Her father was subdued. This didn’t surprise Kyr. It seemed he always bowed to Shaya or Vycor.
Vycor was fuming. He felt powerless and hated every bit of it. His hatred towards Ty was profound. Kyr shied away from him as quickly as she could, not wanting his darkness to taint her any more than it already had.
The ambassadors were resentful. They didn’t like having to rely on Alametria for their livelihood. Kyr could understand this. No one liked to feel beholden to another like that.
Shaya’s behavior didn’t help matters. Her mother enjoyed being in the position of power, and she wasn’t about to relinquish it anytime soon. She thought it was in their best interests to keep V’laria under their thumb rather than treat them like equals in their dealings.
Opening her eyes, Kyr looked again at Ravina. Her scan had taken only a second or two, but it was enough for her to know what to do.
“Ambassadors,” she said, “please let your minds be at ease. Alametria values everything you contribute to our partnership.”
The word “partnership” grabbed everyone’s attention. All eyes were now on her. Shaya looked like she wanted to leap across the table, so much so that Kyr heard Ty take a protective step closer to her chair.
“This is a trade agreement,” Kyr continued. “That implies an equal exchange of goods or services. If that isn’t a partnership, I don’t know what is.”
Telad and Ravina exchanged another look. Their puzzlement over this unexpected response was clear to everyone at the table. Kyr felt some of their resentment fade.
“We appreciate your support, Ma’jah Kyr,” Telad said at last. “This does help put our minds at ease.”
Shaya’s hands were clenched together, her knuckles white. Vycor glanced at Shaya, but the Guardian shook her head the slightest bit. Kyr wondered what the silent communication meant. The negative emotions emanating from them made her shoulders slump.
Although she felt as though she had done the right thing, she couldn’t help but fear she had just dug her own grave.
Chapter 4
The feeling of dread stuck with Kyr through the rest of the audience with the V’larians. She kept waiting for Shaya to say something as they reviewed the existing trade agreement with the ambassadors, but the Guardian held her tongue. By the time their discussions concluded, Kyr felt a huge knot of tension between her shoulders.
You did great, Ty assured her as she rose from her chair. You made sure both parties benefitted from the agreement, which will help maintain a positive relationship with V’laria.
Before Kyr could respond, Shaya said, “Ma’jah Kyr, let’s adjourn to the sanctuary, shall we? Advisor Vycor would be happy to see the ambassadors to their chambers, wouldn’t you, Advisor?”
Vycor bowed his head. “As you wish, Guardian Shaya.”
His bronze-colored eyes moved briefly to Kyr. She felt the look like a physical touch and barely resisted recoiling. He turned before she could read his expression.
Did you get anything from that? she asked Ty.
No.
She felt his frustration. Why was he having so much trouble reading the Advisor’s thoughts? Was Vycor just that powerful?
Vycor led the ambassadors from the room before she could give it more consideration. Her focus shifted to the Guardians as they turned and walked to the door. Shaya hadn’t even waited for Kyr’s response, she couldn’t help but notice. A childish part of her wanted to make up some mysterious obligation that would keep her from meeting with her mother.
Just get it over with, Ty thought, taking her arm and leading her after her parents.
Kyr sighed. She had already come to that decision, knowing that Shaya would get her way somehow. But that didn’t mean she had to like it.
Most of the Mynders who had been guarding the room fell into step with the Guardians as they exited. Kyr spotted Gren and realized he had joined the group manning the door. He waited until she and Ty reached him and then walked at her other side. Two more Mynders that she didn’t recognize moved to walk behind them.
Good morning, Gren, she thought to him.
It’s nearly midday, Ma’jah, he returned, his eyes reflecting humor.
Really? Damn, that was a long meeting. Well, good afternoon, then.
He gave her one of his winks before they both returned their attention to their surroundings. She knew not to disturb him or Ty when they were escorting her. They were both dedicated to her safety and she couldn’t afford to make their jobs any harder than necessary.
At a split in the hallway, her father and several Mynders went left while Shaya and her guards went right. Kyr frowned as she, Ty, and Gren followed Shaya. Why wasn’t Brunyr meeting with them?
Then again, her father hardly ever engaged with her directly. In all of her memories, Shaya had always taken the lead when it came to raising her. Why should things be any different just because she had Ascended?
The sanctuary wasn’t far. Considering Kyr wanted to throw her toe-pinching shoes into the closest refuse container, she was relieved about that. The Mynders with Shaya opened the doors and the Guardian swept in, the filmy wrap around her shoulders floating behind her like fog. Even with no one in the room, Shaya knew how to make an entrance.
Kyr hadn’t been in this part of the palace often. It had been created as a sort of haven for important discussions, and it was reserved strictly for use by the Guardians, the Advisor, the Dem-Shyr, and the Ascendant. No one else was permitted to enter except those Wrym who kept the space maintained. Even now, all of the Mynders stayed outside rather than following Shaya in as they normally would. Gren stopped at the doorway and nodded to Ty as he led Kyr inside.
The soft sound of a waterfall reached her ears as they entered. A small pond on the right side of the room captured the cascade of water. Live trees and shrubs filled the space, leaving room only for two winding paths leading from the different entrances to the circular seating area in the middle of the sanctuary. Ty led Kyr to the bench across from the one Shaya settled on.
“Leave us once you have completed your security check, Dem-Shyr,” Shaya instructed. “I wish to have a few moments of privacy with my daughter.”
Kyr felt Ty’s surprise and unease. He considered the request, weighing the possible consequences of defying Shaya because he wasn’t comfortable with it.
Have Gren guard the other entrance, Kyr thought. I know you’re worried about my safety, but this isn’t worth fighting her over. I need her in a good state of mind so I can talk to her about us.
“Of course, Guardian,” he said out loud, giving Kyr a look that said he still wasn’t thrilled. “I’ll only be a moment.”
Thank you, Kyr thought.
Just make sure you stay connected to me the entire time.
Always.
That one word seemed to help. He completed his search of the room without further complaint and then stepped outside with a brief bow. Kyr thought the respectful gesture was a nice touch, but wasn’t sure Shaya felt the same since she didn’t acknowledge it.
“What is it you wish to discuss, Guardian?” Kyr asked to break the ice.
“I wanted to ask just what you thought you were doing at the audience earlier.”
The statement was exactly what Kyr expected. Shaya wanted to censure her over the way she had conducted the audience. Why had she hoped for something different? She should have learned her lesson by now.
“I was negotiating our trade agreement with V’laria,” Kyr responded. “I was under the impression that the audience had been called for that purpose.”
Shaya’s cool gaze swept over her. “That wasn’t a negotiation. That was a capitulation. You took the position of power we held over the V’larians and essentially disintegrated it.”
“What are you talking about? Our relationship with the V’larians is stronger than ever. They were thrilled.”
“Of course they were. You made them feel like our equals.”
Anger brought heat to Kyr’s cheeks.
“You say that as though we don’t need them as much as they need us.”
“We don’t.”
“Is that so?” Kyr deliberately let her gaze travel to the gem-encrusted gown her mother wore. “You don’t seem to mind wearing the goods they provide us.”
Shaya’s nostrils flared. “I wore this gown to the audience as a gesture of goodwill to the V’larian ambassadors. Their gems and fabrics are far from essential to our way of life.”
“Let’s not delude ourselves, Guardian. V’laria is all that stands between us and Shelvak, a world with which we’ve had a volatile history. The V’larians are our allies, which means we should nurture that relationship.” Kyr saw Shaya’s surprise over her insight and barely contained a self-satisfied smile. “As to your point about their goods being nonessential to our way of life, I couldn’t agree more. That’s why I think it would be in our best interests to adjust the trade agreement the next time we meet with the ambassadors. It would benefit Alametria to negotiate for more of the healthy V’larian food supplies instead of gems and textiles. We can distribute the food among the megais to those who need it, rather than serve it only here in the palace.”
There was a moment of silence, during which time Shaya stared at her without blinking. Kyr found herself holding her breath. It was like waiting for a bomb to explode.
Eventually, Shaya nodded once. “You make excellent points, Ma’jah.” Her tone sounded calmer than her eyes looked, making Kyr doubt her sincerity. “It’s nice to see that all of my training has gone to some good use.”
Bolstered by the unexpected praise, Kyr said, “Thank you, Guardian. While we’re on the subject of interstellar relationships, I’d like to discuss Shelvak. I know things are strained between our planets, but I think that might be because we couldn’t communicate with them before. I can. Perhaps it’s time to consider opening a dialogue with them.”
What are you doing? Ty thought.
Asserting my authority, she explained. The V’larians were right. I should begin assuming my role and responsibilities as the Ascendant. I can’t let Shaya and Vycor tell me what to do all the time.
Ty backed away from her thoughts, but she got the sense he understood and supported her. Shaya, on the other hand, wore an expression that told Kyr she should have stopped while she was ahead. Before either of them could speak, a Wrym male carrying a tray approached from the back entrance.
Gren, who is that? Ty thought as he read Kyr’s thoughts.
I haven’t made it around to the back door yet, Dem-Shyr, Gren answered. I had to break up a fight between two Borlls over a territory dispute.
“Did you ask for food to be sent in, Guardian?” Kyr asked, picking up on Ty’s concern.
The Wrym answered, “If I may, Ma’jah, I was asked to deliver this tray by Guardian Brunyr. It is a sampling of all of your favorite foods. The Guardian thought you might enjoy them while you converse.”
Don’t touch anything on that tray, Ty warned her.
She received a mental picture of him reaching for the doorknob. Wait. I really don’t want Shaya upset right now. I want to talk to her about you while I have this chance. I promise not to eat or drink anything.
Her stomach rumbled as though mocking her vow. It had been several hours since the bowl of warm cereal she’d eaten for breakfast. Still, if it meant she could sway her mother into realizing that Ty was her match, she would go a week without eating.
“Wonderful,” Shaya said, leaning forward when the Wrym placed the tray on the table between their benches. “My throat is positively parched.”
“Guardian, we shouldn’t eat or drink anything that hasn’t been sampled first,” Kyr said.
Shaya lifted a cup of yarrow nectar, one of Kyr’s favorite beverages. “Nonsense. Guardian Brunyr would have had the tray checked for us, knowing we would be alone. He knew that I wanted to sample some of the items to be served at your Day of Life celebration.”
Kyr couldn’t prevent her face from falling. “Another celebration?” She knew it sounded like a whine, but she couldn’t help herself. “Surely there are more important things for me to do now that I’ve Ascended.”
“There are plenty of important things for you to do, Ma’jah. First and foremost, you need to be paired with your amanti. Only when you are paired with the Faire-Amanti will you complete your Ascension. JuwalDane will begin the search for your match at your Day of Life celebration, so it’s a very important event.”
It was the perfect opportunity to discuss Ty, Kyr thought as Shaya sipped the yarrow nectar. “Guardian, I wanted to talk to you about my amanti. You see, I…”
She trailed off as the cup fell from Shaya’s hand. Before she knew what had happened, her mother was lying on the floor, pale and lifeless.
Chapter 5
Ty raced into the sanctuary, leaving the door open so the Mynders standing outside could be ready to act if needed. He cursed himself the entire time it took to reach Guardian Shaya. Why hadn’t he listened to his instincts?
Don’t touch her! he ordered Kyr, who had jumped up and rushed to her mother’s side.
She didn’t question him, stepping back as he approached. Gren told Ty via thought that he’d get HemmelRowe right away. Ty silently approved as he reached for Shaya’s neck and checked her pulse. It was difficult to detect, but he did find one. Her skin felt clammy beneath his fingertips. She was in bad shape.
What happened? Kyr asked.
He reached for the cup of yarrow nectar and sniffed it. Not detecting anything, he took a drop of the drink on his tongue, then spit out as much as he could.
“Crushed pynko,” he said loud enough for the Mynders to hear. It generated a loud murmur from the guards and a curse from Gren.
Kyr gasped. “It was poisoned?”
“Yes.”
He began chest compressions to keep Shaya’s heart beating. Kyr sank down on the bench. He felt her shock. She was thinking that it might have been him who had been poisoned if he had tasted it like he usually did.
I’ve been dosed with all known poisons since I was old enough to start resisting them, he thought. I’m resistant or immune to almost all of them. This wouldn’t have killed me.
That didn’t do much to console her. She was a wreck of emotions by the time Gren arrived with Hemmel. In light of the circumstances, Ty waved the Rowe into the sanctuary. The efficient male hurried over to Shaya and immediately administered an injection, telling Ty that Gren had told him what poison they were dealing with.
While they waited for the treatment to take effect, Ty approached the Wrym who had served the food. The male looked like he might faint right alongside the Guardian. Since Ty had scanned his mind before the food was served and hadn’t sensed any malicious intent, he already suspected the Wrym had no idea the food was poisoned. Still, he had to perform his due diligence.
“Did you know the food was poisoned when you served it to Ma’jah Kyr and Guardian Shaya?” he asked.
“N-no, Dem-Shyr,” the Wrym stammered. His thoughts rang with truth. “I swear it on my life.”
Ty saw no reason to distress the quaking male any further. It was clear to him that the Wrym had been convenient for whoever did put the poison in the food. He turned the Wrym over to the Mynders for escorting back to the kitchens so they could begin interrogating everyone else who had access to the tray of food.
Not long after they left, Shaya moaned. Hemmel rolled her onto her side, placing a disposable container beside her head. Ty wondered why until Shaya vomited into the container. Repeatedly.
“This will help purge the poison from her system,” Hemmel explained. His tone was matter of fact, as though he didn’t hold the life of one of Alametria’s most powerful people in his hands. “Since she only ingested one sip and you were smart enough to send for me, she will live.”
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 though
t, 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.