Daryk Warrior

by Denise A. Agnew

  She drew in a slow breath. “I won’t watch someone die if I can save them. If it’s within my power.”

  His gaze stayed pinned to her as if he feared if he looked away she’d vanish. “I command you to stop it immediately.” His voice hardened. “You won’t risk your life like that again.”

  A deep wound festered within her. Anger rose up and she rose to her feet.

  She glared at him as he remained sitting in the shifting sand. “Even if I didn’t heal, I’m still going to die if I don’t find a healer.”

  His throat worked. “How long do you have?”

  “Most people with the disease last no more than six months. I’ve made it almost a year.”

  “Then maybe you can beat it.”

  She shook her head. “No one has yet.”

  Turbulence rose in those dark eyes. “That isn’t acceptable.”

  At that moment she felt powerful. Assured of the right path regardless of his disapproval. “It doesn’t matter what you believe. It is inevitable unless I find a healer. I was told by an old mage outside Scribe school that a healer named Asam could cure me and she’s at Bardannia Castle.”

  He stood slowly with his hands on his hips, a warrior ready to argue. “I’ve never heard of this Asam. How can you be sure the mage wasn’t lying?”

  “Because Leto was one of my closest friends. Until she was dragged through the streets.” Mia’s throat threatened to close up as she thought of everything that happened two weeks before she’d made her escape from Scribe school.

  Hardness left Eryk’s expression as he touched her shoulder. “Dragged through the street? God Draconus.”

  “Someone found out she was my friend and told Janto. He decided to make an example out of her and told the Truth and Order Police that she was a healer. They dragged her through the streets and…” She gulped hard as tears rose up without warning and spilled over her cheeks. “They dragged Leto until she was dead. People were throwing stones. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I was screaming, begging for her life.”

  Eryk’s hands clasped her shoulders gently and before she knew it he’d drawn her into his arms.

  Now she’d spilled what happened, she couldn’t stop. “She was eighty years old and to be treated so horribly—Magon it was horrible. She didn’t scream. Didn’t fight. Just took her punishment.”

  Mia shuddered. Her mind returned to the incident as if it were yesterday, soaking her in pain. Words flowed from her, a confessional as she clutched at his shoulders and Eryk pressed her head to his shoulder.

  “Leto’s death was the last thing for me. I had to leave. Escape Magonia before I was stoned or executed in some other horrible way.”

  His hands smoothed over her back, his touch tender and consoling. “I’m sorry.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’m so very sorry.”

  She shivered and he held her tighter. Tears poured from her eyes and she couldn’t stop them. As she looked up she tried to brush away the moisture. “I want to live but don’t tell me not to save anyone who needs healing. As Magon is my witness, I won’t allow even you to suppress me for your own ends.”

  His mouth hardened in disapproval for a moment before his lips parted. His gaze dropped to her mouth. “Is that what this is? Wanting you to live is suppressing you?”

  “You commanded me. The way a man on Magonia would. If that’s the way it’s to be then I want nothing to do with you after we get to the castle.”

  She pulled from his arms, heart heavy and mind numb. Tiredness rolled over her in a wave but she ignored it.

  She put together her pack and shouldered it. “Shouldn’t we move on?”

  He nodded, and took them over the ice without another word.

  * * * * *

  Bardannia Castle appeared much different from Felican Castle. Bardannia soared higher. It looked to be five floors, an amazing and incredible height for a building of any kind. The tan stone structure almost blended with the blinding white of the ice and snow beneath it. Eryk gripped her upper arm, his touch possessive. She almost sagged but kept her feet under her.

  She stopped, a little out of breath. “Magon. This place is magnificent.”

  As they’d crossed the ice and snow she’d wondered if she would simply freeze in her shoes and be left standing like a statue in a white landscape of no man’s land. As a result Mia kept pace with Eryk, which was easy because he’d slowed to hers. She wondered if her fatigue showed and wished she hadn’t told him about the disease or its major symptom. She hated feeling this way, weak and dependent. It went against everything she wanted for herself. Disappoint still stung inside her. She wouldn’t obey Eryk. This time if she needed to heal someone she’d do it tooth, nail and any way she could. He could go hang for all she cared. She ruthlessly forgot his tenderness and concern for her. She understood now he only cared if she abided by his rules. The rules of men.

  Along the battlements archers stood at the ready and two guards right outside the drawbridge also looked ready to fight if necessary. They recognized and greeted Eryk as if he were a king, and to her relief they let them through.

  All else faded into the background as Mia stared at the structure, its imposing bulk overwhelming her senses.

  “I’ve never seen anything this large before,” she said.

  “Nothing this large on Magonia?”

  “Perhaps, but I haven’t seen it.”

  “Before we enter we must have ground rules.”

  She turned a frown on him. “Rules? Are these the kind overbearing men think they need to keep recalcitrant women in line?”

  A cocky smile flirted with his lips then spread with full effect over his mouth. “It could be. In this case they’re for our survival. Yours, to be specific. While we’re here I’ll refer to you as my mate.”

  “I half expected you would. I suppose I must do the same?”

  “Yes. Every man who sees you must know you belong to me.”

  She almost called him on it. After all, she wasn’t his. Pretending was far different than true ownership of a person’s heart. She wondered if that situation would feel glorious. Elating. She doubted she’d ever know. People like her…healers…well they never discovered true love or all its possibilities. Their abilities were also their curses, their burdens.

  “But I don’t.” She’d make absolutely certain he understood. “You know that.”

  He nodded but his dark eyes sparked with red heat, alive with the fire she’d touched before and wanted so deeply to discover again. Yes, she did. Admitting it to herself was hard enough.

  “It’ll keep you safe.” He shifted closer. “Mention my name and doors will open for you.”

  “I’ve never been safe before.” The revelation shifted her world on its axis. “I cannot understand the concept. Not really.”

  He brushed a gentle touch over her cheek. Warmth flickered and came alive in her lower belly. Before she could move or protest Eryk slipped his hand behind her neck and drew Mia into his body. His mouth came down on hers. Raw. Powerful in intent. This time he didn’t coax her into a kiss. He thrust deep, his tongue taking immediate possession of hers. She arched her body into his out of instinct. The long, thick bar of his cock pressed into her. His tongue conquered hers with primitive requirements. Here, in the cold, he made her forget the ice and snow. All that mattered was his hot tongue teasing, swirling about hers in a carnal dance. She arched into him, body alive and singing for more, hungering in a way that proved his effect on her. He drew back slowly and Mia wanted shamefully for him to stay.

  His closeness gave her that warm, cared-for feeling, and she hadn’t become used to that sensation either. She couldn’t help but savor the heat of his body. Her breath puffed out like a dragon’s, a strange phenomenon she’d heard of but never witnessed until now. The air in Magonia was never cold enough to produce such a thing. Everything in Dragonia was so strange to her, so frightening. So wonderful and new.

  He didn’t give her time to reflect on his kiss as
they walked forward. They entered through the high arch, the portcullis hanging above threatening. Eryk must have sensed her trepidation and fatigue. He took her upper arm in his secure grip.

  While Felican castle had bustled, this fortress hummed with activity. All around people recognized Eryk and stopped to greet him. People smiled and laughed with him and to her surprise they were friendly to her. Bardannia Castle seemed a far lighter, happier place than Felican Castle.

  “Come,” he said. “We’ll find new lodgings.”

  “Wait. I need to find the healer Asam first.”

  Remorse flickered over his face. “Of course. I’m sorry I forgot.” Once more he brushed his fingers over her cheek, the touch incredibly gentle for such a big, uncompromising man. “I’ll ask Darwinnia. She’s the barkeep at the tavern.”

  One of Mia’s eyebrows tilted up. “Do you know all the barkeeps at these places? Especially if they’re women?”

  He chuckled. “I know the men too. It isn’t a sexual or romantic thing, that’s for certain.”

  “Daryk Ones understand romance?”

  He threw her a dirty look dampened by amusement. “We do. It does not mean we always employ it in our…sexual encounters.”

  Boldness filled her lips as they strode toward the tavern at the far west of the north-facing castle. “How many sexual encounters have you had?”

  He made a half strangling noise. “Too many to tell you.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “How disgusting.”

  “The sex or the number of encounters? I know that you’ll enjoy sex once you try it.”

  Her face flamed and so did her loins. She throbbed between her legs. “What makes you believe that?”

  “Our kisses. What we have already done proves that.”

  Despite the pleasure those encounters had given her, she couldn’t afford to allow them to throw her off her main objective. Find the healer.

  “You are very sure of yourself,” she said.

  “With sex I am.”

  She didn’t argue the point as he took her toward a lodging house near the far back corner of the castle. With the crowds of people throughout the area, they stopped often to talk with others. Everyone admired Eryk and treated Mia with the greatest respect. He kept his arm around her shoulders most of the time, showing his possessiveness. It bothered her most of all how right and proper his show of ownership felt. It shouldn’t have. She’d left Magonia to escape a man’s domination. So why did this feel so different than the way men had treated her in Magonia? Why did it burn her in an exquisite, delicious way whenever Eryk slipped his arms around her and sealed his mouth to hers? It didn’t bear thinking about because soon she’d find the healer and would no longer need Eryk in any way. By the time they reached the lodging, her energy flagged. She stumbled and Eryk swooped her up in his arms.

  She released a surprised squeak. “I can walk.”

  “You could. But you won’t.”

  “Ordering me around again?”

  “In this case, yes.” His mouth was devoid of cocksure humor. “You need to rest and I’ll find the healer.”

  Weakness removed desire to argue. She didn’t even protest when he paid for the lodging and carried her into the room. He slammed the door behind him and sat her on the bed.

  “Rest. I’ll return later with food.” He didn’t waste time and left before she could agree or disagree.

  She removed her pack and pondered the room. Fatigue threatened, and she hated it more than she’d ever hated anything. She struggled against it, frustration bringing tears. They surged into her eyes and she couldn’t stop them.

  “Oh God Magon. What do I do?”

  She sank down on the bed and allowed tears to flow.

  * * * * *

  Garess Arch, an older, hulking Daryk One who Eryk had become friends with in the last few years, sat at tavern table and sipped a tall drink. His tangled dark hair and disreputable dress made others wonder if he was truly an honorable Daryk One. Eryk trusted the man implicitly and settled across from him.

  “Asam Boldru.” Garess spoke just above the incredible din. “She’s a healer.”

  “Keep your voice down.” Eryk glanced around the large, full tavern. “We don’t need to announce it to everyone.”

  Garess’ puzzled expression matched his next words. “Hey, are you in need of a healing?”

  “It isn’t for me. For my mate.”

  Garess’ face broke into a wide grin that sparked in his eyes. He slapped Eryk on the shoulder as he leaned across the table. “By the God. What good fortune. You’ve finally met your mate. Congratulations.”

  “Thank you.”

  Garess’ face fell. “But she’s ill?”

  “A slight problem.” No way would Eryk say anything deeper and make it easier to slip up and be caught in a lie.

  “Sorry to hear that. Tell Asam I sent you. She’ll be happy to help.”

  “Thank you.”

  Garess must have seen the pain in Eryk’s eyes. “Asam isn’t like the one who hurt Trylee. Not at all.”

  “You’d better be damned right.” Hurt flooded Eryk and he ruthlessly shoved back the memories. “Where do I find this Asam Boldru?”

  Eryk started to stand. The other Daryk One put his hand up to stay him.

  “Wait, Eryk. You need to know a few other things before you run off to Asam Boldru. Even though she’s a healer and a good woman…she charges a fee.”

  Eryk wanted to growl, and his next words sounded exactly like that. “How much does she charge? A fortune, no doubt.”

  Garess’ lips twisted. “No. No. She charges a nominal fee most of the time. Just so she’ll have something to live on.”

  “Shite.” Eryk muttered low. “All right.”

  Once more Garess held up a hand in placation. “Trust me, Eryk. Asam is trustworthy. Have I ever turned you in the wrong direction?”

  Amusement eased away urgency. “I remember one battle with rogues not so long ago. That was as close to failure as I want to get.”

  Garess blushed. “Then let me make it up to you. If you’re not satisfied with Asam’s help let me know. I’ll refund her fee to you.”

  Eryk couldn’t reject a deal like that. Plus, he trusted the older man. “Deal. Now where is she?”

  After Garess gave him directions, Garess added additional information Eryk hadn’t expected. “You should be aware, there’s talk of traitors in the castle. Spies for the rogues.”

  Eryk glanced around. The noise in the tavern had become even louder since he’d entered. Louder than it had to be. “I wondered about that. Is there word of another attack?”

  Garess leaned forward, voice lowered. “Within days. If I were you I’d get her healed and then head out. Hide in the hills.”

  Eryk snorted. “In Imekland? Where am I supposed to do that?”

  Garess looked chagrinned as he brought his intoxicating drink to his lips. “Good question.”

  When Eryk returned to his lodging a short time later, Mia sat straight up on the bed. Her eyes were red, her mouth possessing a frown. Damn the little chit. She’d been crying while he was gone. Not out of fear for him, he was certain of that. Unwanted tenderness made him close the door softly and go to her. He settled on the side of the bed and told her about Asam.

  A smile filled her eyes. “Oh Magon. That is wonderful news. I’m glad we’ve found her.”

  “Why were you crying before?”

  She turned toward him and as he looked into her beautiful eyes he tumbled to the bottom and couldn’t say a coherent word.

  “I’m tired, that’s all.” Her voice trembled a little. “I’ll do better, I promise.”

  Her statement made him frown. “Do better? What do you mean?”

  She stared at him, face a blank canvas for far too long. What she might have meant dawned on him.

  “You don’t have to do better,” he said. “You are fine the way you are.”

  She wiped at her eyes, sniffed and gave him a watery smil
e. “I…” She laughed softly. “It takes me a while sometimes to remember I’m not in Magonia, under their rules. I forget that showing emotion is welcomed in Dragonia.”

  An ache of understanding made him long to protect her. He wanted to beat the shite out of the men who had devalued her so wretchedly in the past.

  “Show your emotions to me whenever you like. I would rather you yelled than be stone-cold and fake. If there is one thing I can’t abide it’s a liar and a fake.” He slipped his arm around her shoulders and drew her into his body. “You’re new here. It will take time to learn our ways.” He cleared his throat. “Let’s go to see the healer.”

  They stood and headed for the door and the strength of her step filled him with renewed hope. And that really got to him—when had her comfort, her welfare become as strong a need as his duty? As his desire to find and defeat the rogues harming Dragonia? He shrugged off thinking too deeply.

  Mia’s elation over seeing the healer overruled her tiredness, at least for the moment. She’d struggle across an ocean again if she could find a healer able to cure her. Rather than taking her in a proprietary grip this time, he offered his arm. She slipped her hand in the crook of his elbow then farther up to take hold of a powerful left biceps. Night was falling as they left their lodging and made their way across a courtyard. They wound through a crooked alley that took them deeper into the cavernous castle. Some women of ill repute passed by them with knowing smiles and winked at Eryk and waved.

  “Do you know them?” she asked after the women were out of earshot.

  “Prostitutes? I know of them and by name.” He glanced over at her. “Oh, you mean do I know them.”

  She pursed her lips and then frowned. “Exactly.”

  “I don’t pay women for sex. I don’t need to.”

  “Oh.”

  He grinned. “And even if those woman offered themselves to me without cost, I wouldn’t oblige.”

  “Oh.”

  He laughed. “Is that all you can say?”

  “Yes.”

  He laughed harder and the low throbbing in her stomach continued and grew stronger. More powerful. By all that was holy in Magonia, the man’s strength never failed to awe her or send longings through her. When that intimate, sweet ache began she couldn’t stop her body’s wanton reaction as she went damp between the legs. She almost groaned at the deep pulsing that roared to life inside her. She wanted to take him somewhere, strip him naked and explore every angle of his hard body. Modesty, quickly disappearing in her mind, banished as she saw one couple and then another hanging on each other as they walked by. The couples radiated love and devotion. What would it feel like to experience a relationship with Eryk like that? She’d seen a glimpse of it, had felt it here and there in the very short time since she’d met him. But these emotions were only a glimmer and nothing so deep or genuine. The longing she felt now had as much to do with wanting something she couldn’t have as it did longing to heal her body.