Ynyr (Tornians Book 3) (31 page)

“What are they trying to tell us Abby?”

“Well, one, they are glad we are here and two that our House color the color for House Rigel of Etruria should be hunaja and finally that our House’s symbol should be the blazing sword, signifying the return of the one true and rightful heir.” Abby held her breath waiting to hear what Ynyr thought as he stood and began to pace. It was something she’d learned he would do when he was thinking but only in private. In front of others, he would remain perfectly still.

Ynyr wasn’t sure what he was thinking or feeling. Everything his Abby was saying felt right, perfect almost but there was something… Ynyr was searching his mind it was something the Goddess had said but what was it? Just as he thought he found it his comm went off and it was gone.

“Yes?” He demanded impatiently.

“My Lord, you wanted to be informed when we would begin testing.” Korin’s voice came over the comm.

“Yes, I’ll be there in a few minutes. Do not begin until you see me arrive.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“I have to go Abby.”

“I understand.” Rising, she went to kiss him goodbye.

“I agree with your ideas my Abby. It will be done. House Rigel of Etruria shall now be represented by the color hunaja and a blazing sword.”

“It will?” Abby asked, beaming up at him.

“Yes. Tell Cairbre to create a mark for our furnishings.”

“I will. Ynyr?” She asked as he turned to leave.

“Yes?” He looked back to her.

“Have you talked to Ull yet?” She saw a flash of something she didn’t understand in his eyes before they went blank.

“Yes. He said he needed time to consider it.” And with that he left.

Abby’s eyes followed Ynyr as he left the chamber. What did that mean that Ull was ‘considering’ it? What was there to ‘consider’? Ynyr was Ull’s brother. Ull’s brother needed help. You helped. Spinning on her heel Abby went to the comm.

Isis spun around trying to figure out where that strange beeping sound was coming from. Finally, she realized it was coming from her comm unit she had placed on the dresser.

‘Oh Goddess!’
She thought.
‘Someone was calling her!’

Picking it up, she frantically pressed the button not wanting whoever it was to disconnect.

“H… Hello?”

“Isis? Is that you Isis?”

“Abby!” Isis’ happiness and excitement came through the comm.

“Hi Isis. Hey push the green button and we can see each other.”

“We can?”

“Yes. Kim forgot to tell us that. Lisa told me when I talked to her a few days ago.”

“You needed to talk to Lisa already?” Isis found the button and Abby’s beautiful face filled the small screen. “You are having problems?”

“Not with Ynyr. I needed to know how to decorate a House that is entirely made of black stone. Isis!” Abby suddenly frowned. “What happened to you?”

Isis gave Abby a startled look, she had forgotten she had yet to fully dress. The comm was apparently showing the fading bruises on her arms. “It is nothing.” Setting the comm down, she pulled on a robe, covering her arms before picking it back up.

“Isis!” Abby shouted.

“I am still here Abby.” Isis reassured her.

“What happened?!! Did Oryon hurt you?” Abby didn’t want to believe it, Oryon had seemed so caring with Isis, but then didn’t most abusers put up a front?

“Of course not! My Oryon has never
once
in over
twenty-five years
put a hand on me in anger! How could you even
think
that!” Isis had to take a deep breath to calm herself.

“Because he never lets anyone else near you. If not him, then how are you bruised?” Abby whispered.

“There was a fire within the House several days ago. During the confusion, I fell into a wall and was bruised. I am fine.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. Oryon immediately called for the Healer. These will be gone by midday. Now tell me daughter, was Lisa able to assist you?”

“Some, we got sidetracked when I asked her what I should do with all of Risa’s things. I still can’t believe how crammed full her level is.”

“Yes, well she did have
five
males.”

“I know… crazy… but I think I’m really going to like selling a lot of it and using the proceeds to help the people of the Etruria Region.”

“You would use it to benefit others? Not keep it for yourself.”

“Goddess no! Do you know how much is up there? Well of course you don’t, but it’s more than any female could possibility need in ten lifetimes. Just think Isis, the things Risa treasured most will be used to help those she considered unfit.” Abby couldn’t stop the giggle that escaped.

“She will be screaming her rage to Daco.” Isis said and found herself laughing at the thought.

“Yes. I think the Goddess would approve.”

“So do I.” Isis agreed. “Your mind, it is slightly twisted Abby… I like it.”

“My mom always said when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

“I do not understand this saying.”

“Well, at its most basic it means you take something bad and useless and change it into something good and useful.”

“As you are going to do with Risa’s things.”

“Yes.”

“If she had even half of what I think she had… you will be able to do great good with them Abby.”

“That is what I am hoping to do but I’m going to need your help Isis.”

“Mine?” Isis asked shocked. What could she possible do from Betelgeuse?

“Yes…” Abby went on to tell Isis about what had been happening in their new House. Well, not everything, she didn’t tell her about Ynyr’s meeting Raiden and the Goddess, but she did tell her about what Ynyr was struggling with.

“I… I never gave that a thought…” Isis whispered.

“I don’t think anyone did. Ynyr is working so hard trying to do it all, but Isis, there is only so much time in the day. That’s why he called Ull and asked for his help.”

“Ynyr did?” Isis couldn’t keep the shock out of her voice. “What did Ull say.” She demanded.

“That he would ‘consider’ it!” Abby spat out. “Ynyr doesn’t have time for Ull to ‘consider’ it Isis. He needs his brother here! Now! At his side! He needs Ull, someone he knows and trusts, to support
him
now, the way Ynyr always supported him!” With each sentence Abby’s rage grew at Ull’s total lack of loyalty to his brother.

Isis was slightly taken aback at Abby’s anger that Ull
wasn’t
there. A Tornian female would have demanded Ull never be allowed near her or the House she resided in after the way he had spoken to her.

“You… you wish Ull to be there?” Isis asked hesitantly.

“It’s not that I ‘wish’ him here Isis. Ynyr’s the only male I want. Never doubt that.”

“That’s not what I was insinuating Abby, I know Ynyr is the only male for you, the way I’ve always known Oryon is the only male for me. What I meant and expressed badly is that many would not allow a male into their House that had spoken so… harshly to them.”

“I know Ull is upset about not being chosen Isis, but he
is
Ynyr’s brother and that makes him family and family is important. No one knows that better than me.” Abby’s anger dissolved as she thought about her family.

“I am sorry Abby. I did not mean to make you remember all that you have lost.”

“I will always remember them Isis,” Abby felt her eyes fill, “and when Ynyr and I have offspring I will tell them about them. They deserve that.”

“Offspring… are you…”

“No!” Abby started to laugh, wiping away her tears. “Goddess Isis, give us a little time, we haven’t even been here a week!”

“I know. I am sorry. I just want to hold a little one in my arms again so much.”

“Then maybe
you
should be the one having them.” Laughing Abby missed Isis’ look. “Anyway, back to Ull. I was hoping you could use your influence and get him here.”

Isis looked at Abby silently for several moments. She hadn’t spoken to Ull since they had words when they first returned to Betelgeuse. Her first male was brooding and it was time for it to end. He would help his brother or he would have to deal with
her
.

“Ull will be there.” Isis promised.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Abby leaned back in her chair, smiling as she disconnected. She had no doubt that Isis would get Ull here. Not even the mightiest of Tornian Warriors stood a chance against a determined mother.

Knowing there was work for her to do on the third level Abby walked by the table holding the remnants of her midday meal. She needed to talk to Paganus, the kitchen kept sending up enough food for a Tornian Warrior. There was no way she could eat both of the large sandwiches they had sent. Grabbing the second half of the one she had started earlier she headed upstairs.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Paganus smiled as he looked down at his Lady’s empty tray. He liked that she enjoyed her food, even if he didn’t know how someone so small could put away so much. She ate like a Warrior.

“Oh Paganus! Could you help me here?”

Turning around Paganus found his Lady struggling with a large picture she was trying to get down the stairs. “My Lady! What are you doing?!! Let me take that! Why did you not call for assistance?!!” Paganus’ words were coming as fast as he movement to her side.

“Oh, thank you Paganus.” Abby said as he took the picture from her before she turned and closed the door leading to the third level. “And to answer your question I didn’t call because I thought I could handle it.”

“Call next time!” Paganus didn’t realize he had just given his Lady an order.

“Trust me, I will if I find anymore this size. Put it over there, please.” She pointed to a spot across the room. “I really can’t believe Risa had something this amazing.”

“She did have
five
males my Lady.” Paganus addressed her properly.

“Yes, but this is something that could only have come from
this
House.” Moving towards him she turned the portrait so he could see it.

Paganus felt his breath catch at what he saw. How had Risa been able to acquire something like this? Where had it
been
?

“Is this what I think it is?”

“Yes… it is King Varick’s family.” Paganus’ heart was racing. Where had this been stored for Bertos to be able to give it to Risa? It was more than just a piece of
this
House’s history, it was a piece of the Empire’s. For him to offer it to Risa… it was an insult to all that had come before him.

“This needs to be hanging in the main entrance of the House, Paganus. It is a part of its history and all should be able to see it.” Abby lets her eyes run over the people in the painting. Each one was so striking. The males were tall and broad like the male in the center, King Varick. While the females were actually smaller, like Queen Rawnie but each one beautiful. They all sat or stood around their parents each a reflection of some part of them either in how they stood or sat, in the slant of their eye or the tilt of their mouth yet the thing they all had in common was the combination of the King’s dark hair streaked with the Queen’s golden blonde.

“I agree my Lady.”

Paganus’ agreement pulled her eyes from the portrait. “Is there not a place where the past families, past Lords and Kings, are hung?”

“No my Lady, there might have been such a place in the past, but I have never heard of it.”

“Then we will start one… with this.” She gestured to the portrait.

“Yes, my Lady, I will begin to search the House for the perfect hall.”

“The entrance hall Paganus. It should be there so that all who enter know who they are dealing with. So they know where we came from and where we are going.”

“I… yes, my Lady. Would you like me to take this with me along with your empty dishes?”

“No. I want Ynyr to see it first and my plates aren’t empty.” She told him absently.

“Yes, they are my Lady. I am very happy to see that you so enjoy our food.”

“What?” Abby turned to look to the plates he had picked up.

“Paganus…” she said quietly, her eyes shooting around the room.

“Yes, my Lady?”

“I didn’t eat all that food.” She told him.

“If you say so my Lady.”

“No!” Abby grabbed his arm to make sure he saw she was serious. “
I
did not eat all that food.
I
ate one and left one, there was too much.”

“But if you didn’t…” Paganus suddenly understood what she was saying. Dropping the plates with a clatter, he drew his sword. “Get behind me.” He ordered and Abby instantly obeyed.

Paganus’ eyes scanned the room looking for the slightest of movements. Someone had been in here with his Lady and no one had known it. The entire wing needed to be searched. Lifting his comm he contacted Navon guarding the door and told him they had an intruder.

Within moments Navon was storming into the chamber his sword drawn. He had left Ja to guard the Wing’s entrance.

“Where?” Navon demanded quietly, his eyes searching.

“I don’t know.” Paganus told him, his eyes still searching the room. He had tucked Abby into a corner behind him. “When I first arrived the chamber doors were closed and Lady Abby was on the third level, that door open. I closed the chamber doors and when Lady Abby came down to this level, she closed that door.”

“Why do you think there is an intruder?” Navon demanded.

“Because of the food.”

“The food?” Before Navon could question further they heard the sound of running feet, turning towards the doors both males braced for attack.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

“What?!!” Ynyr questioned in disbelief.

“My Lord, Master Paganus has reported there is an intruder in the Lord’s Resting Chamber. Warrior Navon has gone to assist him. I am guarding the entrance.” Ja informed him.

“Korin!” Ynyr roared causing every male on the training field to freeze. “Dai! Tocho! Morio! With me!” Ynyr took off running and the males unquestioningly followed.

Ynyr’s heart was racing faster than his mind. What had happened? How had a male managed to get to his Abby? Was she hurt? Was she scared? Males quickly moved to get out of their way as the males stormed through the halls of the House. Ynyr slowed down only slightly when Ja came into sight still standing before the Wing’s doors his sword drawn.

“Report.” Ynyr ordered.

“Navon went to assist Paganus and is still inside my Lord. No one else has entered or exited.” Ja quickly told him.