Returning her eyes to his face, she realized that this big, handsome trader was about her own age, and his gaze was boldly appreciative without a trace of the blind lust that usually filled men’s eyes when they looked at the Reekas. Strangely unsettled, she brought her attention back to the conversation between her leader and the Daamen captain.
“If you won’t tell me where she’s gone then at least tell me when she’ll return,” Darvk demanded.
“I told you before,” Reya replied, “she’s not coming back.”
“You’re lying.”
She shrugged. “So wait and see. I don’t care.” Turning, she walked back into the entrance to the mountain, her sister warriors following, except Merly, who resumed her guard position near the entrance.
Connie glanced over her shoulder to see Darvk look at Merly and ask hopefully, “I don’t suppose you’ll tell me?”
Blank eyes stared at him, and with a frustrated sigh he admitted defeat again. For now only, Connie knew. The traders left the area and returned to their ship.
~ * ~
Stars winked in the night sky when Reya sought out Aster, finding the young redhead sitting on the ledge.
“Seems to be a popular place for brooding.” Leaning against the rock wall, she crossed her arms and ankles.
There was no answer and she sighed. She was no good at offering comfort and Aster needed it. Silently cursing Connie for being conveniently absent, she sat down beside the warrior. “Don’t blame yourself.”
“I do. I revealed our secret.”
“It wasn’t your doing. A truth potion of some kind was used. I know you’d sooner die than reveal our position.”
“I’ve brought others here.”
“It’s not as if you’ve brought the enemy.”
“This is - was - our sanctuary, known only to us. Now…” Aster stared down at the big spaceship partially hidden beneath the canopy of trees. “Now they know.”
“They won’t harm us nor betray us.” Reya did a mental eye roll. “Trust me, if they thought we were in danger, they’d simply go all protective and claim us as theirs, thereby bringing the force of the law at their backs, and no one could do a damn thing about it.”
“Claim us?” Aster’s was incredulous. “All of us?”
“Don’t worry, it’s not going to happen. This is between Tenia and Darvk, unless we’re lucky enough that he’ll fly off thinking he can find her out there somewhere.” Reya wished wistfully that that would happen, but she doubted it. “Anyway, it is what it is. They’re here, we’re here. Whatever happens will happen. And you didn’t ‘bring’ them.”
Looking out over the dark forest stretched out below, Aster muttered, “I blame myself.”
“You’re the only one who does. I’m no good with soft words, let it suffice to say that no one blames you and you’re a valued warrior.”
“But-”
“As your leader, I order you to cease flaying yourself over something of which you had no control.” Reya stood up. “It’s late and I’m heading for bed. What about you?”
“No, I’m wide awake.” Aster gave a small, wry smile. “I’ve had penty of sleep.”
“Fine. Since Yesta is of the same mind, you can both be on guard duty and we’ll rest. Any problems, you know the drill.”
“Thank you, Reya.”
Predictably, she shrugged. “Nothing to thank me for.”
~ * ~
Tenia and Serena were walking slowly toward the mountain when Merly appeared. She frowned at the self-adhesive patch on Tenia’s thigh and the blotches of blood that spattered their clothes. “What the hell happened to you two?”
“A little run in with the law,” Tenia replied. “It’s all good.”
Merly fell into step beside them. “Tenia, there’s something you should prepare yourself for.”
“Deathman didn’t finish the weapons?”
“Worse.”
Tenia stiffened. “Reya’s all right? The others? The children?”
“We’re all fine. It’s-”
“Tenia!”
Shocked at the familiar tone she’d never thought to hear again, she froze. It couldn’t be. Surely not…
“It’s a man!” Serena was stunned. “Here!”
Heart pounding, Tenia swivelled about to face the dark-haired giant with the vivid blue eyes who stood not ten feet away from her.
“Darvk,” she whispered disbelievingly. A fleeting joy filled her. He’d found her! He hadn’t given up! But dismay followed just as quickly. “How did you find me?”
“Never mind that.” Concern replacing the anger in his eyes, he moved forward swiftly. “You’re covered in blood.”
“Huh?” She glanced down at herself. “Oh, it’s not all mine.”
“Not all yours? That means some of it is.” Catching her shoulders, he held her back while his gaze swept over her searchingly. “Where exactly are you hurt?” He saw the patch on her thigh. “Tenia-”
“I fixed it up. It’s not bad.” Her heart thumped in combined joy and dread at his presence. “Darvk, what are you doing here?”
“What do you think?” His words were harsh, but then he jerked her into his arms, hugged her tight, dropped a kiss atop her head. Equally as quick, he set her back and growled, “Damn it, wench! How could you? How could you just run away and-”
“Hey!” Serena shoved herself between them, effectively breaking his hold on Tenia. “Back off!” Her hand flashed down, flashed up, the tip of her dagger pressing against Darvk’s chest.
Darvk looked from the dagger to her face, one eyebrow arching.
Her eyes narrowed, daring him to move.
“Uh - Serena.” Tenia touched her shoulder. “This is Darvk. You know, the trader who was helping us and-”
“I see he found you,” Reya observed sourly as she entered the clearing.
Serena’s eyes widened at the sight of three more giant men following on her leader’s heels. “What the hell…?”
“My feelings exactly,” Reya agreed coldly, her gaze scanning them both. “You two all right?”
Tenia nodded, her attention still on Darvk.
Anger, relief and worry chased each other across his ruggedly handsome face as his attention switched from a gaping Serena to Tenia. “We need to talk.”
“Why did you come?” she asked, heart skipping between joy and heaviness.
“Did you honestly think I’d forget about you?” he demanded.
“I…”
“Did you?”
“It would have been better for you,” she hedged.
“Why did you leave?” His eyes were intense. “I thought you loved me.”
“I do…I just…” She truly didn’t know what to say. “Darvk…”
Reya snorted and folded her arms.
Tenia’s cheeks started to burn as she became aware of their interested audience shamelessly listening.
Connie cleared her throat. “I think we’ll leave you two to talk about things.”
Her cool composure broken for a fleeting instant, Reya scowled.
“Darvk.” Tenia swallowed. “I…”
“You owe it to me,” he said bleakly.
The mixture of pain and anger in his eyes made her nod slowly. “I do.” God, did she ever. “Can you wait for me near the entrance of the mountain?”
His eyes sharpened with suspicion.
Ouch. But I guess I deserve it. “I need to clean up, that’s all. I won’t be long. I promise.”
He regarded her hard for several seconds, then nodded abruptly. “I’ll be waiting.”
She wasn’t sure if it was a promise or a threat.
Chapter 13
Leaving the entrance to the mountain, she found Darvk sitting on a nearby boulder waiting.
He jumped down. “Walk with me to the stream.”
There was tension about him, a tightness in his big body and a glitter of anger in his eyes. Warily, she approached him, but he didn’t reach for her, instead turni
ng to stride along beside her.
Silent, they moved away from the mountain and into the forest, the trees closing around to hide them from view.
Still he said nothing and Tenia felt uneasy, wishing he’d speak. Out of the corner of her eye she could see his set features turned forward.
What was he thinking? Why didn’t he speak? Say something? Or did he strive to make her nervous? Worried? She felt terrible, but at the same time was so happy to see him. Emotions in turmoil she wasn’t sure how to broach anything right then.
But she had to. “Darvk, I-”
Her words broke off with a gasp as a strong arm whipped around her waist and he yanked her against his hard chest. Firm lips came fiercely down upon hers. The feel of the heavily muscled arms holding her and the first touch of his lips wiped all thoughts from her mind and she met his kiss hungrily.
His tongue swept in, reacquainting her with his taste. The kiss was hard, almost desperate. She recognised it, felt the same, kissed him back hungrily.
He pulled away just enough to whisper harshly, “I nearly lost you, Tenia. I wondered if I’d ever find you again, if you were lost to me.”
“I’m not,” she whispered back. “I’m here. I’m safe.”
Closing his eyes, he breathed deeply, and she relaxed. Maybe it was all right, maybe he’d forgiven her.
But then his eyes opened to reveal hotly burning anger.
Before she knew it, Tenia found herself backed up against the thick trunk of a nearby tree. It was wide enough that he could place his hands either side of her head, bracing himself on brawny arms as he leaned forward to glare into her eyes.
“You ran at the first sign of confrontation.” The accusation was sharp.
She licked her lips. “I never run from a fight.”
“I said confrontation. When it comes to fighting, you’re an expert. But when it comes to confronting a problem, you’re a bloody coward.”
“I face my problems.”
“Do you? Do you really? So what was the problem with me that you couldn’t face? First you profess to love me, then you run.”
She bit her lip.
“What is it? What’s the problem?”
“I never meant to hurt you, Darvk, I swear.”
His face darkened. “No pretty words professing your love, Tenia?”
“You don’t understand.”
“Nay, I don’t.” The words were hard and contemptuous. “Tell me.”
Turning her head to the side, she sucked in a breath while fighting a sudden urge to cry. Stupid, stupid.
A strong hand cupped her cheek and turned her back to face him.
“Look at me,” he grated, “and tell me the truth.”
“You won’t like it.”
“I won’t like it?” His nostrils flared. “Are you serious?”
“Darvk, please, trust me, I had a good reason-”
“Trust? Trust goes two ways, lass, and so far there’s been nothing but betrayal.”
“I never betrayed you!” Her cheeks flushed hotly as soon as the words left her lips, because she had betrayed him.
His eyes narrowed knowingly.
A lump rose in her throat at the hurt that flared briefly in his eyes, the knowledge that she’d truly hurt him always there but so very painful to actually see. Running away meant she hadn’t had to see the pain her actions had caused, seeing it now tore at her. Not for anything had she ever wanted to hurt him. Her actions had been for the exact opposite reason.
“What would you call sneaking off behind my back?” He demanded. “Do you really care that little for me?”
Unable to meet his eyes, her gaze dropped. “Please…” Her vision blurred as she stared at his chest.
“Have you done this before?”
“What? No!”
“Was I a new sport, a way to amuse yourself?”
“I left to…”
“To what? Leave behind a hindrance? A stupid, useless male? What the hell happened, Tenia? What did I do that made you turn from me? Not trust me?”
“I left to save you,” she choked.
“What?”
A tear spilled over. “So you wouldn’t be killed.”
“Killed?”
She finally looked up to see him staring down at her. “I was trying to save you more hurt.”
Bewildered, he shook his head. “What do you mean?”
“You were injured when you rescued us from hanging, and some of your crew were too.”
“Injured?” He frowned. “What has that to do with this?”
“I won’t have you die because of me.” She started crying.
She half expected him to shove away in disgust, but it shouldn’t have been a surprise when instead strong arms enclosed her and pulled her against his muscular chest. He sighed. “Ah, Tenia, why didn’t you tell me?”
The hardness was gone, warmth back in his voice. The same warmth that had always been there whenever he’d spoken to her. The arms that held her were comforting, cradling her gently, and for the life of her, Tenia couldn’t stop herself from leaning into him.
“Oh, Tenia, you should have told me.” Darvk rested his cheek on her golden head.
“I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I’m so sorry.”
“’Tis all right, lass, my dear one.”
“I feared making you hate me,” she choked out. “But I’d rather you hate me than have you die because of me.”
“I was angry, aye, but nothing could make me hate you.” Gently he rocked her. “I love you more than life itself.”
“Leave, Darvk. Don’t stay here. I’m no good for you.”
“I’ll never leave you, lass. ‘Tis time you reconciled yourself to that.”
She swallowed another sob, snuggled closer, her emotions calming at his nearness, at his acceptance, relief pouring through her that he still loved her.
“To be without you is a living death.” He pressed a kiss on top of her head. “Life is nothing without you. You should have told me of your fears.”
“You wouldn’t have let me leave.” She wiped her cheeks with one hand. “If you had to, you’d have held me captive.”
“You know me so well.” Humour tinged his tone before returning to seriousness. “You’ll never leave me again.”
Not quite what she wanted to hear, but no surprise either. “Listen to me-”
“Nay.” Placing one finger beneath her chin, he tilted her head back so their gazes met. “You listen to me. I love you, Tenia, and I’ll protect you.”
“But you-”
“Shush. Together we’ll find the out the truth, my crew and I working with your warriors and you.”
“You could be killed. How can I ever forgive myself if you were killed?”
“Any of us could die, Tenia. You could die while searching for the truth. Have you not thought that as you worry about me, I do the same about you?”
He had the power to melt her bones. The truth of what he said undeniable, the truth of his love for her just as undeniable. But still…She touched his cheek. “I’ve lived with death on my heels for a while, Darvk.”
“Now you’ll live with me on your heels.” Lowering his head, his mouth hovered above hers. “From now and throughout eternity.”
He took her lips in a gentle caress, light, sweet, a tender touch that shivered through her soul. In his arms she felt safe, protected, loved. He had the power to make her feel like no man ever had, or ever would.
Tenia rested one hand on the hard swell atop his heart while her other hand glided beneath the vest to rest upon his back, the muscles bunching beneath her palm. His dark hair brushed her shoulders and his clean, masculine scent filled her senses. His lips sipped at hers, coaxing a response she gladly gave, demanding she open to him and she obeyed.
The large hand left her hair to glide down to a generously curved hip, then lowerto her thigh. His lips left hers to press hot kisses down the side of her throat, while his hand slipped beneath the short skirt to feel t
he silken skin of her upper thigh and the heat beyond.
Oh stars, she wanted this, wanted nothing more than to lie beneath him and reacquaint them both with hot touches and hotter delights, but she reluctantly grabbed his hand to still its wicked movements. “We can’t. Not here.”
“There’s no one to see.” He nuzzled the curving join of her neck and shoulder. “I’ve dreamed of little but making love to you since you left.”
“The children.” She gasped as his lips moved lower. “My sisters and children could stumble upon us at any time.” Her grip on his hand tightened. “Darvk.”
He raised his head, his gaze smouldering, and then he gave a regretful sigh and withdrew his hand from her thigh. “You’re right, lass. Come, let’s return. There are plans to make, and no doubt convincing your sister warriors isn’t going to be easy.” He took her hand in his.
Wrapping her free hand around his forearm, Tenia looked up at him, her heart in her eyes.
“But soon,” he whispered hotly, and pressed his lips to her forehead before giving her hand a tug and leading her out of the forest.
The walk back was too quick, each delighting in the company of the other, but the sight of the entrance to the mountain brought their attention back to other matters.
Darvk glanced down at her. “You’ve informed your sister warriors about the Empire?”
“Yes.” She latched onto the mission at hand, refocussing quickly. “We’ve already got a map of Shari’s fortress. I just don’t understand why he hates us so much.”
“I know why. Or partly, anyway.”
Surprised, she looked up at him. “You do?”
“Aye. ‘Tis time we discussed it.” Halting at the foot of the mountain, he squeezed her hand before releasing her and stepping back. “Get your warriors to come to the ship. ’Tis time to piece together part of the story.”
~ * ~
“So,” Shari mused, “Reya and Tenia are no longer with the Daamens. This means, of course, that it’s open hunting season on them both.”
“If they can be found,” Sinya drawled, leaning against the wall.
Outlaw Page 34