Rout of the Dem-Shyr (The Ascendant Series) (10 page)

She wanted to reach for the poor guy’s hand to comfort him. He looked so despondent. But she knew there were many gazes on them, not to mention a powerful female Mynder nearby. They had already drawn enough attention to themselves.

“I believe you when you say that you won’t tell anyone what you saw,” she assured him. “I’m in your debt.
We
are in your debt.”

Leo shook his head. “There is no need to thank me, Ma’jah.”

“We both know that’s not true,” she said softly. “And as one way to thank you, I would like to put a protective block in your mind. I believe someone influenced you.”

His lower jaw dropped. “What? But who…why?”

Although she was pretty confident she knew the answer to both questions, she decided to keep that to herself. “I can only guess. But I know I can stop them from doing it again.”

After a moment, his head bobbed in agreement. She stepped closer to him and took his hand, hiding the gesture behind Ty’s broad back. Her eyes stared into Leo’s as she delved into his mind. She found the traces of what she believed was Vycor’s influence and erected barriers around them. It was different from anything she’d done before, but she felt as though she had done enough to protect Leo from a similar intrusion.

“That should do it,” she said, dropping his hand and stepping back.

He blinked to clear his thoughts. “Thank you, Ma’jah. I’m not sure what to say.”

“There isn’t anything you need to say. As I said, I’m in your debt. And I promise that as soon as I can, I’ll change things around here. I agree that Alametrians should be allowed to pick their own amanti.”

His emotion touched her, reminding her that she hadn’t fully replaced her mental shields. In a way, she was glad. The brief flash of hope he felt made her feel better about everything.

“Again, thank you,” he said roughly.

She gave him a smile. “Don’t worry about it. Why don’t we part with the words I’ve been giving everyone else so you can move on with your evening?”

“Sure.”

“LeoVawn, you’re not my match. Enjoy the celebration.”

Now, he returned her smile. “Of course, Ma’jah. I hope you enjoy it, too. Good luck.”

Turning, she watched him go. All eyes were on him. More than a few people looked surprised when he didn’t stop and talk to anyone or have anything else to eat, but left the ballroom entirely. Kyr didn’t much care what everyone thought, however.

“It seems he took your rejection well.”

Kyr’s gaze shifted to her right at the sound of Vycor’s voice. He stood only a couple of feet away. Ty moved to stand between them, leaving just enough room for her to see around his arm.

When had Vycor gotten there? Had he been able to glean anything from her conversation with Leo? His mental powers were considerable, and Leo was a Vawn without any mental abilities to speak of. Had she protected Leo’s mind before anything important escaped?

Then again, she reminded herself, Vycor already knew about her love for Ty. The Advisor had overheard her telling Ty before the Ruvex Rite and used it as a threat against them, which had ultimately led Ty to threaten him in return. Was it really such a leap for Vycor to learn they were romantically involved? All Leo had seen was a kiss, for the love of Yen-Ki.

“He took it better than some of the others have,” she replied, doing her best to sound bored.

“I have a feeling all of the males here will soon face the same fate,” Vycor said, moving a step closer.

She felt Ty’s body tense against her arm and wondered if she’d soon have a scene on her hands. “I’m surprised to see you here, Advisor. I thought only those unmatched males approved by the Guardians had been invited. I think we all know their thoughts on the matter. You’re no Vawn.”

Vycor smiled. The look reminded her that she had once thought him handsome. It also reminded her that looks could be deceiving.

“Indeed, Ma’jah. We both know that only a match with a Vawn will garner the Guardians’ approval. Fear not. I’m merely here to extend good wishes to you on behalf of the Guardians. I don’t intend to keep you from the search for your match.”

Her temper flared. She knew he was pointing out that the Guardians wouldn’t approve Ty any likelier than him. She was also hurt and peeved that her parents had sent him rather than wishing her well themselves. Using her anger to fuel her, she gathered the courage she needed to speak her next words.

“Since we’re here, Advisor, I’ve been meaning to request an audience with you. I believe it’s time I spoke with you alone.”

There was no denying the shock from both Ty and Vycor over her statement. They glanced at each other for the first time since their last confrontation, then back at her. She did her best to maintain her calm, collected façade.

“As the Advisor,” she continued, “you can bring me up-to-date on everything that has changed since I left Alametria for my life lessons. It’s obvious that things are different than they used to be. These changes are becoming more apparent as my powers grow. I think it only wise to consult with you so that I can better understand the structure implemented by you and the Guardians in my absence.”

Giving her a considering look, Vycor nodded. “It would be my pleasure to advise you, Ma’jah. You have only to name the time and place.”

She didn’t need her abilities to determine that he was insinuating something lecherous. The fact that his gaze roamed over her barely-covered body spoke volumes. Even though he was closer in age to her than he was to her parents, the thought of doing anything intimate with him creeped her out. She had to struggle not to show her reaction and alert him to her true motives.

“Very well,” she said. “Let me get through this…celebration. Then I’ll arrange a meeting.”

“Excellent. I look forward to it, Ma’jah.”

Kyr watched him go, deliberately avoiding Ty’s gaze. She would explain later that she believed she would be able to read Vycor’s mind when she was alone with him. She was sure she would finally get to the bottom of everything that was going on at the palace.

Because despite the fact that they had no proof of it, she was certain the Advisor was at the heart of it all.

* * *

Ty wanted to question Kyr, but no sooner did Vycor step away from them than Juwal walked up. He ground his back teeth in frustration. What was Kyr planning with Vycor? Didn’t she understand what a dangerous viper he was?

“Well, this has been a tremendous success,” Juwal said, clapping her hands together in enthusiasm. “I had no idea it would be so easy to pair you, Ma’jah.”

Kyr’s confusion flowed through Ty. He felt it even with her mental shields up. Their connection to each other had definitely grown since their joining that afternoon. He knew it even if she didn’t yet.

Mimicking Ty’s thoughts, Juwal continued, “I’ve never seen such a strong connection between two people before.”

Ty couldn’t resist exchanging a glance with Kyr, who now stood at his side. Had Juwal somehow picked up on their connection despite their attempts to block her?

“LeoVawn is clearly your match,” Juwal declared.

“
What?
”

Kyr sounded as incredulous as Ty felt. Nothing about the interaction between Kyr and Leo should have sent Juwal any signals. What was the female Mynder up to?

“It would be remiss of you not to at least interact with the remaining males who took the time to attend your celebration, Ma’jah,” Juwal said, taking Kyr’s arm.

Irritated, Ty took Juwal’s hand and removed it from Kyr. “No one touches Ma’jah.”

“My apologies,
Dem-Shyr
,” Juwal said, lowering her gaze in a submissive manner. “I wasn’t thinking.”

A feeling ran through Ty as Juwal’s eyes again lifted to his. He intuited that she had touched Kyr on purpose, knowing he would in turn touch her. Sensing that she had gotten a thrill from their contact, he quickly released her and once again took Kyr’s arm. He thought he should say something, but he wasn’t sure what.

I told you
, Kyr thought.

There was no tone of victory in the thought, though. Instead, she radiated sadness. She had suspected that Juwal had feelings for him. It appeared she had been right.

Without another word, Kyr once again began making the rounds. She took one Vawn to the side, told him he wasn’t her match, and moved onto the next. Before too long, even those males she hadn’t talked to clued into what was happening and left after they had eaten their fill, not bothering to wait for Kyr’s rejection.

Through it all, Juwal shadowed them. Ty wondered why. His question was answered when one of the Vawn drew Kyr into a lengthy conversation to determine why he wasn’t her match. Juwal took the opportunity to move up to Ty’s other side.

“I’m sure this isn’t easy for you,
Dem-Shyr
,” she said, touching his arm in a gesture of sympathy. “As Advisor Vycor mentioned at the judgment of the Shelvaks, it was inevitable that you and Ma’jah Kyr would develop some level of feeling for each other after so much time together. Once she’s paired through the Proce-Amanti, you’ll be free to finally focus on your own happiness.”

There were many things Ty wanted to say, especially when he felt Kyr’s pain as she overheard the words. This entire celebration was a study in misery for both of them. Juwal was exacerbating it with her own motives, something he didn’t appreciate in the least.

“I know that not just any person would suit you,” Juwal added. “You need a match who is as strong-minded as yourself.”

Like her, Ty thought. She was trying to state her case for pairing with him once Kyr was out of the picture.

He knew then that Juwal would never agree to perform the Proce-Amanti for him and Kyr. Even if they got the Guardians to agree to their match, which he was beginning to believe would take a directive from the All Mighty Yen-Ki, Juwal would never allow it to happen. The obstacles against him and Kyr being together continued to pile up.

He couldn’t help but think it was becoming a mountain they wouldn’t ever conquer.

Chapter 13

By the time Ty led her to her chambers that evening, Kyr was physically and mentally exhausted. While most of the interactions with the males hadn’t taken too much of her time, a few of the Vawn had resisted her rejection. She had spent quite some time explaining why she didn’t feel that a complete stranger would be a good match for her.

None of it made any sense. She had thought that the Proce-Amanti process was done more carefully than this. Candidates were supposed to be paired with people they knew…people who had similar interests and mindsets as they did. Most of the Vawn in that room had been much older than her and clearly only interested in the position of power that they’d inherit by joining with her as her amanti. From the conversations she’d had with them, she determined that they were close friends with her parents, which was presumably what had earned them the invitation to her Day of Life celebration.

There seemed very little to celebrate, she mused as she entered her chambers. Even Ty was subdued. She knew he’d been dealing with his own challenge in the form of Juwal. The female Mynder hadn’t left their side after Vycor’s departure. That had been quite some time ago.

“Welcome back, Ma’jah,” Zasha said, avoiding Kyr’s gaze as she bowed. “Would you like to be prepared for bed?”

Kyr’s heart wrenched again when she picked up Zasha’s thoughts. The Wrym had seen her talking to Leo and feared that she would soon be paired with him as the Faire-Amanti. Although Kyr had no idea how Leo and Zasha had come to know each other and obviously fall in love, the last thing she wanted to do was come between them.

“That would be great, Zasha,” she said. “I can’t wait to get out of these shoes.”

Ty led her to the closet, where she was disrobed by the Wrym, dressed in a silky nightgown, and wrapped in a coordinating robe. From there, they took her into the bathing chamber so they could remove her makeup and brush her hair. Zasha was the one who held the brush. Kyr met her gaze in the mirror.

Zasha, I won’t be paired with Leo
, she thought, aiming it directly at the younger female.

The brush stilled.
You won’t?

No. I don’t love him. He loves another. I think you know that
.

Glancing around, Zasha hurriedly returned to brushing Kyr’s hair. Her color rose, turning her cheeks almost as red as her hair.

Can you tell me when you and Leo first had feelings for each other?
Kyr thought. When Zasha looked uncomfortable, Kyr explained,
I’m trying to find out when the repressions were lifted. There’s obviously something going on around here
.

Relief flowed through Zasha.
Oh, I see. Well, it was before you returned, Ma’jah. A good while ago. I’m not sure I could say exactly when
.

Kyr read Zasha’s sincerity. In truth, she would have been surprised if Zasha could pinpoint the exact moment her repression had been lifted. Until she met the right guy, it was unlikely she would have even noticed.

That’s okay, Zasha. Thanks. Just rest assured that Leo isn’t going to be the Faire-Amanti
.

The Wrym smiled and nodded, then went back to brushing Kyr’s hair. She didn’t seem surprised by the fact that Kyr knew about the repressions being lifted. Did the Wrym know more than she was letting on? Or was she just so relieved about Leo that anything Kyr said was acceptable as a reason?

She shook her head, which was pounding. All of the exertion that day was starting to get to her. Was it safe to lower her mental defenses now?

Don’t worry, Kyr. You’ll be fine
.

Ty’s thought came through like a healing balm. She glanced at him in the mirror and gave him a grateful smile. Through all of the drama, he was her rock.

I’ll teach you some techniques to block all of the thoughts around you
, he told her.
I can tell you’re receiving more and more as your abilities grow. It will become more natural for you as you train. You won’t tire as easily
.