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Fresh tears spilled from the corners of her eyes. Her emotions felt raw and exposed, but this was one lesson she would never forget. She lowered her gaze, unable to emerge from her submissive mindset. “Will the urgency come back?” she asked, her voice tremulous.
“No.” Kyrex wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her backward until her body was flush with his. “But only because this was simulated. If this was really bonding fever, we would be catching our breath, maybe eating something if we were lucky, and then we would start all over again.”
A violent shudder passed over her and she shook her head. “I didn’t know. I honestly didn’t know.”
Kyrex picked her up and carried her into the tiny bathroom. The shower stall wasn’t big enough for two. She knew because they’d tried it before. He turned on the water for her then motioned toward the stall. “Wash up, and then get some sleep.” He leaned down and lightly kissed her mouth. “Neloff is going to stay with you tonight. I need to run a quick errand, but I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“What sort of errand?”
“The sort I can’t tell you about.” He kissed her again. “Now, get some sleep. That’s an order.”
* * *
Kyrex walked into Zevon’s office near the top of the spiraling walkway twenty minutes later. Being summoned to the president’s office never felt comfortable, but this summons had been for him personally and specified that no one—not even his roommates—was allowed to know about the meeting.
“Come in.” Zevon motioned Kyrex toward the chairs in front of his desk. It was nearing midnight, yet Zevon still looked ruthless and in control. His black and gray uniform was immaculate. His flashing golden eyes missed nothing. The only softness in his appearance was his dark hair, which fell to his shoulders in messy waves. “Can I get you a drink?”
“No, thank you.” Kyrex wasn’t in the mood to socialize so he sat down to avoid a scene. He wanted to know what was so damn important that he’d been dragged out of bed in the middle of the night.
With the pleasantries out of the way, Zevon got right to business. “Do you know Kern Yarro? He is one of Raina’s mates.”
Kern was Raina’s controller and the only Pyronese Wraith allied with the Citadel. Well, the only one Zevon knew about.
“We’ve been introduced but that’s about all,” Kyrex replied. “At the risk of being rude, what is this about?”
Pressing back into his seat, Zevon folded his hands on his belly. “Kern’s mentor Flowed into the Citadel a few weeks back. The uninvited visit resulted in a tentative alliance between the Citadel and Pyron,” Zevon explained. “Well, to be more specific, my alliance is with the Wraiths. Udora and the Temple of Air want nothing to do with this conflict.”
Kyrex nodded. Pyron’s population had divided into two schools of thought long ago. Mistress Air and her acolytes led the pacifists. They always channeled their mystic energy into non-destructive pathways, healing, telekinetics, psychic research, and mental restoration. They avoided all political conflicts. On the other side of the equation resided the Wraiths. They embraced the full spectrum of their abilities and chose a lifepath more militant in nature. They led the planetary defense force and many also worked as mercenaries.
There was only one reason the Wraiths would consider an alliance with the Citadel: Emperor Jevara of Torret. Jevara was cruel and capricious. He amassed obscene amounts of wealth while his subjects starved, and routinely hosted ‘carnal entertainments’ that allowed his close circle of friends to indulge their darkest, most depraved fantasies. His abuses were so flagrant and his attacks so arbitrary that he was leaving the other planetary leaders no option but to make a change. The problem was no one could agree on what, or who should replace him.
“The Wraiths have been frustrated with Jevara’s behavior for a long time,” Kyrex commented. “I can see why they would agree to an alliance.”
“One of the conditions of the alliance was that Kern and his mates be directly involved in training the Earth-raised conduits. That’s why I sent Cylex to Earth. They all arrived safely and Raina has done a wonderful job of supervising and counseling the females ever since. Now it’s time to update the Wraith Council on our progress.”
“What do you need from me?” Kyrex was too sleep deprived for anything but directness.
“The council requested Kern and they want him to report in person. I trust Kern implicitly, but I would feel better if you accompanied him. Kern has a close relationship with the Wraiths, his mentor in particular. I want an objective observer who will report every nuance of the meeting. You mentioned that you have relatives on Pyron. Would you mind a quick trip to the planet?”
Kyrex knew most of the Wraiths by name and grew up around the council. “Who is Kern’s mentor?”
“Movu. Movu Surcatt.” Speculation narrowed Zevon’s eyes to gleaming slits. “Do you know him?”
“I know them all,” he admitted with a guilty smile. “I have no problem visiting Pyron, but I am even less objective than Kern. Movu Surcatt is my father and I spent my adolescence at Fortress Ellak.”
“Then why do you make your home on Houkdi? Or was I mistaken about that?”
Kyrex shook his head. The president’s confusion was understandable. “I inherited the property from my mother. She was of Tribe Sulato on Houkdi.”
“I would love to hear how a member of Tribe Sulato ended up giving birth to the son of a Pyronese Wraith.” Zevon chuckled. “Someday I will bribe you with a bottle offinoltso I can hear the entire story.”
“It’s not as interesting as you would expect. I’m the result of a youthful indiscretion. Nothing more.”
Zevon’s head tilted slightly and he studied Kyrex for a moment before he said, “I’m surprised you have a relationship with your father. Such is not often the case with ‘youthful indiscretions.’”
“My grandfather held strongly to the old beliefs that the elements were not meant to mix. However, he passed beyond when I was thirteen and my father arrived two weeks later. I’d started to resent the restrictiveness of life among the Sulato so my mother agreed to an extended visit. I don’t think she had any idea how long I’d be gone.”
“How long were you gone?”
