Manipulations mists of t.., p.21
Manipulations (Mists of the Fae Book 10), page 21
“You chose this life. I don’t think you really know what that means, but I’ve always respected your choices. If you decide to remain here, you will learn respect.”
“I’m not going home,” she ground out.
“I know,” he spoke softer, trying to calm her, “Look, I get it. What they did was inexcusable. I don’t expect you to forgive them, or to even want to return to a world that you don’t feel comfortable in; not that I think you’ll understand things here any better.” He shrugged crossing his arms. “Everything takes time. You need to learn the rules, determine where you fit in, what you want them to know, what you don’t. I get it. Kyle and I don’t exactly meet the standards of noble society either.”
She smirked easing a bit and he reached down caressing her cheek to soothe her, knowing she needed to feel his essence and that comfortable familiarity between them in some way. She needed her family, even if she didn’t want to admit it right now. It also showed his brothers an intimacy that didn’t really exist, but they didn’t need to know that. There were rules to what you could claim.
“I’m not going to make you go home, but I will give you a choice. I have your Father. He’s safe and he’s not with the others. They won’t be able to influence him or tell him what’s happened. If you want, Kyle will take you to him. The only people that can reach him are myself, Kyle, Staryana, and Astryn. Go to him. Stay there until your head clears and then make your own decisions about what you want. Whatever you decide I’ll respect.”
“Like hell!” Ravyshyn stalked forward, seething as he watched the way he touched her. “Do you have any idea how difficult it was to reach her? She’s lucky I allowed her to be our concubine and didn’t bind her as my slave after her betrayal. Now you want to fucking confuse her? What if you cause her to spiral into chaos?”
“Hold Ravyshyn,” Vil cautioned.
“What are you worried about, Rav? If she’s really yours, she’ll come back to you,” Byryn sneered in disgust as he felt the connection they now shared. “All I’m doing is giving her time alone with her Father until I can train her.”
“What the hell is this, Byryn?” Steph demanded.
She looked up at him and he could tell she was so damned confused. Part of him wanted to say to hell with it and take her the hell out of here, but he knew he needed to gain her trust if he had any chance of bringing her back from this. As much as he hated it, until she was safe and open-minded enough to hear him, this had to play out.
“You haven’t turned. I’d be able to sense it, but you’re here working with the Shade. You’re promising me you won’t take me back, but then you say Star’s still at home. I know you’d never leave her. You’re contradicting yourself. How am I supposed to trust you?”
“I’m not gonna twist your arm, Steph. I have obligations to meet. The option remains until I have to return home,” he offered not bothering to answer her questions. He couldn’t. He had his role to play if he was going to protect everyone he cared about, including her.
Her brow furrowed. “What do you mean, until you have to return home?”
Beryn stepped up beside him measuring her. It was clear he was trying to get a handle on the situation. His brother was always clear-headed and calculated. As much of an ally as he could be, Byryn knew better than to let his guard down with him. Beryn may not be the most ruthless or depraved, but he was still an Elder. Byryn might hold his loyalty, but if his brother thought he still needed to be reclaimed, that this was all the ruse it really was, he’d stop at nothing to ensure Byryn lost himself in Darkness.
“Lord Byryn has agreed to surrender himself to the Dark Lord in exchange for amnesty for all Redeemed and Sacred Borne of the Brood, as well as their mates. He was also granted the assistance needed to retrieve the Fae Alayne had imprisoned here,” he offered watching her responses closely.
Shock laced her features. “But what about Star and…”
A harsh look cut off her question. Byryn couldn’t risk her mentioning the pregnancy. “I’ll always protect Staryana, and I have every intention of returning to her. It doesn’t matter where we walk she will always be mine and I will always protect her. Just like I’ll always protect Astryn and Kyle…and I’ll always protect you, sprite. You’re still mine.”
Steph blinked up at Byryn as he caressed her cheek tenderly. She was thoroughly confused with the affection he showed her and the actions he took. Was he turning? Or was this all a ploy? She didn’t understand what the hell he stood to gain from all this if it was just a manipulation. He was giving up a hell of a lot more than he was getting. Exposing himself to Lazurys voluntarily was dangerous. She couldn’t even wrap her head around it, but his brothers didn’t seem to care one way or another. Which really made no sense.
“She’s not fucking yours, Byryn. She’s our concubine. I may not have been Brood long, but I know that gives us certain rights,” Rav argued. “You can’t just take her.”
Byryn shot him an irritated look of disgust. “You’ll remind your progeny of the way things run under my command, Vilyn, or you’ll damned sure lose him. I won’t tolerate his mouth much longer.”
Vilyn hesitated, which made Steph wonder how much control Byryn actually held. She’d expected him to argue, but instead he spoke calmly gripping Rav by the nape as he guided him to his knees. “My lord, I will bring them both to heel, but with all due respect, the concubine is mine and I have granted her to Ravyshyn as well. He may be out of line, but in many respects he is right.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly but she focused back on Byryn, waiting to see how this played out. The smug grin that spread across his face as he leaned back against the wall brought her back to school. He’d always been too arrogant for his own good, but then he’d always been able to back it up.
“What part of ‘she’s mine’ don’t you understand?” He replied. “I had to hide my Darkness to foster the control I hold in the Realm of Balance at our Lord’s request. She only chose to enter this world with you because she felt it was her only choice. There was no way for her to know that I was even an option.” He shrugged again as if it was a given that she’d be standing at his side otherwise. “I’m inclined to let her choose whichever life she feels suits her. I’ll even let her return with you without penance, if that’s what she wants. Personally I don’t think you have the ability to fully tend to her turning. Neither of you can tame her Light. I don’t think any Shade can turn her completely. Only I and Kyle have that power.” Ran his fingers through her hair tenderly, but his focus remained on Vil and Rav. “Only we can cement her Darkness.”
“Then you mean to solidify the hold of Darkness in her and return her to us?” Vilyn prompted as he considered his brother’s words.
He kept a tight hold on Rav. He’d tensed, shifting slightly at the mention of Byryn and Kyle turning her. She wasn’t exactly comfortable with the idea herself. What the hell was going on here?
Byryn measured her a moment. “If that’s what she wants. You underestimate my sprite’s strength. I won’t risk this line by forcing her to be here under someone that I know is weaker than her. She needs someone who can either control and guide her or gain her respect enough that she’ll follow.”
Her sire bristled. “I can curb the will of a simple female.”
“Which is precisely the issue. You think she’s just a simple female.” His cocky chuckle rumbled down the halls. “My sprite is anything but. If she can hold her own against the King of the Fae, there’s no way you can control her. You couldn’t break her if you tried. She’ll only let you get away with it until she hits her limit and then you’ll be lucky if she doesn’t kill you in a fit of rage. Why do you think Cymeryn kept Tatyna and Demytria so close all those years? Because he knew none of his progeny could control them and they respected no one but him.”
Vilyn ground his teeth. “I am rather attached to her. My blood flows freely through her veins.”
“Then I suppose you’ll have to stay close, Vilyn,” Byryn replied impatiently, “because I’m not about to let her walk out of here with you. Like I said, you can’t control her.”
“Do really expect me to believe that you mean to make her your concubine?” Vilyn challenged. “I was under the impression that none are worthy aside from the Princess.”
Beryn chuckled shaking his head. “You have not paid close enough attention brother, nor have you yet learnt your place.”
Byryn hid it well but he blanched slightly at the suggestion of having sex with her. Measuring her in a practiced way his eyes roamed her body, but it was like he wasn’t really seeing her. “I haven’t decided what her place will be now that we’ve begun to transition to this world, but she is beautiful. She might prove more suited as a toy for Kyle and Staryana. I’ll decide once we’ve tasted her.” He met her eyes as if gaging her response, but only for a moment before turning back to Vilyn.
Steph wasn’t sure what to make of that implication or his words. Usually she’d have been in his face when they first started talking like she wasn’t even in the room, but she was trying to figure out what the hell was happening here. Was he playing a part for the benefit of the Shade? Was this a ruse? Because she couldn’t believe he was fucking talking about her like that.
Rav was on his feet in an instant. “Kyle won’t touch her or I’ll have that sniveling bastard’s head.”
Byryn smirked in satisfaction. “I’d like to see you try.” Was he trying to provoke them?
Out of no wear his hear whipped to the corridor and rage flowed off him in waves. Everyone in the room stepped away from him, but she didn’t dare move. Whatever was pissing him off had nothing to do with her and she knew Byryn wouldn’t hurt her, at least no worse than Rav and Vil.
He looked down at her and pointed at the ground. “You need to stay here while I fucking deal with this. I mean it, Steph. Regardless of what happens you don’t move. Don’t push me on this and don’t you dare try to interfere if that son of a bitch attacks me.”
Irritation flowed through her. “What? Here as in here? Or here on my knees?” She snipped.
“On your knees, in this spot, sprite. I have my reasons and I expect my orders followed. Watch if you want, but don’t move or you will find out exactly how Dark this world really is and I won’t protect you from that lesson.”
She was tempted to push him, but when Byryn was like this he tended to be dangerous. Sparring with Byryn was always intense and he pushed her to new levels. She never wanted to have to face off against him in a real battle. She already knew he could overpower her easily. She didn’t really want to find out how far he’d fallen personally.
He stepped around her and fell into a defensive stance as if he was waiting for something. Steph felt it before she saw anything. At first she thought it was Alayne, but the essence felt different somehow.
A Shade appeared in front of Byryn with his arms crossed and a smug smile on his lips. His inky hair flowed on some nonexistent breeze and his pale white skin appeared to be stretched thin, almost translucent. Some black, tar-like substance rolled over his flesh in places. There was something about him that made her skin crawl and it wasn’t just his appearance.
Byryn gripped him by the throat taking him to the wall. The others froze in shock as his Light seared the Shade. They looked about half ready to intervene, but for the most part it seemed like no one wanted to get involved.
“What the hell did I tell you? Do you honestly think I give a fuck what power you have, Michael? You won’t touch what’s mine!”
“Are you going to punish me, Byryn? Take me to my knees as I beg for old times’ sake?” He ground out. “I was only enticing your mate to join us. He seemed rather tense. I thought I could loosen him up.”
She rose a brow as she watched the exchange. They had to be talking about Kyle. She’d seen their interactions when they revealed their relationship. If Byryn was anywhere near as protective of him as he was Star, this jerk was in for a rude awakening.
“You were taking advantage of the fact that he was healing our brother, taunting him!” Byryn snarled. “Not only does your disrespect for our line know no bounds, but I warned you to leave him the hell alone! How dare you even fucking think you have the right to kiss him, touch him in anyway?!”
Burns bumbled over his skin and the Shade groaned; but it almost sounded like he enjoyed it. “There is my brother. Feel that rage. Let it feed you, Byryn.”
Byryn backhanded him so hard it indented the wall. His Light burned Pravyous as he held him bound in it, cauterizing any wound that might have resulted. “Maybe I’ll just tell your Master how close you came to breaking this truce and watch as he tears you to shreds. What do you think, Pravyous? Is serving your fucked up desire worth ending this arrangement in the Dark Lord’s eyes? I don’t know what Crytos tolerated, but I taught you better.” He dropped his hold and the male fell into a heap at his feet.
Rage rolled through the room at the mention of Crytos, but Pravyous didn’t comment on it. He only looked up with a sneer. “Considering I will savor in your pain as he serves you your penance, that would only be fair.” The Shade chuckled to himself as he collected himself from the floor.
Steph assessed the room. Most of his brothers stood looking on in a state of either awe or shock. Vilyn gaped at Byryn before measuring Pravyous. Whatever he was thinking he had to realize they were at least evenly matched. Byryn might even be slightly stronger because of the advantage his Light gave him. Steph could gage their strength easily and she knew how well trained Byryn was. This Shade had some skill and strength, but she doubted he was a match for him technically. He didn’t carry himself with the confidence she’d expect if he held the ability.
Byryn turned his back on him and walked back to her, gently petting her head. It was weird because on one level she wanted to ring his neck. It was such a condescending gesture. On another level it was somehow soothing.
It felt like her world was spinning. She didn’t know who the hell was safe to trust here. Vil was starting to show his true colors. Rav wasn’t lifting a hand to help her. Byryn might be a dick, but he hadn’t hurt her and she doubted he would. She may not understand the game he was playing, but it was clear he was trying to look out for her in some way.
“Good girl, sprite,” he praised smirking slightly as she bristled. She wasn’t even sure why. Vilyn had praised her like that and it hadn’t bothered her one way or the other. “I can sense you, Steph. You can’t hide from me. Something about this feels good. You might not understand it, and you’re fighting it, but part of you likes that I’m proud of you. I know how much restraint it takes for you to hold back, how hard it is for you to submit to me freely in any way. You’re so strong, sprite, and I honor that part of you. Thank you.”
Steph ducked her head to hide her blush as she felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment. She hated when anyone made a fuss over her and he was right. It did feel sort of good. At the same time, she was just flat out confused. Why was he treating her like this?
“Talk to me, sprite. Tell me what you want here. No one’s given you the option before now, but I am. I can’t take your Dad back to the realms yet. I need to make sure he’s safe first. If you want to spend some time alone with him, Kyle will take you there. If you want to stay with Vilyn, and you promise to behave yourself while I’m gone, I’ll let you go back with your sires and check in to see how things go. I won’t hold my breath, but if you want to go back to the Realm of Balance we’ll get you there. You need to decide. More than likely you’ll be stuck with whatever you decide for the next two weeks while I’m with Lord Lazurys so choose wisely.”
“So what? You’re just going to cater to my whim?” She scoffed skeptically.
He caught her off-guard. Gripping her chin roughly, he ripped her back and met her with a stern look that stilled her. “This isn’t the Palace, Steph. As amusing as it is, I won’t tolerate your mouth here. I won’t be disrespected in front of my brethren. Fooling around with you like I used to isn’t a luxury I can afford. Too many will mistake it, and you, as a weakness and I’ll be forced to kill them. I enjoy you. You’re special to both my mates, but don’t mistake my kindness for something it’s not. I care about you, sprite. I even respect you as the Warrior you are, but I won’t allow you to walk over me.”
She gaped at him trying to read between the lines to figure how much was true and how much was an act. The only thing she was clear on was he was through taking her shit. Kyle appeared behind him assessing the situation. He didn’t look happy but seemed to be on the same page as Byryn. She was completely confused about where they stood.
He released her waiting for her reaction. She didn’t really know how far she should push him. Whether he’d shifted or not he seemed intent on showing her the way things worked in this world, which on some level was refreshing because he wasn’t sugarcoating anything or coddling her.
Bowing her head respectfully she tried to keep her voice docile. It wasn’t something that exactly came naturally for her. “Yes, sir.”
He gently tilted her head up to face him. “Better. Now, what’s your decision?”
She was so torn. They had her Father. Did she trust them to let her come back once they separated her from Vil and Rav? Did she really believe he was giving her this choice? Better question, did she trust Rav enough to go back to him?
“And what happens after two weeks?”
“Sir,” he prompted.
She ground her teeth but nodded. “Sir.”
He knelt down and cupped her cheek. “Whatever you want. Same options.”
“I…I don’t know if I trust you, Byryn. How do I know you’re not just trying to trick me so you can take me back to Mythos?”
He sighed holding her gaze steadily. “I can’t make you trust me, Steph. I can only give you options and offer you my protection.”
