Ynyr (Tornians Book 3) (4 page)

Stunned blue eyes looked up at him making Ynyr feel like the lowest of males. Never in his life had he thought he would hurt a female, especially not one as precious to him as his Abby, but hurt her he had.

“Goddess Abby, I’m sorry.”

Stunned Abby looked up at him. Why was he apologizing? Hadn’t he liked kissing her? Had she been too bold? She normally wasn’t, but with him… Abby found she had no shyness, not once they were alone. Not when he was at her side. They had talked so many times about so many things, but now she realized that she really didn’t know Ynyr… that he really didn’t know her and that they never would if they didn’t talk to one another. If they didn’t ask questions they couldn’t understand each other.

“What are you sorry for?” She asked softly, tightening her grip around his neck as his loosened.

“I spoke to you in anger,” he began.

“So? You were angry and you spoke. What’s wrong with that?”

Ynyr found himself stunned. “I… it did not upset you? Frighten you?”

“I’m not scared of you Ynyr,” she told him simply. “As for being upset. I was angry too. Are you upset at me?”

“Never! You could never upset me Abby.”

“Well, now that is totally not true. I am going to piss you off Ynyr, just like you are going to piss me off, that’s life, people fight.”

“I…”

“You have never seen your parents fight? Disagree?”

“No.” Ynyr admitted.

“Seriously?” Abby couldn’t keep the disbelief out of her voice. Her parents had loved each other, but they were still two very different people, they each had their own opinions and thoughts. They argued, but Abby suddenly realized it had never been over the truly important things, like their children, or what was right or wrong, in those areas they always seemed to agree.

It was always about other things, politics… wow could they argue about that. Whose turn it was to pick the restaurant or movie they were going to see. Dad liked action. Mom comedy. Butter or no butter on the popcorn. Small things. They always held hands at the movies. She and Davy would roll their eyes at them like children did, but they also did it with a smile on their faces.

“What would they have to disagree about?” Ynyr asked, confused. “My manno provides for my mother’s every need, she need only ask.”

“I…” Abby wasn’t sure how to respond to that as she looked into his very serious eyes. “But what if your manno can’t or doesn’t want to give it to her?” She asked.

“That would never happen for if it did the female would leave.” He told her simply.

“We’re not talking about a ‘female’ Ynyr we’re talking about your mother. She has stayed with your manno for nearly twenty-five years. There has to be something they have argued about.”

“Your parents would argue, become angry with one another?” He asked hesitantly.

“Yes.”

“And your mother still stayed with your manno.”

“Of course.” Abby tipped her head to the side. “You think because you were angry with me and that you expressed it that I would leave you?”

“I…” Ynyr chose his next words carefully watching for her reaction. “A Tornian female would never allow a male to speak to her in anger. She would become frightened and run away. She would never allow me to touch her the way you have, not even during Joining.”

“I’m not Tornian, Ynyr.” Abby told him sadly loosening her hold on his neck. Slowly Ynyr placed her on her feet and she took a step back, putting some distance between them.

“I know this Abby.” Ynyr told her continuing to watch her closely.

“Is that going to be a problem?” She asked.

“How do you mean?”

“I’m not Tornian Ynyr. I am not going to act like one. Respond like one. I have no problem arguing with you and I’m not going to run away if you are angry even if it is with me because I know you would never hurt me. I
liked
the way you touched me just now and didn’t want you to stop. I like touching you, kissing you too. If that isn’t something you are willing to allow
then
we are going to have a problem.”

Ynyr found his mind racing as she spoke. It was as if she knew his deepest wish with every word she expressed. Yet he was afraid to believe it, to trust it. “I hurt you with my attentions, you whimpered in distress.”

“When you
stopped
,” Abby informed him feeling herself start to blush. She had never been this bold before and couldn’t believe she was saying this to Ynyr of all people. No, wait, that was all wrong
Ynyr
should be the
one
person she was able to say this to.

“The fierceness of my… attentions did not upset you?” Ynyr asked tentatively reaching out to touch her cheek.

“No, I liked it. I liked the feel of your hands on me. The feel of your lips. Didn’t I already say that?” She asked, tipping her head into his touch.

“I thought…”

“Thought what?” Abby asked, moving to close the distance between them.

“That I was taking advantage of you. Ull had upset you and instead of calming you I was selfishly pressing my own needs on you.”

“If I hadn’t liked what you were doing Ynyr I would have told you. I might be small but I know how to speak up for myself.”

The corners of Ynyr’s lips curved up at the thought of just how well she could ‘speak up’. He had never seen anyone stand up to his manno like that, but she had been right and they all knew it. And Ull, a future Lord, hadn’t worried her at all, not until she thought Ull might harm him. Goddess she worried about
him
.

A place deep inside Ynyr’s chest that he had not even known existed suddenly made its presence known, as it started to warm and grow. To have a female’s worry…
no
to have Abby’s worry… to have it, to know that she had feelings for him, felt the need to protect him as much as he did her… Goddess what an amazing feeling.

“I think we all discovered that,” he said, wrapping his arms around her enjoying how she immediately tried to wrap hers around him.

“Is that going to be a problem?”

“No Abby it is not,” he quickly reassured her. “I always want you to express your thoughts to me…”

“But?” She knew there was one there.

“It will just take some getting used to.”

A knock on the door stopped her from saying more.

Ynyr’s long strides carried him towards the chamber where his manno and brothers waited. His mother had said she would stay with Abby when she had interrupted them with the message from his manno that they needed to speak.

He had not wanted to leave Abby for there was still so much for them to discuss, for them to discover about each other, but he also knew there were other matters that needed his attention.

He had not even had the chance to talk privately with his manno about becoming a Lord. So many changes had occurred this day and he knew he would need his manno’s advice and guidance until he found his way.

Entering the room, he found his manno quietly speaking to Korin while Zev and Vali spoke amongst themselves, only Ull was missing. Seeing his entrance Oryon ended his conversation with Korin and turned to address him.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I summoned Korin to this meeting since he is your second.” Oryon said.

Ynyr was silent for several moments, stunned that his manno would feel the need to explain himself to him. It was in that moment that Ynyr realized their relationship was forever changed. No longer was Ynyr Lord Oryon’s third male, one that would never hold a position of true power, one that would never be his manno’s equal. Now Ynyr was the Lord of a region that was even more powerful than his manno’s and therefore he was
more
than his equal.

“That is fine.” Ynyr told him, his voice slightly tight.

“I know there are pressing matters that we need to discuss, but I am hoping you will allow me to speak on a personal matter before we begin.” Oryon said, looking slightly uncomfortable.

“Of course manno.” Ynyr told him, frowning when Oryon took a deep breath and seemed to steady himself. Ynyr looked to Vali to see if he knew what was going on but Vali looked just as puzzled.

“I know your life as my third male has not been an easy one, for you or Zev.” Oryon began, his eyes looking to his youngest before returning to Ynyr. “I shared your mother’s relief each time she presented me with a male. After your presentation Ynyr I even thought to take steps to make sure she never conceived again.”

“What?!! That’s not possible.” Vali said, taking a shocked step towards his manno.

“It is possible.” Oryon told his second male. “It is a closely guarded secret but it can be done. There is a procedure a Healer can perform on a male and to my shame I considered it, your mother refused to allow it.”

“What?” Ynyr looked at his manno shocked, that not only that he would consider restricting the offspring he could have but that he would discuss this with his mother.

“You are surprised.” Oryon found he could not help but smile. “You would be amazed at just how many things your mother and I have discussed. Even before the arrival of the females from Earth. You will be surprised at what
you
will discuss with
your
Lady.” Oryon gave Ynyr a pointed look before raising an eyebrow at his other males. “Did you really think that after over twenty-five years together that your mother and I discussed
nothing
?” He just shook his head. “You all will be surprised to learn just how involved your mother was in your growth and training. In
all
of your trainings.”

“What do you mean?” Vali asked, unable to hide his shock. Tornian females turned their offspring over to their sire as soon as they were weaned and considered their duty done.

“Do you truly have no memory of how long your mother kept you with her?” Oryon asked, looking carefully at each of his males, including Ull who had just reentered the room. “It was only when any of you began walking and talking, when whispers began that she finally relinquished her control over any of you. She kept you in her chambers allowing no one other than me to assist her in tending you.”

He saw the shock on all their faces and frowned. “None of you have memories of this?”

“Ardaighs.” Ull said quietly.

“What?” Ynyr looked to his brother.

“Ardaighs. It is my earliest memory. Whenever I smell them, it calms me. I feel this amazing sense of comfort.” His skin started to darken when he realized what he had just revealed.

“It is your mother’s favorite flower.” Oryon said. “Her chambers are always filled with them.”

“Why did you not tell us?” Zev demanded.

“Because I thought you knew,” Oryon told him.

“What do you mean she was involved in our growth and training?” Ynyr asked.

“Most of you do not remember, but the training fields haven’t always been located on the royal side of Rigel. They were moved there once Ull came of the age to use them.”

“I thought they were moved because our mother feared unfit warriors would attempt to steal her.” Vali said, frowning.

“That is the reason I gave, the one that everyone readily accepted. The truth is that with the fields located there she could observe your training. See the areas you might need work on, things that others missed.”

“What do you mean?” Ull questioned.

“Your mother was the one that first noticed that you tended to leave your left side unprotected when angered,” Oryon told his oldest. “She insisted it be corrected before others saw it too. She knew there could be no weakness seen in the future Lord.”

Oryon’s gaze turned to Vali, “She saw how quickly you adapted to the sword, but struggled with the dagger, it is why your training schedule was changed when you were nine.”

“Zev, you always wonder how I know about the tricks you play?”

“Mother witnesses them?” Zev asked in an awed whisper.

“Yes and she draws great enjoyment from them.” Oryon frowned as his youngest grinned. “I do not! If you have that much time for pranks then you are not training hard enough, that will change.”

Zev lost his smile.

“As for you Ynyr, she was the one that insisted I send you to the Emperor for specialized training. She somehow knew that your place would never be on Betelgeuse, that you were destined for greater things.” Oryon looked at his third male and struggled with the fact that this tall, strong male standing before him was the same male that had followed Oryon around House Rigel so earnestly, trying to learn everything he could. Where had the time gone? “I have not yet voiced this so I will now. I have never been prouder than I was when the Emperor announced your name Ynyr. I… I cannot explain the feeling that overcame me as he spoke of you or how you responded. He was correct in everything he said about you.
You
are the right male for Etruria for you have a better understanding than I of what these warriors are feeling. You can understand what they have suffered at the hands of Bertos and what they must overcome to rise above it, because you have experienced much of it yourself. You and Zev.”

Oryon looked to his youngest then his other males and saw he had shocked them all.

“You thought I did not know of the taunts and rebuffs you both suffered because of my selfishness. The extra hits you received and the slurs whispered for only you to hear. I knew you would experience this if I allowed Isis to present me with more males, yet I allowed her to present you anyway. I could not deny her the joy she experienced every time she conceived.”

Ynyr looked to Zev, Neither of them had ever thought their manno had known.

“It is a testament to the both of you that neither of you ever brought it to my attention nor asked for my assistance.”

“There would have been nothing you could have done.” Ynyr told him.

“Oh, there were things I could have done, but it would only have made it worse for you.” Oryon looked to his two oldest and saw they were shocked.

“It was never done in either of your presences,” Oryon told them. “You are my first male Ull, my heir and you would have confronted any male that insulted one of your brothers. It is what will make you a good Lord, when your time comes. Your strength of conviction and loyalty are renowned but in this, you would have been wrong. Ynyr and Zev would never have gained the respect of other males if you had protected them.”

“So it was just allowed?” Ull couldn’t hide his anger.

“You have so much of your mother in you,” Oryon said, shocking everyone present. “She too wanted to confront the males she felt were disrespecting her offspring. If I had not been returning to our wing, she would have been on the training field. I calmed her and explained that I would handle it.”

“How did you handle it?” Ull demanded.

“I slowly and carefully had the worst of them removed from my House, making sure none would believe it was because of their treatment of my offspring,” Oryon told him.

“Sensible and right.” Vali said.

“Yes and that is why you will be the perfect second for your brother, Vali. Where he is hot blooded you are calm and can make him see the long term ramifications of his actions when he does not.”

“Thank you manno.” Vali bowed his head to him.

“There is no need for thanks. All of you fill me with a pride you will never understand until you have offspring of your own. Now,” Oryon turned and looked at Korin, who had remained silent during the whole exchange. “It is time for us to discuss with your second exactly what you can expect in Etruria and who needs to be removed.”

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Isis moved to sit next to Abby, her gaze taking in her swollen lips and flushed cheeks. Obviously her arrival had interrupted something.

“Are you well?” Isis asked.

“I am fine.” Abby said and an uncomfortable silence fell between the two females as Abby looked to the windows.

Isis knew it was her fault. For Abby had spoken the truth earlier about how Isis should have spoken up for the Earth females to Risa.

“I am sorry Abby.”

“No, I am.” Abby looked back to her. “I never should have said that to you. You had no reason….”

“I had every reason,” Isis argued. “My first male was involved in that Joining Ceremony. I should have spoken up if only for that reason.”

“Isis…”

“The least I should have done was tell Oryon. He would have spoken to Bertos. I chose not to, I didn’t want to bring any attention to myself. I have always been weak that way.”

“I understand your position Isis,” Abby told her. “I saw how the Tornian females treated you, looked at you. It wasn’t much better than how they treated us.”

“My own doing.”

“Because you followed your heart? Stayed true to your beliefs even when others looked down on you for it? Those are not the actions of a ‘weak’ person Isis.”

“All I have ever wanted was to spend my life with a male I could respect,” Isis whispered. “One I could give offspring to and watch them grow with.”

“Is that all you feel for Oryon? Respect?”

“Oh no,” Isis whispered. “I have loved Oryon from the first moment I saw him compete at the Festival of the Goddess. He was…” Abby watched Isis’ eyes take on a faraway look for a moment before she gave an embarrassed laughed and focused back on Abby. “My manno wasn’t as impressed. He wanted me to choose another.”

“He did?” Abby turned on the couch to face her.

“Yes, Oryon was not yet a Lord when I chose him and it was believed his manno would be Lord for many more years.”

“Who did he want you to choose?” Abby asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

“King Rask had but one male at the time of my first Joining. My manno wanted me to Join with him securing both our lines.”

“Yet you chose Oryon.”

“Yes. King Rask was…”

“Not for you.” Abby finished for her.

“No, even though he was a fit and worthy male.”

“Ull is fit and worthy too,” Abby told her. “He just isn’t for me.”

“I know this and in time, so will he.”

“Will he hold it against Ynyr?” Abby asked, finally voicing her concern. She didn’t want to cause conflict between the brothers, but she refused to allow it to change her decision.

“He will not. I might only be a female, but I know my males, Ull’s honor will allow him to do no less.”

“Good.” Abby lets Isis see her relief.

“So you and Ynyr… talked?” Isis questioned.

Abby blushed slightly thinking about just what she and Ynyr had done. “Yes. We talked and got some things sorted out.”

“That is good.” Isis said, giving her a tentative smile. “I would also like to talk to you if you don’t mind.”

“About what?”

“Your arrival has changed so many things.”

“
My
arrival has?”

“You Earth females, you have brought so many new thoughts and ideas.”

“New to you.” Abby countered.

“Yes,” Isis agreed. “I have found them very… satisfying.” She told Abby with a slight smile. “I’m not sure which I enjoy more, resting with Oryon or kissing him.”

“You really never rested with Oryon until now?” Abby couldn’t believe it.

“No. It is something I never would have considered doing. I have my rooms and Oryon has his. We usually Join in his resting chamber and I always leave shortly after. Since it has become known that not only do the King and Queen rest together, but also the Emperor and Empress, we have rested together every night. Waking up in my Oryon’s arms is….”