DarykRogue

by Denise A. Agnew

  She clutched at the bedclothes, her breath strangling in her throat. “Please. Please.”

  Rayder hummed, and the vibration tickled and teased unmercifully. She couldn’t take it and the last thing she wanted was to lose control. She held back.

  “Come on, my beauty,” he whispered against her flesh, hot breath adding to the flames licking her, burning her alive. “Come for me.”

  One finger slipped into her core and a tiny pinch made her gasp. Sliding deep, his touch rubbed again and again until the stimulation made her wriggle. It felt so good, but it wasn’t enough. She needed… She needed something. By all that was holy, she couldn’t take it. The sensation was too much, too strong. This was even more powerful than the beautiful ecstasy he’d given her before.

  He added a second finger and the thickness increased her excitement. Involuntarily she lifted her hips, trying to escape the stimulation as much as welcome it. Faster he rubbed. The slick friction along her sensitive walls beyond anything she could have imagined. His tongue licked her clit, lapping until she gasped for breath and groaned in pure ecstasy. Like the wave that had taken her ship under, his talented tongue and fingers ensured she couldn’t escape. Her heart pounded until she knew it would explode. She couldn’t fight it anymore and allowed her mind to flow with the bliss and find this treacherous experience at least one more time. She exploded against his tongue, writhing under his touch as the pleasure flared across her entire body. Crying out, she tumbled into the wild splendor, whimpering and gasping. Her pussy contracted over his fingers, and he continued the back and forth motion, slowly drawing out more pleasure. He removed his fingers from her core even as she wanted to keep him inside.

  With a wicked smile, he eased his middle finger deep into her backside.

  Surprise jolted her, as well as shock. “What are you doing?”

  “Creating another pleasure. There’s more where that came from.”

  She groaned. “More? But this is so…so…”

  A wicked gleam entered his eyes, barely overriding the red passion. “Forbidden?”

  “Yes.” Forbidden was an understatement. She couldn’t believe he’d touched her this way.

  “Trust me.”

  She went silent, astonished by his unexpected touch and the joy that danced through her when he moved his finger and flicked his tongue over her pussy. He stuck his tongue inside her, and she couldn’t hold back the pleasure. Hot, slick craving built deep to her womb and her entire womanhood tingled. She closed her eyes and allowed the bliss to ride her hard, take her up and throw her to the wind.

  She whispered, “Yes. Yes.”

  Rayder didn’t relent as he fastened his mouth over her clit and suckled. He eased her into his touch as he teased her backside with slow, deep strokes until the pleasure soaring inside her grew to a firestorm. Before long the pleasure rose so high it threatened to burst once more. One last thrust up her backside and a quick flick over her clit, and she writhed in ecstasy. Groaning and panting, she shook from within.

  As she lay still, eyes closed and heart pounding, he left the bed. She heard him washing up, the water splashing. Before long he returned to the bed, and when she opened her eyes, a blush heated her face.

  “Are you embarrassed?” he asked.

  “Of course. I mean… What we just did…”

  “Was as natural as the two moons in our sky.”

  Boldness came to her in a flash, as blinding as the lightning that had crashed and threatened yesterday. “You said there is more?”

  He nodded, those red eyes burning with an insistent need. “Indeed. You can ease my need.”

  She glanced down at his cock, pressing so hard against his trousers, she wondered if he felt pain. Rayder didn’t take his tunic off, but he’d taken off the belt that held his sword and dagger a long time ago. He stood, unbuttoned his trousers and eased open the front. His manhood sprang out, released from its prison, and she drew in a quick breath. Amazement, curiosity and a strong return of arousal swirled in her stomach as she stared. Though she’d seen his cock before, he was more excited in his passion than before. His cock stood firm, high and thick. The power in his hardness, in this sexual muscle stirred the fire still simmering within her. When her gaze snagged his, fear disappeared. Understanding and tenderness lay there, even in the harsh reality of his sexual desires, in the animalistic needs he’d shown. She wanted to know more about him, about sex. He stood in front of her, his cock close.

  Rayder circled his cock with one big hand and stroked. “Do you want to touch me like this?”

  When her answer came, it was soft. “Yes.”

  She waited, and a moment later took the plunge. “Show me what to do.”

  He drew her hand toward him, folded her palm around the thickness. “Stroke it.”

  She grasped his flesh, moved with the motion he showed her, drawing it up and down. He threw back his head and moaned, his breathing coming harder and harder. Within a few moments he released her hand, and Xandra kept the pace, loving how his flesh grew more rigid the longer she pumped him. A droplet of moisture came from the tip.

  “Lick me,” he gasped the words, eyes blazing into hers. “Suck it.”

  Shocked, she halted the pumping.

  He growled softly, his chest rising and falling swiftly as if he’d run miles. “Please. Or I’ll have to finish it myself.”

  Taken aback by the suggestion but caught up in a desire to give him what he’d given her, she complied. She held his cock then leaned forward and licked the tip where the tiny bit of fluid glazed the tip. It was salty, his scent musky. He gasped then gasped again when she repeated the action. Over and over she swirled her tongue along the tip, taking no particular direction other than instinct. Following that instinct, she took his cock in her mouth and did as he’d suggested. She sucked him, used her tongue, pumped with her hand until the motion was effortless and natural. Excitement danced inside her where she would have expected repulsion.

  “Wait!” Rayder was gasping. “I’ll come in your mouth if you keep that up. I don’t know if you’re ready for that yet. I have another idea. Lie back.”

  She did as he suggested, sliding up toward the head of the bed. He stripped off his boots then his trousers then pulled his tunic over his head. Standing there naked, he made an impressive sight. She gawked. How could she not? Yes, she’d seen him naked before, but somehow this time it meant even more. If there were gods, this man stood among them as a remarkable one.

  As he crawled onto the bed, she asked, “I thought we weren’t having complete sex.”

  “We aren’t. But close to it. You tempt me too much.”

  He spread her legs, wedged his hips between hers and propped on his forearms. His cock touched her pussy, and she moaned at the sensation.

  “What are we doing?” she asked.

  “Close your eyes and feel.”

  She did and he kissed her. His tongue took her with heated thrusts. His cock slid over her pussy, teasing the wet folds and over her clit. She gasped into his mouth, but his kisses muffled her exclamation. Moaning and writhing, she lifted her hips and found a rhythm as he stroked her. She gripped his shoulders as he moved her faster, harder, bringing her quickly to the top until she couldn’t take anymore. Her pussy contracted and released as she climaxed. She screamed, a high, loud call of mind-splintering ecstasy. With a guttural roar, he stiffened and shuddered. White liquid spurted from his cock in heavy streams and splattered on her stomach.

  He hovered over her for a considerable time, and she opened her eyes. His eyes were still closed, but the utter bliss on his face filled her with awe.

  When Rayder looked at her, his eyes had returned to their dark brown mysteriousness.

  “The red is gone,” she said quietly.

  “Because the fire is extinguished. For now.”

  He rolled away from her and left the bed. Bereft, she wondered if the bliss she’d experienced would ever happen again. He entered the cleaning room and returned a
moment later with a wet cloth for her. When she took it, he returned to the cleaning room and closed the door. Her mind awhirl, a thousand sensations bouncing around in her mind, she cleaned herself. After he returned, she went naked into the small room that served as a special place to take care of personal needs, including another washbasin and a strange device that trickled water like a cascade. She took her time, and when she returned refreshed, he was in bed under the covers.

  “You’re wearing clothes,” she said, surprised.

  “To prevent temptation.” He put his hands behind his head and watched her approach with obvious appreciation for her nakedness. “But you may sleep naked if you wish.”

  Still shaken by her experiences with him, still filled with questions, she shook her head. “I need time to think.”

  He smiled, and wickedness sparkled in his eyes. “You are the most cerebral woman I know.”

  She dressed quickly in the cool room. “I should hardly think so. What about the other women on the ship?”

  He held his hand out. “Climb into bed and I’ll keep you warm. You need some rest.”

  She did as he asked, and when her head lay on his chest and his arms held her tight, the warmth of his embrace eased her into a sleepy state. “It’s only morning and we’re lying abed.”

  “People expect us to.”

  “You’ve never impressed me as a man who does much because it’s expected.”

  He snorted. “You’d be surprised.”

  “Such as?”

  “Never mind.”

  Exasperated, she sighed and then couldn’t suppress a yawn. “You never answered my question. What about the other women? Yoanda? Phili? They aren’t cerebral women?”

  “I don’t know how intelligent they are. Best stay away from Phili.”

  “No need to worry. I can tell she can’t stand me.”

  “She’s an imbecile if she doesn’t like you.”

  His compliment took her almost as much by surprise as the wild acts they’d just performed. “Sometimes I’m sure you don’t like me.”

  “I wouldn’t have made love to you if I didn’t like you.”

  “You don’t have women just to…”

  “Have them? Yes, my needs are strong, but I can resist. If I’m aroused after I fight, I just take my cock in hand and take care of my own needs.”

  She flushed. “Oh.”

  He hugged her close and rubbed her arms, breathing in deeply. “At least I could resist until I met you. With you…”

  “Yes?”

  “You’re my mate, and that means I can never have another woman.”

  Startled, she leaned up on one elbow and dared stare at him. “Never?”

  It was his turn to yawn, and his warm palms moved up and down her back and over her arms. “It’s abhorrent to me.”

  Amazed, she sank back into his arms. Guilt also surfaced from an unknown place. Never have another woman? She didn’t’ know what to think about that. When she left him to return to Magonia, he would never be with another woman. But she would leave him. She must.

  “I have no idea how to return to my previous state of mind,” she said.

  He chuckled, and the sound rumbled under her cheek. She adored the feeling, the sense of protection and comfort and complete safety with him holding her. “Why do you have to return to your previous state? Every moment of every day we’re altered by our experiences. By our desires.”

  She smoothed her palm over his chest, continuing to marvel at his strength. “This experience isn’t what I expected.”

  “Oh? What did you expect?”

  “Pain. Disgust. Something…awful.”

  He sighed. “We haven’t had full sex yet. You’re no longer a virgin in one sense.”

  She pulled out of his arms and sat up. “Why?”

  “When I had my fingers inside you, I broke your virginal seal.”

  “Oh.” She rubbed her hands together. “The little pain I felt.”

  “But it’s gone now. You can have sex without pain. No matter what your scribes or parents or Chronicles of Magon say.”

  Mockery in his voice made her rebel. The thought of her parents filled her with emotions too sharp and haunting. She turned a scornful look on him.

  “What’s wrong now?” he asked.

  She turned away from him, lay on her side and pulled the covers to her chin. “You expect me to simply take your derision as if it were all true?”

  He sighed, the sound unusually weary. “I spend so much time with thieves and brigands I sometimes forget a woman needs a finer touch.”

  Disgruntled, she kept her back to him and clutched her pillow. “I don’t need a finer touch. I need honesty without ugliness and respect as a human. All Magonians are not the same, and no matter what you may have heard, you don’t know everything about our continent. There are many beautiful things about Magonia.”

  He turned on his side as well, but didn’t touch her. He stayed so silent for so long, she thought maybe he’d fallen asleep. “You’re right.”

  The man never ceased to surprise her. “I’m right?”

  He laughed. “I’ve never been to Magonia.” His fingers tangled in her hair gently, like a caress. “Perhaps you’ll show it to me someday.”

  “No, I wouldn’t. That could never be.”

  “It will be.”

  The conviction in his voice sent her hackles up. She wanted to refute him, to argue with him and realized she’d never spoke with such challenge to any man before she met Rayder Tyrus. And each time she did, her connection to him appeared to grow deeper and stronger. Despite what she’d experienced in his arms, the amazing ecstasy she’d felt, she couldn’t remain his wife. He’d never agree to her returning to Magonia without him. And she couldn’t live knowing that Taris Elian had gotten away with destroying her family.

  But he was dead now and that soothed some of her desire for revenge.

  Rayder’s assertion he couldn’t have another woman or that he’d see Magonia with her kept her mind awash in uncertainties. When she reached Dragonia, she would escape him. Besides, she could never prove a good wife to Rayder even if she wished to. He wanted children to repopulate Dragonia.

  She could never give him children.

  Chapter Nine

  As Rayder and Xandra stepped outside the cabin later that day into the clear sky and bright sun, Xandra surveyed the immediate area with suspicion. Several men worked on the deck. The work they did meant little to her—she’d never learned much about ships. Now was her opportunity.

  Two of the men looked her way, and the interest in their eyes made her flinch.

  “Take my arm.” Rayder offered her his arm and she obliged him.

  At that moment she understood that she’d lied to herself. She feared exploring the ship after the ceremony and the wondrous experience of lovemaking. People would look at her differently now, knowing that Rayder had taken her. Holding his arm gave her security, and she didn’t like that idea. Depending entirely on this man didn’t sit well with her on so many levels. If she was to escape, she couldn’t rely on him.

  His forearm bunched a little as she touched him, and she smiled. She recognized how she’d affected him and power filled her. Power over a man was something she’d never experienced before or imagined that she ever would. Uncertainty still filled her thoughts around him. He’d been gentle with her, but she sensed his ruthlessness.

  This man could be cruel when required. She never wanted to incur his wrath, for she knew it would be a terrible thing to behold.

  Her fingers slid from his forearm to biceps, and when his muscle bunched, the strength under her touch sent wild thrills through her. If nothing else, last night had proven she must be on guard against further seduction. What happened had torn her off her foundation and shown her something about herself she’d never known existed. Shaking off the thought of physical pleasures, she walked with him, and he provided details on the ship.

  “We arrived in Dragonia a few minutes
ago,” he said, even though she’d recognized the sensation of the ship coming into a dock. “We’ll head to the other side of the ship so you can see.”

  Excitement curled in her belly. Despite her fear of Dragonia and what may lie ahead, part of her wanted this experience with a force that refused denial. “What part of Dragonia?”

  “Closest to Grimnald Castle. We’re several miles from it, but it’s the closest civilization.”

  “Are you from this castle?”

  “No. I was born and raised in Felican Castle, which is near the border between the Ithaycan desert and the Tarrian jungle.”

  “There aren’t any castles in Magonia. I’d like to see one.” They didn’t move from their place on the deck, and she turned toward him with curiosity. “Is it safe to come to shore here? Won’t the authorities take the ship?”

  He laughed softly, the sound more deadly than amused. “They wouldn’t dare. There’s one thing about this ship you have to know, Xandra. We do what we want when we want, and the Daryk Ones haven’t been able to stop us. With Drakus Fina on our side, we’re powerful.”

  Disconcerted, she tightened her grip on his arm and they started walking. Fear started a slow and creeping rise inside her. So many new things had happened, and her situation seemed perilous. She had to stay strong if she wanted to survive.

  From this point forward she’d plan her escape. “How long will we dock here?”

  “I don’t know. Perhaps a day or two. It depends on several factors.” He gestured to the sails on the ship, obviously wanted to turn the discussion in a totally different direction. “Come, let me show you around. This ship is heavily gunned and a first-rate.”

  “First-rate?”

  “It has over one hundred guns.”

  He gestured as they walked, using quite a few words to describe the ship that meant nothing to her. Mizzen mast, poop rail, topmast, futlock shroud, spritsail, outer jib and inner jib, fore topsail and main topgallant sail. The list went on. Beyond the technicalities, she admired the brutal beauty of the Beast. She’d never imagined a ship this large before. The passenger ship was five times smaller than the slave ship, and that said a lot—the Hydrasoseles had dwarfed most others at the dock. This colossal craft dominated the water, and the way it handled a storm proved its worth. The open gallery and balcony and elaborate woodcarving gave the ship a splendor she admired.