Rout of the Dem-Shyr (The Ascendant Series) by Raine Thomas Read Free Book Online Page A

Guardian Shaya. I wouldn’t harm the Guardians or Ma’jah Kyr.”
    All of the Mynders processed what he had said in combination with his sincerity. After a moment, they all sent thoughts that they believed him. He knew they would share what they had just discovered with any other doubters.
    Behind him, Kyr took a deep breath as she struggled to regain her control. He felt her continued anger and knew it was misplaced. She was upset over their circumstances and Shaya’s treatment, not over Dibon’s random thought. Mynders were trained to ask such questions, after all.
    “Please let Guardian Shaya know that Ma’jah is concerned for her and hopes to see her soon,” Ty said.
    “Of course, Dem-Shyr ,” Dibon said. “My apologies for upsetting you and Ma’jah. It wasn’t intentional.”
    “We know. Thank you.”
    Ty took Kyr’s arm and led her down the hallway. He didn’t bring her back to her chambers, which had begun to feel like a prison for both of them over the past couple days. Instead, he headed for her private gardens. The pretty, fragrant environment had always cheered her up. He hoped it did today, too. He didn’t know what else to do, and seeing her so stressed and upset was killing him.
    As soon as they stepped outside into the fresh, cool air, he felt the weight of Kyr’s troubles lift. Sending a thought to the other Mynders to wait inside the doors leading to the garden, he walked alone with Kyr to her favorite spot. She smiled when she saw the fountain and headed right for the bench that encircled it.
    “Thank you, Ty,” she said softly as she sat down and trailed her fingers through the shimmering water. “I needed this. I’d forgotten about this place.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    Her gaze moved to the distance, where she had a high, birds-eye view of the grand entrance leading into the palace proper. There was a steady stream of people walking, riding on horseback, or traveling in carriages as they entered or exited the palace. The bustling energy was quite unlike the quieter, more restricted part of the palace where Kyr and the Guardians lived.
    “I remember longing to be among them when I was younger,” Kyr said, her voice barely audible over the fountain. “I hated being so removed from everyone else. I hated that I had to spend so much time alone with you. I didn’t understand that it was because I was attracted to you even though I had been taught that I couldn’t be.”
    Her words gave his heart a painful squeeze. Their path together had been anything but easy.
    “Even now that I’ve finally been introduced to other Alametrians, I feel removed. Disconnected. It’s because the people I’ve met are the ones Shaya dictated as suitable.” She rose and walked closer to the half-wall providing the view, so Ty went with her. “The people down there are living ordinary lives, lives like the ones I experienced while away learning my lessons. Why would I be taught how to relate to typical individuals and their daily lives if I’m not going to be allowed to meet them here?”
    It was a good question. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “Perhaps that’s one of the things you’ll change as you assume your responsibilities as the Ascendant.”
    She considered that in silence as she watched the people below. He knew she was frustrated about not remembering more about her own planet. She didn’t know much about any of the megais outside of her own. Anything she might have learned before she left Alametria had yet to resurface in her memories. It made her feel all the more like a stranger in her home world.
    “We can fix that,” Ty said, reaching out and tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The pink sunlight brought out the rich ruby-colored hues in her dark tresses. “Which megai would you like to learn about first?”
    A small smile touched her lips. “Yours.”
    “All right.” He leaned a hip against the half-wall and crossed his arms over his chest so he didn’t reach