“No. It means the one I’d have preferred to use is damaged. Don’t try and read more into my statement than there is, angel.”
“Now you seek to chastise me?”
“Oh, for god’s sake. No. I still have a weapon that works, Saba. One. Instead of two, I only have one. Are you getting that?” He hugged her. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
Her lips brushed his neck. “I understand what you’re saying. I don’t mean to be difficult.”
“I don’t either. I hate to have to keep after you about this, but I need to know. What did this creature look like?”
Saba burrowed in as close to him as she could get without climbing into his skin. She was silent for the space of several breaths then she took another one of those quick breaths he’d come to know as a signal she’d decided on a course of action.
“It was a beautiful day, warm, and the sun was bright. There had been no rainfall overnight, and no dew, so Mother wanted to cut the tall grass used to weave baskets and mats. We went to do it.
“We had cut almost all we could carry, but Mother wanted some of the grass that dries to a dark red. She left us and went over the rise to where a stand of it grows. Jennica and I bundled what we had and I sent her and the others back to the village and went to help Mother. I saw him. Watching her.”
She paused. Ryder rubbed her back some more, hoping to help her stay in control of her emotions. With the way she trembled, he feared she would weep again. He dreaded a woman’s tears but realized women usually were better after a good cry. It made little sense to him but it was true.
“Go on, angel,” he urged softly. “Tell me all of it. I need to know everything to protect myself.”
She started, as if the danger he’d face to do her bidding had never occurred to her.
“He watched her and I called out to her to run. She looked up and saw him but instead of running, she threw a stone at him. When he started toward her, she threw her cutting knife at him.” She drew a ragged breath. “The knife hit him in the arm, and stuck. He…he made a noise like nothing I’d ever heard. It was like a howl and a screech and the moan of one dying. It echoed inside my head until I was deaf. Then he…he grabbed my mother.” She pulled back and looked at him.
“Ryder, it happened so fast. I couldn’t get to her. I didn’t even see the errol run to her. One moment he was by the tree and the next he had grabbed my mother. He covered the distance in the blink of an eye.”
That was something he’d not wanted to hear. “How far was it? From here to the gate?”
She shook her head. “No. Maybe from here to Tyree’s hut.”
“That’s important, angel. Can you tell me the rest? Describe the errol to me.”
“It’s bigger than any man, even Tyree. Or you. Its skin is black and shiny, like a shell so that arrows do not pierce its chest. And yet its face seems to be feathered. Its arms are very long, reaching almost to its knees.” Her voice quivered. “I was surprised when Mother’s knife stuck in its arm. I think it surprised the creature, too.”
“You said it made a noise. Did it sound surprised?”
“I think so. It seemed so. I don’t know, Ryder. It just…” She held him tighter.
“It’s okay. Take a breath. I won’t let go.” He hugged her again. It was the best reassurance he knew to give her. She went limp and still in his arms.
“The creature grabbed her. Its fingers were like talons and they dug into her flesh and she bled. She screamed and screamed. She kept looking at me and screaming for me to run. I couldn’t. I just stood there. She looked at me and…”
Ryder didn’t move. She had to get this out in her own time. He’d already pushed her. To be cruel now would be unforgivable. Finally she spoke again, her voice low and thick with the strain of keeping her composure.
“She looked at me and her eyes were yellow. Her mouth moved, but no sound came out. I know what she said. She told me that she loved me. And then I knew she was gone. The creature dropped her and disappeared.”
“Disappeared? You mean it ran off?”
“No. He was simply gone. Vanished. There were no tracks for Tyree and the men to follow. All we could do was bury what was left of my mother’s body and go on living.”
Ryder closed his eyes. If his fears were confirmed, they’d be in a lot of trouble if he failed.
Chapter 18
Saba drifted to sleep as they lay together on the bed. Ryder inched his way to a more comfortable position. His back had stiffened but he’d be damned before he woke her over something so trivial.
He wished she could let go, let more of her grief come out. His shoulders were broad enough to bear it. He wanted to take that burden from her, only he knew he couldn’t. Grief could never be borne by another, only shared. He closed his eyes and left himself drift along the places where they touched skin-to-skin seeking solace of his own.
A Xenturan. The errol had to be a Xenturan. It made perfect sense. The Xenturans were bird-like bipeds with disproportionately long arms for a biped. Their torsos were covered with a hard exoskeleton that shielded them from penetrating weapons such as knives, arrows and some metal alloy projectiles. Their digits were more like the talons of a raptor with venom-carrying spurs. Xenturans fed on everything and would even scavenge if necessary. A helpful trait if one was stranded on a strange planet with the indigenous humanoids trying to kill them. They were skilled survivors and very intelligent.
And they made dangerous enemies.
The afternoon had grown quiet. The sounds from the village yard grew less frequent. He contemplated sneaking out of bed to see if he could get the fire going again and maybe begin to prepare something for a meal. His stomach growled and gurgled in agreement. Saba’s soft, muffled voice drifted up to him from the vicinity of his chest.
“You’re hungry.”
He tightened his arms around her and gratefully curled up, stretching his spine.
“I could eat something, I suppose. I could put my pants on, see if the damned boots fit, and stir the fire while you just relax here for a little longer.”
“No. I must get up in case someone in the village needs me.”
“I need you, angel. I need you to rest. I’ve been awake. No one has screamed for anything, or tapped on the door.”
She was going to argue, he could see it on her face. She surprised him by closing her eyes. “All right. Just for a few more minutes.”
Her hand drifted down across his abdomen. He closed his eyes and thanked the universe she enjoyed the act. Still, he had to put up the appearance of a protest. He didn’t want her to think he was easy, which he was where she was concerned.
“I thought you were going to rest.”
Her fingers found him. He was already half hard and growing more so with every beat of his heart.
His fingers stroked the outside swell of her breast.
“I thought you were going to stir the fire so I could prepare a meal. I find this relaxing. Don’t you?” She stroked him boldly and his erection completed.
“Very. Do that again, angel. Hmmm.”
She nibbled at his nipple. It tingled and drew up into a little nub for her. She gave it a harder nip. An electric jolt shot straight to his cock. Aftershocks of need rippled through him, and a darker desire.
“Saba, take me in your mouth.”
Her lips paused their delightful teasing of his nipple. She blinked at him then wrinkled her nose. Gods, she was cute sometimes, but he really ached to feel her mouth on him. He was prepared to beg, barter, or accept whatever blackmail she named.
“Will it give you great pleasure?” She looked so solemn. His heart skipped a beat.
“Yes.” He cupped her breasts, thumbing across her taut nipples. “Didn’t you like it when I did that to you?”
She made her eyes cross and smiled coyly at him. He pulled her to him, kissing her until she pushed away from him and drew in a lungful of air. The look in her eyes changed from playful to purposeful. The air clogged in his thro
at. His cock stiffened beyond his belief, rising off his belly as if to make sure she’d take notice of it.
She trailed light kisses down his body, pausing when she got to his fading bruises.
“Do these still pain you?”
“No. Go lower if you want to find what’s in pain.”
She rested her chin in his navel and looked at him. “Perhaps if it hurts, we shouldn’t aggravate it.”
Damn, she was a quick learner. “There’s only one thing that will ease it.”
She licked her lips. Slowly. Intentionally. He’d have told her to stop teasing him if he could’ve formed words.
She shifted a bit and kissed the inside of his thigh. Arousal streaked through him. She cupped his balls, rolling the testicles inside the sac. She was so very gentle but he detected a bit of healer curiosity in the action. Her fingers wrapped around his shaft. The moist tip of her tongue touched his glans. He closed his eyes and willed her to go on.
Very delicately she tasted him. The pressure of her tongue was feather-light at first, then bolder. She pressed her lips to the tip and moved down over him, taking him. His hips surged up, a reflex he couldn’t prevent. He moaned her name and gave himself over to whatever she would do.
She settled into a slow, gliding rhythm that sent shiver after shiver down his legs and up his spine. His arousal built until he could no longer lie still. She increased the pressure and speed of her hand stroking his shaft. Her tongue flicked over him. His balls drew up. Suddenly she released him.
He levered himself onto his elbows, intending to see what was wrong. She straddled him and pushed him back down on the pillow. She lowered her lips to his. Heat enveloped him. Heedless of where she’d been heading he rolled them and rose over her. Her legs came up around his waist and he drove into her.
She welcomed him with a soft cry. Her hips found and matched his pounding pace as he hurtled toward oblivion. He was going to come whether she did or not. It was too late for him.
Her hand snaked down between them. Her back arched. He was aware of it, and yet not, as his orgasm took him, battering him with each thrust into her liquid heat. He hazed on the intensity of the pleasure, spilling into her and then crashing back into himself when her nails dug into his flanks.
“Stop, Ryder. Please.” She squirmed beneath him.
He pushed into her one last time and stilled. Gods, she’d be the death of him if they kept this up. He eased down and gathered her close. She sighed, a soft, contented sound.
To hell with food, and the boots, and the needs waiting for them outside the door. It could just wait for a few more minutes while he sheltered her. She was the woman he’d been afraid to even dream for. The woman men like him didn’t deserve.
Surely it had to be that she had longed for someone. She was goodness personified. The gods had certainly answered some request of hers to bring him here. He’d have to reform, change his ways, to be worthy enough to stay with her. And he wanted to stay with her. Could it be as simple as asking her?
“Stay with me, Saba.”
* * * *
Where did he think she was going? She buried her face in his neck and breathed in the maleness of his scent, floating in the peaceful aftermath of their coupling.
Her body still pulsed around his, rippling in feminine satisfaction. She had the sense of fullness inside, although she was aware of the changes going on as his body returned to normal. It was very interesting. There were so many things she’d never thought about. Maybe she needed to include some of it when the younger girls came seeking advice on using the ynoteb. Her mind suddenly focused on what he’d said. What he’d meant.
Oh dear Wae. Her heart stuttered then began pounding.
Could he really mean it? She couldn’t agree to anything with the threat of the errol looming over them. Didn’t he know that?
“I am with you now, Ryder. What happens tomorrow, will happen.”
He was silent for the space of several very long, very loud heartbeats. Or so it seemed they were loud.
“We need to go talk to Tyree about tomorrow.” He eased from between her thighs and settled beside her. She rolled to him and he wrapped his arms around her.
“I’ll need Tyree’s help, and the help of all the men in the village, if I’m to corner the errol and deal with it.”
It was warm in the bed, tucked in his arms, but she shivered. Her heart ached. Would there ever be a time when the errol did not intrude on her life? On all their lives? She finally had hope of it. Ryder spoke as if he planned something. It was what she had wanted and now it chilled her very blood.
What if the errol killed Ryder? How could she live without him? She loved him.
“What will you do, Ryder? Tell me, please.”
“So much depends on how many men Tyree has. I’ll insist you sit with us when I talk with him to protect me.” He kissed her.
“Don’t try to be funny because this is not. You could die.”
“We all could die. It’s a miracle all of you haven’t died if the errol is what I think it’s. That’s why I need to get a look at it.”
“I don’t want to speak of this right now.” I just want you to hold me. I just want you to truly need me.
“All right, angel.” He stroked down her side. It seemed an energy flowed out from his hand over her skin. “Saba, I mean it. I want you.” He sighed tiredly. “Maybe I haven’t got the right to even think in terms of staying here.”
“You are welcome to make your home with the Ramalho. You have a place here. Many are willing to teach you our ways. You can learn to hunt and to build.”
“And the women? Do they welcome me as well? Am I a potential breeder?”
The bitterness in his voice was unsettling. He would be sought out by a few of the women for just that purpose. She had no doubt of it. It made sense to introduce a fresh bloodline. Of course, she would prefer that she and Jennica be the ones to bear those children.
“Do you not welcome the opportunity to have children and establish your line?”
“Is that how the Ramalho look at things?”
“Sometimes. We are careful about having children with those we have too many blood ties to.”
“And do you have any blood ties to Tyree?”
Only the truth would do. She owed him that. “No. I have none.”
He fell silent, one hand idly stroking her hair. She sensed he had questions, or something he wanted to say, but he didn’t.
He said he wanted her. Why couldn’t she just speak up and say the words? He’d asked her to stay with him when in truth he would need to stay with her and her people.
“Ryder, I want…I think…”
His typical humor surfaced. “Just spit it out, angel. I’ve already made a fool of myself. You can ask me to leave. I’ll find another place to sleep.”
How surprised would he be if she smothered him with the pillow? She had a powerful urge to find out.
She pushed away from his warmth and his scent and the luxurious feel of his skin touching hers.
“You are the most infuriating man I have ever met!” She started to crawl over him to get out of the bed. He grabbed her.
“You are the most annoying female I’ve ever met! I tell you I want us to stay together and you ignore me!”
“What? When did you tell me that? When did you say ‘us’? You want me to stay with you? Where? Here? You would be staying with me, you idiot!”
He gawked at her, mouth open. She gave into temptation and tapped his chin. His jaws snapped shut. She narrowed her eyes and glared at him.
“Now what is your problem?”
He looked dumbstruck and shook his head. “I’m an idiot.”
“What does that mean?” Wae, when had she ever screeched at a person like that?
A slow, lazy grin spread across his face. “You do want me, don’t you?”
“I do not!” She scrambled away from him. He rolled off the bed, stalking her.
“You do. You know you do.”
Oh by Wae he was a magnificent sight, all naked and graceful as the great mountain beasts as he padded after her.
“You do want me to stay here. Say it, angel.”
She tried to slip past him. He was too quick, grabbing her around the waist and carrying her back to the bed. He dropped down beside her.
“Face it, Saba. We’re made for each other. I want you and you, whether you want to admit it or not, want me. We’ll do well together.”
Yes, they would. She felt it, too. But there was one little detail she had to have an answer for. The one thing that would make all the difference. Without it, she couldn’t be with him.
Could she? She took a deep breath. Maybe she could.
Maybe she could swallow her pride and accept him as he was, whether or not he loved her. If he wanted her and would stay with her, could she really be content without his love?
“I want you, Ryder Vaughan.”
She gave herself over to his kiss, to the feel of his hands on her body, and to whatever the future would bring her.
Chapter 19
It was early when Ryder woke to the dawn birds setting up their daily chorus. But that wasn’t what woke him. Stealthy sounds from Saba’s little herb-drying lean-to drifted to him. He rolled from the bed and practiced some stealth of his own.
He cracked the back door enough to take a peek.
“Jennica.”
She let out a startled shriek and dropped the bundle of herbs she’d just plucked off a hook. She made a grab for them and lost her balance on her tabletop perch. Ryder flung open the door and caught her before she landed on the hard ground. He heard Saba call out from inside. Jennica pushed at him.
“Let me go! Don’t tell Saba you saw me—please!”
“Oh no. You’re not putting me in the middle of anything.” A shadow fell across them. “Besides, Saba knows.” He looked up and grinned at her.
“What’s going on?” Saba looked at them quizzically. Ryder was ruefully aware of being naked. He really didn’t want to stand up in front of Jennica. It was better he just crouch here and cover his private bits with both hands and try to forget she’d already seen them.
A Hero's Bargain Page 13