Shades of Redemption (Mists of the Fae Book 3)

by Jaime Marks

  “Guess we should get that.” She breathed her body still shivering beneath him from the last release he had given her.

  He rolled off the bed with a groan and searched for his pants as he reached out and let the boy know he would be there in a moment. “You should probably get dressed, Reya. It’s probably about Star.”

  She nodded reluctantly. He could tell she was finally ready for sleep. She had been so restless. She was worried about Cymeryn, so was he, but he knew his twin could handle himself. He decided the best way to deal with the situation was to tire themselves out until their bodies finally relented in exhaustion. It was certainly the most entertaining way to deal with the situation.

  “Will you get me my robes, love?” She requested as she stretched, her body arching.

  He shook himself, fighting the urge to crawl back on top of her, inside of her and he went to the closet that was now lined in the delicate silver gowns she preferred. Shala had updated her wardrobe. He chose one of the more form fitting options and took it to her.

  “Mmmm, this is one of your favorites.” She looked it over smiling.

  He went to her and kissed her softly. “I’ll take great pleasure in removing it later.” He whispered in her ear with a smile. “Take your time, love. I’ll handle the others.”

  He took a moment to watch her before he turned towards the door. This eve had been phenomenal with her. There was no more distance between them, no more secrets to hide, no more guilt. He no longer feared losing her and she no longer felt she wasn’t deserving of or good enough for his affections. Being with her now was more than he could describe. The only thing better was sharing her with his twin. It was amazing how much the bonds they reaffirmed over the last few hours had changed things.

  When he slipped out of the room Byryn was standing there enraged. “What’s wrong, son? Is Star alright?”

  “For the moment.” He turned, walking into the sitting room. Marcus followed, watching as he began pacing by the large fire place. Grifyn sat on the small red lounge that faced it eyeing him with concern and Kato sat quietly studying the boy from the large arm chair he seemed to prefer when they met here in their suite.

  “Reyana will join us in a moment, Byryn. Are you alright?” Marcus asked him cautiously. Whatever had happened had the boy on edge, but the day before had been very rough on him. He cursed himself for making it harder. The boy was close to snapping.

  He stopped and turned to Marcus slowly and met him in the eyes. “I know your reasons, Marcus. I agree with some of them but the entire board just shifted and they need to know. Staryana is in trouble, serious trouble, and I can’t do this alone. We can’t even do this alone. I need him. I hate even the thought of asking him, but I do.” He paused closing his eyes as he took in a breath. “I know you were planning to do this later today but you need to do it now because I can’t even tell them what’s going on until you fill them in.”

  Marcus glanced to Grifyn and Kato who both watched him with expectation. They were their friends, their family. He turned shaking his head trying to reason out the options. Reyana came out and wrapped her arms around him. He stood looking into her eyes as he communicated with her telepathically through their bond. She winced shutting her eyes, but nodded, kissing him before going to sit on the loveseat she liked to read on.

  He turned back and met Kato and Grifyn in the eye before nodding to Byryn. He eased slightly, but went back to pacing.

  “I know that I’ve been distant and keeping things from you both, and I’m sorry. Reyana and Staryana come first and they were my main concern. I’m sorry for the strain it has caused between us.”

  “Marcus, we are more than your friends. We are your family and we are ever here for you.” Kato turned to Reyana as he spoke. “We would never judge either of you harshly. We only want to help. There are some things you should not have to face alone.”

  Grifyn nodded, “You need to start trusting us again, my friend. I understand the difficulty of it and the reasons, but the secrets and the lies have to stop, Marcus.”

  He nodded with a sigh. “Where do I begin, Reya?”

  She smiled secretly a moment and he could tell her mind was still back in their bed, or even in the grove. Finally she sighed and her expression became serious. “Perhaps you should start with Star?”

  Byryn met his eyes, his brow creased, his visage laced with pain. He nodded, “Everything.”

  “We don’t believe that Staryana is unawakened Fae, she is Shade.” He began slowly.

  Grifyn and Kato sat forward exchanging glances but remained silent.

  “The Darkness in her is increasingly strong and her Father continues to reach out to her. She holds much love in her heart and there is a Light about her that none can deny, but the strength to her Darkness exceeds even Byryn’s.”

  “I could sense her, tease out the reason if you like.” Kato offered.

  “That I will leave the choice of that to Byryn as I trust his judgment on how she will react but we already believe we know the reason.” Marcus grimaced.

  “What is it, Marcus?” Grifyn requested imploring him to continue as he sensed both his and Byryn’s distress.

  “Alayne is Syneous’ Father.” He answered bluntly deciding not to sugar-coat the truth.

  “Impossible, I sensed the man myself.” Kato scoffed, “Whatever would give you that idea?”

  Marcus hesitated but met Byryn’s eyes. The demand in them was evident. He rubbed his brow bracing for their reactions. He had to remember, they had good reason to hate his twin and respect their feelings, despite the fact that he felt the need to fiercely defend him.

  “Cymeryn.” He finally relented.

  He watched them exchange concerned looks. Grifyn glanced between he and Byryn a moment before shaking his head. “He’s manipulating you, Marcus. Kato is never wrong. I can’t fathom the reason but it can’t be true.”

  Byryn cut in, “Dad, I know it’s hard to swallow but I’ve been sensing a Dark strength growing in Staryana for a while now. It’s quite well masked. I’m bonded with her and I couldn’t reason it out because I had met her Father. He didn’t seem to have that sort of strength to me either, but there was something off then too. I just assumed it was because he was newly awakened and it had been forced.”

  “Cymeryn claims that the Dark Lord had masked Sean at Alayne’s request and that even he was fooled. Syneous has been reaching out to Star for weeks. He threatened her last night that he would take her human friend, Steph as his slave if she does not go to him. He insists it is time for her to meet her Grandfather. He’s given her two days to comply. It wouldn’t have been in Cymeryn’s best interest to lie about it now and draw our attention to Star.” Marcus supplied. “If he were manipulating me, it would have been in his best interest to keep my attention drawn away for her. He wouldn’t have implored me to protect her.”

  “But why would he tell you at all, Marcus?” Kato looked him over shrewdly, “What purpose would it serve for him?”

  He looked to Reyana and she nodded. “We believe…Cymeryn has begun to shift. He is Gray.”

  “Impossible.” Grifyn spat. “That Shade doesn’t have it in him. I’m sorry, Marcus. I know he is your brother, your blooded twin, but he has been thus for a hundred years. You’re not thinking clearly. He’s trying to manipulate you in some fashion. It’s what he does. Perhaps he wants you to think he is helping you so he can gain your trust and get closer to Reyana.”

  Kato remained quiet. He was looking at Reyana. Likely he noticed the peace and calm that embodied her now. Slowly his gaze shifted back to him. “When did you see your brother, Marcus?”

  Grifyn gaped, “You saw him?”

  “We saw him last eve.” He replied plainly. There was no reason to hide it, it was easily reasoned out. The only chance they’d had was when they had left the Council on their own.

  Realization crept into Grifyn’s face as he looked between he and Byryn. He was on his feet and in Marcus’ face in the wo
rk of an instant. He stood his ground allowing the Fae to vent his frustration. “It is one thing for you to go off all fool hardy by yourself, you arrogant ass, but to draw in my son! What if something had gone wrong, Marcus? Do you think he would ever forgive himself for it?”

  “Dad.”

  “And you say we? You and Reyana? You risked the Queen to meet with Cymeryn? Have you gone insane? Have you lost your fucking mind?” Marcus held his composure as his Second in Line jabbed him pointedly in the chest. “I can’t believe you would do something so foolish!"

  “Dad!” Byryn snapped.

  He turned to face his son. “This is what you were hiding in the Council Meeting isn’t it? You knew they were going to meet him.”

  “Yes, I knew and I was monitoring the situation closely. As I said last night when you called me on keeping his secrets, if an issue would’ve arose I would have alerted you both in an instant.” Byryn responded coolly.

  Kato rose and placed his hand on Grifyn’s shoulder. “We knew this was a possibility, my friend. I realize that Byryn’s involvement upsets you but we need to deal with this reasonably as we discussed.”

  Marcus glanced at Reyana. She was looking a bit pale, “Are you alright, my love? You don’t have to be here for this.”

  She smiled slightly. “I’m fine, love. Just hungry…I think.”

  He went over and sat beside her allowing her to lay against him. He knew she was tired. The eve had been long and it appeared the day was going to continue where the eve had left off. A small orb of Light flitted about their heads and a small dish of the berries she liked to enjoy in the groves appeared in her lap.

  “Thank you, Shala.” They both nodded.

  “Well, I must say you are both looking better at least.” Kato offered as he and Grifyn took their seats.

  “Can we get back to the task at hand?” Byryn chided, “We are far from finished.”

  Grifyn raked his hand through his hair as he released a ragged breath. “What else are you hiding, Marcus?”

  He kissed Reyana on the head. “That is not my secret to share, my friend.”

  She smiled up to him warmly as she ate her berries. “There is something I’ve asked Marcus to keep between us for now, Grifyn. I want to wait to talk to Mythos when he comes next week before I share it.”

  Grifyn inclined his head and replied curtly, “As you wish your majesty.”

  “Grifyn, you may attack me all you like, I understand and respect the reasons for it, but you will watch your tone.” Marcus retorted.

  The Fae nodded with a sigh, “You’re right, Marcus. I am sorry Reyana, you do not deserve my disrespect.”

  “It’s alright, Grifyn. I understand.”

  “Byryn? Is that sufficient? I will make whatever resources you need available to you as always. You have only to ask and it will be done, but I’m trying to abide by the Queen’s wishes.” Marcus hoped the boy caught his meaning. He knew for whatever reason Byryn wanted Cymeryn.

  Byryn met his eyes and studied him before he nodded and glanced around the room. “Reyana, I need to know if you’ve been having any unusual dreams. Ones that scare you. Ones that you would not expect. Something you have been hiding from your…from Marcus.”

  She looked to Marcus curiously then turned back, “No Byryn, I won’t deny that Cymeryn has reached out to me on occasion, but the dreams weren’t unsettling and I don’t have any reason to hide them from Marcus. Why?”

  He cursed and met Marcus directly in the eyes. “Reyana is not Alayne’s primary target.”

  A chill settled in Marcus’ bones. “What do you mean, Byryn? She is the Goddess Lunya, Lazurys will stop at nothing to attain her.”

  “I realize that. I don’t know the end result but I’m positive. Alayne’s primary target is Staryana and his hold on her grows daily. Cymeryn is his biggest rival and the only person I know, Shade or Fae that has ever had a chance in hell to stand against him. I need to speak to your brother and I need him now.” He demanded.

  Chapter 19

  Cymeryn stood just off the school’s grounds, enshrouded in Shadows as he hid in the mist between worlds. It allowed him to go unseen by all save Lazurys but the Dark deity would find no fault in his actions. It was clear he either had not picked up in the shifts in Cymeryn or did not see them as an issue yet. Otherwise he would have summoned him back by now.

  He was beginning to think the torture he endured the last month was as much about stabilizing his Darkness as it had been a penance. The changes in him were occurring more rapidly than he anticipated but he was sure that they had begun similarly before, after his time with Reyana and his twin in the safehold. Lazurys had stilted the process but he had not been able to stop it. It was a matter he would need to reason out and discuss with his twin when there was time.

  He glanced down at the watch Marcus had given him. If he was reading it correctly the girl should be here soon. Human time was something he’d had very little use for before. He did not spend much time amongst humans in recent decades since time had begun to so thoroughly rule them and even when he did he had others to know such things.

  Based on the information he had deigned from Marcus and his previous attempts to abduct and locate Staryana, Steph generally arrived at the school early. Luckily that worked in his favor. The last thing he needed was to deal with a bunch of humans, especially if the girl fought him.

  Reaching out his senses he was surprised that Syneous had yet to make an appearance. He doubted he would let the girl wait the allotted time. In all honesty, he was surprised he had not obtained her before making the threat, but Alayne had always been arrogant. He had likely manipulated the girl to come looking for Staryana while he had Syneous managing other things. Not even Cymeryn could have foreseen the sequence of events that had led him here and Alayne would never have imagined he would be a step ahead of him.

  His thoughts wandered to Reyana. She had been a revelation last eve. A healing balm on the open wounds of his past. He could feel her now, feel his young inside her. She had been graciously content though she was still worried about the risks he was taking and she worried greatly about Staryana. She was no longer tearing herself a part for her choices, or theirs.

  The girl came around the corner and he pulled himself from the mist, stepping from the Shadows and quickly dismissing them back into the Darkness. She studied him hesitantly glancing around as if searching for something.

  “Steph? Please be of ease, I am Byryn’s uncle. I mean you no harm but I need to talk to you.” Cymeryn tried to relax and make himself seem less intimidating. Not that he knew much about how to do that.

  She studied him curiously as she slowly approached, “Yeah, ok. You kind of look like him. I’ve seen you with Star before too, but…no, not you…”

  A confused expression crossed her face as she almost seemed to be sensing him but he felt no essence. He gave her the time she needed regardless as he sorted through her words. Had this girl been able to see Marcus? She was supposed to be a mere human and he felt no Light, no Darkness. Still…she was not acting or speaking as one.

  After a moment she shook her head as if to clear it and met his gaze. “Do you know where Byryn is? I’ve been trying to reach him.”

  “I do. He is with Staryana.” He noticed the girl ease some.

  “Is she alright? I’ve been worried sick.” She wore her concern and fear openly. Her emotions were clear to him but her thoughts were somehow masked, which was oddly interesting.

  “Yes, Steph, she is safe but she is also in a lot of danger. Her Father has become…dangerous.” He studied her hoping he could impart the story he and Marcus had worked out. “Byryn helped her to get to safety but he has found a way to reach her. This may be difficult to understand, but because of her Mother’s illness there is little the authorities can do. They say Staryana must return to her Father’s until he does something wrong. They have chosen instead to remain hidden. I realize you do not know me and you have no reason to trust me, but he
r Father threatened to hurt you if she did not return to him. You are in danger Steph, and she and Byryn asked me to come find you.”

  Steph looked him over, “You aren’t from around here are you?”

  He chuckled, “No, is it that obvious?”

  “Yeah, you talk kind of funny and your clothes are weird.” She shrugged. “Look, I totally believe she took off with Byryn. It was pretty obvious last time I saw her that there was something going on with them. Seriously though? I don’t know you and I haven’t had so much as a phone call from Star, so how am I supposed to know you’re legit?”

  With a sigh he tried to reason out his options. He was not surprised that the girl did not trust him. He would not trust him, but he had to get her to safety and he really did not wish to resort to force. It would only make things harder with Staryana in the long run and there was no doubt that Reyana’s daughter was going to need his help if they were going to keep her safe. The question was how did he convince her?

  “Stephanie…”

  “Steph.” She bit out in annoyance.

  He arched a brow at the correction biting back on his own. Arguing over something so trivial would serve no purpose and he needed to reach the girl. Shaking his head he dropped the pretenses. Either she would hear him and believe or he would take her.

  Keeping his tone soft and calming he explained her situation. “Steph…I would not have come if you were not in danger and trust me, if I wanted to hurt you we would not be having this conversation. There is no one around at the moment. I could have abducted you easily, avoiding the need for this debate and no one would be the wiser but that would only cause you to fear and distrust me and I do not see that making it easier for our journey. If you stay here, I assure you, Staryana’s Father will come for you and if not then someone far worse. The things they will do to you will break you and you do not have the means to fight them as I do. If you come with me, I will keep you safe and I will take you to Byryn and Staryana. It is all I can offer.”