DarykRogue (14 page)

“You’ll get used to the air. It takes time.” As her hand
clutched his biceps, Rayder pressed her hand.

She sensed his gaze upon her and looked at him. “What is
it?”

“I can almost read your mind. Whatever you do, do not
venture onto this land without me. It’s not safe.”

Somewhat affronted, she sniffed. “And this ship is?”

“Yes, in comparison to the jungle. There are dangers you
cannot imagine. Animals that would consume you. Poisonous insects, men who are
ruthless.”

“As you’ve told me already.” She believed him, and she’d
tell him what he wanted to hear. “All right.”

The admiral walked up behind them. “Better you listen to
your husband, Mrs. Tyrus. He knows of what he speaks.”

She saw a muscle twitch in Rayder’s jaw and his eyes
hardened to dark pools just before he turned to the admiral.

Before Rayder could reply, the admiral placed his hands on
his hips and spoke. “Rayder, today you take a contingency of men ashore for
supplies and to speak with Drakus Fina. Make provisions for your woman’s
safety, if you will. Phili would be happy to entertain her if need be.”

Rayder nodded with a slight blow. “As you will it, Admiral.”

The admiral left, and Xandra made an impulsive decision.
Xandra spoke quickly and softly. “I’d rather spend my time helping the slave
women on this ship than spend one moment in company with Phili.”

He released her but stood close enough their voices couldn’t
be heard by men passing by. “If the admiral wants you to spend time with Phili,
you will. I agreed to it just now.”

Annoyed, she sighed. “Fine. Perhaps she can take me to the
slaves.”

“How would you propose to help the slaves?”

“I’d like to tour belowdecks and see how these women are
kept. I’d like to bring them food and drink.”

“They are fed. I see to it they are well-kept, despite what
you might believe.”

“A dead slave would be no good to you.”

“Yes.”

“Still, I’d like to see them.”

He pondered a good long time. “I’ll give you more food and
water since we’re going ashore for more supplies, and you can take it to the
women.”

Surprised that he’d agreed, she smiled and touched his
forearm. “For a slaver, you are sometimes biddable.”

His eyes heated, glowing red for a second. “Never tell
anyone that. I have a dastardly reputation to uphold. And I’m not as kind as
you might think, Xandra. Test me in any way, and you’ll discover how harsh I
can be.”

Startled by his change, she kept her disappointment to
herself. She couldn’t afford to think of this man as anything but a means to an
end. Just as Yoanda had said, Rayder was her safe passage. Yoanda believed
there was no escape. Xandra refused to believe a chance wouldn’t come.

Her hand slid away from the strength in his arm. “Show me
the slaves.”

Rayder eased closer, his voice a low rumble. “If I do, you
must promise me to take my dagger for protection. I’ll give you the belt and
sheath. You must keep it close to your body and never allow anyone else to
touch it.”

She smiled. “Why? Is it magic?”

His expression went grim. “Of course not. This is serious
business. It’s for your protection should anyone attempt to harm you. And I mean
anyone, even the admiral.”

“You think he would try to harm me?”

“I’d never put it past the man.” Rayder drew her against
him, shielding her against him, and he whispered low and deep into her ear. “Do
nothing that would bring attention to yourself or you may pay the
consequences.”

Shivers crossed her body, half from fear. Hard muscle
cradled her, sent wild stirrings deep into her loins and resurrected memories
of the pleasure she’d found under his talented hands and lips. “Of course. I’m
always careful.”

He drew back just enough to stare into her eyes. “Why don’t
I believe that?”

“I don’t know. Have you known many women who aren’t
careful?”

He frowned. “My sister was wild and free, and lost her life
because of it.”

She sensed there must be more to this story than he’d told
her. “Well, I’m not like your sister.”

“That is for certain.” He released her quickly. “Come. I
will help you gather supplies.”

And he led her away from the intoxicating view of Dragonia.

* * * * *

Phili didn’t help when Xandra walked along the deck with two
cloth sacks filled to the brim with soap and fresh linens for the beds and
bread and fruits. Instead, Phili strode as if she owned the ship. None of this
surprised Xandra, but it did perturb her.

Wind tossed Xandra’s hair about her head, and she wished
she’d tied it back. The day had turned crisp, not as warm as she would have
expected near the jungle. Clouds already brewed on the horizon and heralded a
brand new storm.

As Phili lead her to a door near the center of the ship,
Xandra remembered Rayder’s request that she take his dagger. He’d given her one
of his belts, which now hung a little low on her hips. It held the sheath with
the dagger though, and a sensation of safety surrounded her. At the same time,
she noted the furtive attention the sailors gave her, as if they expected
Rayder to return at any time and harm them if they even dared look her way.
Perhaps there was a slight advantage to being his wife, for however short a
time that was. Even as she walked along the deck, she found herself distracted
by the thought of him. Just before he’d left the cabin, she almost…almost told
him to be careful when he stepped foot off the ship. But no, that wouldn’t have
been wise. He’d been prickly, his mouth firm and implacable and his mood dark.

Disconcerted that she’d considered saying such a thing,
she’d managed to hold back. When Phili came to collect her, Xandra was still
thinking about Rayder.

About his smile. The thick length of his midnight hair, the
strength rippling in his powerful body. About his frown. By the god, even his
glower held a sensual, strange effect upon her that created fluttering
sensations in her stomach and made her long for sex with him. Everything to do
with the man caused her great confusion. She shook off her obsessive thoughts
and paid strict attention to her surroundings. Soon she would have to leave
Rayder behind and wouldn’t think of him again.

Her actions recently, before she ever left Magonia, would
assure that.

Phili stopped at the door and hair tossed in a tangle around
her head, giving her the appearance of a vengeful goddess with harm in mind.
Phili extracted a large metal ring that held dozens of keys.

“You are the queen of keys?” Xandra asked, wanting to keep
conversation light.

Phili stuffed one key in the lock and opened the rickety
wooden door. “Better I am than Karman’s wife.”

Interesting how the admiral’s concubine used the admiral’s
first name. “Why is that?”

Phili stopped on the threshold and sent her a withering
glance. “Because she is incompetent and stupid.”

“Aren’t you being harsh on her? She seems gentle and kind.”

Phili laughed, the sound filled with contempt. “Once you’ve
known her longer, you’ll change your mind. This way. If the admiral sees us
tarrying about, he’ll have my ass.” She laughed. “Of course, I don’t mind when
he has my ass.”

Blindsided by the woman’s statement, Xandra said nothing.
But Phili must have caught Xandra’s startled expression. “Oh, forgive me.
You’re a Magonian through and through with strange religious inhibitions. Rayder
hasn’t taken you that way, has he?”

Irritation straightened Xandra’s spine. She didn’t know what
Phili was talking about but she didn’t plan to show it. “That isn’t any of your
business.”

Phili’s grin lacked mirth and went straight for
condescending. “Oh, I see. You don’t know what I mean. It’s when a man fucks
you in the ass. Dragonian men love it. Don’t worry, Rayder may get around to
doing it to you some day. Then again, maybe he doesn’t find you attractive
enough. If he doesn’t, I’m sure I can help him. I’ve helped him before.”

Phili’s talk perturbed Xandra and she wanted to slap the
woman. Instead she pretended she could care less.

“Just as you help the admiral when Yoanda tires of the
admiral?” Xandra asked calmly.

Derision filled the other woman’s eyes. “You have it wrong.
Yoanda never gives sex to the admiral unless he takes it from her. Dragonian
men are all dragon dung. But they are necessary and serve their uses. You and I
should have a meal together someday, Xandra. I think I could help you.”

Why did Yoanda and Phili seem so intent on helping her?
While she believed Yoanda wanted to help, she knew she couldn’t trust Phili.

Irritation crawled up Xandra’s spine and refused to
disappear. “Why would I need your help?”

Phili shrugged, and another blast of wind made the door
creak on its hinges. “Of course you do. You’re clearly an innocent in the ways
of men. You need someone to explain things to you.”

Xandra didn’t want to hear anymore. “Rayder showed me
everything I need to know.”

He hadn’t, but Xandra certainly wouldn’t tell this woman.

Phili laughed, the sound overflowing with skepticism. “If
you say so.” She pushed the door the open and gestured at Xandra to enter.
“After you.”

Xandra stepped inside onto a small landing. Light barely
shown at the bottom of the steep staircase that went straight downward. Sobbing
came to Xandra’s ears, and she frowned. By the god, what was happening down
there?

Rain started to splatter against them, driving from the
clouds at an angle as the rapidly-building storm headed their way.

“Go on,” Phili said, crowding behind her as she closed the
door. “We’ll get wet.”

Xandra didn’t move, the confines of the narrow passage
pressing in upon her. It took all her willpower to descend, taking each narrow
step with slow deliberation. Xandra wasn’t sure why this bothered her so much.
After all, she had lived in an underground dwelling with her parents to avoid
the blazing daytime heat in Magonia. She calmed her racing heart with a deep
breath. When they reached the bottom, Xandra could only stare at the picture
before her.

The room before her was wide and quite long, a sizeable area
in which to live and sleep. Six beds lined one wall and another six lined the
opposite side, making it even for the dozen women who occupied the windowless
room. Candles flickered in various sconces. A fire hazard, no doubt. Water jugs
and tankards sat on one unbalanced table at the far end of the rectangle. Some
of the women cleaned a long table that ran along the wall at one end of the
room. Perhaps a meal had just culminated. All the women stopped and stared. She
took in their appearance quickly. They looked to be somewhere between twenty to
thirty years of age, fine of face or plain and with slim to plump bodies. They
didn’t smell or look starved and beaten as she’d expected. Instead they looked
as content as they could be.

Pity entered one young woman’s face. “Are you all right,
lovey?”

Xandra broke her silence. “Yes, thank you.” She sat the
sacks on the floor and placed the linens on top. “I’m very well. I brought you
food, extra water and fresh linens for your beds.”

One of the younger women broke from the group and
approached. She smiled at Phili with a wickedness that implied they were in
cahoots. “You’ve brought us another one?”

“For the time being.” Phili sighed as if she was tired and
disgusted. “She is Rayder Tyrus’ wife. She is here to keep other men from
grabbing her and fucking her.”

“Here now. None of that talk in here. We are Magon-fearing
women,” one of the oldest women said. She had short black hair and piercing
green eyes. “We’ll see to her.”

Phili grunted. “Show her the ropes. Rayder may get tired of
her and sell her.”

The woman with black hair stepped forward. Despite the sweat
gleaming on her face—it was far too warm down here—the woman had a regal
profile and an air of dignity.

Xandra found her voice. “I’m Magonian.”

“We are all from Magonia,” the dark-haired woman said.

The dark-haired woman was thin with circles under her green
eyes. She stepped closer. She was taller than Xandra, at least six feet.

“If you’re not a slave, why are you here?” the dark
haired-woman asked.

Xandra pointed to the two sacks she’d placed on the floor.
“As I said, I brought supplies. A gift from me and my husband.”

The other women gasped softly and moved nearer, their eyes
pinned on the supplies.

Xandra smiled then laughed. “Help yourselves to the
provisions.”

Smiling and with a few laughs, they dug into the supplies
with obvious relish. Gratified, she couldn’t banish her smile. At least she’d
given these women what little she could.

One petite blonde with dirt smudges on her left cheek
frowned. “You married Rayder?”

“Yes,” Xandra said, unsure why they were so surprised by
this news.

Sighs echoed. Disappointment clouded the blonde’s sky-blue
eyes. “You are so fortunate.”

Xandra didn’t know how to respond, and she didn’t have to.

Dark-haired woman smirked. “Perhaps he needed a personal
slave.”

That stung. “He hasn’t treated me like a slave.”

Not much.

Xandra returned the dark-haired woman’s superior look. But
it wasn’t arrogance that ruled this woman but confidence. Xandra had never
lacked confidence until the wave had ripped it from her.
No. No that wasn’t
true.
She’d lost her confidence when Taris Elian destroyed her family. From
those horrible days not long ago, she’d learned what it meant to find her life
torn to shreds.

Xandra didn’t lie to the women. “You’re right.” She held her
hand out to the haughty woman. “I’m pleased to meet you.”

The dark-haired woman finally relented and shook hands.
“Malena Humbola from Timia near Opali, Magonia. My parents were miners.”