Rise of the Faire-Amanti (The Ascendant Series Book 3)
Read Rise of the Faire-Amanti (The Ascendant Series Book 3) Online
Authors: Raine Thomas
Tags: #FICTION / Romance / Science Fiction
RISE OF THE FAIRE-AMANTI
by
Raine Thomas
Published by Iambe Books, LLC
This book is an original publication of Iambe Books, LLC.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2014 Raine Thomas.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, without the express written permission of the publisher. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized editions, and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials.
Visit the author's website:
http://www.RaineThomas.com
Cover design by Regina Wamba of
www.MaeIDesign.com
Table of Contents
This book is dedicated to Debbie and Hannah, who have shown me that friendships can form even across great distances, and strength and inspiration can come from the most unlikely places.
Acknowledgements
Writing the third book in a series is rarely easy, and Rise of the Faire-Amanti was no exception. There’s a lot of pressure to tie up loose ends and write an ending that satisfies readers. That pressure threw some blocks my way as I worked on the ROTFA outline, but with some help from my cheerleaders, I pushed through and crafted a story that I think readers will love.
Thank you to Debbie Prins, my constant source of support. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you brainstorming with me and doing everything you can to pimp my books. You alternately patted my hand and cracked the whip whenever I needed it. Without you, I’d probably still be outlining Chapter 3.
Thank you to my beta readers: Diane Kaye, Marilyn Jeulin-Almodóvar, Roy Bronson, Bethany Lopez, and Jessica Lind-Wentz. Even at the last minute, you all came through for me and helped make this book as polished as possible. I’m so grateful for your careful eyes and every opinion you bring to the table.
Great big heaps of gratitude go out to my street team, Raine’s Stormers. You’ve made me realize how foolish I was for not forming a street team sooner. Thank you for all of the promos you share, the time you spend on Stormer tasks, the love you give my characters and my books, and your friendship.
Thank you so much to my husband, Kevin, and daughter, Faith. Finishing this book required a lot of time away from you, which is the hardest part about my writing career. I love you both and truly appreciate your constant support and encouragement.
And thank you to my fans for taking this wild ride across the galaxy with me. I can’t wait to hear what you think after you’ve finished Kyr and Ty’s story!
Chapter 1
“Your cousin Sem is dead,” Vycor sneered.
Ty tried to move, but he couldn’t. Vycor’s Mynders had ambushed him. He was strapped to one of the seats in the palace’s Ritual Chamber…the same seat he had sat in while he mentally tortured Vycor just a couple of lunar cycles before.
They had been so close to defeating the Advisor. His demise had been within their grasp. There had been just one misstep.
One deadly misstep.
“He died screaming for mercy,” Vycor said as he laid out implements beside the altar in the center of the chamber. “He cursed your name, TaeDane. He knew it was your fault that he suffered so long before death claimed him.”
“You’re lying,” Ty growled. He knew Sem had gotten out of the palace.
He had to have gotten out.
“Am I?”
At a silent command, one of the Mynder guards standing in the chamber brought forth a basket. Ty’s stomach clenched when he saw the blood leaking out of the basket’s bottom and dripping onto the floor, but he controlled his reaction so Vycor couldn’t see his wariness. Without any preamble, the guard dumped the basket at Ty’s feet. Sem’s head flopped out, splashing gore onto Ty’s boots.
“He was still alive when we dismembered him,” Vycor said conversationally, his gaze on Ty’s face. “In fact, his ‘member’ was one of the first things I cut off. I’ll have to be even more inventive when I kill you.”
Horror blended with rage and grief, gripping Ty around the throat as he stared at Sem’s ghastly expression. Forcing his gaze away from it, he tried to reach out with his mind. He had to connect with Kyr. He had to warn her.
But his thoughts were blank. No one was hearing them.
“Oh, I’m hearing them,” Vycor assured him. “I’m stronger now than you ever were. You’ll admit it before I’m done with you.”
Ty shook his head. This couldn’t be. He was the Faire-Amanti. He and Kyr were paired. They were fated to be together. Their abilities were stronger than Vycor’s. Than anyone’s.
Weren’t they?
“You are such a fool,” Vycor laughed. “I can’t wait to have you pleading and sniveling like your cousin did. I imagine you’ll feel as though you’ve died at least twice once I finish with your amanti. You do feel everything she does, don’t you?”
Ty went utterly still. His heart dropped, then thudded painfully against his breastbone. His palms tingled with panicked sweat. Once again, he sent out a desperate thought to Kyr. He had to protect her.
“She can’t hear your thoughts,” Vycor said, his smile lethal. “But fear not.”
The chamber doors opened, admitting more Mynders. Ty’s head jerked in their direction. Then it moved from side to side in slow denial.
“Ah, here she is,” Vycor said, watching as the Mynders placed Kyr’s unconscious form on the altar. “This will be fun.”
Ty strained against his bonds as Vycor reached for the fastenings of Kyr’s lightweight armor. Although he had vowed not to let Vycor see any signs of weakness, he shouted, “Don’t touch her!”
“Oh, I intend to do much more than just touch her.” Vycor smirked as the first of Kyr’s armor hit the floor. “I intend to take her as many times as I please in whatever ways I please, and I imagine a number of the Mynders in this room would enjoy a turn, too.”
Ty didn’t have to look around to sense the lecherous expressions of the guards over Vycor’s dark promise. His muscles burned and protested as he pulled against his bonds. He watched helplessly as Vycor completely disrobed Kyr and secured her wrists and ankles to the far corners of the altar.
“We can’t enjoy ourselves if she sleeps through it, can we?” Vycor said.
He reached over into the satchel on the side table and pulled out a small snifter. Removing the top, he waved it under Kyr’s nose. Ty’s own nose burned as Kyr jerked away from the source of the pungent smell. Her low moan sent fear clawing through him.
“Leave her alone!” Ty begged. “Take me instead!”
Vycor chuckled. “Oh, we’ll get to that. But first…”
He slapped Kyr. The sharp strike made Ty flinch. Kyr gasped and fully opened her eyes. As realization set in, her gut iced in terror. Ty felt it blend with his own.
“Stop!” he cried hoarsely. He knew it was useless and only served to spur Vycor on, but he couldn’t stop himself. “I’ll do anything you ask!”
“It’s too late for that,” Vycor replied, removing his robe and revealing his heavy state of arousal.
“What are you doing?” Kyr choked out. Chains rattled as she tried to free herself. Her gaze moved to Ty. “Ty, help me!”
I can’t
, he thought uselessly, but he pulled hard enough on his own bonds to feel blood trickling along his wrists. His eyes blurred as Vycor climbed up onto the altar.
Now, I’ll finally take everything from you, TaeDane
, Vycor thought.
“Help me!” Kyr screamed. “Ty!”
* * *
Ty jerked awake. Sweat coated his skin. Moisture that might not have been sweat dripped along his temples onto his pillow. His tensed muscles slowly eased as his mind accepted that he’d been dreaming.