DarykRogue (32 page)

Wind flowed through the dunes with more furious gusts. Glad
for the long tunic and pants she wore which protected her from the elements,
she also wished to shelter Rayder. The big, tough, wonderful man could still
hurt. He could still lose his sister—a second time.

Xandra touched his face, enjoying the bristle of more than a
day’s worth of beard. “Your sister will survive this.”

“Yes. I know.” His voice was bleak, even a bit confused as
he released her. “What did she tell you? Why has she been here all this time?”

Grief filled his eyes, and Xandra hastened to tell him
everything she knew. When she finished, he looked deep in thought.

“This is amazing.” Wind blew through his night-dark hair.
“It still does not explain why she stayed away so long. Why she let me believe
she was dead.”

“She was angry. I think she believed…”

“That I was responsible for her betrothed dying. Yes, I
know. As we’ve said before.”

“From what you told me, you couldn’t have been responsible.
It was a horrible accident. Maybe her guilt is misplaced. She blames herself
for what happened.” She clasped his biceps, drawing strength from his solid
muscle. “After she’d been away so long and made you believe she was dead,
perhaps she couldn’t face you. This Marc Gampia, she said she didn’t want to
see him. I have the feeling their relationship was more complicated than we
know.”

Rayder’s eyes narrowed. “I think he loves my sister.”

“He certainly appears to.”

He scrubbed a hand over his face. “My guess is that he feels
guilt too.”

“For believing that he should have rescued her. For not
knowing she was so near. Three years is a long time to believe your loved one
is dead.”

Rayder’s eyes filled with dark intensity. “If he feels
anything like I do at this moment, I can understand.”

“What do we do now?”

“Take my sister back to Marc’s compound to recover.”

He brought her close again, and as they stood together, her
head on his shoulder, she drew strength from him. “Aknada is an extraordinary
woman. I see a lot of her in you.”

He drew back far enough to cup her face. “Come, let us tend
to Aknada.”

* * * * *

Rayder stared down at his sister for a while longer as she
lay on the bed in Marc’s quarters at the compound. They’d taken turns carrying
her through the jungle back to the compound. Marc had insisted on putting her
in his rooms, an expanse of luxury even Felican Castle couldn’t boast. He’d
ensconced her in his own bed. Rayder didn’t know what to think of that. When
Aknada awakened, she’d either be relieved to see where she’d landed or mad as
all the levels of the hells. After all, she’d told Xandra the last man she
wanted to see was Marc.

Rayder glanced at his sister’s face and saw three years had
changed her. She was younger than Xandra anyway, and that youthfulness hadn’t
faded though she’d lived in the desert. Her high cheekbones, full lips and much
longer hair gave her a femininity she hadn’t possessed before. Long muscles and
tall body held a Daryk One’s strength and the capability to fight. Or had it?

How had two men managed to break her arm and cause a head
injury? She should have been able to cut them down. She’d had a sword according
to Xandra. He shook his head. It did not matter. Love pierced his heart as he
looked down at her. Yes, he wanted to throttle her for allowing him to believe
she was dead for three years. But if she blamed him for her betrothed’s death,
then her attitude stood to reason. She didn’t want to be a part of his life. Perhaps
she still did not. His heart ached at the thought. Maybe if he was fortunate,
he could let Aknada know that he forgave her. And if she forgave him, he could
ask for nothing more.

He gathered her hand in his and gently pressed. “Aknada, can
you hear me? It’s Rayder. I am here now. You need to wake up. I’m happy to see
you. Marc is dying to see you.”

Rayder and Xandra had practically had to drag Marc from
Aknada’s bedside. He’d protested, but once on a bed in the room next door, he’d
fallen asleep in an instant.

Above all this, Rayder was grateful to Pian. Under the guise
of slavery, Aknada actually lived a better life. Rayder had vowed he’d protect
Pian’s secret.

Xandra was also exhausted, and she’d fallen asleep in a room
down the hall. Every time he realized how close he’d come to losing her, he
went to her room and checked on her. She always lay sleeping, alive and well.
By the god, he had to stop obsessing.

Two more hours passed, and Aknada didn’t stir. Marc arrived
at the door, looking far more rested and cheerful than Rayder expected. As soon
as he saw Aknada resting on the bed, Marc’s features softened.

“Any change?” Marc asked as he moved toward Aknada and stood
by Rayder.

Rayder hated saying it. “None.”

Marc clapped one hand on Rayder’s shoulder. “She’s strong.
She will come out of this.”

Rayder cleared his throat. “It is my truest hope right now.”
Shifting out from under Marc’s hand, Rayder stood and headed for the door. At
the open threshold, he said, “I never thanked you for helping find Xandra.”

“It was the least I could do.”

“I’ll be with Xandra if there’s any change.”

Rayder left the room and closed the door, his body and
thoughts more drained than he could remember experiencing before. His footsteps
echoed on the stone floor as he traversed the wide hallway. Marc had built a
strong, solid structure sure to keep them safe while they recovered from their
ordeal.

Rayder looked forward to seeing Xandra and giving her a gift
he’d obtained from a special vendor in the compound. He’d tucked the gift in
his pack. He hoped she’d like it.

He smiled. Of course she’d like it, once she got over the
shock of seeing the thing.

When he reached Xandra’s room a few steps down the hall, he
hesitated. He didn’t want to frighten her when she’d been through so much. Out
of respect, he rapped softly on the door.

Quicker than he expected, the door eased open and Xandra
peered cautiously around the corner. She wore a diaphanous gown of white that
drifted across her body like a soft cloud. It didn’t cling to her shape but
teased by covering her arms and down to her toes. In contrast, the bodice
dipped down and revealed cleavage. His hungry gaze took in every sweet inch of
soft, white skin.

Beyond her, a bed draped in silky, brightly colored
materials stood against one wall. Two large windows were half covered.

“Rayder.” She smiled but faint dark circles marred her
pretty eyes. She stepped back from the door to let him inside and yawned.
“Pardon my rudeness.”

“Not at all.”

He glanced around area. Various amenities such as a desk, a
long lounging couch and a private bathing room gave luxury and comfort.

“Did you sleep well?” he asked.

“Some. I keep thinking about…things.”

“Such as?”

“I… Everything. My thoughts are scattered in so many
directions.”

“You’ve been through a great deal since your ship was
destroyed. It will take time to feel normal again.”

She laughed softly, her smile almost mocking. “What is
normal? I cannot even imagine it.”

He returned her smile, eager to reassure her. He eased his
pack to the floor. “You will find it and know it when you see it.”

She stared at him for some time before she spoke. “Rayder,
I’m so glad you’re with me.”

Before he could move, she leaned into him, arms around his
neck. As his arms came around her and their lips met, heat bolted through him.
Without hesitation he knew what he wanted and needed. As her fingers speared
into his hair and held him tightly, he tangled his tongue with hers. Stroke
after stroke, he took and gave. She tasted delicious, like some fruit. He
groaned as arousal hardened his cock instantly. He broke their kiss and started
to remove his clothing bit by bit. He stripped quickly, tossing items this way
and that in eagerness. Her mouth popped open—he didn’t think she’d ever seen
him undress this quickly. Before long he was naked.

She glanced down at his cock and her attention made heat
rush to his groin.

Her gaze traveled over his chest, and when she licked her
lips, his body reacted with burning need.

Aware of her delicate state and not wanting to frighten her
with his growing passion, he cupped her shoulders and brought her against him
slowly. When their bodies touched, she gasped. Her hand slipped upward over his
chest, exploring with definite purpose.

“What were you going to say?” he asked softly, aware of her
slim body beneath his touch.

“I understand Aknada’s poetry now. I read the entire book
when I was with you on the
Beast
. She spoke of more than mountains and
shores and beauty. Aknada understood…love. When a man and woman are so
connected they cannot imagine it any other way. Did she feel about her
betrothed that way?”

Rayder shook his head. “I don’t remember seeing any passion
between them, but I assumed that meant they hid it. Some people do.”

Warmth spread through him as Xandra’s fingers caressed his
naked chest. “Do you know why she didn’t want to see Marc Gampia?”

“No. And yes. There was something between them, but I’ll
damned if I know what it is.”

She sighed, and his heart clenched at the woebegone
expression marring her face. He tilted her chin up. “What is wrong? Are you all
right?”

“I’m well.” She stretched upward and slipped her arms around
his neck. “I am here with you. All is very well.”

“You’re not smiling when you say that.”

“You’re not either.”

He cupped her face and kissed her nose. “We’ve been through
a lot.”

A deep frown placed furrows between her brows. “What will
happen next? You’re not planning on returning to the
Beast
, are you?”

Indecision rattled him. Several things jumbled around in his
mind on what to do, and he was compelled to tell her. He lifted her into his
arms and laid her down on the bed.

Naked and aching to take her, he hovered over her. She
slipped her warm hands up over his biceps, and he considered kissing her
instead of talking. He smiled. It was possible to experience both pleasure and
conversation.

“First, I don’t want to leave you again.” His throat
tightened as emotion rose swiftly. “I want you with me. Safe. But I know I
cannot always be with you. Second, I refuse to leave the rest of the slaves
behind on the ship. We need to free them somehow. Marc and I will plan it.”

She smiled, her soft lips tempting him. “Are you sure Marc
will want to help? After all, isn’t he a type of slaver?”

His hand trailed up her side, teasing the side of her breast
with a light stroke. Her breath hitched, and he smiled in satisfaction. “Not so
much a slaver as a rogue.”

Her eyes went warm and languid as she caressed his
shoulders. “Like you?”

“Of a sort. Marc is a different man than I thought he was.
He said he’d help me.”

“After Aknada is well?”

Rayder nodded. “I don’t want to leave her either.” Worry
carved a hole in his gut, but he had to believe Aknada would recover.

“She’s strong.” Xandra cupped his cheek with one hand and
brushed her thumb over his mouth. “I predict she will open her eyes soon and
tell us we are all silly for worrying about her.”

“I doubt she’d let us off that easy. She always worded
things a lot stronger.”

A soft smile curved her mouth and made two aches fill
him—his cock and his heart. Xandra had entered his life in a rush, in a chance
meeting. A few moments one way or the other and they wouldn’t have met. She
would, most likely, have died. The thought made his blood run thick and cold.

Then he recalled how he’d left her, the rough and
tempestuous sex they’d shared. What did it mean? Why had they gone at each
other like mad beasts?

She yawned, and he lay back on the bed. He pulled her into
his arms. Nestling her close made him feel as if he could protect her—at one
time he thought he could. Now he understood that he couldn’t save her from
everything. Fear slid through him like the thrust of a cold sword.

Her warm palm slid over his chest, brushing his nipples with
a sweet touch that sizzled through him. “Are you all right?”

“Of course.” He tightened his arms around her, brushing one
hand down until he could squeeze her bottom.

She wriggled and sighed. “Please, Rayder.”

Temptation scaled him.

He sighed, drew in her fresh, enticing scent. By the god
Draconus she smelled good. She felt even better. All silky skin and warmth. His
hands started to caress, to feel each curve and dip in her form. He kissed her
temple, ready to murmur whatever endearments she required. Each full breast
under that gown drove him mad. He wanted to touch. To cup. To lick with
ravenous attention. He traced the plump line of one breast just peeking from
under the neckline. Her breath hitched and she shivered. Good. She liked that.
Her hand came up to caress his neck and his face, rasping over the stubble. A
woman’s touch relaxed him, but her touch did more. She turned him into
something he’d never been before. Maleness inside him tried to rebel, to refuse
softer emotions. But it did him no good. His mind went toward the emotions
without asking his permission or giving him time to erect other harder
emotions.

For the first time he realized fear so different and heady.
He feared her abandonment. If she left him, what would he do? She needed his
protection, yet she’d shown such strength and bravery. More than ever he
understood how Dane Charger must feel about Ketera Aldrancos.
This
was
it.
This
was the feeling.

He wanted her with a rush of hard feeling. She was precious.
That was the only word he had to describe the strong emotions bombarding him.
She belonged in his life, in his home. More than a mate, she completed a part
of him he’d never known existed until he met her.