by Jaime Marks
Rising slowly he noticed Felycia watching him from the doorway with an odd look on her face. There was a glimmer of something, regret maybe? It caught him off-guard but he was too messed up in his head to try to figure out what he was picking up on.
“You really do love him, don’t you?” She asked quietly.
“Yes.” He managed to choke out.
She nodded. “Thank you for letting me see him.”
Felycia turned to go and Byryn cursed under his breath, “Felycia, if Drac…”
She cut him off. “I can handle myself, Byryn.”
“I know. That doesn’t mean you deserve the way that little shit treated you.”
His sister nodded, not turning back to him. “I know that, but it doesn’t mean you and I are going to discuss it.” She walked out without another word.
Byryn dimmed the Light as best as it could be in this realm and went out to the hallway. Everyone stood waiting for him. He could tell by their boots and shoes. He couldn’t meet a single one of them in the eye.
Grifyn spoke softly. “No one is judging you for your past, son.”
“Someone should.” He replied Darkly. His guilt, shame, and rage were coursing through him, consuming him. There was so much wrong he’d done and he couldn’t help but feel as if Kylion had just paid part of the penance for it.
Felycia spoke from the top of the hall. “He would have killed you, Byryn. You had no choice but to listen to his command.”
He looked up to see her leaning against the wall watching them. “There’s always a choice, Felycia.”
“Not for me, and not for you. Not until now.” She walked away without ever meeting his eyes.
Staryana touched his shoulder and he turned and kissed her head embracing her. He meant to release her but she flooded him with her essence and he savored the relief it brought him. After a few moments he pulled away from her. “Watch after him, Brightness? Promise me you will stay here and stay with him?”
“I promise, Byryn. I’ll be here waiting when you come back.”
He nodded, “We should be going.”
“Are you sure you’re up to this, Byryn? No one would fault you for remaining here with Kylion.” Marcus offered.
He met Marcus in the eyes. “It’s either I go with you or I hunt him down and let my Darker half take over. It’s your call really Praetor, but one never knows what you’ll run into when we step out of the realm.” He let his essence reach out to the Fae to ensure Marcus got his meaning. There was no way he wasn’t going to this meeting tonight. There was too much at stake if something went wrong when Marcus decided to go rogue.
The Praetor nodded sending his essence back in response. “I understand.”
“Are you sure, son?” Grifyn asked softly.
He nodded, “I want extra guards in this corridor and the unawakened’s until we return, but yeah I’m sure. They’ll behave for a few days after witnessing my rage anyway.”
“I’ll go make the arrangements.” Kato interjected and left them standing there.
Marcus nodded, “I have some final preparations to attend to. We should be ready shortly, come Reyana, we need to finish going over the documentation for the meeting.”
Grifyn just stood there silently. He and Staryana must have communicated in some way, but he hadn’t noticed. He only noticed that she had left the hall and gone into Kylion’s room closing the door. Trina and Demytria had likewise disappeared. They were alone.
“You’re a good male, Byryn. I know you don’t always believe so, but no one who has met you in the last month would ever question that.”
Byryn didn’t bother to look up as he shook his head. “I think after tonight you might be wrong about that.”
“Why? Because you beat the hell out of that kid for beating your son? If you hadn’t I would have, and if not me then Marcus. There isn’t a Guardian, Healer, Scholar, or otherwise that would have done differently. That was not an act of a Shade sating his anger, Byryn. That was the act of a Father avenging his son, protecting his mate, and guarding his family. The Claiming rituals create the bonds the same as if we had conceived our young. My connection to you, and yours to Kylion, it goes beyond an emotional attachment. The bonds of blood amongst the Fae are the strongest bonds we have. Only the bonding between mates can match it. We can become fiercely protective with our families, especially our young because there is a primordial instinct to protect them that kicks in. Something almost animalistic grips us and to have any amount of control in such a situation is phenomenal.”
“I’m not sure if you were paying attention, Dad, but I didn’t exactly embody control out there.” Byryn scoffed.
“Oh, I think you had more control than you think. The boy is still alive and you didn’t string him up and mutilate him.”
Byryn all but snapped. “That may be, but that isn’t the only issue. He came after Kylion to get to me. He threatens Staryana to get to me. He all but put Felycia out there because of me and he likely attacked her as well. Not to mention I now have to worry about how people are going to react to me, if they’ll respect my commands. How will they treat Staryana because of her choice in me? Will they assume Felycia easy prey because of me? And why? Because of the choices I made in my past. There are times I wonder if I really deserved to be Redeemed.”
Grifyn’s hand snapped out grabbing him by the shoulder, shaking him slightly. “Byryn, I don’t want to hear you say such a thing again. I understand why you feel that way, and the fact that you carry the guilt at all shows how very much a Fae of Honor you are, but…”
“Fae of Honor? Really, Dad? With all I’ve done how can I ever be considered to have honor?” He knocked his hand away.
Grifyn crossed his arms and his voice took on a stern edge. “You forget son, that I know your mind. I have seen the secrets you hide. You were young for most of it Byryn, acting on the orders of one of the most ruthless Shade that we have record of. I saw him torture, intimidate, threaten and beat you into following his will. Yes, there were points that you ceased fighting back and simply followed what was asked of you, but by then you already knew the consequences. I know you lost yourself in it at times, son but I’m here to help you find yourself again.”
Now Byryn met his eyes, “I didn’t just lose myself in it, Grifyn. I enjoyed it. The power, the pleasure of it, at times they were all consuming. Trevyn may have given me orders, but I excelled in following in my Father’s footsteps. The Brood followed me not because of Trevyn, but because they feared me. It wasn’t by mistake that Cymeryn allowed me to take Staryana. It was because he fully expected that even if I was taken with her I would return her to him spent and thoroughly broken once my desires were sated and had she been anyone else he’d have been right. Had she been anyone else I would have taken her myself long ago because I took what I wanted and did as I pleased. Don’t fool yourself about what and who I am, Grifyn. I don’t deserve her, or you, or any of the favor I’ve been given.”
Grifyn nodded as he looked him over, “Yeah Byryn, you were brutal, and ruthless when you chose to be. You took what you wanted and went beyond what was asked of you and because of that you became the favored son, gifted with power and rank. You were perhaps the most well-known unawakened because of not only your strength and power, but also for your exploits. I do know exactly who you are and what you’ve done, but I also know something else. I know you loved.
“You loved Kylion so much you risked everything you had to protect that boy. You cleaned up his messes, hid his mistakes, and taught him how to feign injury for the beatings you never gave him.
“I also know you wanted to save Michael so badly that it broke you inside every time you raised your whip to graze his skin. Oh maybe not at first, but the more you spent time with him the more you wished you could protect him. You tried to teach him how to survive in that world despite the fact that at any point you could have taken him before Trevyn and said he was weak, tainted too badly by his humanity and proven him for what he was
. He would have been disposed of and you wouldn’t have lost any favor for doing it, but you never did. You feel you failed the boy so badly that you almost allowed him to kill you for the sins you feel you have done him.
“Or let’s talk about Felycia. I saw Trevyn take that blade to your throat. I saw him draw your blood nearly killing you before you bent to his desire. Yes, you lost yourself in the act, boy. Yes, you committed acts against her that wounded her gravely, but you kept her alive. You were the vehicle of her escape when all was said and done. You were the reason she was able to stay a step ahead of Trevyn when he hunted her so fiercely. Whether she knows it or not, you are the only reason that girl stayed alive and free for so long.
“You are so quick to wallow in your past. To hate yourself for things you’ve done, but you live only in the pain and the wrong when you look back. I will not absolve you of your sins, Byryn. No Fae, no mortal can do that. I will simply tell you this. There is a higher purpose to this life, son. If you never believed it before there is no way you can deny it after this last month. If you were not meant to be here, you wouldn’t be. If you weren’t meant to be with Staryana, she would not be bound to you as she is and believe me you are bound. There is no one who could come between the connection you share. I’m not telling you that the past doesn’t matter Byryn or that there won’t be obstacles that you need to overcome, but life is about balance son. It’s about accepting the Light and the Dark within you and the choices you choose to make with the power and opportunities you are given. Felycia is right. Neither of you ever had a choice. There has been no other time in history that the unawakened had a choice outside of their birth aside from death. You were given that choice Byryn, and you chose balance and life. It isn’t an easy path to walk, but I’m here for you. I will help you when you get lost. You are not a monster son, you are but a male. A Fae who has to deal with the hand he has been dealt just like the rest of us.”
Byryn had let his head drop almost as soon as Grifyn began to speak. Now he found he couldn’t bring himself to look back up. The tears that ran down his face too close to revealing the shame and turmoil he felt inside of him. How could this Fae see him in this way? How could he know him so well, for all he had done, and not judge him harshly?
His body moved of its own volition and found himself embraced in Grifyn’s strong arms, the arms of the Father that had claimed him. The Father who loved him, not merely owned and used him as he saw fit.
“It’s alright. Let it go, son. It’s not weakness to feel, Byryn. It’s not wrong to release it.”
He had no idea how long he stood there in Grifyn’s arms crying, but he felt spent. The anger and pain bled from him in the form of his tears. He pulled back slowly and met Grifyn’s eyes, the eyes of his true Father. Trevyn had never been a Father to him in any way that mattered, but Grifyn actually cared for him, stood by his side. He loved him as a son. Byryn didn’t always understand it or the reasons why, but then that was just part of being a real family wasn’t it? You accepted one another and supported them despite their faults.
“Are you ready, son?” Grifyn asked softly.
Byryn nodded as he wiped his face. “Gr-,” He paused. “I love you, Dad.”
The Fae smiled warmly and patted him on the back. “I love you too, son. Now come on, we have a job to do.”
When they reached the top of the hall Marcus, Reyana and Kato waited for them.
Marcus clasped his shoulder and met him in the eye, “You ready for this, Byryn?”
Byryn knew he was talking about a lot more than the Council meeting. He was referring to facing Cymeryn if it became necessary.
“I’m solid.” Byryn nodded, squaring his shoulders and refocusing himself.
Marcus smirked, “That was never a question, son. Come on let’s get going.”
Chapter 8
Mythos paced in the Council chambers. What was taking them so long? They had to divine some method of communication between the realms. As it was it sometimes took a day to get the missives back and forth just to get a simple task done. There had to be a better way.
“Your majesty? Are you sure you do not wish to start without them?” Merious requested. “They are at least an hour, as you call it, behind schedule.”
“There is no point to even holding the meeting without Queen Reyana a Mythion. There are many reforms that need to be put into effect, but she must oversee some as they affect the Realm of the Gray.”
“Perhaps, sire, if you were to tell us what it was you were considering, we may at least advise you so we can proceed quickly upon the Queen’s arrival?” The Councilman prompted.
Mythos shook his head. That was the last thing he intended to do. Little did the Council know they were there only on formality. The King had done his research. It took a decree from two members of the royal line to appoint and unseat a Council member. He was about to make an unprecedented change. Every member was to be removed and replaced due to a lack of confidence. He would restructure their entire system. They had served for hundreds of years. Mythos had never even appointed a member. They were all the same Fae who had served under his Father and they had served him well. Now however, they sought their own designs and did nothing but cause discord amongst the Kingdom. It would no longer be allowed.
Guardians Valeryn and Sheyna took form before him and bowed.
“You may rise, what news have you Guardians?”
“The royal party has just passed through the entryway, my lord. It will be but a moment.” Valeryn offered.
Mythos nodded. “What has delayed them so?”
“There was a…an incident before we left. I will allow either the Liaison Byryn or Praetor Marcus to elaborate.” He bowed slightly in deference.
“Very well,” Mythos grimaced. He only hoped Staryana was well.
They took form before them and all bowed save he and Reyana.
Mythos bowed momentarily at the waist. “Queen Reyana a Mythion, how fare thee sister?”
Reyana curtsied as per custom. “King Mythos a Mythion. I am well, mine brother.”
As the room slowly rose and began taking their seats, Mythos led her to her place at the head of the room. He could sense the somber mood that they were all shrouded in. He wanted to drop formality and ask what the hell was going on but it was not really an option given the task at hand.
“Forgive the delay, your highness.” Byryn spoke quietly as he took his seat beside Grifyn at the table. “There was an issue of a personal matter with my son. I will fill you in when time allows.”
Mythos studied the boy. He was tense and mildly unsettled but reserved, “Is young Kylion alright, Liaison?”
Byryn paled slightly, his gaze distant. “He will be, my lord.”
Mythos looked to Grifyn who looked about as grim and reserved as his son. “There will be time once the meeting has concluded. If need be I can return to Palace Lunya for a few days.”
Grifyn spoke as he rested a hand on Byryn’s shoulder, “It will not be necessary, my lord, unless it is your wish. The issue has been resolved and should not be of consequence again.”
Mythos nodded and sat beside Reyana. He took her hand giving it a gentle squeeze. He knew she was also fond of the boy and Staryana was the closest Kylion had to a Mother.
Reyana smiled faintly at him. “When you are ready, Mythos.”
Mythos let out a breath as he scanned the room and rose to his feet. “In the absence of a formal Head of Council, I, King Mythos a Mythion shall convene this meeting to order.”
“If I may ask, my lord, what has become of Councilman Navion and Councilman Thyrion?” Councilman Freyion requested.
“As you well know Councilman Freyion, Redemption is a choice. Whether the Fae be Tainted or Shade, it is something they must choose. While I was indeed able to Redeem you, they did not accept Redemption. I have tried several times to reach them and the result has been the same each time.” Reyana supplied.
“I see,” Councilman Freyion gazed over th
em suspiciously, “And what will become of those who refuse Redemption?”
“If I may, my Queen?” Marcus offered.
“Of course Praetor Marcus, speak freely.” She nodded seeming glad to defer to him for this.
“The Tainted pose a high degree of risk to the Realm of Light. They cannot be allowed to roam freely spreading the infection at the bidding of the Dark Lord or his Supryn. There is no suitable place to hold them in the Realm of Light. Once construction finishes later this month they will be transferred to a secured colony in the Realm of Gray. Until such time they will remain at an undisclosed location for their safety, as well as that of the realms.”
Freyion spoke with the arrogant whim of a Fae who was used to getting his way, “Your majesties, I must protest this treatment. Surely the Healer’s Compound would be a more appropriate option. These are Fae who have served their Kingdom and the Fae with honor for centuries. Surely they do not deserve to be common prisoners. As an esteemed member of this Council I motion that the Tainted be moved to the Healer’s Compound for treatment. Who will second me?”
Mythos cleared his throat. “Hold. Before you continue this course, Freyion. I suggest we first discuss the reason I have called this session of the Council to order.”
Freyion bit back his disdain. “Of course, your highness.”
“This Council was formed to advise and assist the King of the Fae in the ruling of the Kingdom of Light. It has served all previous rulers of our race with poise and dignity. All of you served as Councilmen with honor for centuries to my Father, King Mythion.
“I, however, am not my Father. The differences in our style of rule have been highlighted by adversity between this Council and myself. It has led to much discord amongst our people. This is an issue that I have discussed at length with Queen Reyana a Mythion as in my stead her reign also extends to the Kingdom of Light. We have agreed that this cannot be allowed to continue."
“We are bearing witness to a revolutionary age. One that will foster balance and bring peace to the realms. This is not something we can hope to expect the realms to accept if it is not something we can embrace and embody within the hierarchy. As per my will, effective immediately your positions within the Council have been retired and new appointments will be issued to foster cooperation and balance.”
