  “Who have you here?” He wondered.

  “There is a whore in the basement I was pacing. You’re free to sate yourself if you like. I would wait a while, though. She’s a bit spent at the moment. It’s much easier to feed my hunger now that Reyn and Star aren’t my obligations.” He murmured Darkly.

  Cymeryn wanted to scoff at how easily he dismissed his blooded daughter but he thought it best not to test the Shade before his strength returned. Besides, it was an odd statement to make. It almost seemed to be made out of convenience. “How does Staryana fare?”

  “She is betrothed to Trevyn’s son. I was with her in her mind last night. She’s still hiding her connection to me from him. The Darkness within her grows daily. I can bring her to me whenever it’s required. I only knocked up her Mother so that she would be more easily controlled but my young has been the one enjoyable thing that resulted from our marriage. With her Mother’s stubborn fire, her strength and training, she’ll fetch a fine trade. Any Shade would revel in the joy of breaking her.”

  Cymeryn ground his teeth as he forced himself to sit up. He was in Reyn’s room, in the bed where he had turned Syneous, and taken pleasure in Demytria. The sheets had not been attended to which explained the stench. Revolting. He may be Shade and prone to depravity but he had standards.

  “I will make use of your shower. It is one of the few inventions of humanity I actually enjoy.” He held in the grimace as he stood and wandered to the bathroom. None would see the weakness that held him as he healed.

  Before this was through, that Shade would have to die. His connection to Staryana was a threat to Reyana. One he might yet need to exploit. Once she was his again however, Syneous would die for his betrayal. He would die for the pleasure he had taken in Reyn’s flesh, and he would die for his intentions for her young, whatever they may truly be. There was a reason he was downplaying certain things. Cymeryn would need guide the girl and teach her to protect herself and she would need to learn quickly. Alayne was apparently her Grandfather and if the rumors were true, his family sometimes endured worse than his enemies. At least his enemies were eventually granted death.

  Reyana stretched before she turned to finally look at him. Marcus sat lounging against a tree, watching her with that seductive smile of his. He had been there for a while now but he’d left her be and she had needed the space to center herself.

  “Are you ready for my company, my love?” He asked in amusement as he watched her stare at him.

  Smiling playfully she patted the grass beside her. “I suppose I could handle that.”

  “Oh?” He raised an eyebrow as he rose and came to sit with her, leaning to her ear. “And exactly what is it you wish to handle, my beautiful Reya?”

  She smiled secretly as he kissed her. “I’m sorry I ditched Iyrus but I needed some time.”

  “I know, love. I knew the moment the thought entered your mind. It was actually the perfect distraction today.”

  Leaning against him she absorbed his comfort. “Please tell me you are not going to block my way to get here. Every time I find a Sanctuary you place guards all over the place.”

  “I need to have the patrols extended to the cliff face behind the castle, but if you wish I will only make it a patrol. If you are crafty enough you should be able to evade them.” Stroking her hair, he sighed, “Or you could just let me know you want to come here and I would bring you without any issues. There really isn’t any cause to torment your guards like this.”

  She giggled. “I suppose I owe Iyrus an apology. He was becoming infuriating though.”

  “His purpose is to see to your safety when I’m not about. He was only doing his duty.”

  “I know.”

  “We should return to the Palace before Grifyn and Kato come looking for one of us and decide to conduct a castle wide search.” He groaned.

  Reyana nodded. “I suppose it’s the joys of being royalty.”

  “Speaking of that, we need to attend the Council meeting tonight. Mythos wants to retire the Council and he needs you present to do so.” He studied her as he spoke. He’d been trying to talk her into going for three days. She knew he was right, but she didn’t really like leaving the realm. So many things could go wrong and going to the Realm of Light brought back too many memories.

  “What about everyone here though? I don’t think it’s smart to leave things so unattended.” She justified, trying one last time to convince him that she shouldn’t go. Despite knowing what needed to be done she would rather put it off a while longer.

  “Trina, Demytria and Star will be here as well as a full complement of Guardians. It’s only for a few hours, Reya. It will be alright.”

  She sighed knowing she had run out of excuses. “I suppose you’re right. It’s just…the last time we went to the Council, it’s when…”

  Drawing her to him he embraced her tightly. “Shhh, you don’t have to say it, I know. Do you fear Cymeryn? As much as I may not trust my twin I think we can both agree he would never hurt you.”

  “No, it’s not so much him and I know you’re right. I don’t know though…there’s something. It’s almost as if he’s trying to protect me from something else, but it’s not Lazurys. I don’t understand. Cymeryn reached out to me a little while ago, actually. This was the first time he reached out so
openly in a month but I couldn’t sense his pain. It might mean he’s free now but I know he endured everything Lazurys inflicted on him to protect me.”

  Marcus grew silent as he tensed and she pulled back from him. It was hard for him to hear her talk so openly about her connection with his twin and it was wrong of her to flaunt it in front of him. She hated how she was hurting him.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be sitting here going on about your brother.”

  “No, it’s alright. I want you to talk to me.” Cupping her face he drew her in for a kiss. “I don’t have as much issue with my twin as you think. In fact, if he reaches out to you again, will you tell him I would like to talk to him?”

  Reyana turned studying her mate. “Why?”

  “I want to know what he is protecting you from, Reyana. I have seen through you, I know there is fear for you in him. We definitely have our issues, but there is one thing that links us beyond our blood; our love for you.”

  “Ok, if you think it’s best. I’m just afraid you might kill each other.” She laughed trying to make light of it but the idea seriously concerned her.

  He chuckled. “Did I kill him in that room, hmm?” He kissed her neck. “I’m pretty sure that if I didn’t kill him then I can refrain from doing so now. I know how you feel for him, Reyana. I know how much it would hurt you to lose him in that way and he is mine blooded twin.” He slid the fabric from her shoulder and kissed the skin he revealed. His hand sliding around her cupping her breast. “I know you think I cannot not handle your desire for him Reya, but sense me. Is it discomfort you sense?”

  She gasped in pleasure as he teased her, “I thought you said we had to get back to the Palace.”

  “They can wait a while longer.” He murmured as he slid her to the ground and knelt before her sliding his pants down his hips.

  She loved when he touched her this way but she wasn’t in the mood for his gentle touch. Today she wanted to be dominated. She wanted to drive him to that point where his gentle restriction snapped. If she were honest, she wanted him to treat her like Cymeryn would.

  Sitting up quickly taking him with her mouth, she sucked on him hard as she took him deeply in her throat and ran her tongue over his length as it slid back and forth in her mouth. She drove him relentlessly taking him right to the edge as she sent her essence through him, calling forth his desire and exposing her own. It drove a hunger in him she knew he wouldn’t be able to control. She knew she had him where she wanted when his hands gripped her by the hair and he thrust in deeply on a moan before withdrawing from her mouth. He pulled her roughly to his mouth, his tongue owning her as his hand slid under her skirting, firmly gripping her ass. He lifted her, thrusting forcefully into her, filling her core with the full length of his sex. He bit her lip as she moaned and he hammered into her roughly. It was the perfect mix of pleasure and pain as he possessed her body using her to sate his hunger. He pumped over and over slamming into her, not relenting until they both crested over their peak, and all but collapsed on her once they were spent.

  As he rested his head on her stomach she could feel him sensing her thoroughly. “Are you alright my love? I didn’t mean…” He trailed off as shook his head against her.

  She leaned up and kissed his head, “I’m fine Marcus. You didn’t hurt me. It’s what I wanted, what I needed.”

  He nodded hesitantly against her before kissing her stomach and pulling back. “I know it’s what you need sometimes. I just don’t want to risk hurting you.”

  She sat up and sighed, disgusted with herself. This wasn’t something he could handle giving her but she had pushed him to that level anyway taking him to the edge and using her essence to provoke him. It was the same thing she’d done to him that day…“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you there.” She shook her head suddenly feeling ashamed and disgraced.

  Marcus heard her words, felt her guilt and he had had quite enough of it. He needed to show her he could handle this side of her, that he accepted it. He also needed to curb these self-defeating attitudes of hers. Taking her in his arms and kissing her roughly he had her back on the ground so fast she had to catch her breathe.

  “Don’t,” He said forcefully, “Don’t do that. I push you all the time. He pushes you. We may enjoy you in different ways but we take great pleasure in your flesh none the less. We have both coerced you and teased you into submission in our own ways when it has suited our needs. Stop, stop tearing yourself apart for our choices, Reyana.

  “I thoroughly enjoyed taking you now. I indulged in your beautiful body, your hunger and your pleasure back in that room until my passion overflowed. If the moment took me, and you wished it, I may well savor it again.” He kissed her, this time more gently as he slid into her core, rocking her body. “I love you, Reyana. I need you and I give my body to you freely in the ways I have because I relish in it, and because I love taking you higher.”

  He slid out of her and took her with his mouth, his tongue teasing and caressing her. She gripped him by the hair holding him to her core and he drove her harder. When he felt her core quiver he pulled back and thrust his sex deeply into her, riding her hard as she crested over. He roared as his released shot into her.

  When he was sure she was sated, at least for the moment, he withdrew from her as he kissed her passionately. “I love you, Reya. I can’t allow you to feel such guilt over my pleasure and it would surprise me highly if Cymeryn felt differently. If he did, I would probably kick his ass.”

  Reyana laughed, “You would kick his ass anyway.”

  Marcus smiled at her provocatively, but rose and righted his clothing. “Come love, let’s get you back to your throne before the Kingdom revolts in our absence.”

  He lifted her helping her to fix her dress as she leaned into him, kissing him and murmuring against his lips, “I love you, too.”

  Chapter 5

  Grifyn paced outside Marcus’ study. He was well over an hour late and the Queen had evaded her guards…again. If that god forsaken faerie didn’t stop leading her to the far reaches of this realm he was going to bottle that sprite.

  Byryn leaned patiently against the wall by the door and Dracyn sat restlessly in the chair beside him. The boy was disrespectful, arrogant and seemed to think he had some right of entitlement that Grifyn couldn’t fathom. He was everything they had always thought unawakened Shade were and had been mistaken about. He had found most were really just the same as young of the Fae. They may have fiercer tempers that needed an outlet and they definitely needed guidance and structure but the same could be said of most human young. They were half human after all.

  “How much longer are we gonna wait?” Dracyn groaned as he fidgeted.

  “Until the Praetor arrives.” Byryn replied casually as if they were lounging back at their quarters. He had been nothing but patient with the boy despite the fact that he was sure his son despised him. It was obvious he didn’t trust him and after going after his sister, Byryn had every reason to be short with him. Instead he was calm and laid back despite dealing with Dracyn and the fact that the Marcus and Reyana were nowhere to be found.

  It was a calm Grifyn envied. He was glad the boy was at ease but it was a grave security breech to have both the Queen and the Praetor, who all but presided as King, missing. If Mythos were here he would have had the entire Kingdom turned upside down to find them.

  Marcus came strolling around the corner with a smile on his lips and an ease about him that they hadn’t seen in weeks. Well didn’t that just make it difficult to be angry with the Fae? If he had been off handling his issues it was good for all of them, but he still should have at least let one of them know he would be away.

  “Grifyn, Byryn, I apologize for the delay.” He opened the study using his essence to unlock the entry and went to sit at his desk. “Now, let’s get down to business shall we.”

  Grifyn glanced around the modest study. There was a bookcase along the left wall with rolled maps and manuals that lay haphazardly a
long its shelves. The walls were a pale beige and the polished wood flooring was all but covered by a large hand woven auburn and beige area rug. There was a plush beige lounge against the right hand wall of the study and Marcus’ large mahogany desk sat just in front of the high reaching window that took up the back wall. Long auburn drapes, almost the same color the Queen’s hair had once been, all but covered the window leaving only a small opening that allowed very little Light to enter, though the study wasn’t really Dark. Nowhere in the realm was ever Darker than a summer’s sunset. It was nothing like the gold splendor of Marcus’ previous study, though he was beginning to learn that Marcus was not the same Fae he had been one hundred years ago.

  Dracyn sat in the beige arm chair in front of Marcus’ desk with Byryn at his side and Grifyn closed the door leaning by it against the wall. If the boy made a break for it he would need to detain him. He knew Marcus meant to scare him.

  “Honored Praetor, may I present the unawakened Dracyn as per your request.” Byryn offered respectfully as he got things started.

  Marcus picked up a dagger and began tossing it in the air so it spun end over end catching it by the hilt over and over. “Tell me Dracyn, do you want to be here?”

  “Yes sir.” The boy watched the dagger cautiously as it went up and down. He had measured Marcus carefully as he approached and when he sat before him. It was sometimes difficult for the unawakened Shade to trust him because he bore such and incredible likeness to Cymeryn. It was a fear Marcus used to his advantage when the situation suited him.

  “Then why is it you choose not to follow our rules?” Marcus studied him as he continued to toss his dagger up and catch it. He was the picture of calm but far from serene, more like the calm before the storm.