DarykRogue

by Denise A. Agnew

  He handed her a large key. “Lock the door when I leave.”

  Surprised, she said, “But I could lock you out.”

  “That is the idea. You don’t trust me. But know this. If I ask for you let me in, you must do so instantly. If I have to break the door down, there will be hells to pay. Don’t let anyone else inside but me.”

  What could she say to that? A bath? He’d ordered a bath be brought to her and food? If he continued this way she’d start to like him. And that wouldn’t do.

  Chapter Four

  It took Xandra several minutes to decide it was safe to strip and take a bath. She saw the steam coming off the water and ached to be clean. Yet the thought of water and immersing herself in it…that was a problem. She shivered, her stomach dropping as she closed her eyes and tried to ease the swift panic.

  “Don’t be an idiot,” she said out loud.

  She made certain the door was locked then propped a chair under the handle to make certain it was firmly secured. She stared at the tub as the water cooled and thought about Rayder leaving her the key. Amazing. She wouldn’t have expected that in all the lands of Croan.

  Finally she stripped and stepped naked into the soothing warm water. She sighed in delight. Pleasure enveloped her as the water eased her tense muscles and made her forget at least for a moment her perilous situation. Make no mistake about it, she must stay on guard. Shame enclosed her as readily as the water. She reached for the bar of soap and scrubbed. How could Rayder Tyrus have touched her when she smelled of the sea?

  Touched her he had. Repeatedly. With the gentle caress of a dream lover and not the brutal beast she expected. She didn’t believe what she’d experienced in two-going-on-three days. After all, men were wastrels, especially the ones on this ship. Her mother had explained once that men also didn’t touch gently. They were rough, uncouth and brutal on occasion. Taris Elian had proved that. While she’d never seen her father be brutal, she’d never seen him touch her mother or herself with affection. She’d longed for a father’s concern and his love and never received it. Now, because of what had happened a few short days ago in Opali, she never would. Her throat tightened, clogged with unshed tears and anger. By the god Magon, she had to think of how to escape this situation with her life intact.

  The ocean had taken away Taris Elian and the danger he’d posed. But she still had other problems, not the least of which was surviving a slave ship and Rayder Tyrus.

  It had taken only three weeks for her life to submerge into a morass of shambles and confusion. Tears filled her eyes, and for a little while she indulged in her grief and pain. As she washed her hair, glad to feel so clean once more, she allowed tears to flow without chasing them away. While the water remained a tolerable temperature, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. She was tired again. Sleep would be so wonderful, and before he knew it, she’d drifted off. Eventually the water turned completely cold, but she didn’t want to leave the sanctuary. If she stayed in this drifting state, barely thinking or feeling, she could sort out the mess her life had become.

  Thunder clapped outside, causing her to jerk in fear. She gasped and sat straight up. She wanted out of here. She needed to escape.

  Escape to where? She couldn’t flee from the waves.

  A loud knock on the door made her start again, her heart banging. She hurried to get out of the tub, water splashing as she reached for a large drying cloth hanging over the chair nearby.

  The knock came again. “Xandra, open up.”

  Rayder.

  Relief spread through her, but it shouldn’t have. Why would he make her feel safe? It made no sense considering his livelihood. Her keen humor and rebellious side rose to the surface. “Go away, slave trader. I’m still in the bath.”

  He grunted loudly. “You’ve had an hour. Time is up. We have a dress for you.”

  Drying frantically with the cloth, she asked, “We?”

  “The admiral’s wife and Phili Cranno.”

  She hesitated. She didn’t have enough time to redress.

  “Open the door.” His voice rose. “I don’t want to break it down, but I will if I have to.”

  Angry and still dripping wet, she gathered the big cloth around herself and hurried to the door before Rayder made good on his promise.

  When the door swung wide, Rayder stood on the threshold with two women. Rayder’s gaze swept over her with curiosity and genuine lust that made her breath catch. In lightning-quick speed, he assessed her. Her skin heated.

  The young dark-haired woman was taller than Xandra and willowy to the point of gauntness. The girl’s blue eyes shocked Xandra—set deep and large, their depths reminded her of the dark ocean that had swallowed her and the Hydrasoseles. A quiver of fear ran through Xandra.

  Ridiculous. She’s probably nothing more than a poor slave girl.

  Her black hair spilled about her shoulders in a thick wave that made her face appear long and thin. When she looked at Xandra, her gaze filled with unmitigated hatred. Startled, Xandra almost asked the woman out loud why she hated her when they’d just met.

  On the other side of Rayder was an older woman, slightly plump with warm brown eyes and short golden blonde hair. Her smile seemed genuine. The woman’s arms were full off garments.

  “Come in, ladies,” Rayder said as he stalked passed Xandra.

  After the women followed him inside, the blonde older woman smiled at Xandra “My name is Yoanda Aramus. I’m Admiral Aramus’ wife. I brought you a wedding dress and three other tunics and pants for you while you’re here. This dress is congratulations from the admiral. It belonged to my daughter.” The woman’s eyes turned from happy to heartbroken in an instant, if that was possible. “She…uh…she died when she was fifteen.”

  Yoanda’s eyes glittered with tears, and she held the dress out to Xandra and placed the remaining clothes on the bed.

  Overwhelmed, Xandra took the dress. “It’s beautiful. Thank you so much. Are you sure you want to give such a treasure to me? You don’t know me.”

  “My husband wants you to have it. So it must be so.”

  Xandra marveled at the intricate embroidery on the garment. Flowers scrolled in beautiful blossoms across the bodice. If her breasts fit in the tight bodice, the blossoms and vines would cup her with intimate detail and leave her nipples bare.

  Xandra’s mouth popped open as she stared at the bodice with complete disbelief. “The… Are these holes supposed to be there?”

  “Many Dragonia wives wear such a dress,” the younger woman said, her voice a sultry mix of mystery and undertones of dark and hidden depths. “It is an honor to show your flesh to your Dragonian husband. It gives him a glimpse at what he is marrying.”

  Flabbergasted, Xandra glanced at Rayder. A twinkle danced in his eyes. He thought this entire exchange amusing?

  “Do you like the dress?” he asked.

  Do you? She wanted to ask him that question.

  Mind still reeling from the idea she’d have to wear a dress that revealed her nipples, she took in the rest of the ankle-length, long-sleeved dress. Overall it was plain, except for the bodice. It fell straight from the pointed, fitted waist and pooled on the floor. It was light green, the color of spring blooming in her imagination.

  “It’s beautiful except for the…” She looked at the nipple holes again and grimaced. “I cannot wear a dress with holes like these. I’m not Dragonian. When a woman is married in Magonia, it is in a modest full-length gown that covers the neck and arms and all the way to the ankles.”

  The younger woman scoffed. “The admiral commands it. Besides, this dress covers your arms and legs and everything but your nipples. I don’t see what the problem is.”

  Perturbed by the woman’s presumptuous attitude, Xandra placed the dress on the bed and tucked her towel closer around her. “We have not been introduced.”

  Rayder nodded. “Forgive me. This is Phili Cranno. She is the admiral’s companion.”

  “Companion?” Xandra
took a moment to understand. She glanced quickly at Yoanda and caught the woman’s downtrodden expression. “But you—”

  “You’ll wear the dress,” Phili said, voice sharp and commanding.

  Yoanda’s eyes stayed lowered, her sweet, round face a mask of subservience. While women were usually subservient to their husbands on Magonia, Xandra wondered why the admiral’s wife would allow this concubine to command her. Still, she didn’t want anyone suffering because of her. If Yoanda wished to provide her with a dress, she’d accept.

  Xandra nodded. “Thank you, Yoanda. May I call you by your first name or is that too familiar?”

  Yoanda lifted her gaze to Xandra’s. “It would please me if you called me Yoanda.”

  Xandra smiled until she caught a quick look at Phili’s hard eyes so expressionless. Too expressionless. Xandra tried to recall if she’d seen anyone with eyes quite like them, as if the soul had left long ago or perhaps had never resided in her body. Xandra had witnessed uncaring people before—oh yes, she had. But never with the iciness Phili possessed.

  “Try the dress on.” Rayder’s eyes challenged her. “In case there are adjustments.”

  “Adjustments? Why would you care what it looks like?”

  Rayder rolled his gaze to the ceiling for a moment then turned his attention to Yoanda. He took her hand and brought it to his lips, and then did so with Phili. Phili smiled in a simpering, fawning way that made Xandra want to slap the younger woman.

  Rayder made a short bow from the waist. “My ladies, I thank you for your kindness.”

  Yoanda’s eyes lit up with happiness, her cheeks aglow. She didn’t speak but left the cabin quickly.

  Phili smiled, but genuine kindness never reached her eyes. “You’ll have to excuse Yoanda. She is slow sometimes.”

  Xandra’s mouth tightened. “She seems very sweet.”

  Without another word, Phili glared at her and then left the room. After she’d closed the door, Rayder locked it and returned to Xandra.

  She shivered. “If you would leave me in peace, I’ll dress.”

  “Perhaps I don’t want to leave.” His gaze strayed with interest over her half-naked form.

  Her fingers tightened on the covering that remained over her breasts and all the way to her ankles. The way he looked at her said he could see through the semitransparent cloth and wanted to see more and do more than simply admire. She shivered with a strange wanting, a desire she couldn’t shake.

  “Well, I will not change with you here.”

  “I’ll turn my back.”

  “In my country, it is considered heinously bad luck for the groom to see the bride the night before the wedding.”

  Thunder rumbled outside, and she flinched. Rayder approached, but this time his eyes held concern. “Perhaps the storm will fade off to the south.”

  She shook her head. “No. It’s not.” Fear reached for her, irrational and uncontrollable. “It’s coming here. Now.”

  Blue lightning flashed outside a porthole and thunder clapped. Her fingers tightened on the cloth and she shivered.

  “You’re not well enough to stand around dripping wet in this cold. Get dressed,” he said.

  “Not with you in the room.”

  “I’ll turn around.”

  She hesitated.

  He glared.

  “Turn around first.” The testiness in her voice came out clearly. “If I am forced to marry, the least you could do is show respect for my traditions.”

  “A man in Magonia never sees his intended naked before her marries her?” He snorted softly when she didn’t answer. “Of course not.”

  Planting his hands on his hips, he turned around. She stared at his broad back for a smidgen in time before hurrying to strip the cloth away from her body and shimmy into warm gray pants and tunic. Grateful for the warmth, she pressed her hands over the fabric and sighed. The material’s thick weave hung on her like a sack—she had to roll up the sleeves and pants legs. And though the drab gray color and floppy size wouldn’t flatter, it would keep her warm.

  “You can turn around.” She slipped into the socks and sturdy ankle shoes the women had also brought.

  The warrior turned and gave her a thorough inspection, as if she must pass a test. He tilted his head to the side. “Far too large, but it suits you.”

  Insulted, she hung the towel over the chair that had barred the door earlier. “How very flattering.”

  “Tomorrow you’ll put on the ceremony dress first thing. Yoanda and Phili will escort you to the sanctum in the admiral’s quarters where ceremonies are held. After that you’ll retire to this cabin immediately.”

  Thunder cracked overhead and the ship’s movement became stronger, rocking more from side to side. Xandra’s breath shortened, but she maintained control. Rayder examined her closely.

  “The storm frightens you,” he said softly, easing nearer.

  She stared up at him, comforted by his presence and anxious at the same time. How could one man generate two different reactions inside her?

  “I’m fine.”

  He closed the gap until he stood in front of her, as close as a husband might choose to be. “Is that why you’re trembling?”

  She turned away, but he followed. He clasped her shoulders and she froze. “If I am trembling, it’s because you’re too close.”

  A soft, throaty laugh drifted on the air. “I make you tremble? That’s interesting. A man could get a lot of ideas from that.”

  “Don’t. I’m not some…some tramp you can do with what you will.” Irritation mixed with her desire to run. She turned and met his intense eyes head-on. His hands dropped from her shoulders. “I’m trembling because so many things have happened to me in the last…few days.”

  “You’ve been through an ordeal not many have endured and even less have survived.”

  She shook her head. “More than that.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she wanted to take them back. “Never mind.”

  Xandra started to walk away, but he stepped in front of her. “What else happened to you? What are you hiding?”

  “Why do you care?”

  He scrubbed one hand over his jaw, his eyes diverted in thought. A dark shadow covered his jaw. He hadn’t shaved in many a day, but it only added to his handsomeness. “I can tell when a person is running from something, and you’re a prime candidate for it.”

  Determined not to answer his curiosity, she returned to the bed and found the comb and brush the women had brought her. “Yoanda and Phili were very generous.”

  She sat on the edge of the bed and flipped her shoulder-blade-length hair over her head. Methodically, she worked at the tangles until the comb ran smoothly through the strands. When she sat up, her hair flowed in thick strands about her shoulders. That felt so much better.

  “Things are never what they appear,” he said.

  “What do you mean?”

  He ran a hand through his dark hair and the inky strands curled and waved in disarray. Muscles rippled in his arms, and she remembered how strongly his arms enclosed her. “Yoanda isn’t as sweet as she acts, and Phili is as sharp and ruthless as a taracore bird.”

  “I gathered that Phili doesn’t like me.”

  He smiled. “She doesn’t like other women at all. They’re competition.”

  She placed the comb and brush on the bedstand. “In what way?”

  “She likes the attention of men, and she often gets it. She’s the admiral’s concubine, but she probably has sex with other men on the ship for money or favors. If you think Farcam and Oscan were mean to you, you haven’t faced the full wrath of Phili.”

  Fascinated, she sighed. “Well, I can’t say that isn’t interesting. Women in Magonia aren’t usually that powerful.”

  He sat on the bed next to her but not close enough this time to make her uncomfortable. “With freedom comes opportunity for power and corruption.”

  “Perhaps the Truth and Order Police and the scribes are correct then.”


  “About what?”

  She looked over at him. “Freedom is the greatest evil. If people know too much, they think too much. If they think too much, they do too much. Certain chaos is the result.”

  “Perhaps. But which would you rather have? Knowing nothing and living by rote like you do on Magonia or the freedom to be who you really are in Dragonia?”

  Stunned this brute of a man had asked such a thought-provoking and intelligent question, she stared at him a long time before answering. “I’m fine the way I am. Don’t think that your philosophy can change me.”

  “You’ve never thought what it would be like to know freedom?”

  She shrugged. “Until I met Ketera Aldrancos, I rarely gave it thought. I wasn’t certain it was an option.”

  “She was the friend you mentioned with you on the ship?”

  “More an acquaintance, but we quickly became friends. She was sailing to Opali to save her father who was imprisoned for having seditious documents.”

  His eyebrows winged upward. “Seditious how?”

  “He’s an archaeologist and apparently he found documents that bring the Chronicles of Magon into question. The authorities on Magon say the documents are lies and dangerous. That her father betrays his country by saying that Dragonians are not like what we think they are. That Dragonians are not so much different than we are.”

  Rayder’s eyes filled with curiosity. “Very interesting. Do you think her father is a traitor to his country? Do you think Dragonians are the bad people the Magonian powers-that-be want you to believe?”

  What could she say to that? “I’ve never met any Dragonians until I met you and the other people on this ship.”

  His grin flashed, and it did things to his eyes that she liked, changing the brooding quality to a lighthearted moment. “What do you think now?”

  “That you are all still brutish of course.”

  He laughed. “Many of us are.” He shook his head. “There’s a lot you don’t understand about Dragonia and its people. Perhaps I can teach you.”

  “You won’t be able to brainwash me.”