by Kristie Cook
She didn’t question him. He remained directly behind her, so close she could feel his body heat as her plate was set in front of her. She understood his proximity when he began sampling each of the foods she had been served. The knowledge that he might be eating poisoned food made her want to grab him and pull him away. Knowing she couldn’t, she schooled her features into a look of disinterest until he was done.
“Enjoy your meal, Ma’jah,” he murmured as he stepped back. Once again, his fingers brushed against her arm as he left her.
Her resulting smile lingered throughout the meal. Once they started eating, everyone else in the ballroom was served. The noise level rose again, making it a more comfortable dining environment. Kyr was surprised by how hungry she was. She ate almost everything on her plate.
She wished that the table arrangement made it easier for her to talk to people other than her parents. After a while, though, she realized that wouldn’t have mattered much. No one spoke as they ate. Maybe it was considered impolite to do so, she thought. Then again, everyone else in the ballroom was talking during the meal. Only her table was silent.
Eventually, she realized that the reason for the lack of conversation at her table was that no one was seated beside someone they particularly wished to converse with. For some reason, the absurdity of that made her laugh.
Lay off the yarow nectar, Ty warned as heads swiveled in her direction and conversations ceased.
Sobering, she glanced at her mother, who was giving her a disapproving look. “Maybe I should switch to water,” she said. “There isn’t anything like this on Earth. I’m not used to it anymore.”
“You may be right,” her mother agreed. She lifted a hand and a server appeared almost instantly. “Water for Ma’jah Kyr.”
Bowing, the server hurried away. No sooner had the server returned with her water than all of the plates were cleared. Strains of music began.
“May I have this dance, Guardian Shaya?” her father asked, getting to his feet and holding a hand out to her mother.
“It would be my pleasure, Guardian Brunyr.”
Kyr raised an eyebrow over their formality. Did they call each other by title in bed? she wondered.
A snort of amusement came from behind her. She knew Ty had intercepted the thought, and barely contained her own laugh. Juwal glanced back, evidently wondering what had amused the Dem-Shyr. Kyr pretended she hadn’t even heard it, but surreptitiously studied the female Mynder.
Her long, curly hair was dark red, nearly as dark as Shaya’s. Her eyes were an interesting soft blue-green color, a shade Kyr hadn’t seen among other Alametrian females. She had a lovely profile and an amazing figure, displayed to perfection in a cream-colored gown. A smile touched her lips when she looked at Ty, generating an unwelcome feeling of jealousy within Kyr.
Abruptly turning her thoughts from Juwal, she watched her parents as they reached the protective barrier. It lifted, then fell back into place as they passed by. They walked out into the open center of the room, which would apparently serve as a dance floor. As a new song began, they started moving in a traditional Alametrian dance.
Movement to her left made her look up. Sem approached, walking past Vycor just as he started to address her. She couldn’t stop from returning Sem’s mischievous smile.
“Care to dance, Ma’jah?” he asked.
“I would love to, Sem,” she said. “But I really want to say hello to everyone first.”
He knew who she meant. “Of course. Allow me to escort you.”
She gratefully took his arm, ignoring Ty’s disapproving thought. Sem was her friend, nothing more. He waited patiently for her to spend a few minutes catching up with Ullah and Avana, both of whom expressed happiness over seeing her again. Her parents returned, and Kyr knew from the look on her mother’s face that she couldn’t linger. Regretfully, she told Ullah and Avana she would catch up with them later, and then headed to the dance floor with Sem before her mother could intervene.
“Do you know how hated I am by all of the other males in the room right now?” he asked as he placed one hand on her hip and held her other hand out to the side.
“Hated?” she repeated, stepping easily into the dance with him. “I might question your choice of doublet, but I see no reason to hate you for it.”
He laughed. “That’s harsh. This is my best doublet.”
She grinned cheekily. “I can’t think of why else anyone would hate you, SemDane.”
“Always fishing for compliments, Ma’jah,” he said, shaking his head. His expression eased into a more serious one. “How are you settling in?’
Shrugging, she replied, “I haven’t gotten to do much yet. Bathe and get ready, that’s about it. I’m starting to remember more, though.”
His face brightened again. “That’s good news.”
“Yeah.”
Her gaze moved back to the head table as they circled near it. She realized Ty was moving around the edge of the dance floor, staying as close to her as he could. Guilt struck her. She wasn’t making his job any easier, being out there with Sem.
“All of the Mynders have been discussing what happened to you,” Sem said in a low voice, making her look back at him. “We still don’t know how the Shelvaks found you. The Inquisitors are attempting to interrogate the prisoners, but—”
“Prisoners?” she interrupted. “What prisoners?”
He seemed surprised by her outburst. “We managed to capture several of the Shelvaks who attacked us.”
A chill ran down her spine. Had those Shelvaks been on the same vessel as her when they traveled from Earth? Why hadn’t Ty mentioned them?
“They haven’t said anything, but that’s hardly a surprise,” Sem said with a shrug. “As far as we know, Shelvaks can’t talk. They use telepathy, and even Ty can’t intercept their thoughts.”
A memory tickled the back of her mind. She was on the planet she’d visited before she traveled to Earth. Ty had rescued her from some Shelvaks then, and she distinctly remembered one of them making a sound of pain. Didn’t that mean they had vocal chords?
“May I have the next dance?”
Sem pulled her to a stop next to her dad—rather, her Kyndred, Wyk. “Of course, WykOwar,” Sem said, lifting Kyr’s hand and placing it in Wyk’s. “Ma’jah is an excellent dancer.”
Kyr smiled, temporarily forgetting about the captured Shelvaks as the man she still thought of as her dad moved her into the next dance. This one was more spirited, making her laugh as he bounced.
“It’s so good to hear you laugh,” he said, smiling down at her.
“It’s good to laugh. I’m so happy to see you.”
He squeezed her hand lightly as they danced. It conveyed a world of feeling that she knew he couldn’t speak. Unbidden tears sprang to her eyes. She forced them back, not wanting him to misunderstand.
“I’m sure it has been a trial so far,” he said, keeping his voice light as his dark eyes met hers. “The attack and everything that happened, plus not remembering things on account of the memory block …”
She blinked at that. “Did Avana mention that? Ty said we weren’t supposed to tell anyone about it.”
A quick frown crossed his features. She thought he might have been alarmed. He glanced around, then said, “You must remember to use titles, Ma’jah.”
Was that why he had looked so troubled? Sighing, she nodded. “Yes, Wyk.”
Her use of his first name hit them both like a lead weight. They stopped dancing. Fortunately, the song came to an end shortly thereafter. Her Kyndred’s face was a study in misery. She imagined hers mirrored it.
“Everything will be all right, Kyr-bear,” he whispered, ignoring his own warning about titles and holding her hand in both of his. “Ullah and I will always watch out for you, you know that, right?”
Unable to speak past the lump in her throat, she nodded. She stood alone and watched him walk away.
It felt like the last part of her Earth life left with
him.
Chapter 27
Ty felt Kyr’s sorrow. While he wanted to offer her comfort, he knew it was important that she work through this emotion on her own. Change was often difficult. Unless she came to terms with her new life, she would never move forward.
Fortunately, she shook off the heavy sadness that cloaked her after a minute or two, managing a serene expression. It was much more preferable to the look of bereavement he’d just seen.
As though she knew he was looking at her, her gaze lifted to his. His breath caught in his chest.
He’d never seen anyone as beautiful as she was.
He was certain she had no idea the stir she was causing. Not once had he picked up a thought from her registering the many stares centered on her, both from males and females. They were curious and admiring, yes … but he also read lust and envy in the thoughts of those who’d had their repression removed. Since all Alametrians knew he could read their minds, none of those thinking those things dared to approach her.
Oh, how he wished he could dance with her. As she held his gaze, he let her know how much he wanted her to be in his arms. She sent him a quick thought of agreement.
It was interrupted when VycorDane approached her. Ty stiffened. He knew the Advisor had wanted to enter the ballroom with Kyr, and that he resented Ty for stepping in. Gren had also told him about Vycor’s request that Kyr address him by his first name. What did the other Mynder want now?
“May I have this dance, Ma’jah?”
Ty tuned into the conversation through their thoughts, blocking out most of the other noise in his mind. His gaze moved carefully around the room as he walked closer to Kyr.
“Of course, Advisor.”
Sensing her reluctance, Ty frowned. Vycor made her uncomfortable. That made him focus on their thoughts and conversation more closely as Vycor led her into the next dance.
“Are you enjoying the welcome ceremony so far?” Vycor asked.
Those eyes … that mouth.
The words barely got through Vycor’s mental shields, but Ty intercepted them. His eyes narrowed. The Advisor shouldn’t have been having those kinds of thoughts. He was a single male who was under a state of repression.
Wasn’t he?
“I am, thanks,” Kyr responded. “I think I ate too much.” If his hand moves one inch lower, I’m going to punch him. I can just imagine my mother’s expression when I do.
For the second time that evening, Ty snorted in amusement. Kyr’s thoughts were nothing if not entertaining. Her gaze touched his for a moment, telling him she knew of his amusement.
“Well, these types of events tend to encourage overindulgence,” Vycor said in silky tones. “I’m happy to help you dance away some of the feast.”
“Thanks.” Seriously, just another half-inch. Pow!
Ty conducted another sweep with his eyes. Vycor and Kyr circled near him. He noticed that Vycor’s gaze moved to him as they passed, but Ty didn’t bother looking in the Advisor’s direction.
Arrogant bastard.
Vycor’s silent opinion about him was hardly revealing. Ty knew the Advisor resented the fact that Ty fell above him in the hierarchy around the palace and among the Mynders. Like Sem, Vycor was older than Ty and felt more deserving of the role of Dem-Shyr. Unlike Sem, however, Vycor’s feelings on the matter hadn’t begun to emerge until Kyr grew into a beautiful young woman. Ty only now made that connection, having heard the Advisor’s wayward thoughts about her. It was something he decided to explore further the first chance he got.
“Now that you’re back, Ma’jah,” Vycor said, “I wanted to offer my services as your Advisor. You are now at an age where you will benefit from additional counsel. I am sure you will be facing some difficult decisions in the months to come.”
“Oh.” Kyr seemed flustered. “Thank you.”
“Of course.”
The more Ty watched them interact, the more suspicious he became of the Advisor’s motives. Although he tried to glean more from Vycor’s thoughts, the other Mynder had his mental defenses up. Without just cause, Ty couldn’t push any deeper into his mind. Vycor would know if he did.
Still, something was off. Before Ty could decide whether or not to pursue it right then, Guardian Shaya interrupted their dance. He read from her thoughts that she wanted to collect Kyr for the reception, which would take place in a smaller room down the hall from the ballroom.
Moving forward, Ty deliberately stepped between Kyr and Vycor, taking Kyr’s arm so he could escort her out. He felt Vycor’s frustration, but didn’t so much as glance his way as they left the ballroom. The two of them would deal with things another time, and soon.
The reception was a chance for Kyr to get introduced to specific individuals with whom the Guardians thought she should be acquainted. She stood with her parents as they introduced her to one person after another, beginning with the V’larian ambassadors.
Ty stood behind Kyr, carefully studying Telad and Ravina as they bowed to Kyr and conveyed how pleased they were that she had survived the Shelvak attack. It didn’t escape anyone’s notice that she wouldn’t have survived without V’larian intervention. Mentioning it now was a subtle way to remind the Alametrians of what their people had done to help.
But what were they doing in Earth’s galaxy?
Ty still hadn’t figured that out. As he and Gren had discussed on the ship, there was no such thing as coincidence. There had to be a reason that the V’larians and the Shelvaks were in the same place at the same time.
But the V’larians had no reason to engage in complicated political schemes or assassination attempts. They were enemies of the Shelvaks just as much as the Alametrians were. Their mutual conflict with the shadow-dwellers had caused them to unite against them a number of times. The V’larians knew that Kyr would one day Ascend, assuming untold powers. They also knew that Alametrians intended to look to Kyr to strengthen their bonds with their allies in keeping with Alametria’s principles on peace and goodwill towards others.
Even as that thought crossed his mind, Ty knew it for a lie.
Their society was touted as a form of utopia … a world centered on happiness and contentment. They were sent away to learn life lessons that were deemed too difficult to experience on Alametria, too upsetting to the positive balance. Upon returning home, the Ruvex Rite purged them of negativity and allowed them to retain the positive and find more pleasure in their lives.
Yet he remembered the thoughts he’d heard all evening related to Kyr...the dark desire, the seething jealousy. He knew that no matter how hard the Vawn tried, they could never truly purge all negative energy from Alametria.
His gaze settled on ShayaVawn as that thought entered his mind. The Guardian was smiling as she introduced Kyr to a male named LeoVawn, but she was silently wishing Leo would look at her the way he looked at her daughter. He wondered if Kyr had picked up on the fact that her mother was jealous of her, and that was why she treated her so distantly.
He’d known for years, of course. He’d known from the moment he could connect with the Guardian’s thoughts. He had never let her know that he knew, though.
Kyr had a difficult road ahead. There was no getting around that. But he would be by her side and would help her through it.
Several hours later, he was helping her out of her shoes after the last Alametrian finally left the ballroom. The Guardians were bidding farewell to the V’larians, who were retiring for the night. Kyr’s thoughts had centered around her aching feet for the better part of two hours, so the moment no one was looking, Ty bent down, lifted her skirt so he could grab first one shoe and then the other, and handed them to the first passing Wrym he saw. The female barely batted an eye, merely changing directions and heading towards Kyr’s chambers with the discarded shoes.
My hero, Kyr thought. I’d kiss you if I could.
Hold that thought.
A soft gasp told him that she understood he intended to kiss her later. He enjoyed the pleasure and anticip
ation that coursed through her, but closed off their connection before he enjoyed it too much.
“Come, Ma’jah,” Shaya said, waving at Kyr. “You must be exhausted.”
“Yes, Guardian. I’m definitely ready to call it a night.”
Shaya gave Kyr one of her disapproving looks as they all started walking. “You continue to use some of the informal vernacular from Earth. Once you have undergone the Ruvex Rite, that will no longer be a problem.”
Kyr tensed, but said nothing. Ty remained intent on where they were walking, scanning the hallways as several other Mynders joined them as escorts.
“You seem to have lost several inches of height, Ma’jah,” Shaya said, tilting her head and looking down at Kyr.
“I took my shoes off,” Kyr admitted. “They were killing me.”
Shaya’s chin lifted. Ty intercepted her thoughts about Kyr’s slight height. At five-foot-five, Kyr was among the shortest females on Alametria. Shaya and her husband worried that others would think Kyr weak because she was so small.
The Guardians believed many foolish things about appearances.
Shaya didn’t make any comments about Kyr’s shoes, which relieved Ty. There had been enough friction in the course of this day.
Before long, they reached the split in the hallway where Ty led Kyr to her chambers and her parents went the other way to theirs. They exchanged a formal and uncomfortable goodnight, and a couple of minutes later, Ty entered Kyr’s chambers to conduct his search.
Once that was done, he permitted the Wrym to enter the chambers and prepare Kyr for bed. He wasn’t about to leave the room, so he turned his gaze anywhere but on Kyr as she was disrobed and washed, then dressed in her nightgown and robe. At long, long last, the Wrym departed and Ty dismissed the second Mynder in the room with him. Two Mynders would remain outside each entrance into Kyr’s room all night.
He closed and locked the main chamber doors. Just as he turned to move further into her entrance parlor, Kyr ran towards him. Jumping, she grabbed him around the neck, encircled his waist with her legs, and kissed him with no holds barred.