Bound in Blood (Mists of the Fae Book 8) Read online

  Bound in Blood

  Mists of the Fae

  Book 8

  by

  Jaime Marks

  Mist of the Fae Series

  Revelations

  Secrets Past

  Shades of Redemption

  Protectors and Kings

  Connections

  Choices

  Dynamics

  Bound in Blood

  Shattered Trust (Coming August 2016)

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, distributed, stored in, or introduced to any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, without the express permission of the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes only.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are fictitiously used. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. On a side note if you happen to be a Fae and think you have a claim that you have been portrayed in this book by all means feel free to contact me in writing so we can debate the semantics of your existence ;)

  Certain content and scenes may not be suitable for readers under the age of 18 due.

  This is an adult paranormal romance novel and recommended for an adult audience.

  First Kindle Edition, January 2016

  Text copyright © 2015 Jaime Marks

  All rights reserved.

  Dedication

  For everyone who supports the series and reads the books. I appreciate all your support.

  To S., you’re always popping up to encourage me or remind me of who I am and how far I’ve come no matter the time of the distance that passes. I couldn’t be who I am without you in my life. Love you, girl.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Epilogue

  Sneak Peek

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  Kyle sat on his bed ignoring his sires’ summons. Byryn, Marcus, and his…Cymeryn, they’d been relentless, hell bent on pulling him out of his room for the last week. It didn’t matter. He wouldn’t let his Darkness Taint those he cared about.

  Being forced to relive every mistake, every reminder of what you are and what it had cost those you’d once loved had a way of putting things into perspective. He didn’t deserve what he’d been given. He wasn’t even supposed to exist technically.

  His Mother had been a mistake. The product of an affair that the Fae condemned so much that it would have meant death for his Grandmother just because she was Queen of the Fae. Instead of being a Princess, his Mother had lived alone for a century only to be raped and put through hell to protect him from his Father.

  He was another mistake. The product of a Fae and Shade mixing when the essences were never supposed to be able to mix. He didn’t belong here, living the life of a Prince, the life his Mother should have lived. He didn’t deserve any of this.

  Once he knew Talerys had been locked up and wouldn’t be able to harass Astryn anymore he’d isolated himself. He’d needed to deal with his head and attempt to objectively decide what the right thing to do was for everyone else. Anyone who had ever gotten close to him had died for his love. His Mother, his step-father, even that girl at school he’d liked in fifth grade. He wouldn’t let anyone else he cared about pay the penance of his existence.

  He’d tried to plan how to leave the realm but Byryn had put a stop to that pretty quick. It was as if he was always in his head anymore. There really wasn’t an easy way to block one another, at least not one he’d figured out. They were equally skilled at mental manipulation and tended to know how to get around one another’s defenses. Trying usually resulted in a hell of a headache for both of them.

  His sire suddenly popped into his room not bothering to knock and sat on the bed next to him. It wasn’t unexpected. He knew Byryn had followed his thoughts.

  “Astryn wants to see you. She’s been flipping out all morning,” he stated plainly.

  “No. The more she’s around me the stronger the bond is. It’s better for her if I keep my distance,” he replied not bothering to look at him.

  They both knew it was killing him to stay away from her. Just hearing her name was torture, but he needed to know that she was alright. Byryn had thankfully taken it upon himself to look after her. It helped to keep Kyle sane knowing he was keeping her safe and comforting her. It also allowed him to keep an eye on her without getting close.

  If it was any other male caring for her like that it would probably kill him, but his connection to Byryn was complicated and he understood where his sire’s head was at. He was taking care of her for him. He cared about her, but his heart and soul belonged to Kyle’s sister. There might be an unusual pull between Byryn and Astryn but it was because of the bond he shared with both of them and neither would cross the boundaries of it.

  “Her Father saw her this morning.”

  That got his attention. He didn’t want anyone trying to force her into anything she didn’t want and Alyric’s main goal was to have her mated and under Talerys’ thumb. “Why? I thought she didn’t want to see him. I didn’t pick up on that from you.” Byryn generally didn’t block him. Even when he did he typically picked up on it, especially if it was about Astryn. So how had he missed this?

  “I just found out. You were sleeping. You would’ve caught it in my thoughts eventually,” Byryn shrugged dismissively at the questions. “He brought another suitor to meet her. Said he heard you’ve denied her. If he makes the claim and you’re not there to protect her I don’t know what will happen. You need to talk to your Dad.”

  He sighed rubbing his face. They just didn’t get it. He was dangerous for her. “Her Father’s right. I’m not good for her, Byryn. Maybe she should meet him. Who knows, maybe she’ll even like him.” Just suggesting it ripped a hole in his heart but he could take it if she had a shot in hell at happiness.

  His sire and mentor, the male who may as well share his mind and wouldn’t give up on him no matter what he did, shook his head. Kyle wished he’d just let this go, let him go. Who the hell was he kidding? Asking to be released in this case was asking for death.

  They held a bond he could never sever. Not only was Byryn his sire, he was his blood bond. Their souls were irrevocably linked and the connection was stronger than he was even aware was possible through ritual. In Byryn’s mind Kyle was his, a part of him, and he’d made it clear there was no walking away. They were so closely linked that the male would be metaphysically present in him no matter where he went, always there in his head. It should fucking terrify him. Instead it was oddly soothing in a way he wasn’t prepared to examine.

  “Kyle, you’re a damned idiot if you believe that. You heard what Alysse told you about Astryn. You are her true mate. No one else is going to fill t
he void of you not being there because she doesn’t have a shot in hell of happiness without you. I can look after her and protect her. Staryana can be her friend. Hell, I can even comfort her somewhat because she can feel you more strongly through our connection, but we’re not you. Is this what you really want? To see her with someone else? Don’t you know how much this is already hurting her? That she couldn’t and wouldn’t sleep alone last night?”

  He knew, but he damned sure wasn’t talking about it. It was too much for him to process and it didn’t piss him off nearly as much as it should have. Actually it had eased him in a way because he could almost feel her. It was fucking creepy and soothing at the same time.

  Byryn laughed and shook his head obviously following his thoughts. It was impossible to block him when he was this close. “Don’t go getting any bright ideas about it. I love your sister and only your sister, but I couldn’t let your mate cry her damned eyes out. So yes, she slept with Staryana and I in our mated bed. I’m glad none of you seemed to mind it but it was damned uncomfortable for me and I’d much rather be able to spend time alone with my own mate at night.”

  Kyle almost snorted as he cursed under his breath. Byryn hadn’t been nearly as uncomfortable as he wanted to claim, but there was no point on calling him out on it. It hadn’t bothered either of them the way it should’ve. For Byryn it was more that he was tired because he’d spent most of the night filtering their essence through the bond to one another through himself. For him, knowing she was laying cuddled close to Byryn had been soothing. Instead of inciting jealousy and protectiveness it only made him miss them both. It confused the hell out of him on multiple levels but he’d known she was safe and cared for. Byryn would never take advantage of her. He’d never disrespect her.

  They’d all slept in their clothes with him holding Star on one side and Astryn on the other. The girls were both out in minutes. Byryn, on the other hand, laid awake for hours unable to get comfortable as he managed their bonds. It was the most Kyle had slept in a week because he knew she was calm and safe. It was the most she’d slept since he wouldn’t see her.

  Byryn shook his head again. “You know she slapped Mythos? He and Steph left a couple days early because every time she saw him it set her off. That girl is damned protective of you. Everyone agreed that at least until things were settled, and she knew that he hadn’t hurt you, your uncle should keep his distance from her.”

  “I’m sorry. I know Star and Steph are close,” he offered running through what that might mean in his head. “She didn’t get in trouble did she?”

  “No, but she very well could have if anyone outside of our lines had seen it. Mythos told everyone to leave her alone about it and we made sure none of the Guardians caught wind of it to protect her. Really he feels he pushed you too hard because if he’d given you more of a chance from the start none of this would’ve happened,” Byryn explained.

  Kyle scoffed. “It’s not his fault. He didn’t have any idea how it would affect me and he was right to protect his mate.”

  “Maybe.” Byryn rubbed his brow. “Steph insisted on seeing what happened during her assault. Mythos shared the memory with her.”

  He grimaced, knowing what she’d relived through his memories. “He shouldn’t have shown her that. She was better off not remembering.”

  Byryn sighed, “I don’t know about that. She was struggling pretty hard with all of it. All she had was bits and pieces of her own memories and what John showed her. Apparently he tried to paint a much more manipulated picture. He had her believing she’d actually begged him for it while she was drugged by only showing her what he wanted.”

  Kyle cringed. Steph had only begged him but only because she’d been drunk on essence and had no idea what she was sensing or experiencing. She’d been drawn to the essence of the Terisyion Lines that flowed through his veins. He understood that now. It was the same essence that flowed through her mate’s veins considering she’d mated his uncle. At least it had eased her somewhat at the time, but she didn’t need to know any of what happened that night. It was better if she didn’t have to live through it again.

  “Actually, she would disagree. She wanted me to thank you for trying to protect her that night, Kyle,” Byryn replied answering his thoughts. “She said she understands what happened and remembers now. She doesn’t ever want to discuss it again, but she said she forgives you for the part you played and hopes that you can let it go so both of you can move on. She also wanted me to thank you for letting Mythos see what happened so she could untwist everything in her head.”

  He swallowed hard, not knowing what to make of that. He wasn’t sure he deserved her forgiveness. Granted he hadn’t hurt her nearly as bad as the others, but he remembered some of the things from that night…things he’d enjoyed.

  He didn’t know if he could have a normal relationship and he wasn’t about to expose Astryn to anything like that. He’d skirted the very edge of it with her, mainly teasing her while he had tried to convince himself that he would never go there. The truth was, when it came right down to it, he wasn’t so sure he could keep that promise and she deserved more. He wouldn’t hurt her that way.

  Byryn cursed under his breath, “Don’t you think that’s her choice? She loves you, Kyle.”

  “She doesn’t even know me. We spent less than three days together and a good chunk of the one of them I was out of it because I was recovering from being tortured. She doesn’t know what she wants,” he replied trying to justify his decision. “She’s better off without me.”

  “Kyle, be honest with me, man. Do you have an issue with the relationship I have with your sister?” He demanded.

  Kyle drew a breath. It was exhausting going through all of this every day. Byryn was the only one who could get him to talk, mainly because if he didn’t he just invaded his mind. Some days it was like they shoved him down his throat. Even if he didn’t stop by for a few hours he started talking to him via their link.

  In a respect he was the only thing keeping him sane. He wanted to leave, but Byryn was right. He was a direct link to his sires and he couldn’t risk giving Alayne or Lazurys any influence over any of them, especially not Byryn. As much as he’d tried to push him away, they’d become closer than they’d ever been, closer than he honestly thought he was capable of being with anyone.

  “Are you going to answer me? Or do I need to find the answer for myself?” Byryn insisted. “I mean, if you’re that worried about how you’re going to treat Astryn, I can only imagine what you think of the way I treat Staryana.”

  Kyle sat up rubbing his face as he tried to figure out how exactly he was supposed to explain it. “Look Byryn, what you do with my sister is something you both need and agree on. She loves you and you love her. I understand it, and no, I don’t have an issue with it. I know how much you cherish her, and despite the Darker aspects of it, you literally worship the ground she walks on. It’s different for the three of us. We either grew up in Darkness or were infected by it our entire lives. We may be Fae, but we’re hybrids. That world will always be a part of us, but Astryn is so fucking innocent and sweet.” He shook his head disturbed that he was even thinking of her at his mercy. “She grew up Fae for fuck’s sake. She doesn’t even know what sex is, let alone have a clue about the depravity it can become. I can’t fucking expose her to that…besides…I…her Dad’s right. I’ll taint her purity.”

  Byryn stood up and paced. “Your Grandfather is a scumbag; you know that? If I ever get my hands on him again I’m making sure there’s nothing left of him for Lazurys to heal.”

  “Go for it. Maybe I’ll be able to sleep at night,” he shrugged. He held no love for Alayne, or Syneous for that matter.

  Byryn sat back down facing him as he shoved a finger in his face. “Listen to me, Kyle, and try to fucking hear me this time. You’re not fucking dirty. You’re not even Dark. You’re Night; but if you’re really that damned worried about it we’ll have Marcus burn the Dark and Night essence out of
you and your Dad and he can rebalance you after the fact. It doesn’t have to happen and it’s painful as hell, but if it’s the only way to get it through your thick skull that what Alayne did to you didn’t taint you or make you wrong in some way, so be it. You’ve always had Light in you. You’re half Fae. I should know considering we have that in common.

  “Now, I can only imagine how difficult it must’ve been being raised of Alayne’s Line. I can feel what you feel and I saw some of the memories when you relived it with Mythos, but I grew up with Trevyn. I can assure you, it wasn’t exactly a picnic. You of all people know that. Do you think I’m dirty? That I’m wrong somehow?”

  “Shit Byryn, no, but your own Grandfather didn’t rape you because you wouldn’t rape his slaves, ok?” He spat not really able to handle this right now.

  “No. Instead my Father just about killed me and Commanded me until my brain was jelly so he could force me to rape my one of my own sisters. Then he had me hold her down for my older brothers to nearly destroy her in their depravity over something that wasn’t even her fault after I promised to fucking protect her,” he retorted. “We grew up Shade. Our Fathers were scumbags. Your Grandfather and half of my brothers are scumbags and that is what they tried to make us. That doesn’t mean that’s our fate. You can’t keep punishing yourself for shit that you had no control over and you can’t let it destroy everything good in your life.”

  “Enough of this,” Cymeryn misted in aside of the bed. He grabbed Kyle by the robes and pulled him up. “I have allowed you to wallow in this long enough.” He dragged him to the bathroom. “I am sorry, Byryn, but I have been monitoring this. I cannot allow it to continue a minute more.”

  “Be my guest. I was about to do it myself.”

  “Let me go, Cymeryn,” he demanded trying to break out of his hold but he couldn’t. He hadn’t been eating or training all week. He was exhausted and he felt frail and weak. Really he hadn’t even been out of bed. Cymeryn tossed him in the shower and cranked the water on soaking him in his clothes.