The Forbidden

by Jessie Donovan

  His voice was tinged with amusement. I need to finish this book anyway, but you admiring me along the way will make it that much more enjoyable.

  Ryven!

  He turned his body toward her and spoke aloud. "Your telepathic voice is stronger, which is a good sign."

  After quickly retreating into her safe mental space and closing the opening, she replied, "The more I do it, the easier it gets to control it."

  He nodded. "Good. I'll make sure to practice enough with you to push your limits, but not mentally exhaust you. Your next main task will be reaching out to talk to me privately so that even if another telepath is nearby, they can't hear your thoughts."

  She scooted to the edge of the bed. "Before we attempt anything else, tell me where we are."

  "It's easier to show you." Standing, he reached out a hand to help her up. Kalahn took it without hesitation, and ignored the thrill of his fingers closing around hers. He tugged. "Come on."

  She noted the painted wooden walls as they walked, as well as the wooden floors. "Unless someone has been redecorating while I was asleep, we're not inside any of the mountain settlements."

  He pointed toward a window. "I would think that would be the first clue."

  "We only just turned the corner. I may be telepathic now, but I can't see through walls."

  The corner of his mouth ticked up. "Good thing, as you'd probably peek at everyone changing or bathing."

  She managed to keep her markings a dark blue and her cheeks from flushing. "Maybe that's what you'd do. I, however, am a princess."

  "Which means you're even more likely to rebel. You've never been prim and proper, Kalahn. So don't even try to pretend you were."

  "Sometimes it's irritating that you've known me so long."

  He winked. "Blame your brother. For whatever reason, he started a fight with me that day long ago. When I kept avoiding his punches and instructing him on how to do better, he never left me alone."

  She was about to mutter a few choice words about her brother Kason when they exited the structure and she forgot what she was going to say.

  There were numerous buildings scattered inside a circular rock formation that went high into the pink-colored sky. Light filtered down from the opening, with birds diving in and out of the area. The long, flowering vines creeping down the sides of the walls completed the picture. "Where are we?" she breathed.

  "Somewhere safe. There was an attempt on Kajala's life and we needed to move you somewhere remote. Kason's bride knew of this place, and so here we are."

  Her gaze shot to Ryven's. "Where's Jala?"

  "She's fine, and safe at another location."

  "Why isn't she here?"

  "I understand you wanting to protect her, but Kason has one of his most trusted warriors looking after her. Concentrating any of you in one location is unwise until we know more about our enemies."

  As much as she wanted to see Kajala for herself and give her sister a hug, Kalahn knew Ryven was correct. "So it's just the two of us here?"

  He shook his head. "No. Since I'm unfamiliar with the land, there's someone here to teach me how to forage and hunt the Jasvarian animals. He returned not long ago with the two warriors who are now watching the front entrance."

  She motioned toward the creeping vines. "Someone could come from above."

  He smiled. "Yes, they could. But I do have a few skills under my belt, and watching for any large humanoids descending from the sky is one of them."

  Sighing, she tried to walk toward one of the other structures but Ryven tugged her back and kept one of her hands in his. He stated, "We go together or not at all."

  "With guards at the entrance and you using your mighty skills of observation to watch the skies, what do you expect to happen? For someone to tunnel up from the ground?"

  "There could be escape tunnels we haven't discovered. The best I can tell, this area isn't used often and the original construction plans have been lost for quite a while. It could take months or even years to check and determine if any secret entrances exist."

  Damn Ryven and him being able to snag her curiosity about why he thought the place wasn't used often. "Are you going to tell me more about our temporary home or are you going to make me drag it out of you?"

  His mental voice brushed her mind. There are a few training exercises you need to do today first.

  "And I will happily complete them later. After all, I won't be able to concentrate if I keep wondering about this place and what it was used for."

  Sighing, he murmured, "Using logic to best me, just like your brother."

  She grinned. "Thanks for letting me know how to sway your opinion in the future."

  "Kalahn," he growled.

  She put up her free hand. "Okay, okay. Enough teasing. Tell me a little about what you found out and I promise to try my hardest at whatever exercise you throw my way."

  Squeezing her fingers in his, he motioned around them. "The book I was reading is a journal and the best I can tell, this place was used as a transition location."

  "Transition for what?"

  "The alien males the humans tricked to land on their planet and then subsequently captured."

  Her curiosity piqued. "If so, wouldn't a lot of people know where this is?"

  An unfamiliar Kelderan male's voice answered, "No, because the males were both drugged and blindfolded when being brought here and when being taken away."

  Turning her head, she noticed a Kelderan male with teal skin and black hair. His lanky frame meant he wasn't a warrior. And since Ryven wasn't surprised at his appearance, the male must be the one teaching Ryven to forage. "How would you know that?"

  He walked up to them, carrying a large dead bird of some sort. "Because I was one of them." He tossed the bird down, and then untied the small sack on his belt and threw it down, too. "Those are for your dinner. I'm hunting until Ryven can do it himself, but I'm not your cook. So it's up to you to do it."

  "Wait—"

  Kalahn didn't get to voice her questions because the man walked away and disappeared into a tunnel on one side.

  Looking back at Ryven, she raised her eyebrows. He explained, "That's Orvar. He was with the exploration ship of Kelderan scientists who disappeared a decade ago. I don't know much else about him except that Taryn and Kason trusted the male enough to have him help us survive out here."

  Given what she knew of how the Jasvarians lured alien males to their planet, Kalahn guessed Orvar had married one of the human females. Maybe he was grumpy and curt because he missed being away from his bride.

  As curious as she was about Orvar's history, her temporary home was more important. Picking up the small sack, she motioned her head toward the bird. "Take that. I hope you've found a kitchen, because until I eat something, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to concentrate on any sort of mental task. Besides, you can tell me more over dinner."

  "You and your logic again." He picked up the bird. "But just know that it won't always work, Kalahn. So use your weapon wisely."

  "Another challenge? You know what I do with those."

  His gaze turned heated. "And I plan on using it to my advantage many times in the future."

  Gulping, she avoided looking at his lips. "Be careful. An overly confident male can get himself into trouble."

  "Perhaps." He tightened his grip on her hand. "Come. I'll show you around our house."

  As they walked back toward the main structure, Ryven's words of "our house" kept replaying inside her head. Of course they wouldn't live here forever. And who knew if she'd ever get more than a few kisses from Ryven. But for now, she liked to pretend it was real.

  Because for the first time in her life, she could be herself without everyone judging her. Ryven accepted her as she was. And to a woman constantly trying to live up to society's expectations and failing spectacularly, it was a gift. One she didn't want to take for granted.

  ~~~

  Most would call Ryven a fool for holding Kalahn's hand and f
lirting with her. But free of judgmental eyes, he found he didn't care what others would say.

  He'd always dismissed his attraction to Kalahn since their first kiss as him merely wanting the forbidden fruit—she was not only his best friend's sister, but also a princess. However, as they walked hand in hand and eventually began laying out the ingredients for dinner as if they did it all the time, he thought maybe there was more to it.

  Kajala's words earlier, about King Keltor looking for a way to ensure all his siblings could marry whom they wished, started to mean more to him.

  Interrupting his thoughts, Kalahn mentally said, I can't cook.

  Careful to keep his tone light, he replied, I've eaten grubs before. Whatever we make can't be any worse than the crunchy, gooey center of those things.

  She gasped and said aloud, "I didn't consciously reach out to you. Did you hear me?"

  Finally releasing her hand, he put the bird on the preparation table and began plucking the feathers. "The bigger question is whether you wanted me to hear, or are your walls failing?"

  After a short silence, Kalahn shook her head. "Everything is fine inside my head. No cracks or holes to be found."

  "Then it merely means you trust me completely. Be careful, because when you're around me, it means you might start broadcasting on a regular basis."

  "Of course I trust you. But there are some thoughts a person wants to keep to themselves."

  He paused in his task. "Such as?"

  Rolling her eyes, she dumped out the contents of the small bag. "If I want to keep it quiet, then why would I tell you?"

  "Because I'm ruggedly handsome? Charming? Amusing?" Kalahn tossed a small root vegetable at him, but Ryven caught it. "Let's add superior reflexes to the list, shall we?"

  She growled. "Let's be serious for a second, okay? If I'm broadcasting because I trust you, then why don't I hear you? Do you not trust me?"

  He hated the uncertainty in her voice. He met her gaze, wanting her to see the truth to his words. "I trust you, Kalahn. That was solidified when you rescued Kason and brought him and his bride back alive."

  Moving around the vegetables in front of her, Kalahn murmured, "I just wanted to help my brother."

  "Now you're being modest?" He dipped his hands in a bowl of water and quickly dried them off before taking hold of her shoulders. "I trust you, Kalahn. But I've learned to keep my thoughts private out of necessity. When training others, I can't risk broadcasting some of my memories."

  "Which memories?"

  While Kalahn was trying to be sly, Ryven didn't outright deny her. He could brush off the question, as he'd done with others many times before. However, a small part of him wished to share some of his past.

  After all, there would be no future for them if he kept hiding what had shaped him.

  So he answered calmly, "Mostly ones from when after my parents died, but before the Barren took me in."

  Searching his gaze, her voice was soft as she asked, "Why? What happened?"

  "How about instead of me telling you, I show you?"

  Confusion flashed in her eyes. "What do you mean?"

  "Telepathy isn't limited to speaking with words. We can do it with images, too."

  "Like you did with the wall-building instructions."

  He bobbed his head. "Exactly. But it requires you allowing me inside your mental space. Will you?"

  She didn't hesitate. "Of course."

  Her absolute trust in him did something to his heart.

  Not wanting to broadcast his emotions when he stepped inside her mental space, he quickly packed them away.

  He guided them both to a set of chairs and they sat down. "Then create an opening and show me where it is."

  Retreating to his mind, he went in search of Kalahn's signature. As he stared at the flower swirling in the rapids, he waited until Kalahn's presence brushed against him. Follow me.

  Careful to keep contact with her telepathic presence, he followed her into one of the rapids. I approve of the entry point.

  I didn't ask for your approval.

  He wanted to snort, but restrained himself. Too bad, as it matters. Only I can say when you've completed your training.

  Well, then hurry up and get started, Mr. Trainer. I'm waiting.

  He did chuckle at her dry tone. All right then, let's begin. I'll play out the memory. However, if you speak up during it, it will interrupt the transmission. So save your questions for later.

  Before Kalahn could make a quip, he focused on projecting his memories.

  ~~~

  Thirteen-year-old Ryven peeked around the corner of a composite building, never taking his gaze from a certain merchant male. Every day the food merchant would leave his stall unattended for thirty seconds to shout a regular customer's special order inside, and the merchant fool thought nothing of the obvious routine and opening.

  And if not for the half-starved children back at the abandoned building, Ryven would tell the merchant his mistake. However, Ryven needed the food. The Brevkan had attacked yesterday, and all the people in the capital city were staying inside, afraid of more laser attacks or bombs, and unwilling to risk opening a door to help a homeless child.

  Not that he could blame the fear. One such attack had stolen his parents from him.

  Still, he hated the growing number of orphans flowing into the streets, having to take care of themselves because of the chaos. No one else would help them, so Ryven had formed a loose alliance and taken it upon himself to feed as many little ones as he could manage.

  Jobs were scarce for young males such as he, so stealing was his only option.

  The merchant went inside right on time and Ryven raced to the stall, scooped up as much fruit and bread as he could carry, and raced back to his hiding place. When the merchant returned, he barely paid attention to the missing pieces. Mostly because Ryven had taken the ones he couldn't see from a vantage point behind the stall.

  Not wanting to stick around since the merchant's regular customer would arrive any minute and notice the missing food, Ryven raced down the alleyway. He'd barely taken a dozen steps when a female's voice was strong and clear behind him. "You shouldn't steal."

  Panic raced through him, and he pushed his body to run as fast as possible, doing his best not to drop the food. After zigzagging down at least a dozen side streets, he finally stopped and looked around to see if the female had followed him.

  However, all he saw were the crumbling houses and former shops. Not even a dog was in sight.

  At the empty street, he breathed a sigh of relief.

  He scanned his surroundings a few more times before he darted inside one of the abandoned buildings and up the stairs. Entering the large room he and the other children used to sleep in, he counted the inhabitants to ensure no one had left. As he handed out the fruit and bread to each child, careful to break it up into portions so everyone could eat, he catalogued their health.

  A few of the younger ones coughed or complained of pain Ryven couldn't fix. They needed to see a doctor, but that was tricky. While there were some free clinics not too far away, they required thumbprint scans to verify identities. Ryven had learned early on that if there was no listed family, the children would be seized and sent to the outlying areas for who knew what reason. He suspected they were sent to labor camps disguised as orphanages.

  And he wouldn't allow his charges to be sent to those hellholes. Ryven would just have to find a way to help the sick ones, like he always did.

  Which meant breaking more laws.

  Since his current haul wasn't as large as some days, Ryven gave all the food to the other children and kept none for himself. He'd just have to find something to eat later.

  As he went to check on the youngest orphan, a little girl no more than two, the female voice from earlier spoke. "What's going on here?"

  He turned and readied himself for a fight. However, at the sight of a thin female with purple hair, light blue skin, and an intricate tattoo on her forehead
, he blinked. "You're one of the Barren."

  The woman raised an eyebrow. "Indeed. But that still doesn't answer my question." He hesitated, trying to think of how he could get the woman to leave. However, her voice was gentler as she added, "I won't report you for stealing, if that's what you're worried about."

  One of the young girls came up behind him and hid. He murmured, "It's okay, little one. I'll protect you."

  He wasn't sure how, but he'd find a way.

  The Barren spoke again. "My name is Gosarra. Is everyone here an orphan?"

  Ryven hesitated. If he said yes, he had no idea what she'd do. He doubted she'd help them all out of the kindness of her heart.

  Nearly two years on the street had taught him not to trust easily.

  Gosarra clasped her hands in front of her. "I suspect they are. If so, I can help all of you."

  Adults often made promises they couldn't keep. Ryven decided to test her.

  Since he knew the Barren helped with healing sometimes, he motioned toward a bedridden little boy. "Then help him first. He's been sick for weeks."

  Whether the Barren knew it was a test or not, she didn't blink as she made her way to the sick boy's bed. After a quick examination, she took a small injection device from her pocket and looked Ryven in the eyes. "This will help with his fever and congestion. Will you allow me to give it to him?"

  "Why would you ask me? Adults don't ask children for permission."

  Well, at least no one had since his parents had died.

  The Barren replied, "I believe that you're in charge here. Since you've been their caregiver, it makes sense I ask your permission."

  He stood taller. "I'm their protector."

  "Then as their protector, please let me help this boy."

  Please was another word adults didn't use with him anymore. And for the first time in a long time, he wanted to trust an adult, even if it were for a short time. He nodded. "Then help him."

  The Barren injected the sick boy. Within seconds, the boy's breathing became less ragged and his little body relaxed against the pile of blankets for the first time in days.