Shades of Redemption (Mists of the Fae Book 3)

by Jaime Marks

  He melted against her, his tongue probing her mouth as she climbed on top of him, her nails digging into his skin. His hunger surged to meet hers as she rocked her hips grinding herself against his sex feeling it swell for her through his pants. His hand slowly slid to her breast as he pinched and teased her nipple through the slip of a nightgown she wore just for him.

  She needed him, needed him to take her. She needed to be his before something happened that would make it so that it never happened. She felt the shift in him, his sensibilities coming to surface. He was going to stop her but she couldn’t let him. It had to be tonight.

  She hooked her fingers in his pants, glad he’d worn his silks and not his leathers. She broke the kiss and slid down his legs taking his pants down enough to reveal his thick length as she went.

  “Staryana, we should stop.” He gasped trying so hard not to moan, trying to regain control. She loved the control she held over him, and tonight, one way or another he was going to submit to it.

  Before he could stop her she took his length in her mouth sucking hard and fast along his sex. She moaned in delight when his head kicked back on a groan. She knew she wasn’t his first. He knew exactly what he was missing and how easy it would be to give into her every desire. She just had to make him see that he could.

  His hands speared into her hair as she sucked him harder, faster, trying to take him closer to the edge, hoping she could work him into such a frenzy that he gave into what she knew they both wanted. She knew he had to be close, his body shook either from how close he was to coming for her or because his restraint was close to breaking. Either would work at this point.

  Something in him snapped, she felt it as he took control gripping her hair tightly as he forcefully thrust deeper into her throat gagging her before ripping her off of him and tossing her back. In the work of a moment he had her on her back, his mouth at her core. He groaned at the taste of her as he pinned her down. His tongue lashed at her clit sending delicious waves through her as she moaned. She felt his tongue suddenly penetrating her as his hand slid around her hip. His fingers began to work her as he dipped into her cup over and over and the pressure she felt building inside of her grew. Her body began to tremble as she arched and suddenly pleasure she’d never known exploded through her in delicious waves, his tongue lapping and sucking at her core as he drank in her release. It was divine, absolutely divine and if she had her way he would take her there over and over before the night ended.

  He groaned as he tasted her sweet nectar flooding his mouth, latching onto her. He grinded into the bed, the desire he had for her too much. His release rocketed out of him before he could clamp down on the urge and he road it out.

  No one had ever driven him this hard, ever mastered him so well. He needed her so badly, especially tonight. He needed to sink into her and claim her as his own, to know that she would always be his. Blind to reason in the heat of desire he surged up to her.

  The moment his sex made contact with her core he froze in realization. He couldn’t do this. He had sworn he wouldn’t do this. They had already allowed things to go way too far. He pulled back from her moist delicate folds, kissing her body softly through the satin gown she wore. It couldn’t happen now and definitely not like this. Her nails dug into him as she tried to pull him back but he caught her hands and restrained them above her head, pinning her in place as he shook his head.

  “No, no Brightness, we can’t.” He whispered, every bit of his being was fighting against his words but he couldn’t do this. He just couldn’t. It had to be different with her. She deserved more than this. Her awakening would be so soon and he could restrain himself ‘til then for her.

  “No Byryn! We need to do this, now!” She argued fighting against him.

  “Baby please, it’ll be soon,” he groaned, “but we need to wait.”

  “No Byryn it has to be tonight before he…” She froze, terror lacing through her as his head snapped up to meet her eyes. They were popped wide, glistening with unshed tears. Her mouth moving slowly as she sought for words to cover what she’d said.

  “He who, Staryana,” He all but snarled. He could feel the Darkness surging in her, how she feared it and what it did to her. He could feel that she feared something more and sensed the blocks she had firmly locked blocking him from the information of whatever it was that haunted her.

  Her eyes squeezed shut and a single tear rolled down her face as she shook her head. “I can’t…you’ll hate me”

  Now concern and fear gripped him as he rolled off of her and off the bed righting his pants. He took a few breaths struggling to compose himself. He couldn’t come at her with the rage he felt. He knew she would misinterpret its meaning and whatever was going on, whoever was hurting her, she needed him right now.

  Byryn centered himself before he went back to her remaining above the covers. She was sitting there with her knees pulled tightly to her chest, her arms wrapped around herself. Her face was buried in her knees. He couldn’t tell if she was crying or just shaking. He reached out to her with his essence probing her but she blocked him shaking her head.

  “No Byryn, please no.” She all but wailed at him.

  He knelt before her, reaching around her knees to gently lift her head. Tears streamed down her face and his heart broke for her. He couldn’t even fathom what had her feeling like this. Why would she think she had to give herself to him? Who had her this scared? Every fiber of his being froze with fear and boiled with rage. He didn’t want to push her but he needed to know. He needed to protect her.

  “Baby, please talk to me. I love you. I don’t know what secrets you think you could possibly hide that would make me hate you, but I promise you, it can’t compare to my past and you’ve already forgiven me for that. How could I judge you harshly for anything?”

  She searched his eyes, fear and resignation in her face. They both knew that if he wanted he had the means to take the information from her, but he wanted her to tell him. She needed to know she could trust him completely because she needed him. The Darkness in her was so strong. She needed to let him help her so she never lost herself to it.

  “H-, he comes to me…” Her voice broke, sobs wracking through her.

  He tried to pull her to him but she just shook her head and cried. “Shh, baby it’s ok.” He brushed the curls away from her eyes. “Please Brightness, please let me help you. If you can’t say it will you show me? Let me in, baby, you have to let me help you. I promise, I won’t judge you, but I need to know. I can’t help you if I don’t know.”

  She sobbed harder as she shook her head and he stared at her. He was so unsure what to do. She was fighting him so hard and blocking him so well there was no way she would talk to anyone else. He didn’t know how to ease her. He felt a tear slide down his face. Seeing her like this was killing him.

  “Staryana, I could never hate you, ever. There is nothing, nothing you could do or say that will ever change that. Nothing anyone else could do or say.” He was exasperated and drew in a deep breath trying to hold himself together. “Baby, you’re obviously hurting and scared. I know we haven’t gone there yet, but I am your mate, in every way that matters. I can’t make you talk to me, but I’m here. Whatever you need, baby, always, and we aren’t leaving this room until I know you’re safe.”

  She reached for him and he immediately pulled her too him, holding her tightly as the sobs wracked through her body. “Please baby, if you won’t tell me then, please baby just tell me what I can do to ease this for you?”

  He barely heard her, she spoke so softly. “Please don’t hate me…”

  He was about to tell her he could never when he felt her walls drop and he let his essence flow through her, comforting her. She was opening to him, slowly but he wasn’t about to push her. She needed to do this on her own. She needed to somehow come to terms with whatever had her in this state.

  Images suddenly flooded him. A Dark robed Shade appeared holding an ornate staff topped with an
onyx orb, his eyes pure black. He was old, so very strong. He stood behind her his arm wrapped possessively around her as he caressed her, holding her tightly to his body while he whispered in her ear. Images played in front of them. He was taking her, forcing her. Different images flashed before her so vile and carnal. They were things she should never have to see and he would die before he ever let her endure them. He watched as snakes crawled over her body restraining her as her tormenter thrust into her. Another image of him working her roughly with the head of his staff, forcing it inside of her as she cried in pain. Another of him holding her core wide while she was penetrated by all manners of atrocities.

  Byryn couldn’t look at the images the Shade displayed for her any longer. No wonder she was terrified. He studied her and saw the Dark essence he flooded her with. Her mind warred against all she saw but essence wrapped around her seductively and her body responded to the sensations of pleasure that rolled through her as the Shade began touching and caressing her. The contradiction between her lust and her fear caused her to fear herself more than she did the Shade. He reached into her heart. She was terrified that she would give into him. His strength, his power so strong, her body wanting more of what he gave her and her mind revolting harshly against it.

  It was the mental manipulations, the grooming tactics that a Shade used to prepare their slaves. It was meant to predispose them to whatever acts they planned on forcing upon their victims. Their minds were left strong against it but their bodies would welcome the pleasure opening them to be used fully to sate their master. He’d seen it before but this was some of the vilest depravity he had ever seen.

  Alayne. There was no other answer. No other Shade held the power and strength he sensed. No other Shade could mask their influence so well. Byryn had known her Father came to her. He tried to mask it but their connection was strong, he had always known, but Alayne? He hadn’t even had an inkling. No one had.

  “How long?” He snarled, his words echoing through her bed chamber.

  She froze pain lacing through her and he realized what she must be feeling. He took a deep breath and sent her the love he felt for her as he struggled to hold his composure. He kissed her head stroking her hair gently to comfort her. She needed to know he wasn’t mad at her and he wasn’t in the slightest. Terrified for her, enraged at what she’d been struggling with and what Alayne planned for her, definitely, but none of this was her fault.

  He took a deep breath before he spoke, careful to keep his voice soft and calm. “How long, Brightness? It’s important, baby. I need to know how long this has been going on.”

  Her head hung in shame, “Years.”

  He cursed under his breath kissing her head while he struggled with the rage that boiled through him. He hooked his finger under her chin, gently pulling her head up to meet his eyes. “Listen to me, Staryana. This is not your fault. What you’re feeling, the sensations in you, they’re not your fault, baby. They aren’t even your own.” He kissed the tears from her face before kissing her chastely. “This is the mental manipulations of the Shade. You have to fight against it, please baby, for me, for Kylion. Whatever you need to hold onto, but you need to fight it.”

  “You’re angry.” She all but choked.

  “No Brightness, I’m well past angry, but not at you. Never at you.” He kissed her deeply. “I love you Staryana, always. I could never blame you for this. I promise you, he’ll never get the chance. This will never happen. I’m going to keep you safe.”

  She nodded and he held her a few moments, using his essence to calm and balance her. He wrapped it around her to keep that son of a bitch out. “Are you alright, baby? I need to deal with this, Staryana. I need to address it but I won’t leave you until you feel safe. I won’t leave you before I know you’re sure that I love you, I could never hate you, and that I’m going to keep you safe from him.”

  She sat quietly a moment. “Are you gonna tell everyone?”

  He cursed. “I have to tell them he’s reaching you, attacking you in this way but I swear to you I won’t tell them how. I won’t tell them what you see or how you feel.”

  She nodded not looking up to him. “I love you, Byryn. Only you.”

  He hooked her chin once more so he could meet her eyes. “I love you too, baby, always. You have nothing, nothing to be ashamed of Staryana. What he’s doing to you Brightness, it’s not your fault.”

  He kissed her passionately holding her tightly, protectively. He had no idea how long they sat there but he meant it. He wasn’t leaving her side until he was sure she was alright. To hell with the rest of his duties.

  After what had to be hours of just lying with her, holding her, she looked up to him. “Go, Byryn. I know you need to deal with this. I’m alright. I need to clear my head anyway.” She whispered finally breaking the silence.

  “Are you sure, Brightness? It can wait ‘til morning if you want. I’ll sit here with you for as long as you need.” He brushed the hair from her face and kissed her softly.

  “I’m sorry Byryn.” Her voice was hoarse, still cracking from crying so hard, but the tears and sobs had stopped a while ago.

  “Baby, you have nothing to be sorry for. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

  She huffed, “Yeah, I only just tried to force you to have sex with me.”

  He shook his head, “Don’t apologize for that, Brightness. Never apologize for wanting or needing me. I rather enjoyed when you seduce me.” His smiled enticingly as he traced the curves of her body with his eyes. “But I respect you too much to take advantage of you.”

  She smiled softly and leaned in to him, kissing him softly. “I love you. I’m ok now. Go on, go do what you need to do.”

  He held her to him tightly as he kissed her deeply, his tongue entwining with hers. “I’m going to have Ryo outside your door just in case. You need me, you reach out to me. I can be here in the space of a moment.”

  “Ok.” She nodded.

  Byryn kissed her again and then finished dressing. When he got out the door, Ryo was waiting for him. “No one goes in this room outside the royal lines. I would prefer she stay here but if for some reason she insists that she needs to leave you follow and I want to know instantly.”

  Ryo bowed at the waist as was custom. “Are you alright, Byryn? You look like you’re about to kill some Fae.”

  He scoffed. “You don’t even know the half of it.” Could Alayne even be killed? He had no idea, but he knew how to find out.

  Checking his watch he walked off reaching out to everyone. It was only five in the morning but this was happening now. He knew what he needed and he knew what had to happen to get it. He didn’t care who the hell had an issue with it, he’d do what he had to do to protect her.

  Chapter 18

  Kyle sighed as he felt the summons he’d known was coming. There was no way after his Grandfather had crossed his path at Steph’s that the bastard would leave him alone. God, he hoped that girl was alright. John was gonna flip the fuck out. Bracing himself he entered the hospital room.

  “What the hell are you doing here? You’re not supposed to pick me up until after school.” John grunted slipping his gun back under his pillow as he sat up.

  “Yeah, well, change of plans. I gotta go see the old man and there’s something you need to know. He was at Steph’s when I went to check on her.”

  “Who? Your Dad?” He asked in confusion.

  “No, my Grandfather.”

  John visibly paled and raked his hand through his hair. “Did he take her?”

  Kyle shook his head. “No, I’m not sure why he was there but he didn’t touch her and he left her there. She still hasn’t found that camera you placed in her room so I checked things out knowing you would ask. I hung out until I was sure.”

  “Shit man, why the hell is your Grandfather sniffing around? He almost always sends someone else.”

  He shrugged not really wanting to reveal anything. Kyle knew exactly why Alayne was looking for Steph, because s
he was close to Staryana, but that was need to know information. He wasn’t about to pay the penance for that shit. “He summoned me after so I assume he wants to know why I was there. I’ll see what he’ll tell me. You know how he likes to hear himself talk.”

  “Wait, what the hell were you doing at Steph’s? I thought you were supposed to keep your distance.” John growled pointing at him.

  Shaking his head in disgust he met the rage in his eyes head on. “Seriously? Star’s missing. She took off with Byryn. What the hell do you think I was doing? I wanted to know if she knew where they were. I told you, I want Star, you can fucking have Steph.”

  John nodded. “Yeah good luck with that. I hate to tell you this Kyle, but Byryn’s gonna fucking kill you if you go after her. He’s claimed her. You’re better off letting her go.”

  “Brute force isn’t always best.” He retorted. There had to be something in his bag of tricks that he could pull out to deal with that scum bag. He wasn’t leaving Star with him, no way in hell. “I’ll figure it out. What do you want to do about Steph?”

  “Shit man I don’t know. I’m not stupid enough to go against your Grandfather.” He groaned as he got up and got dressed. “See what you can find out and we’ll go from there. I gotta think about it. Just…shit just take me home.”

  They walked out to the car and he drove to the apartment. John looked to him before he got out of the car. “Good luck. Don’t give him too much shit. I want to head over to her place tonight and make sure she’s ok.”

  “Yeah, I’ll try.”

  Really he had no control over how long he was gone. It would depend on his Grandfather’s mood and what he wanted. If Alayne decided to interrogate him about Steph he was screwed because really he didn’t want to see anything happen to her but ultimately if it came down to him or her, he had other things that were more important to worry about.

  Marcus groaned when he felt Byryn reach out to him. It was early, he could wait a little longer. He continued to kiss his way down Reyana’s body, reveling in her soft gasps. A loud knock echoed through the room and he sighed resting his head lightly on her stomach kissing it gently.