Rout of the Dem-Shyr (The Ascendant Series) (2 page)

“Yes, Ma’jah,” Leo whispered.

Emotion rose within Kyr. Disbelief. Horror. Anguish. Her gaze moved between Leo and Zasha, reading only truth in their thoughts and expressions.

“But…who did he kill?” she asked at last.

“You, Ma’jah,” Zasha answered with tears in her eyes. “He killed you.”

Chapter 2

Two weeks earlier…

Ty guided Kyr down the private hallway leading from the training room to her bedchamber. His senses were attuned to their surroundings in search of any danger, though the area wasn’t frequented by many. As he’d just found out the hard way, an encounter with even one person could have enormous repercussions.

In this case, he didn’t even know who had been in the hallway. What he did know was that someone had accessed the locked training room and had witnessed him kissing Kyr…something that was expressly forbidden.

I told you not to worry about it
, Kyr thought.
I’m going to have a conversation with the Guardians the next time I see them. I love you, Ty. They won’t be able to keep me from you
.

Since failing to catch and identify the spy, Ty had been trying to convince himself that Kyr’s will would be strong enough to overcome the rules. But after everything that had happened since her return to Alametria, he was far from optimistic. It had become clear that the political structure within the palace had changed during his and Kyr’s absence as she learned her life lessons. Kyr’s birth parents, the Guardians, were now the people that Alametrians looked to for leadership. The power-hungry Advisor, VycorDane, held the Guardians in the palm of his hand, easily swaying them to his thinking. Since Vycor hated Ty and resented Kyr’s position of power, the Advisor was attempting to undermine them at every turn.

The Guardians felt that Ty couldn’t properly guard and protect Kyr in his role as the
Dem-Shyr
if he was distracted by feelings for her. Vycor had played upon that concern, announcing to the Guardians and a room full of Alametrians that Ty had developed feelings for Kyr. Although Ty had overcome Vycor’s poisonous words and actions, the seeds of doubt had been planted.

Their rule against you being intimate with me is just ridiculous
, Kyr argued as they neared her chambers.
You’ll only be all the more dedicated to protecting the woman you love.

When she said it like that, it seemed so straightforward. Yet Ty knew it would take much more than that to sway the Guardians. They didn’t want Kyr paired with a Dane. They wanted her paired with a Vawn.

Kyr issued a huff.
You’re the most powerful male on the planet. Who cares which megai you’re from?

They do
.

Her lips pressed together. He knew that she wanted to argue the point, but there wasn’t anything she could say. Her parents were undeniably elitist and set in their ways. It was a tough obstacle to overcome.

We need to find out who saw us kissing
, Kyr thought.

They reached the door leading into the secret room in her closet. The two patrolling Mynders who guarded the hallway passed by, but they barely spared her a glance. Ty waited until they were out of sight and then opened the door.

It’ll be disastrous if that person goes to the Guardians and tells them before I have a chance to talk to them,
she continued.
Can’t you do some kind of mass brain scan or something?

Ty shook his head as he moved inside her chambers to begin his standard security check.
You’re not talking about a single mind scan, Kyr. There are thousands of people in the palace. I already attempted to read the thoughts of the person who saw us as soon as I became aware that we had been seen. I couldn’t
.

So why can’t you do some deeper scans?

He couldn’t see her as he secured the bathing chamber, but he felt Kyr’s frustration through the thought.
The deeper I go into someone’s mind, the greater the chance that I’ll be discovered
, he explained.
There are rules in place regarding how I use my abilities. It’s not like your life was in danger, which might justify an intensive scan. There’s always a chance that I could put an individual at risk if I delve too deeply, so I have to exercise caution
.

Her expression when he returned to the closet told him she wasn’t convinced that he’d given a persuasive argument. Although she didn’t expressly think it, he knew she was weighing whether it was worth him being discovered or possibly affecting the spy’s mental health so they could find out who had seen them. Taking her elbow, he led her out to the central receiving area where the Wrym awaited her.

Going deeply into multiple minds puts me at risk, too, Kyr
.
Straining the mind in such a way is like overexerting yourself physically. If abused enough, it can lead to serious consequences
.

She sighed as the Wrym moved her into the bathing chamber and removed her armor.
I didn’t think about that. You’re so powerful, I just figured…

I know. I’m sorry it isn’t that easy. All power comes with some risk
.

Her gaze met his.
I won’t risk you, no matter the cost
.

He watched as she was completely disrobed and led into the bathtub. The brief glimpse he got of her bare skin wasn’t nearly enough to satisfy him. They hadn’t been together in an intimate way in almost a week, and it seemed all he could think about. He couldn’t deny holding a grudge against whoever had interrupted them during their training session.

Now we’ve got two people other than Vycor who know about us
, Kyr thought as the Wrym bathed her.

Her emotions were peaking now that her shock over being seen had worn off. She was panicking that Vycor or the mysterious person that Vycor had told about their relationship would go to the Guardians. Ty was glad that he could assuage her concerns on this, at least.

I took care of Vycor
, he confessed.

She stiffened, making the Wrym give her puzzled looks.
What?

Rather than explain, Ty sent her images of the Advisor shackled to the sacrificial altar he’d used during Kyr’s Ruvex Rite. He shared the threats he’d issued to Vycor, letting her know that unless Vycor wanted every Mynder on Alametria seeing the shameful image of him naked, weeping, and screaming like a little girl, he’d keep his knowledge to himself. If the Guardians found out about Ty and Kyr’s relationship from Vycor or Vycor’s supposed associate, Ty wouldn’t hesitate to follow through on those threats and more.

Who is his associate?
Kyr wondered.
What is Vycor planning? I know he hasn’t gone through all of this trouble to put me in the spotlight for no reason.

Although Ty hated to admit it, he responded,
I don’t know. He has some kind of mental barrier that I can’t breach. I’ve never encountered anything like it. I knew if I attempted to get past it, I would either break his mind, or mine
.

How is that possible?

I have no idea. I’ve been focused on you for the past few days, but I intend to see what more I can find out now that you’re back on your feet
.

Her worry continued to swirl through her thoughts as the Wrym completed her bath and got her out to dry her off. He allowed his darker thoughts to drift away as he watched them rub her soft skin with towels and then scented lotion. His hands clenched, longing to be the ones touching her. He moistened his lips as his mind wandered, crafting a fantasy where he kissed her skin before applying the lotion, trailing along her body—

Ty!

Blinking, he snapped back into focus. Kyr was giving him an incredulous look as the Wrym draped her in a robe. He tilted his head in confusion.

You’re getting me all worked up while I’m being manhandled over here
, she thought.
It’s a little weird
.

Heat warmed the back of his neck.
I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…

It felt like you were touching me.
She held his gaze as she was led out of the bathing chamber over to her receiving area. A tray of food awaited her.
That’s never happened before
.
It’s been so long since we…well, that felt really nice
.

He watched her cheeks grow pink as she sat on one of the lounging couches. Her thought hung between them as she pretended to consider the food selections in front of her. Reaching for the cup of tea she had been served, he tasted it and gave the room a quick scan. Two Mynders that Gren had assigned stood inside the room guarding the main entrance. They were only about twenty feet away, but they were trained not to stare at the Ascendant, so their focus was elsewhere. The four Wrym had gone back to their chores, putting the bathing chamber back to rights and preparing the outfit Kyr would wear after her midday meal.

Would you like me to continue?
he asked as he returned the teacup to its saucer.

She took her lower lip into her mouth.
Yes
.

“What would you like to eat, Ma’jah?” he asked out loud. He was amazed that his voice sounded so normal. His heart was racing in anticipation.

“Some of the berberries and cream, please. And the welish roll, I think.”

He leaned down to taste both. “In a sweets mood, are we?”

“Yes,” she said a little breathlessly.

His body tightened in reaction. Determining that both of the items she wanted tasted fine, he stood back up and moved behind the high back of the sofa. It would effectively hide his lower body from sight.

“Enjoy, Ma’jah,” he murmured.

He knew the innuendo sank in when she tensed before she reached for the bowl of berberries and cream. His gaze followed the path of the spoon as she brought it to her slightly parted lips. He imagined what it would be like to be that spoon, have her silken tongue brushing over him. Everything about watching her eat exuded sensuality.

As he allowed his sexual fantasy to once again take over, her breathing quickened, telling him that she was gaining a physical reaction from it. He thought of how he would lean over the couch and begin kissing her slender neck, left bare since her long hair was swept up at the moment. She would smell like heaven. His lips would move along her neck to her delicate earlobe, where he’d nibble the slightest bit to get a reaction out of her.

As he watched, Kyr shivered as though he had actually touched her. Encouraged by the sight, he pictured himself moving to the other side of the couch and taking the bowl from her, pressing her back against the cushions. He would claim her mouth. She would taste like berberries and cream as she opened up to him…utterly delicious. He would linger there for a while, wanting to savor her. Eventually, he wouldn’t be able to control his hands. They would reach for the belt to her robe. His fingers would loosen the tie as he kissed her, taking their time to build her anticipation. She would move restlessly against him, eager for more.

“Is everything to your liking Ma’jah?”

Kyr started at the sound of Zasha’s voice. Turning to the Wrym, Kyr gave her a strained smile. “Yes, thank you.”

Zasha’s gaze moved from Kyr, who deliberately ate another spoonful of berberries and cream, to Ty, who gave her a nonchalant look in return. Shrugging, Zasha moved on to Kyr’s bedchamber with fresh bedding in her arms.

Ty’s gaze moved back to Kyr. He saw her glance at the Mynders and the two Wrym who walked into the room from the bathing chamber. He felt her considering the fact that she was sharing such intimacies with him with so many others nearby. For a moment, he thought she might tell him to stop.

No way
, she told him.
What they don’t know won’t hurt them, right?

One corner of his mouth turned up. Like him, she was thinking that there was something especially sinful about doing what they were doing in what amounted to a public area. It made her flush with a combination of embarrassment and desire.

He dove back into the fantasy, unwilling to have her change her mind.

Once the belt was untied, he would part the robe and slowly lower it from her shoulders, baring her to him. His mouth would move from hers to trail a string of kisses along her breastbone. He would brush his lips along the firm curves of her breasts for a couple of minutes until she demanded that he stop teasing her. Since he would be just as ready by then, he would indulge her, taking her taut nipple into his mouth.

Kyr made a strangling sound that had the Mynders at the doors glancing her way. She hurriedly put the bowl and spoon down and reached for her cup of tea. It shook as she brought it to her lips and took a sip.

In his mind, she lifted her hips as he lavished attention on her breasts. The involuntary action would drive him mad with need. He would battle himself in order to reduce her to soft pleading using his lips, tongue, and hands.

She wanted more. She wanted him.

Unable to wait any longer, she would tug at his lightweight armor, urging him to disrobe. He would remove it slowly, though, enjoying the pout of frustration on her gorgeous face. Her eyes would devour him as his body was revealed to her.

By the time he moved back down to the couch to claim her mouth again, both of them would be aching to join. Her legs would ease apart, making room for him. Her warm, soft body would feel divine against him. He wouldn’t be able to wait any longer, the time for teasing gone. In one swift, hard motion, he would take her.

Kyr gasped and jerked on the couch, issuing a low moan. Tea spilled from the cup, dotting the length of her robe.

“Are you all right, Ma’jah?” he asked, reaching down to take the cup from her as the Mynders once again looked over.

“Um.” She shifted her weight on the couch and grabbed the welish roll. “I’m fine. Just hungry. Very hungry.”

There was no mistaking her meaning. She took a bite of the roll and pretended to return her focus to her meal. The Mynders did what they were supposed to do and looked away, but Ty felt their curiosity over the Ascendant’s odd behavior. He opted to ignore them.