The Forbidden (Kelderan Runic Warriors #4)

by Jessie Donovan

  "You get the herbs and I'll send the message," she stated.

  Confusion flashed in Orvar's gaze, but it faded quickly. "Do as you wish. However, if you haven't been successful by the time I get back, I'm going to the settlement."

  She'd barely bobbed her head before Orvar was gone.

  Kalahn avoided looking at Ryven's face for a few more minutes, lest she cry in front of the guard.

  Instead, she focused her attention on the male warrior. "I'll take the first shift. Come back in two hours and we'll switch."

  The guard made a fist and pounded it over his heart before he left.

  Once she was alone with Ryven, Kalahn took a deep breath and another before she looked at his face.

  His normally golden skin was a sallow yellow, marred by numerous lacerations and bruises. The stitches on his cheeks, forehead, and chin would most likely leave scars if Kelderan technology wasn't used soon.

  Fresh bandages covered most of his arms and legs, concealing the gashes and cuts she vaguely remembered during the haze of fixing him up.

  But it was the gentle rise and fall of his chest that she latched onto the most. Because as long as she saw that, Ryven was alive.

  With the other two males gone, Kalahn pulled up a chair next to Ryven and took hold of one of his unharmed fingers. She didn't like the overly warm temperature of his skin.

  Even now, infection could already be setting in.

  All she knew about the attack was that huge birds had caused it. No doubt their beaks carried all sorts of bacteria.

  Since there was nothing she could do for his physical body, she closed her eyes and looked inward. Ryven's warm, masculine presence remained at one side of the mental space. She came close but didn't brush against it. She'd already inadvertently stolen his memories. She didn't know what touching him unprotected again would do.

  Still, she danced around him, letting him know she was near. Pull through, Ryven. Don't you dare die on me.

  He didn't reply, not that she'd expected him to.

  I know you wanted to talk about us earlier, but you've gone to extremes to put off the discussion.

  Kalahn continued to chat with him, not caring that it was a one-sided conversation. She wanted to believe he heard her, and that her mental touches might convince him to hold onto life.

  No, she needed to purge any doubts of him making it because Ryven might be able to sense her emotions, even while unconscious. Ryven would live. If that meant she had to stretch her telepathic muscles and reach out to Syzel, even if she didn't know what would happen if she burned out trying, so be it. For too many years she'd kept her distance from Ryven, citing every possible excuse. But no more.

  She wanted him as her own, and to do that, she needed to get to know him better. His memories were only part of who he was—she wanted more of the teasing, life experiences, and his kisses. In order to do that, it required him staying alive.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Almost an hour later, Kalahn struggled to keep her eyes open. Her stubbornness would only go so far in keeping her awake. If Orvar didn't return soon, she'd have to allow the guard to take her place.

  And for some reason, she didn't want to. It was almost as if she knew that if she left the room, Ryven would die. The only time she'd even moved from his side was to change into the clean dress one of the guards had brought her.

  Kalahn lightly slapped her cheeks. It was time to try reaching out to Syzel again before she fell asleep. She'd attempted to find him earlier, but hadn't made it far in the telepathic plane before losing her bearings. This time she had to reach him, end of story. Even if Orvar returned and raced to the settlement, it could end up being too late.

  Closing her eyes, she first checked to ensure Ryven's warmth was still in their shared mental space, which it was. With that comfort, she moved to her hidden exit and out to the vast darkness.

  From Ryven's memories, Kalahn knew that Syzel's signature was a starship fighter constantly changing in shape and color. She guessed it had to do with Syzel's career in the army as a strategist, but didn't think too much more on it. All that mattered was finding the blasted thing.

  She pushed on and on to the east, which was the direction of the settlement according to Ryven's thoughts, and saw nothing but blackness. One of the few good things about there not being many telepaths was that she didn't have to wade through signatures for hours, days, or even weeks to hopefully find the one she needed.

  Each minute she reached further, the more effort it took to push forward. If not for Ryven's life hanging in the balance, she probably would've retreated to rest.

  She had no idea how long she pushed on eastward when a faint light appeared in the distance. It didn't take long to reach it, but disappointment flooded her body at the giant stone fortress surrounded by a ring of rainbow color. Unlike any other signature she'd seen before, the colors surrounding it were strong and pulsating, which fascinated her.

  But since she didn't want to be detected by the person behind the odd signature, Kalahn raced past. Any other telepath on Jasvar should be in or near the settlement, so she had to be close.

  The second signature she spotted was incorrect, too—a mythical winged animal with four legs and a spotted hide running on the clouds. Kalahn swore she felt a feminine presence, but ignored it. She had to help Ryven.

  Several minutes later, another one appeared in the distance. Kalahn released the breath she didn't realize she'd been holding when she saw Syzel's starship signature.

  Her reading material had mentioned that approaching another telepath's signature too quickly could signal a threat. Since she didn't want to be on the receiving end of some sort of mental attack, Kalahn forced herself to move slowly and ignored the need to rush. Becoming incapacitated wouldn't help Ryven at all. It may even sign his death warrant.

  Studying Syzel's signature, she scanned for the best place to mentally knock. However, she'd barely begun when a male presence approached her. Princess Kalahn? What are you doing here?

  It was Syzel. Can I speak freely here?

  Not yet. Wait a second. Syzel constructed something around them, no doubt a special kind of shield. Once done, he continued, Now, what's wrong?

  It's easier to show you.

  Kalahn steeled herself as she replayed Ryven's attack. When she finished, Syzel spoke again. Please tell me he's alive.

  For now. But while Orvar did his best to patch him up, he needs Kelderan medical technology to help him. Please send someone with medical training.

  I will. We'll also be moving locations, just as soon as Ryven is stable. Expect more guards. This will be the lead. Syzel flashed an image of a Kelderan male with magenta skin and silver hair. And one last thing, you need to retreat to your space as soon as possible. While you've done a fantastic job for such a new telepath, you're flickering, and you don't want to be caught in the telepathic plane while unconscious and defenseless.

  I have no wish to delay. Ryven needs me.

  If Syzel thought it odd that Kalahn spoke of the warrior in such a tender way, he didn't show it. I'll contact your brother straightaway. Help should arrive within an hour. Until then.

  If help were coming that quickly, then most likely someone would fly a shuttle down from the colony ship.

  Syzel lowered the shields and retreated. Kalahn put her remaining energy into backtracking her steps. She barely paid attention to anything but the almost beacon-like signal emanating from her own signature. She'd only just returned inside and patched up the entrance when she heard footsteps.

  Despite her eyelids seeming to weight a hundred pounds each, Kalahn opened them to find Orvar at Ryven's other side.

  Without a word, he took out some plants and a small mortar and pestle. As he began grinding them, Orvar barked, "I need hot water."

  Ryven's makeshift bed was still the counter in the kitchen. Even though every cell in her body screamed in protest, Kalahn stood and raced to the nearby stove. After placing the kettle and stoking the
wood to flare the flames, she turned back toward Orvar. "Anything else?"

  The male never looked from his task. "Only that you should know that what happened to Ryven wasn't an accident."

  Some of her fatigue faded as her curiosity took over. "What are you talking about?"

  Orvar never looked up from his task. "The branches that fell and caused Ryven to jump into harm's way were cut with a laser knife."

  She wanted to ask if someone knew Ryven was her telepathic trainer, but Kalahn didn't know how much Orvar knew of her situation.

  Orvar finished grinding the herbs and motioned toward the steaming kettle. "Fetch me some water." As she did so and handed him a cup, Orvar added, "I know why Ryven is here, Princess. And somehow, some way, another person has figured out that Ryven is your trainer." He met her gaze. "Although if they know it's for telepathy or not, I have no idea."

  "So Ryven's condition is my fault."

  Mixing the pounded herbs into the steaming water, Orvar shook his head. "No. If anything, it's mine. I should've noticed the person trailing us."

  "Excuse me for asking, but just how good are you at that? I have no idea."

  He met her gaze again. "I'm one of the best. Only an empath and telepath have bested me on Jasvar in the past, and I suspect only because of their extra senses."

  Pushing aside her curiosity at another telepath, Kalahn focused on the issue at hand. "Then I suspect the person following you had a leg up, probably thanks to Kelderan technology. The Jasvarians use axes and saws to cut trees."

  "The cut was too smooth to be either of those. Regardless, I'm more curious as to why the army didn't do a better job of screening individuals and checking for illegal technology. But I worked with them enough in the past before coming to Jasvar to know the answer to that—corruption is more prevalent than the Kelderan Army will ever admit." Orvar held the cup out to Kalahn. "I'm going to raise his head and you need to make him drink this brew."

  She took the proffered medicine without a word. Once Orvar had Ryven's head up, she looked inward and said, Drink this, Ryven. It's going to help you.

  Silence was the only reply.

  Undeterred, she drew on Ryven's medic training to put the cup to his lips, put a small amount into his mouth, and closed it. She waited to see if she'd need to take further steps to entice him to swallow, but his throat moved, telling her he'd drunk it.

  Kalahn repeated the steps until the cup was empty and Orvar took it from her. He asked, "Did you contact the settlement?"

  As Kalahn's head began to spin, she sat down. "Yes. Syzel is sending someone and they should be here in less than an hour."

  "Then take a rest, Princess. I'll watch over Ryven while you sleep." She opened her mouth to protest, but he cut her off. "Don't argue. You can't help Ryven if you're exhausted."

  She looked over at a stack of unused blankets. Orvar gathered them up and made a makeshift bed on the floor, not far from the counter where Ryven lay. "Sleep."

  She didn't possess the energy to protest when Orvar helped her down to the pile of blankets. She managed to say, I'll be back, soon to Ryven before sleep claimed her.

  ~~~

  An unfamiliar presence knocked on Kalahn's mental shields. She immediately woke up and fortified the inner walls she'd constructed around her and Ryven.

  A male voice in accented CEL filled her ears. "I know you're awake, so open your eyes."

  Her eyelids popped open and Kalahn tried to scoot away from the unfamiliar male with light green skin and yellow hair that stood a few feet away from her. However, she then noticed Syzel stood right behind the older male. If he were here, the green-skinned man couldn't be an enemy.

  Syzel motioned toward the male in front of him. "Borzet can be trusted, Princess Kalahn. Don't be afraid of him."

  Despite the cobwebs of exhaustion filling her brain, she said, "Forgive me if I'm being careful after what happened with Ryven."

  At his name, she scrambled to her feet and searched for him. But Ryven still lay motionless on the counter except for his breathing. The only change was that an older human female and a Kelderan male, both of whom she didn't know beyond their faces being somewhat familiar, stood to either side of him.

  Syzel moved to her side. "Jynkor and Matilda are doing everything they can to heal Ryven. While Kelderan technology will help a great deal, Matilda is the head medicine woman of Jasvar. Taryn insisted she come, too, in case there was a plant or herb that could help him."

  Kalahn never took her gaze from Ryven's face. "Will he be all right?"

  "It seems so when it comes to his body, although he has a lot of physical therapy in his future," Syzel said.

  "What do you mean when it comes to his body?"

  The unfamiliar male with light green skin named Borzet chimed in. "I sense Ryven's mind is raw and scattered. If we can't heal his mind with yours, and he remains a fractured individual for too long, he will change in ways we can't predict."

  Kalahn nearly asked how he knew her and Ryven's minds were connected, but held back. She didn't know him well enough to possibly confirm one of his suspicions. Instead, she studied Borzet. "Who are you to speak on such authority regarding his mental state?"

  Syzel motioned toward the male. "As I mentioned, this is Borzet. He's Matilda’s lord and a natural-born telepath. Hirlanzian, to be exact."

  Something sparked in her brain. "I've heard of that race before."

  "Yes, but we'll talk about that later."

  At Syzel's dismissive tone, she finally remembered that the female assassin was part Hirlanzian.

  Which meant that Syzel didn't want to discuss the female in front of the new additions to Kalahn's household.

  To better know who she was dealing with, Kalahn took a tentative peek outside her mental area and saw a familiar signature—a fortress with rainbow colors glowing from it.

  Borzet spoke telepathically. Yes, I sensed you nearby earlier. Since you are a made telepath and not a natural-born one, your power and level of control called to me.

  I-I don't know what you're talking about.

  You will, in time. Borzet switched to speaking aloud. "Is he stable, Mattie?"

  The human female looked up. "Nearly so. Give us a few more minutes. Then you can have him."

  Kalahn interjected, "Wait, what are you going to do with him?"

  Borzet answered, "More like what are we going to do. In order to save Ryven, I need your help, Princess."

  She frowned. "I'm not sure how much help I can be with him. Nothing I've done so far has garnered a response, and it's definitely not from a lack of trying."

  The alien male shook his head. "You underestimate your importance. You two have telepathically bonded. More than anyone, you have the power to save him."

  "Telepathically bonded?" she echoed.

  Borzet nodded. "Among the Hirlanzians, when two people are compatibly suited on every level, they automatically bond with their minds."

  "But I'm Kelderan, not Hirlanzian."

  He shrugged. "My guess is that between the Kelderans mimicking Hirlanzian DNA to give you the ability, as well as your own genetics, it was enough to initiate the bond. And before you ask, the other partner doesn't have to be Hirlanzian. While my Mattie isn't a telepath, she is bonded to me. While it means I can't connect and speak with her, I can always sense her emotions."

  Kalahn tried to take it all in, but her mind kept going back to one thing Borzet said. "What do you mean my own genetics play a role?"

  "I suspect somewhere far up in your family tree that there was at least a part-Hirlanzian ancestor."

  Kalahn had never dug too deeply into her ancestry as it'd never interested her. But now she wondered exactly how she had alien blood, no matter how minute, running through her veins. Maybe her father would know. She'd have to find a way to ask him while she still had the chance.

  The bigger issue was that Borzet knew more about signatures melding, or bonding as he put it.

  Kalahn had too many questions a
nd didn't know where to start. However, before she could voice any of them, Syzel jumped in. "Let's not overwhelm the princess with too much information." He moved his gaze to Kalahn. "Once Ryven is stabilized, all of us are going up to the colony transport ship. We'll stay there until Ryven is awake and mostly recovered. You'll also be learning as much as possible from Borzet at the same time."

  Kalahn didn't hold back. "No offense, but isn't including more people in your circle of trust increase the chance of exposure? Someone already made an attempt on Ryven's life. I suspect it won't be long until they try to take mine, too."

  Borzet spoke up. "If you're referring to your telepathy and training, the ship has technology to protect all of us from prying eyes down here on the surface. And honestly, if we don't get you up to the protective folds of the ship as soon as possible, every telepath on Jasvar will know about you. After all, if I could sense you merely passing by, others will feel your power soon enough."

  "You keep talking about my power, but I haven't done that much."

  Borzet raised his brows. "You've done more in the short time you've had the ability than most Hirlanzians accomplish in two or three years of training."

  She tried her best to hide her surprise. If she let Borzet's words stroke her ego, she might start taking things for granted. "Then I'll agree to the training provided it doesn't interfere with me helping with Ryven's recovery and that you teach me everything I need to know to help protect my family from future attacks."

  Smiling, Borzet replied, "That's a tall order."

  She raised her chin. "Now that I finally have something worthwhile to contribute, I want to hone it and help the best way I can."

  "And I respect you for it." Borzet put out a hand. "I agree to the terms."

  Taking Borzet's hand, Kalahn shook it and released. She turned her gaze to Syzel. "So us going to the colony transport ship must mean that Kason is delaying the return trip to Keldera?"