“I haven’t told her,” Rayder said.
“When you get her back, you should. Never let an opportunity go by. I was obsessed with your sister.”
Rayder couldn’t smile or laugh because his emotions scattered. He didn’t know yet whether he liked or hated the idea. What did it matter? Aknada wasn’t here. She couldn’t be hurt by anyone anymore. “Obsessed how?”
“I wanted her for mine.”
Rayder smirked. “You loved her?”
“I don’t think I understand what love is.”
“It wouldn’t have mattered. She was betrothed to Braxis.”
“I remember. I just wanted you to know why I hated Aramus. Why I’ll help you bring him down now.”
Marc’s eyes held real pain. Rayder stood. He couldn’t blame Marc, even if he wanted to dismiss the man. Maybe Marc could have some peace of mind.
“Very well.” Rayder made certain his pack centered firmly on his back. “Let us go. It’s not much farther now. I can hear the animals.”
Marc shoved to his feet as he finished chewing and slung his pack over his shoulder. “Those smelly animals. They piss on everything and bite. But they can make it through the desert on little water.”
Rayder smiled as they headed back into the jungle. “Tell me something I don’t know. Come on. We will discuss this later. I will decided then whether to kick your arse or not.”
Marc laughed. “You can try.”
“I’m a Daryk One. You know I can do it.” Rayder pushed into the heavy foliage in front of him. “Keep your voice low. The caravan is less than a hundred yards ahead.”
They crouched low behind a thick tangle of bushes laden with red flowers. Pian’s caravan of more than a hundred people sat unmoving. They’d made camp.
Marc whispered, “Nightfall comes in two hours. I say we wait until then.”
Rayder nodded. All of this was suicide. The two of them couldn’t fight a hundred people at once. But by the god, they could cut a wide trough. Marc might not be a Daryk One, but Rayder acknowledged Marc could fight. He’d seen him do it.
“Very well. Let’s rest.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Xandra started as a man entered her tent. Tall, thin, with a red scarf partially draped over short black hair and narrow features tanned brown by relentless desert sun. Fiery blue eyes almost as pretty as Aknada’s stared down at her. A long dark blue tunic ended at his knees but was belted at the waist with some sort of rope. Matching blue pants were tucked into knee-high black boots.
At least Aknada was with her, standing in the corner. Somehow she knew Aknada wouldn’t allow anything to happen to her.
“Do not be alarmed,” the man said as a smile broke over his face. His voice was deep, melodious and gentle. “I am Pian. I am sorry you are in this predicament. Aknada has told me much about you.” He tossed at glance at Aknada and nodded. “She is well respected around our camp. Most in camp would do anything for her, including me. If she says you are trustworthy, I know it to be so.”
“Thank you.” Xandra nodded. “I understand you are a kind man. I think you saved me from Taris Elian.”
Pian nodded, hands on his hips. “I gathered he’s an evil man. I was happy to buy you.”
Xandra winced. “Does this mean I’m your slave?”
“In a strict sense, yes, but I will not hold you to it. You are free to go at any time.”
Xandra couldn’t imagine a so-called slaver with morals like Pian. “You aren’t truly a slaver, are you?” She held out her hands. “I have no money to pay you back.”
Pian smiled, and the kindness in his eyes couldn’t be denied. “I prefer to think of myself as a rescuer. Once I buy people, they are free to escape, if you will. Or, as many do, they are free to stay with us in our safe desert haven.”
“You move around all the time.”
“Essentially we are nomadic. We’re safer this way.”
Nodding, Xandra tried to absorb her good fortune. Relief flowed through her in a wave. “Thank you. How can I repay you for such generosity?”
“No need. I do this for all the oppressed. I was once treated as less than nothing because of my sexuality. Even in Dragonia it’s not fully accepted. Someone once treated me with kindness and sheltered me from harm. This is my way of giving back.”
“I’m fortunate Taris Elian didn’t know that. Will you help me return to my mate?”
Pian nodded. “You will stay with us until we can find this Rayder Tyrus.”
“He’s with the Beast.”
“That’s what Aknada tells me. She explained he isn’t so different from me. He wants to release slaves.”
“And he does so at great peril.”
“A commendable man. Sleep and rest. We leave in the morning.”
Without another word, he slipped out of the tent. Xandra stared after him, amazed.
Aknada sat on the bed next to her. “You can trust him and you can trust me.”
“I know.” Xandra closed her eyes and soaked in the safety. “I cannot wait to see Rayder again.”
Aknada slept on a pallet on the floor after insisting Xandra keep the bed to recover. Xandra fell asleep with peace of mind—the first time she’d experienced calmness since she’d last woken up in Rayder’s arms. Her contentment lasted until morning.
Shouting jolted her out of sleep. Her heartbeat thumped in her ears as she shot straight upward in bed. The tent glowed with pale light—a lamp flickered at the far side of the room. Aknada sprang to her feet, grabbed a sword nearby and hurried to the tent flap.
“What’s happening?” Xandra shoved her feet into boots and sprang to her feet.
Aknada cautiously peeked through the tent flap. “Damn the hells! It’s a raid. Come on. Let’s go.”
“Where?”
“Follow me and stay close.”
Running into the pitch-black desert didn’t appeal to Xandra but what could she do? Xandra glanced around for a weapon and saw nothing she could use.
“Don’t dally.” Aknada gestured for her to hurry.
Xandra grabbed a pack nearby she knew held water and food.
They rushed from the tent, Xandra hot on Aknada’s heels. Sand sucked at Xandra’s feet and slowed her down. She raced behind Aknada. Screams echoed in the camp, and a chill shot up Xandra’s spine. Fear scalded as wind rustled the tents scattered over the sand. Alamuts broke loose from tethers and escaped. Men descended on Pian’s camp, swords slashing, hacking, taking down whoever and whatever they could.
Aknada grabbed her arm and hauled her toward three dunes that connected and broke apart in a strange dance. A hallucination? Black, white and cream and colored the landscape with strange shadows. Nearby, fire engulfed one tent and screams of terror filled the air. Xandra’s breath cut, tightening in her chest. Determined, Xandra forced her body to move, despite the terror ripping apart the land behind her. Once they reached the dunes, Aknada directed her to hunker down where no one could see them.
Amid the chaotic noises, Xandra heard the screams of women and trembled. By the god, were they being murdered?
In the darkness, Xandra couldn’t see Aknada’s face well, but she sensed the tension coming off her in waves.
Aknada turned toward her. “Stay here. I’m going to see what’s happening.”
Aknada started to move, but Xandra caught her arm. “No. You’ll be killed.”
Aknada shook her head. “I am not that easy to kill. Remember, I am a Daryk One.”
As Aknada left her cowering behind the sand dune, Xandra thought she’d never get her breath. She trembled, tired of fighting her way through situations of peril and strife. What choice did she have?
No.
Fear shoved aside her attempts to stay calm. Was Aknada safe? Then she saw people moving around. She had no idea if they were friendly.
She waited, hesitating to move in with no way to defend herself. That’s when she saw two figures coming around the dunes at full speed as if they headed toward the cha
os, ready to join in the mayhem. She stilled, holding her breath as they raced toward her. Before she could run, they were on her.
“Halt!” One man held his sword up, his voice harsh and sure.
“Please I’m—” she gasped.
“Xandra?” Rayder’s voice, incredulous, broke sharply through the air.
She didn’t pay attention to the man with him. Joy swept her. “Rayder?”
Rayder threw down his sword and snatched her into his arms. “Thank Draconus.”
His hoarse declaration and arms tight around her filled Xandra with boundless relief. She shook inside, her heart pounding. She opened her eyes long enough to note the man with him stood near. All she could see beyond his big body and the impression of sharp features was long hair around his shoulders.
Rayder pressed a hard kiss to her mouth and buried his face in her hair. “My beauty. I thought—”
He cut himself off, his breath puffing hard against her skin.
She managed to push words out of her tight throat. “How did you know I was here?”
“Phili.” He kept his voice low. “Come on, we must leave.”
“Hurry,” the other man said. “There’s no time to waste.”
“Wait. We can’t.” Xandra kept a tight grip on Rayder, fingers digging into his shoulders as she eyed the man next to him. “Aknada is still in there.”
Both men went silent, but she couldn’t see their expressions.
“Aknada?” The other man’s deep voice broke with emotion. “It cannot be.”
She cupped Rayder’s face. “Your sister is alive, Rayder. I swear to you.”
“Draconus,” the other man whispered.
“She took care of me. Pian, the slaver—he isn’t a bad man. He’s taken care of her all this time. We have to help these people.”
“Shite.” Rayder’s harsh curse cut the air. “My sister? Alive all this time. How?”
Xandra kissed his lips. “It is a long story we don’t have time for.”
The man with him gripped his arm and Rayder released Xandra. “You stay here. I’ll go in for her.”
“By the god, you will not.” Rayder’s voice was equally determined.
“We’ll all go,” Xandra said. “And don’t try to tell me we aren’t in this together.”
“It is too dangerous,” the other man said.
Rayder retrieved his sword and slipped his arm around her. “Marc, there’s little use in arguing with her.”
Xandra stared at the man in shock. “Marc? Marc Gampia?”
The man stepped forward. “How did you know my name?”
“Aknada said she didn’t want to see you, but I have a feeling that isn’t true.”
“By the god, she will see me.” Marc’s voice rasped with indignation. “She will see me.”
“Time’s a wasting. Let’s go.” Rayder pulled a dagger from his belt and handed it to Xandra.
The skirted the dunes and approached the scene with caution. Although her heart beat so loudly in her ears Xandra thought everyone else could hear it, she pressed forward. The men didn’t need a coward along for the ride. She stayed a pace behind them on Rayder’s insistence but made certain to look behind her on occasion.
They entered the scene and a cold sweat broke out over Xandra. Bodies littered the area here and there. Most were men, though she saw a woman lying nearby. They checked the bodies for signs of life but found none.
“These two are from the Beast,” Xandra said to Rayder as he checked two men lying facedown in bloody sand.
“The Beast?” Marc’s question hung in the air. “They came all the way from the ship?”
“No. They were with Taris Elian,” she said. “They must have plotted to come back and pillage. I thought Taris just wanted to sell me.”
“Apparently not,” Rayder said as several men with torches came toward them. “Stay on guard.”
She touched his forearm. “It’s all right. They’re a part of this camp.” She waved to show their friendly intentions. “I don’t think they’ll hurt us.”
“You don’t think they’ll hurt us.” Marc didn’t sound convinced.
“Pian.” She recognized him striding toward them. “Pian is with them.”
Rayder slipped an arm around her. “The slaver?”
She glanced up into his face. “I told you, he’s not like you think. He’s a kind man who took care of Aknada these three years.”
Rayder shook his head. “I can’t believe it. Aknada is alive.” Rayder’s voice filled with joy and disbelief.
“Come on.” She moved forward.
They headed toward Pian. When they reached him and the two other men, Pian held his hand up in a gesture of welcome. His face was smeared with blood, and his expression was grim.
“My dear Xandra. Are these men friend or foe?” Pian asked as they came to a stop.
She smiled, but it was weak. “This is Rayder Tyrus, my husband, and Marc Gampia.”
Pian smiled despite everything that had happened. “You are welcome here.”
Rayder’s face gave away nothing as he assessed Pian. “Thank you for taking care of my mate. I owe you.”
Pain shook his head. “You owe me nothing. We’ve been raided. First time in years.”
Rayder said, “We heard that Xandra had been taken and knew that Taris Elian would probably try to sell her. We saw the men attacking your camp.”
“I recognized them. They’re from the Beast.” Xandra had to let them know. “Men who came with Taris to sell me.”
“Where is Aknada?” Rayder and Marc spoke at the same time.
Pian’s expression sent cold chills through Xandra. “She is injured.”
“Oh Magon.” Xandra whispered the prayer under her breath.
Marc stepped toward Pian. “Take us to her now.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Aknada lay on a bed in a tent that hadn’t been burned. Rayder sat on one side of the bed with Xandra at his side while Marc sat on the other. Rayder wanted to reach out and beg Aknada to waken, to explain why she’d hidden with Pian’s people for three years. He burned for answers. He burned with anger at her. He also begged Draconus to save her life.
Pian entered the tent and stood without saying a word. Pian had brought the healer who traveled with his group, and the woman had declared that Aknada’s injuries were grave and would take special care.
“Her head is injured, her arm is broken. I’ll set this arm, but she must be taken someplace stable and safe to recover in full. With head injuries it is never certain the person will recover. She may not wake.”
The healer’s words had sent everyone into total silence, stunned and grieving. It was like losing her a second time, and it decimated Rayder. After the healer left, they’d remained silent for a long time. All seemed unable or unwilling to voice their concerns and confusion.
“She’s a Daryk One,” Marc had finally said. “She has healing ability unlike the average person. She must live.”
His voice had held fear and genuine grief. Genuine regret. Rayder understood fully what he hadn’t before. Marc loved Aknada and probably always had.
Soaked in misery, Rayder did not respond when Xandra stood slowly and stretched. “I must walk a little.”
Rayder nodded then stood. He wasn’t letting her out of his sight.
Marc glanced up at them. “I will stay with Aknada.”
So many had lost their lives at the camp, but many had also survived. As it turned out, the two men who tried to kill so many met their death at Pian’s hand. Rayder recognized the attackers as men from the Beast. Taris Elian was also among the dead, according to Pian, but it was unclear who had killed him.
Xandra reached for Rayder’s hand and he enveloped her fingers. Despite his elation at having her back with him, he worried for his sister and his mind roiled with questions and anger.
As Xandra and Rayder stood in the breaking dawn, just outside the tent where Aknada lay, sand shifted around their feet. Bla
ck and cream, the ground swirled as wind moaned around them.
Rayder turned her toward him, his hands on her shoulders at first as he stared into her eyes. His handsome features, so beautiful and yet harsh, made her heartbeat quicken. By all that was holy, the joy of seeing him filled her and overwhelmed her fear for Aknada.
Before she could speak, he snatched her against him and covered her mouth with his. Instantly she fell into heated, liquid desire. Desperate and aggressive, his mouth took hers. His tongue plunged deep, stroking over hers until the rasp and caress sent swirls of liquid heat pouring into her loins. She squirmed against him, hips pressing to his. His long, erect cock grew harder against her belly. She ached to have it thrusting inside her, stroking her core until she spasmed in orgasm around all that thick hardness. Ah, how far had she changed? From a woman who believed—however tenuously—in the Chronicles of Magon, to a woman whose desire for a man outstretched any concern about sin.
Startled, she drew back from his kiss. “Rayder. I was so… I didn’t think you’d ever know where to find me.”
He explained more about being at Marc Gampia’s compound and Phili’s appearance. “If she hadn’t seen those men take you off the ship, perhaps I still wouldn’t know where you were.” He cupped her check. “But no matter what, I would have found you. If it took all my life.”
His reassurance warmed her inside as nothing else could have. Perhaps he’d forgotten that she couldn’t have children?
Wind flowed through the dunes with more furious gusts. Glad for the long tunic and pants she wore which protected her from the elements, she also wished to shelter Rayder. The big, tough, wonderful man could still hurt. He could still lose his sister—a second time.
Xandra touched his face, enjoying the bristle of more than a day’s worth of beard. “Your sister will survive this.”
“Yes. I know.” His voice was bleak, even a bit confused as he released her. “What did she tell you? Why has she been here all this time?”
Grief filled his eyes, and Xandra hastened to tell him everything she knew. When she finished, he looked deep in thought.
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