by Kristie Cook
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 thought, 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.
&n
bsp; “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, too. 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.”
The last sentence was issued under her breath, but Kyr heard it. Once again, pain squeezed her heart. She knew she was nothing but an embarrassment to her mother. While Shaya’s misguided opinion shouldn’t have mattered, it did. Kyr thought she had done a remarkable thing earlier. Now, she felt as though she was being punished for it.
Ty took her arm as everyone headed to a door she hadn’t seen before. Don’t let her bring you down, love. You were magnificent. You should be proud of yourself.
His words had tears pricking the backs of her eyes.
“Ma’jah Kyr!”
Glancing to her right, she spotted Sem making his way to her through the crowd. He was grinning from ear to ear. Since Avana was near him, she realized her friends had been in the crowd. She felt their pride and support all the way from where she stood.
Before she could speak, her mother sniffed and said, “We are not stopping to speak with those people. No more public contact until the Rite. This has been a trying enough day as it is.”
Trying? Kyr thought. Her mother thought her day had been trying?
She started to argue, but Vycor broke away from the group and intercepted Sem and Avana. Judging by Sem’s expression, Kyr knew she wouldn’t be getting to spend time with her friends, after all.
The walk back to her chambers felt like a funeral march. No one spoke. Even the hallways were quieter than usual. The solemn silence fueled her growing fear.
What had she done? Why had she instigated things with Vycor? He had all but said he was going to remove her memories of Ty. Could he do that?
No, Kyr, Ty assured her, rubbing his thumb against the skin of her upper arm where he held her. The Ruvex Rite is meant to suppress negative emotions and memories tied to those. Your memories with me are positive.
Have you ever undergone it?
He hesitated.
You haven’t, I can tell.
No, he admitted. No one can enter my mind except you. It has always been that way, even before I assumed my powers as t
he Dem-Shyr.
A memory came to her then, the one where she observed him gain his powers. She had watched her parents touch him and speak the words that solidified his position as the Dem-Shyr. It had resulted in the scrolling patterns on his forearms with the warning that he should never touch the Ascendant for any reason other than protection.
Do my parents have powers?
No. They harnessed my abilities until it was time to administer them to me. That’s why they’re called the Guardians.
Where did they get your powers in the first place?
You.
She didn’t understand. She supposed she didn’t need to. All that really mattered was that Shaya and BrunyrVawn weren’t going to be any source of help for her, either for the Rite or at any point in the future. From now on, they truly were the Guardians in her mind, not her parents. They might as well not be related to her at all.
When they reached her chambers, Ty entered them first to do his usual search. She stood without looking at the Guardians, who kept themselves separated from her. It wasn’t long before Ty came back out.
“Everything is clear,” he said.
“Very good,” Brunyr replied, his tone distant. “I expect you will see to it that Ma’jah Kyr is properly guarded throughout the afternoon and evening, Dem-Shyr. Only your most trusted Mynders should be on duty in your stead.”
Ty frowned. “But I—”
“In light of everything that was so publicly revealed today, you cannot honestly believe that we would be comfortable with you guarding the Ascendant right now,” Shaya scoffed.
Kyr started trembling. Despite what she’d just convinced herself, she pleaded, “Mother, please …”
“Do not address me so informally, Ma’jah,” Shaya demanded. “You have enough to answer for already, and by Yen-Ki, you will do so tomorrow.”
The words were like a slap. A ball of fear and frustration stuck in her throat.
It’s all right, Kyr, Ty thought, giving her a look telling her to be calm. “Very well, Guardians,” he said without expression. “I will retire to my chambers. You can be confident that the Mynders protecting Ma’jah Kyr throughout the night will be handpicked. No harm will come to her.”