Rout of the Dem-Shyr (The Ascendant Series) Read online

Thank the all mighty Yen-Ki they had each other to get them through.

  Yes, she thought as he continued to indulge himself with her kiss. I love you, Ty. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.

  I love you, too, Kyr. We’ll get through this, okay?

  She finally broke away from him, sighing against his lips. “Okay,” she whispered. “Just please take care of yourself. I have you to protect me, but you…”

  “I have you.”

  Her eyes grew damp. “Yes, you do.”

  Nodding, he gave her one last kiss and then walked her back over to the door. Gren still stood on the other side of it. Ty felt the other Mynder’s curiosity over what had been going on behind the closed door, but Gren was well-trained. He didn’t say a word.

  Ty handed Kyr off and watched her and Gren until they disappeared around the bend. Then he scanned thoughts until he learned that Guardian Brunyr was in his chambers. That was handy.

  He had been meaning to find an excuse to meet with Kyr’s father in private for a while now…ever since he discovered that the Guardian had knocked him unconscious before Kyr’s Ruvex Rite in order to prevent him from intervening.

  He had no idea why Brunyr had done such a thing. Although Kyr’s father had never been an overly warm person, he had always been cordial and mild-mannered. Ty remembered catching him watching Kyr with pride and what Ty thought was love a number of times before she left for her life lessons. Brunyr’s behavior towards her since her return, however, was so different that he seemed another person.

  The question Ty was eager to answer was whether that change was conscious on Brunyr’s part, or the influence of someone else.

  He took the back hallway reserved for approved Vawn to get to the Guardian’s chambers. The halls were empty, probably because everyone was on alert in the main palace after what happened to Shaya. He reached his destination a few minutes later. As was procedure, two Mynders stood guard outside the less-used entrance.

  Is Guardian Brunyr still inside? he asked one of the Mynders.

  Yes, Dem-Shyr. He hasn’t been alerted of what happened yet, just as you ordered.

  Ty nodded and sent a silent command to the Mynders inside the door to open it. They did so, not speaking as he entered. Unlike Kyr’s second entrance, which was camouflaged and known by only a few individuals, this door led right into the Guardian’s chambers. Brunyr looked up from the writing desk where he sat with a quill in his hand and parchment in front of him. His light brown eyes reflected confusion when he spotted Ty.

  “Dem-Shyr TaeDane?” he said, slowly getting to his feet. “What brings you to my chambers?”

  Opening his senses, Ty replied, “I wanted to verify that you ordered a tray of food delivered to the sanctuary for Ma’jah Kyr and Guardian Shaya.”

  “Yes, I did. Guardian Shaya has been preparing for Ma’jah Kyr’s Day of Life celebration and wanted to sample the food. Is everything all right?”

  “I’m afraid not, Guardian. Your amanti has been poisoned with crushed pynko. She’s being treated by HemmelRowe.”

  Brunyr’s eyes grew wider and wider with each word. Shock and horror rolled through him so powerfully that Ty knew the reactions were genuine. Frustrated over the lack of answers, Ty used his influence on the Mynders inside the room to distract them from what he was doing. He reached over and grasped Brunyr’s shoulder in a move meant to convey sympathy. It allowed him to touch the Guardian’s neck, strengthening their connection. He extended his influence to calm Brunyr.

  “Hemmel says she’s going to be okay, Guardian,” Ty said out loud. “Ma’jah Kyr is unharmed.”

  “Kyr,” Brunyr repeated. “That’s good news.”

  His tone wasn’t very convincing, but that was due to Ty’s influence. The relief he felt was sincere enough. Ty felt it.

  Why did you not want me helping Kyr during the Rite? Ty thought, using his abilities to conduct a low-level scan of Brunyr’s memories. Why did you work with Vycor to stop me?

  “What?” Brunyr asked, his brow wrinkling.

  The scan wasn’t producing anything. Ty knew going deeper would alert Brunyr to what he was doing. Should he do it anyway? He could always justify it by saying he wanted to confirm the Guardian’s innocence in the poisoning. He was allowed to use any means necessary to investigate a murder attempt.

  Kyr’s face came to his mind. She didn’t want him upsetting the Guardians before she had a chance to talk to them about her feelings for him. Invading Brunyr’s privacy was certainly going to upset him.

  The decision was taken from his hands as two knocks sounded at the main chamber entrance. Ty stepped away from Brunyr as the doors flew open, admitting Vycor.

  “Guardian, have you heard the news?” Vycor asked, walking up to Brunyr without a glance in Ty’s direction.

  “Yes,” Brunyr said, shaking his head and blinking. “My dearest Shaya. I must go to her.”

  “Of course,” Vycor agreed, taking the Guardian’s arm and leading him to the door. “Guardian Shaya will be happy to see you.”

  Ty opened his mind towards both males, but something kept him from learning anything significant. It was that same block he’d encountered while interrogating Vycor after Kyr’s Rite. What the hell was causing it? As the Dem-Shyr, he was supposed to have unparalleled mental abilities. That was one of his chief ways to protect Kyr, by intercepting thoughts of ill-intent from even the strongest minds.

  So why couldn’t he read Vycor?

  Are you coming back soon, Ty?

  Kyr’s thought had Ty admitting defeat for the moment. She needed him right now. The least he could do was be there for her.

  And part of that meant not telling her what her father had done to aid Vycor in causing her unspeakable pain.

  Chapter 6

  Numbness and shock kept Kyr calm up until she got to her chambers. When she stepped inside and saw a tray of food waiting for her in the receiving area, however, reality sank in. She started shaking. Her knees failed her.

  Gren caught her around the waist, holding her upright. “Come and sit down, Ma’jah,” he said, leading her over to the closest couch. “Take deep breaths. Everything will be fine.”

  His deep, level tone helped center her. She longed for Ty’s reassurance, but she couldn’t sense him. Apparently, he wanted his interview with her father to be private. She didn’t have to know why in order to respect his decision, but it wouldn’t be easy to remain calm without him nearby in at least thought.

  “Thank you, Gren,” she said at last. “This has been quite a day.”

  “It seems we’re rarely without excitement around here since you returned, Ma’jah.”

  She rubbed the bridge of her nose, unable to find humor in his words. “Tell me about it. I wouldn’t mind a little peace and quiet for a change.”

  “You should try and relax,” Gren said. “Would you like me to taste anything for you? You haven’t eaten—”

  Her head swung rapidly side to side. She didn’t want Gren tasting anything after what she’d just seen. Losing him would be almost as unbearable as losing Ty.

  Something he saw on her face or overheard in her thoughts made his expression soften. “I received the same training as Dem-Shyr TaeDane, Ma’jah,” he said. “The poison wouldn’t have harmed me, either.”

  Kyr stared at the tray of food, wondering what might happen if someone happened to find a poison that neither Ty nor Gren had been exposed to. How could she live with that fear every day from now on?

  She couldn’t. She wouldn’t. From now on, she’d take her own risks.

  Before she reached for the tray, Gren lifted it out of her reach. “No, Ma’jah. You’re more important to Alametria than anyone. The Dem-Shyr and I are trained to protect you. Let us do our jobs.”

  What Kyr heard was, Let us die for you.

  Tears stung her eyes. “That poison was intended for me, wasn’t it?”

  Gren hesitated. “We don’t know anything yet.”

  “Gren.”
/>
  Sighing, he admitted, “It probably was.”

  Pain made her breath hitch, but she nodded. Thank you for being honest.

  Of course.

  “Will you sit with me for a while?” she asked, speaking out loud for the benefit of the other Mynders in the room. She was always aware of her audience these days.

  “If you’ll eat,” he bargained.

  She gave him a wry look, but knew he wasn’t going to budge. “Fine.”

  Bringing the tray with him, he sat beside her on the couch and propped his feet up on the coffee table, settling the tray across his lap. A passing Wrym gave him a disapproving look. Kyr felt the corners of her mouth turn up and wondered if that had been Gren’s goal. His wink confirmed her suspicions.

  “Is getting dosed with poison a standard part of Mynder training?” she asked in an effort to distract herself as he took a bite out of a fruit tart.

  “Only for Mynders directly assigned to protect you or the Guardians,” he responded, handing her the tart.

  Kyr frowned. She hadn’t remembered that her parents also had Mynders taste their food. She hadn’t noticed anyone doing so at the few public dinners she’d attended with them.

  Your parents have the Mynders taste their food outside of the public eye at large events, Gren thought as he drank some water.

  Why?

  Years ago, there was a rash of poisonings. The Mynders who tasted the food didn’t die, but they did get sick.

  Ah. My parents don’t want everyone’s appetites ruined by vomiting Mynders before the meal even begins, is that it?

  You got it.

  She finished the tart and accepted the water as Gren took a bite out of a small sandwich. Why do they let Ty taste my food in public if that’s their concern?

  They’d rather he didn’t, but he insists. He knows things can happen to food between when it’s tasted and when it’s served.

  Kyr considered this. It seemed logical, so why had her mother taken a sip of the yarrow nectar before she was sure it had been tasted? Was she really that arrogant?

  “How did you get stuck with me?” she asked Gren as he handed her the sandwich. “I know Ty was fated by birth to be the Dem-Shyr, but did it work that way for you?”

  His scarred eyebrow lifted. “You don’t remember?” She shook her head. “I won a competition.”

  Her interest was piqued. “Please keep my mind occupied. Tell me about it.”

  After looking pointedly at the sandwich until she ate it, he said, “When you were old enough to get into mischief, which I’m convinced was the moment you emerged from the womb, the Guardians decided to hold a contest. They needed to identify the strongest Mynder to assume the responsibility of caring for you in the absence of the Dem-Shyr, who was being sent away to learn his life lessons. All Mynders were eligible to compete, and I was young and arrogant enough to decide to enter. I won.”

  “That’s it?” she asked, shoving at his shoulder. “‘I won?’ That’s all I get?”

  He shrugged as he tasted a bowl of something that looked like spinach dip from Earth. He grimaced when the food hit his tongue, making Kyr tense.

  “What is it?” she asked, grabbing his arm. “Did you taste poison?”

  “No,” he said, handing her the bowl and reaching for the water. “I hate gyla root pudding.”

  She laughed, flooded with relief. “Oh, good. I’ll bet you’re thrilled to have won the competition right now.”

  “It was an honor,” Gren said, meeting her gaze.

  Unbelievably touched, she nodded to show she understood and appreciated what he was saying. She tasted the gyla root pudding to keep from attracting any unwanted attention from the Mynders. Fortunately, she liked the pudding.

  “So, don’t I get any more details about this competition?” she prodded. “Was it a fight to the death? Is that how you came about your manly scar?”

  His gaze slid from hers. She intuited his discomfort over the question and wished she could take it back. Reaching out in a gesture of apology, she touched the back of his hand.

  An image flashed through her mind: a red-haired young woman with fire in her eyes and a sharp blade in her hand.

  Lifting her fingers from him, Kyr thought, I’m so sorry, Gren. I didn’t mean—

  It’s okay, Ma’jah, he interrupted, shifting away from her. “Is there anything more you want to eat?”

  Sorrow clung to them both. She shook her head. “No, thank you.”

  “Dem-Shyr TaeDane is on his way,” Gren said, getting to his feet and setting the tray on the table. “I’ll wait for him outside. If you want anything else to eat or drink, just let me know.”

  Kyr wanted to beg his forgiveness for inadvertently accessing what was obviously a sensitive memory, but she knew he didn’t want to discuss it. “Sure. Thanks for sitting with me.”

  He nodded. For a moment, she thought he might say something else. Then he just turned and walked out of the room, leaving her feeling guilty and terribly alone.

  Chapter 7

  For the next couple days, Ty remained with Kyr. Until they figured out where the poison had come from and whether it had been intended for her, his place was at her side. He slept on a couch in her receiving chamber and oversaw every aspect of her day, leaving the interrogations up to Gren and a team of Inquisitors.

  Shouldn’t they have found something by now? Kyr thought as they walked to Shaya’s chambers for the second day in a row.

  It’s unusual that they haven’t picked up any thoughts or behavior that would identify the person or persons behind this, Ty acknowledged. I don’t think there has ever been a poisoning where the perpetrator wasn’t identified quickly.

  She looked troubled. The line between her brows had been nearly constant since the poisoning. He wished he could do something to ease her mind, but he was just as worried as she was. Until they figured out what was going on, she was at risk. He had no idea how the person who tampered with the yarrow nectar did it without leaving any sort of clue or having any perceivable thoughts about it. It was just unheard of.

  There was also the timing to consider. Was it a coincidence that the poison had been planted right after Kyr met with the V’larian ambassadors? He didn’t believe in coincidences. So what was the significance of it? Did it have any tie-in with the fact that the V’larians happened to save Kyr’s life when she was on Earth?

  Until they identified the poisoner, there wasn’t much use in dwelling on what-ifs. Nevertheless, what had happened to Shaya was at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

  They reached the Guardian’s bedchambers a few minutes later. Ty nodded at the two Mynders guarding her doors, silently asking them to announce Kyr’s presence. One of the guards, DibonDane, returned the nod and stepped inside to inform Shaya they were there. Ty gave Kyr’s arm a squeeze when he saw her wringing her hands. Her anxiety was clear in her thoughts and expression, but she had warned him not to influence her. She wanted to process everything that had happened on her own.

  “I’m sorry, Dem-Shyr,” Dibon said when he returned to his post and closed the door behind him. “Guardian Shaya has decided that she isn’t prepared for visitors right now.”

  “But I checked with you before we came down here. You said she was meeting with Advisor Vycor.”

  “Yes, Dem-Shyr. However, her time with the Advisor exhausted her. She asked that you come again another time when she’s more rested and presentable.”

  Ty’s back teeth clamped together as Kyr’s disappointment struck him. Shaya had refused to see Kyr ever since she was brought back to her chambers from the sanctuary. Hemmel had informed them that the Guardian was able to receive visitors, so her refusal to see her daughter made no sense.

  I’m not her daughter in her eyes, Kyr thought. I’m Ma’jah Kyr, the female she’s jealous of. She can’t look anything less than her best around me.

  Her melancholy seemed to be growing deeper by the second. He had to do something.

  Isn’t it odd th
at the poison was delivered to the Guardian under the Dem-Shyr’s watch?

  The stray thought had Ty looking between Dibon and his companion. Did they think he had poisoned the yarrow nectar? His gaze moved to the three other Mynders who had escorted Kyr along with him. How many others felt that way?

  Kyr surged forward. “How dare you suspect Dem-Shyr TaeDane of wrong-doing? He would never harm me or the Guardians. He’s the most vigilant, protective Mynder on Alametria!”

  It took Ty a moment to intervene, he was so surprised by her outburst. She even shoved Dibon, who must have been the one to share the thought. Her push sent the large male stumbling back a foot, reminding Ty that her physical strength was Ascending along with her mental abilities. With a combination of gratitude and reluctance, he stepped between her and the stunned guard.

  Calm yourself, Kyr. You don’t want everyone finding out how we feel about each other before we’re ready.

  Opening his mind so that the other Mynders could read the truth in his response, he said, “I didn’t poison Guardian Shaya. I wouldn’t harm the Guardians or Ma’jah Kyr.”

  All of the Mynders processed what he had said in combination with his sincerity. After a moment, they all sent thoughts that they believed him. He knew they would share what they had just discovered with any other doubters.

  Behind him, Kyr took a deep breath as she struggled to regain her control. He felt her continued anger and knew it was misplaced. She was upset over their circumstances and Shaya’s treatment, not over Dibon’s random thought. Mynders were trained to ask such questions, after all.

  “Please let Guardian Shaya know that Ma’jah is concerned for her and hopes to see her soon,” Ty said.

  “Of course, Dem-Shyr,” Dibon said. “My apologies for upsetting you and Ma’jah. It wasn’t intentional.”

  “We know. Thank you.”

  Ty took Kyr’s arm and led her down the hallway. He didn’t bring her back to her chambers, which had begun to feel like a prison for both of them over the past couple days. Instead, he headed for her private gardens. The pretty, fragrant environment had always cheered her up. He hoped it did today, too. He didn’t know what else to do, and seeing her so stressed and upset was killing him.