Llyano Read online

  

  Beyond the Veil 5

  Llyano

  As the king of the Wind Fae, Llyano came into his throne at an age earlier than the norm. Everything he had went into the ruling and protection of his kingdom yet his only wish was to find his fated mate. As events unfold, Llyano begins noticing cracks in the fabric of their world, cracks that could lead to the destruction and extinction of the entire Fae race. As though not enough, people begin disappearing in lower Dari, a section of the Wind kingdom.

  Solax is a guardian spirit and the keeper of the cave of enlightenment, a cave of knowledge and great remembrance. Leading a solitary life with duty above all else, he is rendered speechless by his visceral reaction to the king of the Wind Fae.

  With the both of them from entirely different species, a revelation on the real identity of Llyano and time running out for the survival of the Fae species, where would love fit into?

  Genres: Alternative (M/M, Gay), Fantasy, Paranormal

  Length: 39,237

  LLYANO

  Beyond the Veil 5

  Toby Aden

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  Llyano

  Copyright © 2018 by Toby Aden

  ISBN: 978-1-64243-557-3

  First Publication: December 2018

  Cover design by Harris Channing

  All art and logo copyright © 2018 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book or print book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at [email protected]

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  DEDICATION

  To all my fans and all readers of the Beyond the Veil Series. It’s been a journey writing this world, and I’m most appreciative that it was well received and very much enjoyed.

  Thank you!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Toby Aden has always had an overactive imagination. She is an avid reader who spends much of her time immersed in the world of romance novels. After discovering the world of M/M romance, she became irrevocably enthralled by it and decided to try her hand writing it.

  Website:

  www.tobyaden.wix.com/author

  Blog:

  www.tobyaden.blogspot.com

  Facebook:

  www.facebook.com/toby.aden

  Twitter:

  @AdenToby

  E-mail:

  [email protected]

  For all titles by Toby Aden, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/toby-aden

  

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  LLYANO

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  LLYANO

  Beyond the Veil 5

  TOBY ADEN

  Copyright © 2018

  Prologue

  In a world where only the Fae existed, hidden from all the other outside universes, the land was divided and ruled over by the four intertwined ruling bodies. These bodies were the Fire Kingdom, with its closest neighbor the Earth Kingdom, and the Water Kingdom, with its closest neighbor the Wind Kingdom.

  All lived in harmony and peace, needing the others to survive, yet separate and unique in their attributes, beliefs, and inherent powers. Regardless of the kingdom, the general law to tour the four kingdoms, ordained and adhered to by each royal family on the hundredth year soon after the coming-out celebration of the Fae, kept their universe in balance and in check.

  For all Fae, a fated pair was deemed in reverence, with the bond perceived on sight during the period of the mating call, which lasts for a few months once every hundred years. Mating could not be done should a Fae find their mate before the mating call arrived, and thus, a mated pair without the mating call could fall into disastrous issues arising from their bond. At worst, mating without the call could lead to death of the Fae. On a minimal basis, it could result in impotency as well as severe mental and body issues. For this reason, mating was only deemed legal and recognized after a ceremony was held to bind the two souls as one.

  Chapter One

  Llyano, king of the Wind Kingdom, sat perched on the tallest tree in his kingdom, the one on which he could feel every thread of life connected under his bare hands. The same tree which constituted his palace and home. With his intense connection to nature, his empathic abilities were magnified by the tree which was no ordinary one.

  This tree was as ancient as the Fae breed. It linked to every part of the Fae dimension, resonating loudly beneath any part of the bared skin of the Wind royals who touched it. Every Wind Fae royal was born with this ability and it was both a blessing and a burden. The royals felt keenly the births and deaths of all Fae. They felt the sufferings and joy. They felt the bonds of a fated pair clicking into place, and it all had its ups and downs.

  Even without the tree to amplify and magnify the empathic feelings, the Wind royals still felt it, though a bit muted, as it resonated within them.

  His posture straight, his legs crossed together where he sat on a thick branch at the junction of his study, which opened towards the outside view. His hand draped over his knees, Llyano sucked in a deep breath, his eyes closed as he continued to meditate. He left his mind wide open, controlling his breaths as he began filtering through the emotions rapidly bombarding his mind.

  It had taken him over a decade to control his empathic powers, and even though no one knew this about him, he was the strongest of their kind and the generations before him. He could filter through the millions of emotions blowing against him like a tornado to pinpoint exactly who that emotion was coming from. That in itself was no small feat, but he made sure each day, he opened himself up to his emphatic abilities, learning to control it and push himself to see just how far he could go.

  Doing this daily though, took its toll on him mentally and physically as he could not shield himself completely from the bad. Yet without fail, he took time off just to practice control over his abilities as well as to take a peek into the state of mind of those in his kingdom. Although, he did try to keep away from the minds of his councilor for the sole purpose of not intruding into their lives.

  “Your Majesty, you have a meeting with the councilors at sundown,” Icham, Llyano’s aide, said as he came to a stop behind his king, talking gently so as not to overly disturb and startle his king.

  Llyano sighed but did not move his body posture from its relaxed state nor open his eyes. He was quiet for such a long time that his aide began to fidget behind him and the nervous energy coming from Icham waffled over to him. “Anything I should watch out for?”

  Icham bit his bottom lips, staring worriedly at his king and unsure wh
ether to alert Llyano to what the councilors were scheming.

  Sighing once more, Llyano popped his eyes open and turned his head to Icham. “Just spit it out. I’m not going to bite their heads off.”

  “They are making more waves about finding you a mate, sire,” Icham said, glancing down at his feet before staring back at his king, who regarded him silently. “I do not think you will be able to put them off for much longer. They appear more serious about it than ever, and you might not have a choice but to agree.”

  Llyano regarded his aide silently, watching the man fidget and stare at him from behind lowered lids. Icham was a timid man, and he was not sure why he had agreed to him being his aide, other than the man had a very brilliant mind and an even more diplomatic approach to getting what he wanted. “Icham, tell the councilors I do not appreciate them trying to match me with a mate of their choosing. I am king. I will choose my own mate,” Llyano said, his voice bored and calm as he stared steadily at his aide.

  “But, Your Majesty…” Icham said, glaring down at the notepad in his hand

  With one brow raised, Llyano said, “Did I stutter, Icham?”

  “No, Your Majesty.”

  “This is the one point I will not compromise on. Now leave me. I wish to be alone,” Llyano said, closing his eyes as he continued his meditation, which had been interrupted for an agenda his councilors kept pestering him about.

  What part of ‘he was not going to take on an arranged mate’ did they not understand? He was fast growing tired of his councilors pushing him too far and being too critical of his method of ruling. They were also fast becoming a thorn in his side, and he wished the process of getting rid of them was much easier as he would have done that a long time ago, replacing them with a much younger generation.

  The councilors were too steeped in their ways and did not easily give way for new and fresh ideas. Their constant nagging was already getting on his nerves, and his only coping mechanism was meditating. It allowed him to let go of all his stress and worries even if it came with its own setbacks. Everything fell away until his mind was a blank space filled with soothing impressions.

  He sat that way for hours, simply being as he was wont to do on the rare occasion that he was left alone for longer periods of time. He yearned for someone to share with him these quiet moments. Someone he could talk with frankly and without hiding his feelings. He wished he had someone he could completely let his guards down with and who would not judge him.

  He longed for his own true mate, but no matter, he would not settle for anything less. After his ruling father had lost his mate and succumbed to the madness of the overwhelming feeling of loss and a combination of emotions from all over the realm, he’d had to step up at the young age of ninety. An unheard-of coronation, but one that could not be helped.

  The Wind Kingdom needed a king and there was no one for that role except him. Truth be told, he had not been ready for such a heavy responsibility, but he could not deny the need of his people. It had been hell dragging them all from old traditions which were of no benefit for them and implementing new ones. It took years and years just to change a law, and this was all a result of the councilors who were ready to disagree with him on every issue.

  By the gods, should he say it was raining and the sky was its blue color, which indicated the heavy season of rain, his councilors would disagree with him and insist that the weather was clear and with it, its light orange sky, which indicated their season without rain.

  * * * *

  “Your Majesty. The council of councilors is here,” Icham said just as the councilors filed into Llyano’s office, disrupting his calm.

  One by one, the old men bowed to Llyano, unmindful that their king did not stand to face them or break away from his pose on the floor. They were already used to it, after all.

  “Your Majesty, we must speak with you,” Hiro, the head councilor said, staring at Llyano’s back where he still remained seated facing the calm outside.

  “What dire issue brought you all out to visit this evening, gentlemen?” Llyano said, eyes still closed and without paying them much mind.

  The councilors glanced at each other and then with a nod, Hiro said, “The issue of your mating sire.”

  “Go on,” Llyano said in a calm, soft voice, and the councilors stared at each other, having expected an explosion of argument coming their way.

  The calm, barely concerned tone of their king threw them off their game, causing them to hesitate.

  “Well?” Llyano demanded, prompting them to continue.

  “The people need reassurance that the royal line will not cease. They need to know that their king is mated and happily contemplating building a family and providing them an heir,” Hiro said

  “And?”

  “We all know the great sacrifice you have done in stepping up and claiming the throne at the young age of ninety. However, they now need to know that there is balance and the future is well taken care of,” Hiro said, then glanced at the other councilors to see them nodding at him.

  “Hmm. The people need assurance. They crave knowledge that their future is not in danger. I am not mated so I must find someone to mate. Does that sum it up?” Llyano asked as he got to his feet, turning to face his councilors with a neutral expression on his face, giving nothing away.

  “Yes. Yes, Your Majesty,” Hiro said, and the other councilors nodded their agreement, watching Llyano carefully.

  Llyano casually strolled to his seat behind his desk and settled himself once more into it, then swung his legs over the table, and with his hands folded over his stomach, he eyed the councilors one at a time then settled his gaze back on Hiro. “Let’s hear it then. You did not come to state facts or throw hints around. You’ve come to a decision already on this matter, now let me hear it.”

  “We have chosen a mate for you. One whom the people will love and who will adore them in return,” Cridas, another councilor said.

  “You have chosen someone for me to mate. And who, if I may ask, was lucky enough to be chosen for this position?” Llyano asked, still staring at them serenely as though they were discussing a subject which did not impact him much personally.

  The councilors exchanged a look then glanced back at their king.

  “Soridax, my son,” Hiro said.

  At that, Llyano burst out laughing, ignoring the look the councilors shared amongst themselves, and staring directly at Hiro. “You want me to mate your son.” Llyano shook his head then his laughter dried up just as quickly as it started. “I will only say this once, and my opinion will never change on this front. My mate, whoever it shall be, will be determined by me and me alone. Should I be lucky enough to find my fated mate, I will hear no disapproval or displeasure on the subject, and should I not be that lucky, I will choose someone on my own whom I can live with and no one else. I suggest you direct your attention elsewhere.”

  “But, Your Majesty…” the councilors exclaimed as one, but were stopped short by Llyano’s raised hand.

  “That will be all,” Llyano said, getting to his feet and stretching his body as he walked out of the study, going for his bedroom.

  Chapter Two

  If Llyano had thought that would be the end of that issue, he had been sorely mistaken. With each meeting with his councillors, they continued to raise the topic, ignoring him when he stated that the issue was closed. They were relentless in their pursuit of choosing a mate for him, presenting him with new candidates each time they brought up the subject.

  His aide, Icham, had been correct when he’d predicted the council’s resolve to get him mated. They’d refused to drop it entirely, and Llyano had been pressed to compromise. When he had finally realised their constant badgering would only continue, he had agreed to a mating ball held in order for him to locate a mate.

  What his councillors did not know, was that they would not be having their way. If he didn’t find his fated mate, he would choose none of those invited. That he’d conceded and allo
wed them this much was as far as he was willing to go and no more. It did not matter to him how many times the mating ball would be held or how frequently it would be done. So long as he did not find his true mate or someone he connected with and would not mind living with, he would not compromise on that front.

  The main reason Llyano had conceded on the mating ball was because the celebration was a way to get to know his people more and give them a cause for excitement. He knew his councillors though, for if he chose no one in the first mating ball, they would just arrange the second one then a third one, fourth one, and so on and so forth until he got entirely fed up and was forced to choose someone just to get them off his back.

  That was their reasoning, and once he’d given in to this, there was no way to take it back and they would fly with it. Give them an inch and they took it to a mile. However, Llyano had no intention of getting fed up of the numerous mating balls he saw in his future. Once he’d made his mandatory appearance, he would not be sticking around long enough to give them the satisfaction of getting angry for the whole purpose behind the occasion.

  The only thing that he hated was that each mating ball lasted an entire month. He just had to get through the month then get a reprieve before the entire shenanigan started all over again.

  His home was a mess. The servants moved in and out. Preparations were being made. The buzzing noise of excitement and chitter chatter filled the castle, and everywhere Llyano turned, there was someone buzzing about doing this and that. His aide was constantly by his side, giving him official documents, requesting his signatures and opinion on both the event as well as official matters.