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.
Joining with Kyr would feel like bliss itself. Her body would welcome him, overwhelm him. She would beg him to move, so he would. Slowly. He’d kiss her as he eased out of her and then back in, not giving into the demands of their bodies. She’d make sounds that would test his endurance, scraping his shoulders with her nails. Her kisses would grow more aggressive, using her teeth to nip at his lips in retribution for torturing her so.
She would push him past the breaking point. Unable to wait any longer, he would thrust with more urgency. He’d feel her body tighten around him. Tighter and tighter. Mercilessly tight. She’d beg him for more. And more. And more.
And then she’d come for him. Over and over, crying out his name.
Ty!
Her voice really did fill his mind as she reached her peak. He felt her pleasure overwhelm her. Just as he tried to remove himself from the memory so he could regain his control, her mind joined with his in an indescribable way.
Ecstasy rolled from her into him, too powerful for him to fight. Nothing he’d ever felt compared to this joint release.
And they’d only used their minds.
It took him a minute to get himself under control. He gripped the back of the couch, which was the only thing keeping him upright. Kyr was leaning against the couch’s arm, her breathing uneven. She took a small bite of the roll in her hand, but he knew she didn’t taste it.
You did that on purpose, didn’t you? he asked her.
She moved into a more upright position. Yes. I could tell you were going to deny yourself.
Damn, she was powerful. Not only was she reading his thoughts now, but she was influencing them. Her Ascension was advancing more and more every day.
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Glancing around, he confirmed that no one seemed the wiser about what they’d just done. That seemed miraculous in light of how intense and real the experience felt. He’d take that blessing for what it was.
I guess I’ll go make use of the facilities, he thought at last.
Now?
Yeah. You left me with a bit of a mess on my hands. Well, in my pants, anyway.
She spit out the sip of tea she had just taken. Zasha happened to be walking by and hurried over with a concerned expression on her face.
“Is the tea not to your liking, Ma’jah?” she asked.
Kyr waved a hand in a useless gesture as she got herself back under control. “That sip was a little hot,” she managed.
“You’re telling me,” Ty muttered, making her laugh as he headed to the water closet.
He was grateful for the sound of her laughter. Experience had taught him that things could change on a whim. With so many unknowns in their lives right then, he knew they should appreciate every moment like this…and every chance to embrace happiness.
Chapter 3
Two days later, Kyr walked with Ty through the halls of the palace. She was on her way to her first audience as the Ascendant. Guardian Shaya had stopped by Kyr’s chambers before she was even fully awake to demand her presence. In her mother’s typical fashion, she didn’t reveal who Kyr was meeting with or why she needed to be there.
Shaya had, however, chosen Kyr’s wardrobe. Kyr had come to dread such occasions. The first time her mother had selected her clothing, it had been for Kyr’s audience with the Great Divyner, followed by her first judgment. She’d been dressed like an executioner in black ceremonial garb. The second time, it had been for the celebration of Kyr’s Ascension. That gown had been a pink atrocity that she’d barely escaped wearing because Ty intervened with a well-timed tea spill.
Today’s choice kept Shaya’s questionable streak alive. The gray color of the shapeless gown reminded Kyr of wet cement. It hung loosely on her slim frame, the sleeves too long and the skirt dragging slightly on the ground even with Kyr wearing high heels. Zasha had done what she could to improve the gown by tying a colorful scarf around Kyr’s hips to define her waistline, but it was like slapping a Band-Aid on a severed limb. Kyr had begun to suspect her mother was making her wear castoff clothes that had been designed for her, since Shaya was taller and had a fuller shape than she did.
Sensing Ty’s silent agreement to the passing thought, she wondered, Why would she give me her old clothes when I have a closet the size of a small moon filled with things that fit me?
She’s jealous of you.
The answer was the last thing she expected. Shaya was beautiful, powerful, and intimidating. She was the mother of the Ascendant. She didn’t have any reason to be jealous.
She isn’t the Ascendant, Ty reasoned.
Kyr processed that as they arrived at the audience chamber. Ever since returning to Alametria, she had been trying to earn her mother’s approval. In her mind, her failure to do so was a result of the fact that Shaya was perfect. No one could achieve that standard. Was Ty right that the Guardian was jealous of her own daughter’s abilities?
And appearance, rapport with others, powerful position…
Okay, okay, Kyr thought, interrupting Ty’s list as they entered the room. I get it.
“Announcing the arrival of the Ascendant, Ma’jah KyrVawn,” a male voice declared as they crossed the threshold.
Having expected a vast space with an elaborate throne for her to sit on, she was surprised to find herself in something more akin to a human business boardroom. A rectangular table dominated the space, extending twenty feet from the entrance. Padded chairs covered in soft gold fabric lined both sides of the table. A single chair that was only slightly more ornate sat at the table’s head. Since it was empty, Kyr assumed it was meant for her.
The other occupants in the room all rose upon the announcement of her arrival. In a quick sweep of her eyes, she counted five people: the Guardians, the two ambassadors from their neighboring planet, V’laria, and the Advisor…VycorDane.
Kyr’s heart rate increased at the sight of the dark-haired, bearded male who had conducted her Ruvex Rite. She hadn’t seen him since that horrible day. Well, not in person. Her nightmares were filled with images of him attacking her. Painful, horrifying dreams filled with blood and deadly intent. The sight of him made her palms damp.
Don’t you dare let him have that kind of hold over you, Ty told her. It’s Vycor who fears you.
The words had her eyes widening as she neared the head of the table. Ty was right. The Advisor looked uneasy, his gaze anywhere but on her or Ty. Shaya had told her before her Ascension celebration that Vycor was on bed rest for a while. The Guardian, like many others thanks to Vycor’s deceitfulness, believed that the Advisor had overexerted himself while “testing” Ty to make sure he was a suitable Dem-Shyr. Kyr and Ty knew the truth, though. Vycor had intended to break Kyr’s mind during the Ruvex Rite so he could assume a position of power over Alametria.
Seeing the Advisor’s behavior now, Kyr recalled what Ty had said and done to him after the Rite. She suspected that the glimpse Ty had given her only touched on the full story, but she pushed it from her mind. All that really mattered was that Vycor didn’t have the hold over her that she thought.
Stopping at the head of the table, she looked at everyone and said, “Please be seated.”
Ty pulled her chair out for her. Kyr noticed Shaya’s small, satisfied smile as her gaze brushed over Kyr’s dress. The reaction confirmed what Ty had told her about her mother’s jealousy. It seemed today would be full of revelations.
A minute of silence passed after everyone sat down and Ty took a step away from the table to keep watch over her. Kyr noticed that everyone was looking at her. She guessed they expected her to begin the proceedings. Silently stewing over her mother’s deliberate lack of preparation, Kyr sat straighter and looked to the V’larian ambassadors.
“It’s nice to see you again, Telad,” she began, nodding at the slender male dressed in his usual white robes and dark eyeshades. Turning to his female counterpart, who looked eerily similar to him outside of her longer light blonde hair, she added, “Ravina.”
“Thank you, Ma’jah Kyr,” Telad said in a voice that sounded like a human adolescent’s. “We appreciate you taking the time to hold this audience with us before we return to V’laria.”
“Of course.”
Another awkward silence fell. Kyr looked to her parents, but the Guardians just stared back at her without speaking. Her mother’s wintry blue eyes contained a mix of calculation and amusement. Her father’s tawny gaze, on the other hand, looked blank. Did he not have any idea why they were there either?
They’re here to discuss the trade agreement, Ty sent her.
“I understand that you wish to discuss the trade agreement that exists between our planets,” Kyr said.
Shaya stiffened. Kyr sent Ty a silent thank you, knowing he had risked a scan of the thoughts in the room to help her. She decided that if that was how they had to get through this, she would draw on her own abilities, too.
“Yes, Ma’jah,” Telad confirmed. “We value our relationship with Alametria. With you returning, we just want to confirm that our trade agreement will remain as it stands.”
This, at least, Kyr understood. She had overheard the Guardians reviewing previous trade agreement negotiations before she left for her off-planet lessons. She knew that the V’larians relied heavily on Alametria’s stores of Alametrian Elixir, a special rejuvenating serum created from tajeria. Tajeria was a rare mineral and powerful energy source found only on Alametria, making it the planet’s primary trade resource. Mining of tajeria had ceased several generations ago due to the extremely hazardous nature of excavating it. For that reason, the existing Elixir was considered a precious and much sought-after commodity. The V’larians used it largely for health benefits to help offset the damaging nature of their plan
et’s volatile atmosphere and air quality. In exchange for the Elixir, V’laria provided Alametria with a large variety of goods, including fresh food items not available on Alametria and an assortment of valuable gems and materials used to make fine clothing.
“We haven’t had a chance to discuss this topic with Ma’jah Kyr, Ambassadors,” Shaya said, her voice cool and judicious. “As you know, she has been busy adjusting to her return home and her recent Ascension.”
“Yes,” Ravina said. Her face was turned in Kyr’s direction, but Kyr couldn’t see her eyes through her dark eyeshades. Still, the ambassador’s disapproval was apparent. “We are well aware. I suppose we had hoped that between the various celebrations you have held in Ma’jah’s honor that she might actually begin assuming her role and responsibilities.”
Kyr perceived the bitterness radiating from both Telad and Ravina. Shaya was provoking the response with her tone and aloof demeanor. Although she knew better than to tap into the minds of the V’larian ambassadors because they were so sensitive to thought intrusion, Kyr was tempted to do so. This seemed to be a serious topic for them, and they clearly didn’t think she was giving it any time or consideration…which was true, since she hadn’t been told about any of this before now.
Shaya’s chin lifted in response Ravina’s comments. “These things take time, Ambassador. If Ma’jah Kyr is going to make sound decisions about important subjects such our trade agreement, she must consider every element involved.”
Kyr’s brow furrowed. Ravina and Telad shared a look, making Kyr suspect they were exchanging thoughts. Things weren’t going well, and she couldn’t help but think that this was exactly what Shaya wanted. But why?
Deciding to risk the repercussions, Kyr closed her eyes briefly and drew on her abilities. She didn’t reach out to any minds, not wanting her presence known or questioned. Instead, she drew on the emotion in the room, using it to infer thoughts and motives.
Ty was vigilant, his attention heightened. She felt him tapped into her consciousness and was grateful for it. He saw what she did. She incorporated his impressions into her own.