DarykRogue (34 page)

He’d never said he loved her in return.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Xandra rose early in the morning, when the sun barely
awakened. She lay quietly next to Rayder, who was turned away on his right
side. She eased from bed and dressed. Aches twinged through her muscles, and
tenderness in certain parts of her body reminded Xandra what they’d done
before. She wouldn’t complain or forget the excitement.

She considered going outside to see Arcos. While the
creature had initially frightened her, she was amazed at how gentle it seemed
to be with women and how much it was devoted to Marc. No, she wanted to see
Aknada more.

Xandra slipped into her boots and left the room, closing the
door slow and easy. She wandered toward Aknada’s room, intent on seeing how she
faired. Before she reached the door, she saw it cracked open and heard low
voices. She almost pushed the door open all the way, but she listened instead,
captured by the conversation.

“Why did you bring me here?” Aknada’s voice held strength.

Xandra pressed her hands to her mouth. This was wonderful.

“Because I can take care of you,” Marc said.

“I don’t need you to take care of me.” Her announcement
sounded clear.

“You’d rather I left you with Pian?” Marc’s voice sounded
incredulous. “Did you plan to wander with those desert people forever?”

“I don’t see the problem.”

“You were almost killed.” His strident tone was a little
louder.

“You know better than that. I’m a Daryk One. I’m not easy to
kill. Five men jumped me and I killed all but two.”

The room went silent.

Marc spoke next. “I understand that Pian isn’t a true slave
trader.”

“Like you are?” she said with heat.

“I may not release people at will as Pian does, but I treat
all my people well. No one has tried to escape and all are loyal because they
respect me. They are paid a wage.”

Aknada was quiet for a moment and Xandra wished she could
see her face. Finally Aknada said, “I did not realize you paid them.”

“You could call it indentured servitude. Not true slavery.
You knew that about me before Aramus took you. You know me better than anyone
ever has, Aknada.”

Aknada snorted. “You did not answer my most vital questions
about you before…”

“I know. Before you betrothed to Braxis. I should have.
Draconus knows I have regretted that every moment of every day since Aramus
took you.”

Xandra dared to edge closer to the door opening and gazed
through. Marc sat on a chair next to the bed. His right hand close to Aknada’s
where it lay on the covers. In profile, his mouth held a stubborn line and so
did hers. Her arm was no longer bandaged and she appeared to move it with ease.
Perhaps she was completely mended.

He reached out and placed his hand over Aknada’s, and his
big fingers covered hers. “Five men?”

Her expression eased to dismay. “Yes. But I don’t enjoy
killing.”

“You have before?” His voice softened.

“For Pian. To protect the caravan.”

Xandra saw tears roll down Aknada’s face. “You know Daryk
Ones. They can singlehandedly kill several men without trying. I was the head
warrior with the caravan. I trained some of the men.”

“The slaves.”

“Slaves only in others’ imaginations. They stay with Pian
willingly, just like I did. Now his camp is devastated, some of his people
killed.” Tears started to creep down her face.

“Don’t cry, Aknada.” Marc’s voice resonated with deep
feeling. “You are safe forever now.”

She sniffed then laughed. Her smile wasn’t real. “Whatever
makes you think that? I’ve never been safe in our society. I’m an outcast and
a…a freak.” She pulled her hand out from under his. “With Pian’s camp, I was
with everyone else who is an outcast. With people who understand me. In
Dragonian society, I have no place. I belonged in the caravan.”

“You belong with people who care about you.”

She glanced away, eyes swimming with pain and tears. “Pian
and his people care about me more than anyone else ever has.”

Marc’s face twisted. “That isn’t true.”

Aknada didn’t look at him.

Marc shook his head and stood. He paced the floor, hands on
his hips. “I’m grateful.”

“Why?”

“Because your skills have kept you alive all this time.
Because you could have drowned like Aramus said. But you’re strong and can take
care of yourself.” He returned to the bed, looking down on her. “I didn’t
protect you when Braxis was killed. Maybe I
cannot
protect you. But it
doesn’t keep me from wanting to try.”

“Why?” Aknada’s voice turned sweeter and more feminine.
“Why?”

Xandra’s feet were glued to the floor. She couldn’t move.

A hand came down on Xandra’s shoulder, and she squeaked in
surprise and jumped. She swung to the left, ready to hit whoever touched her.

“Whoa, my beauty. It’s just me.” Rayder stood there with
hands up, a grin flirting with his mouth.

Marc came to the door and opened it all the way. Xandra
half-expected anger, but he smiled instead. “How long were you standing there?”

“Long enough,” Xandra said softly.

“In my case, not long enough.” Rayder frowned at them both
as he walked passed them to his sister. “Aknada.”

Rayder’s quick steps took him straight to the bed, and he
occupied the chair. He didn’t reach for her hand, but he smiled.

Aknada’s expression remained conflicted, as if she couldn’t
decide whether his presence was welcome or not. Her gaze flickered to Xandra
and relief altered her face. “Xandra, you’re safe.”

Xandra crossed to the other side of the bed. “We were
worried about you.”

“Me? No one should ever worry about me.”

“Stubborn woman,” Marc said with exasperation. “When we
found you were alive, can you imagine in any way how that made us feel? The
relief and joy?”

Aknada swallowed hard. “Your concern is generous—”

“Forget it.” Marc glared and threw up his hands. “I have
tasks to complete. I’ll return later.” Marc stomped from the room, boot steps
tromping down the hallway and downstairs.

Silence enveloped the room for a few moments, awkward and
telling. Aknada turned her gaze to Rayder. “Rayder, why are you here?”

Rayder frowned, his gaze flicking to Xandra momentarily.
“Why? Are you daft, Aknada? When I realized you were alive, it was as Marc
said. I was stunned. Relieved. Do you know what it means to see you awake and
speaking? To know that you’ll recover?”

Aknada blinked, surprise a part of her eyes. “I thought
after knowing that I’ve deceived you for three years and let you think I was
dead—”

“All is forgiven.” Rayder leaned closer and reached for her
hand.

Aknada’s eyes widened a little. “How can you forgive me so
easily? You don’t even know why I stayed away three years.”

“I will withhold my forgiveness if it makes you happy.”
Teasing filled is tone, his eyes lighter and warm. “At least until you explain.
Then I’ll forgive you anyway.”

More tears filled Aknada’s eyes. “You shouldn’t forgive me.
You shouldn’t.”

Rayder brought his sister’s hand up to his lips and kissed
it. “Please, Aknada, I hate to see you in such pain. Tell me what happened to
you these three years. Tell me why you let me think you were dead.”

Xandra knew she needed to give them time and space to sort
out their family business, and perhaps if she departed for a time, they’d both
feel comfortable explaining their feelings. “I’ll find breakfast for us all and
return some time later. Give you a chance to talk.”

Rayder glanced up at Xandra. “Thank you.”

Xandra left the room and closed the door. As she wandered
downstairs in search of nourishment, she wondered if Aknada would soak in
Rayder’s forgiveness and if she would honor Marc with that same absolution.
Xandra’s curiosity remained. Why exactly did Aknada want to bait and annoy
Marc? Obviously Marc and Aknada had unresolved feelings for each other—even
Xandra could see that in their glances. Heat lay between them. And why did
Aknada think Rayder shouldn’t forgive her? Aknada had told Xandra while they
were in Pian’s camp that she didn’t want to see Marc either, but Xandra didn’t
think it was from genuine loathing. No, Aknada’s feelings ran deep for Marc.

Though curious, Xandra decided to resist placing her nose in
their business. Rayder would tell her what he found out if chose to share. She
wouldn’t press Marc, Aknada or Rayder for answers.

Xandra’s stomach growled and hurried her toward the kitchen.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Rayder watched his sister’s face grow more apprehensive
after Xandra left. He sat in the chair beside her bed. She pulled her hand from
his and sat up with a grimace. He knew better than to express more concern. She
wouldn’t welcome it and would see it as weakness if she admitted to it. All
Daryk Ones saw physical injury to themselves in this way. Rapid healing ensured
she’d be up and around within no time. Marc had never understood this—he’d
always treated Aknada as if he needed to protect her, and that drove Aknada
mad. If Marc intended to keep Aknada close, and Rayder believed he did, Marc
would have to break down her suspicious nature. She didn’t want coddling or
pampering. She wanted the one thing most Dragonian men had difficulty
accepting. She was unique. Strong. Capable without a man in every way. In no
need of protection whatsoever.

Bollocks. She would have to give a little if she expected
Marc to…

What?

Rayder shook his head. He didn’t know. He had no business
attempting to matchmake, and how or why it came into the picture baffled him.
His sister was vulnerable despite her outward bravado. He doubted she
comprehended that. If Marc hurt her in any way, Rayder would make him pay.

Then again, perhaps he’d already hurt her.

“Tell me,” Rayder said to Aknada, watching his sister’s face
rapidly echo apprehension and resignation. “We’re alone and you can tell me
everything that happened these three years.”

She laughed softly. “You were always very direct Rayder.”

“It runs in the family.”

She sighed and pursed her lips. “You’re right.”

He snorted softly. “You honor me.”

With a laugh, she flashed a smile. “I know. I was always a
handful as a child.”

“Who says you’ve grown out of it?”

She laughed—a high, feminine sound filled with genuine
mirth. “You haven’t changed much.”

“Have you?”

“Yes. In so many ways.”

“Can you ever forgive me for failing you? For not saving
Braxis?”

She shook her head. “I can’t forgive you.”

His heart sank, sadness seeping into his soul.

“No, I can see you misunderstand me. I can’t forgive you
because there’s nothing to forgive. Two days before my betrothed was killed, I
realized I didn’t love him. I had…feelings for someone else. Someone who has
haunted my nights for years.”

Rayder’s relief that she didn’t blame him for her
betrothed’s death didn’t diminish his concern. “You mean Marc Gampia.”

She bit her lip. “None of your business.”

He smiled. “Perhaps not.”

“All you need to understand is that I don’t blame you for
Braxis. You couldn’t have stopped his death. No one, not even I could have
helped him. I learned right before Aramus slew him that he planned to join the
slave trade. But not the way Pian or even Marc trades in slaves. He was Aramus’
friend and I didn’t even know it. I almost wish I would have killed him before
Aramus did.”

“Why did Aramus kill him?”

“Aramus saw me with Braxis one day and decided he wanted me
for a concubine. Braxis decided that Aramus couldn’t have me. At least he had
that many scruples. That’s why Aramus killed Braxis.”

Rayder groaned and squeezed her fingers. “By the god,
Aknada… I am so sorry. You’ve been let down by so many men, haven’t you?”

“Braxis betrayed me, and then Aramus took something else
from me. I know you feel responsible for me because I’m your only sister. But
you aren’t responsible for anything that happened to me. If anyone is
responsible for what occurred, it’s Marc.”

Rayder blinked in confusion. “How?”

She rubbed her hands over her face. “Never mind. It’s
complicated and I don’t want to talk about it now.”

“You cannot tell me that you hate him. I can see you don’t.”

She sneered. “Hate? Perhaps not. Please, Rayder, I don’t
want to talk about him anymore.”

Discomfort gnawed at his gut. Instinct told him she’d left
an important detail out. “There’s more, Aknada. Don’t deny it. You still
haven’t explained why you let me think you were dead.”

Her eyes were sad. “I know you said you forgive me for that.
I didn’t expect it. I stayed away because I didn’t want you to know that I
was…” She gulped, clear sorrow darkening her eyes. “Several men on Aramus’ ship
raped me.”

Pain lacerated him. Anger slammed his gut with equal force.
“What?”

“Aramus raped me. Several men helped him hold me down and
then took their turns.”

Excruciating didn’t describe his reaction. His fists opened
and closed. “Draconus. I shall kill Aramus with my bare hands.”

“I’ll help you.”

He glanced at her, absorbing his anguish, imagining her pain
and sorrow. “It must have been… I cannot imagine, Aknada. That you could trust
any man would be a miracle. Have you told Marc about this?”

“No. Aramus took my virginity and destroyed trust. The only
man I trust is Pian and you. The rest of your bloody kind can go to the hells.”

Tears spilled from her eyes. She sobbed. He moved to the bed
and reached for her, wanting to comfort her and himself.

“No,” she said. “Let it be. Any man’s embrace, even my
brother’s… It is still too much.”

He nodded but stayed. “Of course. What can I do, Aknada?” He
jammed one hand into his hair. “What can I do?”