by Kristie Cook
What did surprise her was that she felt fine. She lifted the hand that Ty wasn’t holding and saw no markings on her palm or forearm. She touched her chest, but felt no scarring from the sharp blades that had carved her skin.
Had she dreamed everything?
“No,” Ty said in a quiet voice. “You healed.”
She pushed herself into a sitting position and gaped at him. “I healed? How long have I been asleep?”
“Two days.”
“Two days?” Her voice rose on the second word. “I’ve been asleep for two days? And I’m fully healed?”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “Don’t you believe your own eyes, Ascendant?”
The title brought her back … back to that black, horrible moment when she thought all hope had been lost. She had retreated, determined to protect her mind at all costs. Then Ty had arrived. Somehow, he’d shared his strength with her.
Everything had become so clear. The Prima Divyner’s prediction, her role among the Alametrians, her love for Ty.
And she had known what she needed to do.
Even she had been astonished by the power that burst out of her then. She hadn’t been able to control it at first. She knew she had probably hurt Ty in the process of forcing Vycor out of her mind, but she hadn’t been able to help it. Eventually, though, the overwhelming sensation had eased. The power felt more natural. She felt it even now, coursing just under the surface, ready for her to call it forth whenever she needed it.
Yes, Kyr. You have Ascended. Everyone knows it. They want to have a celebration when you’re ready.
You’re the only one I want to celebrate with, she thought, reaching over and brushing her fingers along his lightly-whiskered jaw.
He pulled her onto his lap. She shifted so she straddled him. Her gaze moved down to his arms, which glowed as his hands spanned her waist.
That just wouldn’t do.
If she gave the Guardians his abilities to store, then she must have some level of control over them, she thought. Towards Ty, she instructed, Kiss me, and open your mind when you do.
Lifting an eyebrow, he shrugged and leaned towards her. Their lips connected. His mind opened to hers just as his mouth did, allowing her access. She placed her hands on his forearms and brought forth her power. As their tongues mated, she pulled the pain from him. She found the part of his mind that the Guardians had influenced when they gave him his abilities, and mentally grasped the link that prevented him from touching her with love.
And she shattered it.
Ty broke off the kiss, blinking several times to clear his head. He looked down at his forearms when she lifted her hands. Although the scars created when he assumed his role as Dem-Shyr still appeared, they were no longer glowing.
His gaze met hers. Did you just do what I think you did?
Untying her robe and slipping it from her shoulders, she returned, There’s only one way to find out.
She loved the sexy smile he gave her then. She drew her lower lip between her teeth as he reached up and slowly lowered the straps of her nightgown, baring her to the waist. They both watched as he brought his hands up to cup her breasts, stroking her with his thumbs. She shifted on his lap. They both groaned.
But his arms didn’t glow.
She felt him marveling over what he considered a miracle. His silver eyes met hers, full of gratitude and sensual promise.
Leaning forward, she kissed him again. She loved the feel of his hands on her bare back as he pressed her closer. His tongue met hers again and again. He stroked her soft skin until both of them were shaking with need. She pulled away from his mouth to catch her breath and reached down to lift his shirt off. He raised his arms to help her accomplish her goal.
When they kissed this time and their bare skin touched, she moaned into his mouth. Their hands moved between them. She ran her hands over his chest, enjoying the hard muscle and his passionate response to her touch.
His hands pushed her beyond control. He always knew just where to touch and how much pressure to apply to make her want to scream in pleasure.
Just when she was about to beg him to switch their positions so he could fully join with her, he reached between them and unfastened his pants. Sliding them down a bit and lifting her nightgown, he held her gaze.
Care to take the lead, Ascendant?
Her eyes widened when he pushed her panties aside and brought himself to her entrance. Then they narrowed with realization and excitement as she lowered herself onto him.
You’re so beautiful, Kyr.
What was beautiful was this, their love. This time together. But words were lost to her. She had to move. She was desperate to find the release she knew he could give her.
He was just as desperate. She sensed it as he kissed her, read it in his thoughts. Without the pain he used to experience providing any kind of buffer, the pleasure almost overwhelmed him. He struggled to cling to his control.
It wasn’t necessary. Just feeling how much pleasure she was giving him was enough for her. Her body peaked with little coaxing at all, making her cry out against his mouth in surprise and ecstasy. She forced his own climax, absorbing his hoarse shout with her kiss as he tensed beneath her.
A knock sounded at the door. Kyr pulled away from Ty’s mouth, her eyes wide. He didn’t look at all concerned.
“Yes?” he called out, holding her still when she started to climb off of him. She realized he was still hard.
Quick healer, love, he thought with a devilish grin.
“Did I hear talking in there?” came Sem’s voice.
“No,” Ty lied, his hands moving again to Kyr’s breasts. Her body responded instantly to his touch. She arched her back to give him better access, bracing herself on the mattress.
“I swore I heard voices. Is Kyr awake?”
“She just woke up, but she’s a little—” Ty’s breath caught as she lifted herself up and then lowered herself again. “Groggy,” he managed.
“We want to see her,” Sem complained.
“I’m sure she’ll be more awake in about twenty—”
Thirty, she thought.
“Make that thirty minutes.”
Laughing softly, she pulled him close for another kiss. He tumbled her onto the mattress and promptly continued making love to her.
If Sem responded, neither of them noticed.
***
Later, Ty stood with Gren, guarding the entry doors inside Kyr’s parlor. Sitting with her on the couches were her Kyndred, Sem, and Avana. Kyr hadn’t stopped smiling since the Wrym came to get her from her bed chamber an hour ago. They had changed her into a rose-colored gown and arranged her hair, pinning it up with jeweled combs that matched the gems in her ears and around her throat. He knew she had fought the Wrym at every turn, but hadn’t been able to convince them not to “deck her out,” as she put it. She was stunning, just like always.
And her heart belonged to him.
The Ascendant looks well, Gren thought. Her healing powers are quite remarkable. The only one I’ve seen heal like that before is you.
It is remarkable, Ty agreed. I imagine it’s one of her new abilities as the Ascendant.
Kyr laughed at something Sem said. It lit up her entire face. Ty had to force himself not to react to it.
Were the Shelvaks sent home as directed? he thought to distract himself. He had yet to catch up on the events of the past two days, having been so intently focused on Kyr.
Yes. I oversaw it myself. Vycor was there, the bastard. Everyone within a thousand paces must have heard him going on about how he was seeing through on his promise. He’s doing everything he can to make sure people bought that load of j’arrl shit he shoveled after Kyr’s Rite.
Ty didn’t censure his friend for referring to Kyr so informally. Half the time, he did the same thing in his thoughts to Gren about her. After all they’d been through over the years, there was no place for formality between the two of them.
I’ll deal with Vycor,
Ty thought back. Now that Kyr has recovered, I can take care of the matter.
Are you going to kill him?
Leave it to Gren to put a fine point on it. His friend didn’t know about Vycor’s threat, and Ty preferred to keep it that way. The less Gren knew about how grievously Ty had broken the rules in regards to his role as Dem-Shyr, the better.
Killing him would make him a martyr, he responded. I’m going to handle it my way.
Gren smiled. I like the sound of that.
Shaking his head, Ty once again switched the subject, not wanting to involve Gren in his plans. Did you place a tail on the V’larian ambassadors?
You ordered it, didn’t you? Gren thought dryly. When Ty gave him a look, he mentally rolled his eyes and amended his answer to, Yes, Dem-Shyr.
Ty’s lips twitched, but he smothered his amusement. Good. I still don’t buy the coincidence of them having a ship near Earth just as the Shelvaks found Kyr. We need more intel. And I don’t like how they’ve gotten so friendly with the Guardians. Having them attend the Rite …
I agree, Gren thought. Something stinks.
It sure did. Ty wanted to scan the minds of the ambassadors, but V’larians were very sensitive to thought intrusion. Scanning them without a definitive reason could result in an interplanetary war. Although he was certain the V’larians weren’t as altruistic as they seemed, he couldn’t do anything about it just yet. He’d have to gather the evidence he needed and then take action.
What do you suppose is going to change now that Ma’jah Kyr has Ascended? Gren thought as they watched her wave over the Wrym, Zasha.
That’s a question for tomorrow, my friend, Ty replied. For now, let’s just get through the next hour, preferably without someone trying to kill her.
Gren snorted, but didn’t pursue it further. He knew Ty was right. They’d find out what lie ahead soon enough.
Kyr laughed again, this time at something Wyk said. It brought Ty’s mind to when Wyk pulled him aside earlier, wanting to discuss the memory charms and mental blocks he had placed on Kyr while on Earth. Wyk explained that Kyr had occasionally dreamed of Alametria, so he thought the charms and blocks would help make sure her lessons weren’t derailed.
Because the Kyndred had the ability and authority for such things when supervising the lessons of their charges, the explanation made sense. That had also kept Ty from detecting the cause of the blocks when he conducted a basic scan of the Kyndred’s mind. Wyk’s thoughts had only centered on how much he loved and wanted to protect Kyr … not what he had done to accomplish it.
Ty, like Vycor, knew that Wyk’s motives were guided by his love for Kyr and wanting to maintain the illusion of their happy family, but Ty saw no reason to censure him for it. What was done was done, and Wyk was truly regretful that his efforts had resulted in such difficulties for Kyr when it came time to transition. Besides, the only parents in the room right now seeing to Kyr’s well-being were Wyk and Ullah, which was enough reason for Ty to overlook what had happened on Earth.
His thoughts returned to the present as the Wrym brought in food and drinks for everyone. They set it up on several small tables near the couches. Kyr invited the Wrym to partake of the food, but they politely refused.
Ty left the doors and walked over to Kyr’s side. When she silently decided on what she wanted to eat, he reached down and tasted it. Not detecting anything, he handed it to her.
“Will you and Gren please sit with us for a few minutes?” she asked. “There are Mynders outside who can warn you of any danger.”
He’d never be able to deny her anything when she looked at him like that with her beautiful star-blue eyes. Glancing at Gren, he jerked his head to invite him to eat. His friend smiled and sauntered over.
“What are we having?” he asked.
The conversation continued as though they’d been there the entire time. Ty sat on the arm of the couch beside Kyr, allowing his hand to “accidentally” brush against her whenever he reached for food or his glass. She leaned against his thigh once she finished eating, sighing contentedly.
He felt her happiness … happiness over being surrounded by the people she loved and trusted. Although he knew it wouldn’t last, he was glad that right then, at least, they had peace.
Epilogue
Where are you, Ty?
One corner of his mouth lifted in amusement over the sleepiness he heard in Kyr’s thought. I had something I needed to take care of. I’ll be back soon.
‘Kay. Love you.
He felt her sinking back into sleep, but he told her, I love you, too.
Their ability to share thoughts had grown since her Ascension. They no longer had to be near each other to communicate, something that pleased him immeasurably. It was much easier to be apart from her this way.
Like now, for example.
A low moan issued from a few feet in front of him. Right on time, he thought.
He was sitting in a chair he’d chosen for the best view, leaning back with his booted feet propped up on another seatback so he’d be comfortable. His hands were stacked on his stomach, his head cushioned by the headrest as he waited.
The moaning continued, but not for long. Soon enough, his victim opened his eyes. He blinked several times, attempting to clear his vision.
Ty knew the moment Vycor realized where he was. The Advisor stilled, then jerked his head around as if to confirm his fears. The quick action was a mistake, though, Ty remembered from his recent experience. The Advisor threw up all over himself.
“I should have warned you about that,” Ty said conversationally. “Head injuries hurt like a bitch. Too bad you don’t have my healing ability.”
Vycor didn’t comment. He was too busy coughing and choking on his own bile. Once his stomach settled, he started pulling at the heavy manacles that held him restrained, naked and spread-eagle, on the altar in the Ritual Chamber. Both of them knew he wouldn’t escape, but Ty enjoyed watching him struggle. Vycor fought for a while before he was spent, lying still and gasping, staring at the ceiling.
“I’m sure you believe that I’m about to kill you, but you and I have an understanding there, Advisor. You shared something that was no business of yours with someone else whose business it wasn’t. For all I know, that person told someone else, and so on and so forth. That’s a hole I wish to plug, and I need you alive in order to do that.”
“I will tell you nothing,” Vycor snarled.
“Oh, by the time we’re through here, you’d tell me all about the first time you orgasmed if I asked you to, since we both know you’re not currently repressed like you should be. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
Vycor’s throat worked as he swallowed. He glanced furtively at the small table that had once held his instruments of torture. Ty detected his relief when he saw that the table was empty.
“Perhaps I should have brought the tools in here with me,” Ty said thoughtfully, bringing his hands up and touching his fingertips together. “There is something to be said about building anticipation. I’m sure you quite enjoyed seeing the Ascendant’s fear when she found out what you had planned for her. Why don’t I conduct a quick scan of your memories and find out?”
Vycor’s body jerked as Ty’s mind shot right into his cerebral cortex. He did a forced rewind to the part where Vycor had encountered him outside of his bedroom, paying close attention to identify the person who had struck him. The attacker’s identity surprised Ty, but he couldn’t stop to process it as he followed Vycor through the night into the morning while he prepared for the Rite.
Ty would deal with his attacker later.
He witnessed the Advisor setting up the Ritual Chamber before anyone arrived. He heard Vycor’s unholy thoughts as he did so, watched him stroke himself as he pictured Kyr on the altar. Even now, Vycor’s body responded to the memory, growing hard.
Ty remembered it, stored it, moved on.
They went painstakingly through the Ritual until it was over and Ty left the cham
ber with Kyr. At that point, Ty pulled out of the other male’s mind. He felt like he needed to bathe in disinfectant. The sight of Vycor’s heavily aroused body turned his stomach.
“What you need, Advisor, is some re-training,” Ty said, still sitting in his seat. “You get perverse satisfaction out of harming others. I can’t have you doing that. Since you seem to think yourself above me—hell, above everyone—and you’ve taken the option of killing you off the table, I think I need to remind you of the repercussions of abusing your role as a Mynder and defying the Dem-Shyr.”
Lowering his feet, he rose and walked over to the altar. Vycor was staring at the ceiling, obviously trying to avoid eye contact. His breathing was harsh and irregular, though, belying his fear.
Look at me, Ty ordered.
Vycor looked at him, unable to defy the command of the Dem-Shyr.
What I’m about to do now, Advisor, is cause you unimaginable pain. You’ll beg for death before I’m done. You’ll probably piss yourself and weep like an infant. And I’ll never even touch you.
Placing his hands on the edge of the altar, he leaned closer.
All I’m going to do is have you mentally experience what you did to the Ascendant … with a few embellishments of my own. You’ll survive it all without a scratch. But if you ever do harm to anyone else, I will make you relive this pain and humiliation again and again until your mind breaks from it. And if you ever threaten me or the Ascendant again, I will share this particular memory of you strapped to this altar with every Mynder on Alametria. I hope I’ve made myself clear.
Vycor’s eyes bugged from his head, his face white. He renewed his struggles against the chains, issuing a terrified sound as he did. His erection now lay flaccid and pathetic against his pasty skin.
“As you know,” Ty said, stepping back and once again taking a seat, “this chamber is soundproof. Please feel free to make as much noise as you wish. Shall we begin?”