Turning with a flourish, Vycor moved closer to the Guardians’ seats. “If I may, Guardians, please hear my case.”
Ty’s jaw flexed with tension. He knew the Guardians would preen under the direct attention, and so did Vycor. Just as the Advisor intended, Kyr’s parents sat straighter and nodded regally as all eyes turned to them. Kyr’s anxiety pitched, making its way to Ty. He wished he could comfort her, but he felt things sliding sideways.
“You may speak, Advisor,” Brunyr said.
Vycor bowed deeply. “Thank you, gracious Guardians.”
Ty all but felt Kyr roll her eyes. They both knew Vycor was putting on a show. Ty had to figure out how to derail him.
“Dem-Shyr TaeDane has made an excellent point,” Vycor began. “It was ordained that he conduct the Ruvex Rite for Ma’jah Kyr. However, I do not believe that anyone could anticipate how close the Dem-Shyr would get to the Ascendant.”
Where was he going with this? Once again, Ty tried to read the Advisor’s thoughts, but Vycor was too focused on what he was saying to reveal anything. Ty sensed the many looks he and Kyr were getting as the Advisor went on. Icy fury slowly built within him.
“After so many years together, it was inevitable that the two would become close,” Vycor said, every bit the voice of reason. “How could they not? I think we can all understand it, even if personal feelings on behalf of the Dem-Shyr are expressly forbidden.”
Vycor looked at Ty after stating this. “We are an understanding people, are we not, Guardians?” he prompted.
Brunyr and Shaya looked uncertainly from Ty to Kyr. After a moment, Brunyr answered, “Yes, Advisor.”
“Indeed. So I believe that even though the Dem-Shyr and the Ascendant have developed some level of feeling for each other, it will not diminish the Dem-Shyr’s judgment.” Vycor once again looked at Ty, his expression smug. “Is that not right, Dem-Shyr?”
Ty was being outmaneuvered. He knew it, and he was powerless to stop it.
You will be the weakest Mynder in Alametrian history.
“Of course I am right,” Vycor said, waving a hand as though Ty had responded. “But we all know that the Ruvex Rite cannot be performed by someone with a close connection to the individual undergoing it. It would not be effective.”
Realization struck Ty in an instant. Vycor had done a very neat job of setting him up. He couldn’t let this happen.
Stepping forward, he addressed Kyr’s parents. “Guardians, I have never failed to perform my role as Dem-Shyr. It is my duty to perform the Ruvex Rite for the Ascendant, and my abilities are in no way hindered as Advisor Vycor implies. I will fulfill my destiny and complete the Rite now, if that is your wish.”
“Spoken like someone who is concerned for Ma’jah Kyr’s well-being,” Vycor said smoothly from beside Ty. “I think we can all agree that is a necessary feeling for the Dem-Shyr. But we can all also agree that it will prevent him from the impartiality required to properly perform the Rite.”
The urge to strike Vycor had Ty opening and closing his fists. “I am fully capable of performing the Rite, Guardians,” he argued.
Silence fell across the arena. Ty felt Kyr behind him, trying and failing to remain calm. He tried to tell her that everything would be all right, but they both knew it to be a lie.
“Allow us a moment to consult,” Brunyr said at last.
Ty bowed at the same time Vycor did. They stepped back and stood six feet apart, staring at the Guardians as the couple whispered back and forth to each other. Ty wanted to reach into their minds to find out what they were thinking, but he knew if they detected him doing it, it would hurt his position.
Beside him, Vycor was already radiating satisfaction. The Advisor knew that even if the Guardians ruled in Ty’s favor, a seed of doubt over his abilities as the Dem-Shyr had been planted.
A moment later, the Guardians both rose. Shaya spoke this time, her cool blue eyes coming to rest on Ty.
“VycorDane has served as our Advisor for nearly three decades. In that time, he has shown sound judgment…judgment we see no reason to question now.”
Ty’s eyes closed briefly as he felt a wave of devastation crash through Kyr. He knew he had failed her.
Shaya’s gaze drifted up to the crowd. “We agree with Advisor Vycor that a level of personal feeling between Dem-Shyr TaeDane and Ma’jah Kyr is natural in light of the time they have spent together. We also agree that because of this, Dem-Shyr TaeDane is unfit to perform the Ruvex Rite for her.”
“If Dem-Shyr TaeDane wishes to demonstrate that his personal feelings will not influence his future judgment concerning the Ascendant,” Brunyr continued, “he will not argue with this decision. And he will allow Ma’jah Kyr to undergo the Rite under Advisor Vycor’s administration.”
Ty had no choice. If he argued, they would deem him unfit to serve as Dem-Shyr. If he didn’t, he was leaving Kyr at the hands of a male whom she had just infuriated…a male he now suspected detested her and all she stood for.
“Your choice, Dem-Shyr?” Vycor prompted.
The question echoed around the arena. He felt Kyr holding her breath. Forcing all emotion from his expression, he looked at Brunyr.
“I want what is best for the Ascendant.”
Shaya smiled without any warmth. “Very well. It is hereby ordered that Ma’jah Kyr will undergo the Ruvex Rite tomorrow morning, and it will be conducted by Advisor Vycor.”
“Your will be done,” Vycor said, casting a smirk at Ty as he bowed again.
Ty couldn’t ever remember feeling so powerless. Behind him, Kyr stood silent and numb. He knew she had expected him to save her.
I’m sorry, Kyr, he thought. I’m so sorry.
Chapter 32
It’s all right, Ty, Kyr thought back.
The past few minutes had been agonizing. Kyr hadn’t ever imagined the lengths that Vycor would go to in order to get vengeance over what he perceived as a wrong committed against him. Because she hadn’t done what he “advised” and had revealed him as the vindictive, blood-thirsty, power-hungry male that he was, he was now taking it out on her.
That, she could have handled. But involving Ty…that was another matter entirely.
She had watched along with everyone else as Vycor planted his poisonous seeds and watered them with half-truths and twisted words. She had watched as her parents drank it up like a delicious cocktail, hanging onto his every word. Rather than think for themselves, they eagerly sought his counsel. Not once did they pause to consider that it was their daughter he was talking about. Not once did they look to her, the Ascendant, and ask what she thought. In fact, she got the impression that she was the last one they would have consulted.
And she had now learned that she would never, ever trust them.
At least Vycor hadn’t said anything about her declaration of love to Ty. Why hadn’t she thought that instead of saying it out loud? She wanted to kick herself, but it had poured out of her without any thought at all. She would just offer a prayer of thanks that it hadn’t been overheard.
She felt Ty’s turmoil. He was trying to keep it from her, but she still sensed it. He felt like he had failed her.
You are the Dem-Shyr, she thought, longing to touch him. You protect me. Vycor might conduct the ceremony, but you’ll monitor him and make sure he doesn’t do anything he shouldn’t. I believe in you, Ty. I love you.
He turned and met her gaze. She knew there was much he wanted to say to her, but it wasn’t the time. A loud noise punctuated that thought as the side door once again opened and the three Shelvaks were led back out.
Kyr glanced at Vycor, whose smug expression was only barely masked behind a cool façade. She was sure he looked like a beneficent male to everyone looking on from the seats.
How forgiving of him to accept the Ascendant’s negativity as his own and then offer to purge it from her, they were probably thinking. How wise of him to advise against allowing the Dem-Shyr to perform the Rite.
Bullshit, she though
t, lifting her chin and looking away from Vycor. She knew what he really was, and somehow, she’d make everyone else see it, too.
Tread carefully, Kyr, Ty warned her. You’ve just seen what he can do.
Yes, and I know what you and I can do, Ty. I have faith in us. You should, too.
She felt his surprise over the words, and left him to contemplate them as she walked back to her position in the center of the arena. The Mynders had layered more chains on the Shelvaks, who appeared to be struggling to move. Their thin frames weren’t meant to support so much weight. Still, she sensed that they were more comfortable than they had been.
Part of her wondered what the hell she was doing. She had just agreed to provide her enemies armor, which would strengthen them. As Vycor had pointed out, she may have just given them what they needed to succeed in killing her.
But that other part of her, that inner voice that accompanied the exhilarating energy rush, felt as though she was on the right path. Caelys had told her that Alametria faced a war. Well, maybe she could stop it right here, right now.
As the Shelvaks stopped, she took a deep breath and drew on that well of energy within her. She felt it swirl through her chest and out to her fingertips.
Better? she thought to the largest Shelvak, who continued to act protective of the other two.
The light pains us even through our armor, but its effects are not deadly now.
Troubled, she asked, Will you heal from the other injuries caused from the light?
Over time.
Good. I wouldn’t have you suffer.
There was a moment where the Shelvak seemed to consider what she said. He tilted his head and thought, I believe you.
“What are you doing, Ma’jah?” Vycor asked, breaking her concentration. “Are you going to question them or not?”
“I am questioning them, Advisor,” she said, not looking at him. “They have just thanked me for the armor.”
“Are you honestly trying to convince us that you are exchanging thoughts with them right now?”
Frowning over the disbelief in his voice, she turned to him. “What did you think I was doing before? Staring at them in hopes of divine inspiration? Of course I can hear their thoughts.”
A flurry of voices rose from the seats. It was like the soundtrack to a terrible, tragic play. Kyr was weary of it already.
“They told me earlier that the light was hurting them,” she explained over the noise, “so I offered them the armor in hopes I can discover why they want to kill me.”
She enjoyed the sight of Vycor’s mouth opening and closing as he fought for composure. Turning back to the lead Shelvak, she asked, Why haven’t you ever responded to the Mynders who questioned you?
They motivate with threats and pain. You motivate with kindness.
That made her pause. The Mynders hurt you when they questioned you?
Yes. Some of them offered the guise of kindness, but we knew it to be false.
His words struck her heart. What kind of world was she living in? On Earth, she had been aware of the evil and hardships in the world, but everyone around her knew of them, too. Here, everyone believed themselves to be above other worlds…enlightened, beyond reproach.
Everything was a lie.
People will turn to you…then they will turn against you, the Prima Divyner had said.
Kyr realized that no one wanted to face the truth. Not Vycor, not her parents…no one. They would do anything they could to keep up the pretense, including turning against the one person who was supposed to rule them all.
“How do we know that you aren’t lying, Ma’jah?” Vycor asked. “After all, you are quite capable of it, not having undergone the Rite yet.”
She felt the threat in his words. She also felt Ty’s responding temper. He was at the end of his patience, she knew.
“I haven’t said anything, Advisor,” she countered. “How could I be lying?”
“How do we know you are actually hearing their thoughts?” he persisted.
More of the energy surged, calming Kyr when she wanted to shout at him. His expression wavered as he looked at her. When she merely stood and stared at him, he glanced away.
“I am the Ascendant,” she said in an amplified voice, looking around the arena. “Just yesterday, you all welcomed me. Many of you expressed how grateful you were that I had returned. You shared your excitement over the great things you believe I will bring to our world and others.
“Now, you look at me with doubt. You question me. You question Dem-Shyr TaeDane, the male who has kept me safe against nearly impossible odds, putting himself at risk time and time again. You have undermined his power at a crucial point in my Ascension, yet we have agreed to your terms…terms imposed by my own parents.”
Here, she turned her gaze to them. The energy rose again, calming the pain that wanted to overtake her. Like Vycor, they turned their gaze from hers.
“You want proof, Vycor?” she asked, deliberately not using his title. “The Shelvaks just told me that the first method of torture used when the Inquisitors interrogated them was burning their genitals.”
Horrified gasps and shouts coursed from the seats. Vycor looked at the Guardians, who returned his gaze without expression. Weren’t they as surprised and disturbed as everyone else?
“I can identify the Inquisitors who performed the interrogation if you’d like,” she added.
“That will not be necessary,” Vycor mumbled. He looked from her to the Shelvaks, clearly wanting them out of the arena.
Well, that was too damn bad. He wanted a spectacle? He was going to get the Cirque de Soleil.
Thank you for that, she thought to the Shelvak, turning back to him. Now, I need to know why you were sent to kill me.
The Shelvak took so long to reply, she wondered if he was even going to. Finally, she heard, On your planet, you are seen as a bringer of peace. On ours, you will be a bringer of death.
Understanding struck her hard and fast. An image of swarms of Mynders overrunning Shelvak and killing its inhabitants in the name of the Ascendant ran through her mind. She heard their silent screams, their pleas for help. She felt the merciless single-mindedness behind the Mynders’ attack and knew there would be no hope for the weaker planet.
Bile flooded her throat. She stumbled, bending over and fighting to keep the tea cakes down. Ty reached out and grabbed her. She immediately felt his influence. Her stomach settled, but the revulsion would linger for a long time.
Maybe that was the way it should be.
She knew Ty was once again joined with her thoughts and that he had no intention of backing off this time. She could only hope the Shelvak understood and continued to communicate with her.
I would never order a strike against your planet, she conveyed. As long as you stop hurting Alametrians, we will stop hurting you. You have my word.
The Shelvak stood stoically, his face covered by the black armor. His head moved as he considered Ty, then turned back to her.
If you allow the three of us to return to our planet, I will convey this message. That is the best I can offer you.
“These three Shelvaks are to be allowed to return to their home planet,” she said out loud without a moment’s hesitation. Turning to Vycor, she added, “I would like you to oversee it, Advisor.”
“What have you been told, Ma’jah?” he asked. “We all have a right to know. These creatures tried to kill—”
“These three have done nothing,” she interrupted, allowing her anger to show for the first time. “They prepared the food on the vessel that flew to Earth, that’s all.”
It was a lie. She didn’t have a clue what roles the Shelvaks had served on their ship, but she wasn’t going to back down. She knew she was doing the right thing.
“Would you want one of our kitchen staff tortured and murdered if the situations were reversed?” she asked.
More murmurs came from the seats. Kyr knew people were in agreement with her. Clearly Vycor did, t
oo. She watched his gaze grow more calculating.
“How do you know they did not lie to you, Ma’jah?” he asked.
She smiled. “I’m discovering a great many things about my abilities, Advisor. One of them is detecting lies. When you conduct the Rite tomorrow, you’ll surely be able to confirm it.”
Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they awaited his rebuttal. But he, like Ty, knew when he had to cut his losses.
“We bow to you, Ma’jah,” Vycor said, bending at the waist to illustrate his point. “As long as I am satisfied at the conclusion of the Rite, the prisoners will be released. I will see to it myself.”
Kyr nodded. She wanted to feel victorious.
Instead, his words filled her with dread.
Chapter 33
After the Shelvaks were led back out of the arena, everyone rose as if on cue. Kyr guessed they had seen enough of a spectacle for the day.
Vycor snapped his fingers to turn off the amplification and approached her. “Be sure to get plenty of rest this evening, Ma’jah,” he said. “You will want to be well-prepared for the Rite.”
There was nothing innately threatening about the words, but fear lanced through her just the same. Ty stepped forward, putting himself between them.
“You and I will be discussing everything that happened here, Advisor,” he said, his voice chilling.
Kyr knew Ty was furious for what the Inquisitors had done to the Shelvaks, and was even angrier over how Vycor had maneuvered things to get himself assigned as her Rite administrator.
Vycor smiled humorlessly. “Of course, Dem-Shyr. But as you know, I also need my rest for the Rite tomorrow. If I do even one thing wrong, well…who knows what memories might be purged?”
Kyr’s eyes widened. Her parents walked up, interrupting the conversation. Judging by the looks exchanged between Ty and Vycor, their conversation was still taking place, but through thought.
“Well, that was…unexpected,” Brunyr said.
“Come,” Shaya ordered in clipped tones. “Let us get Ma’jah back to her chambers so that she can prepare for the Rite tomorrow. As far as I am concerned, it can’t take place a moment too soon.”