Rout of the Dem-Shyr (The Ascendant Series) (5 page)

Ty found himself at a loss for what to say, so he just nodded. He rose and walked over to Kyr. She looked almost as pale as her mother.

She’ll be okay
, he thought, touching her shoulder.

I know
. Her gaze drifted to her hands, which were folded in her lap.
I just feel awful
.

You shouldn’t. It isn’t like you poisoned her
.

I know
, she repeated.
But for a brief moment, I wished…

She didn’t finish the thought, but he knew what she meant. For a moment, she wished Shaya actually was dead.

Don’t feel guilty for your deepest feelings, Kyr. Shaya hasn’t made things easy for you. You know how she really feels about you, despite what she said earlier regarding the trade agreement. She’s used to having everyone bend to her will, and you’re refusing to do so. So far, she’s made your life hell
.

His words didn’t seem to help much. He decided to use his influence to send her calming thoughts as Hemmel finished his work with Shaya. It wasn’t long before the Rowe gave the order that she could be moved to her chambers. Ty again eschewed the rules to allow several Mynders to enter with a litter, onto which they loaded Shaya. Kyr insisted they cover her with a sheet from head to toe, knowing Shaya wouldn’t want to be seen looking like she did. The Mynders obeyed the command, heading to the Guardian’s chambers with Hemmel in tow.

Ty walked Kyr out the door currently being manned by Gren.
Take Ma’jah back to her chambers
, he thought.
I’m going to find Guardian Brunyr to discuss what happened
.

Gren nodded. Just as he reached for Kyr’s arm, she turned and walked back into the empty sanctuary. Puzzled, Ty followed her. She closed the door right in Gren’s face, then grabbed Ty around the neck and pulled him down for a kiss.

His surprise didn’t stop him from responding. Her lips parted, begging him to deepen the kiss. He tasted her thoroughly, giving her the assurance she needed that he was fine.

And that was what this was all about. Kyr had just learned how quickly things could change. She now truly understood the dangers they faced every day. Everything they said or did could have terrible consequences. It was a harsh way to live.

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.