DarykRogue (17 page)

Or perhaps her feelings for Rayder influenced her. She hated
that most of all. She couldn’t afford to have feelings for him when she would
have to leave him. Besides that, he wasn’t the kind of man she could see
herself with for life. She needed a gentle, kind and loving man without violent
tendencies, a man who would never hurt her. No, he wasn’t the man for her,
regardless of his statements that she was his mate.

Xandra shifted on her feet, weariness tearing into her
strength. “I’ll stay.”

The admiral stepped forward, and she stood her ground,
daring to look straight into his eyes. Daring him to try anything with so many
witnesses. His slimy gaze trailed up and down her body, and when he licked his
lips she almost hauled off and slapped him.

“So be it. I came here as a humanitarian gesture. I’ll tell
your husband you don’t care. I could have told him no whore from Magonia would
care whether he lived or died.”

He turned and stomped up the stairs, and Xandra didn’t know
whether to sigh in relief or beg forgiveness and run up the stairs after him.

After all, if she didn’t leave now, would she ever leave? If
she went upstairs, would she find Rayder broken and dying? Would she find it a
ruse designed by the admiral to lure her into a dangerous situation? At the
same time, why would Rayder ask for her?

When the door closed and locked again, the choice was taken
from her.

* * * * *

“Fuck her!” Drakus threw one hand up in a gesture of anger.

“I won’t.” Rayder’s anger boiled at the surface, and he was
ready to do whatever was needed. He released the woman. “If it comes down to
it, I don’t need supplies badly enough to rape. And I never will.” He reached
into his breeches pocket and pulled out coins. “My lady. For your troubles.”

He held out the money, and the woman’s gaze darted from him
to Drakus. She snatched the money from his hand but didn’t move.

Drakus looked dumbfounded. “You dare defy me in this?”

Rayder placed his hands on his hips, not touching the
weapons he’d obtained before leaving the ship. “I’ll always defy you when it
comes to rape. No exceptions.”

Drakus stalked to the tent flap and threw it open. “Leave
us!” He pushed the girl out of the tent. “Guards, take her back to the other
slaves. Bring me a new one.” Drakus waved for two other men to come inside as
other men hauled the girl away. “Tie this man up just outside the perimeter. A
dragon might find him tasty. Send his men away with assurances Rayder intends
to stay longer.”

Rayder tensed as the men came toward him. He had no
intention of becoming dragon dinner. He could fight the guards and win, but it
wouldn’t be worth the effort. He couldn’t fight his way through an entire camp
of Drakus’ men. No, he’d bide his time and wait until the two guards took him
into the woods.

Rayder held up his hands to give a submissive impression.

Drakus threw Rayder a dismissive look. “Enjoy your death,
Rayder. It’s unfortunate. You could have helped me win this battle by
impregnating that woman.”

Rayder laughed as the guards divested him of his sword and
placed it on a table by the tent flap. “This so-called battle isn’t about
saving the people of Dragonia and you know it. It’s about your abuse of power
and arrogance.”

Half-expecting one of the guards to cuff him, he braced for
impact. Drakus glared but didn’t respond to the barb. “War is soon upon us,
Rayder. You could have been a part of the solution. Get him out of my sight.”

Rayder regretted that he couldn’t save any of the slaves in
the camp. But if he died, he wouldn’t be able to finish his main goal.

Xandra. He couldn’t leave Xandra to languish on that slave
ship under Aramus’ fist.

As the guards marched him through camp, many of the rogue
Daryk Ones stopped whatever they were doing outside their tents to watch him go
by. A few spit at his feet, but others acknowledged him with respectful bows of
the head. None of them lifted a finger to help Rayder.

No matter. He could do this without help.

Night had fallen and nocturnal creatures emerged to prey on
the weaker. Unlike Drakus, who seemed afraid of the dark, Rayder thrived in it.
Something about the night always intrigued him.

Seeing well at night had never been an issue for a Daryk
One. The guards were Daryk Ones, but as they left the area a couple of ordinary
men left camp and joined the group. They’d probably joined Drakus’ fight
believing the bollocks Drakus told them about repopulating Dragonia and taking
over Magonia. One held a torch. They took him farther into the jungle than he
expected—far east, as a matter of fact. Soon they were out of sight and hearing
range of the camp. None of them spoke, and Rayder liked that. It gave him an
idea for a plan. Element of surprise always worked. They found a rocky
outcropping that jutted straight into the sky, utterly devoid of plant life, a
rarity in the jungle.

“The execution rock,” one of the Daryk Ones said. “Tie him
down.”

The two other men helped, staking Rayder’s arms to the rocks
by drawing his arms upward. His feet were free, but it didn’t matter. They
figured he would be safely pinned. Rayder smiled.

“What you smiling at?” the short man with the torch asked
Rayder.

Rayder shrugged even though his wrists were secured.
“Wondering how long you’ll last out here with the poisonous insects and lizards
and other creatures.”

“Why would you care?” Torchman asked.

The Daryk Ones glared at Rayder but stayed silent.

“Maybe,” Rayder said, “the Daryk Ones have an agenda you
don’t understand.”

The regular men exchanged cautious glances with one another
and drew their swords as if they suspected danger were afoot.

The Daryk Ones nodded at Rayder, their eyes suddenly glowing
red.

Rayder wanted to laugh but he didn’t wish to tip off the men
who’d just drawn their swords. With cries of battle, the Daryk Ones launched at
the other men. Rayder yanked at the ties on his wrists. Bonds snapped under his
strength.

With sharp cries of pain, the men fell under the Daryk Ones’
swords, dying before they could take more than a few breaths. The Daryk Ones
stood over the men then threw glances at Rayder.

“Thank you, my friends,” Rayder said. “Why did you help me?”

One of the Daryk Ones answered, “We’re working from the
inside out. Spying, you might say.”

Rayder grabbed one of the fallen men’s sword and dagger.
“It’s my good fortune. How will you explain my escape?”

The Daryk Ones shrugged. One said, “We’ll say the mighty and
powerful slave trader overpowered us.”

“Right.” Rayder knew his voice sounded sarcastic. “Not a
believable story, but I’m grateful.”

He didn’t waste more time asking how the men would cover
their butts. He ran, because once Drakus realized Rayder had escaped, he might
send additional men after him.

A fine fuckin’ situation it is.

It would take him a better part of the night to reach the
Beast
.
Despite his strong constitution, he needed more food and drink to keep up his
strength. Living off the land wasn’t a problem, but he also wanted intelligence
and figured he could find it with a former Daryk One named Minilos Willburi who
had retired from service to run a tavern. The tavern was outside of Grimnald
Castle. He could grab some food and drink and head back into the night and
locate the
Beast
. He didn’t like the fact Xandra was on the ship without
his protection for this long.

Rayder ran faster.

* * * * *

“You win.” Malena smiled as she tossed her cards onto the
pile in the middle of the table.

Xandra returned her grin as she scooped the cards toward her
and gathered them into a pile. “You won the last time.”

“Guess we’re even then.”

Several of the women watched them play in the early morning
hours while the rest continued to slumber. Xandra was tired too. Malena had
insisted she take her bunk, but Xandra had barely slept. She couldn’t keep
Rayder’s whereabouts out of her mind. What if he needed her and had asked for
her? Conflicting emotions bombarded her. She couldn’t recall the last time
she’d felt this conflicted. Why would Rayder ask for her even if he were dying?
Because he thought she was his mate?

A clanking noise at the top of the stairs startled them, and
they jerked toward the sound.

Xandra had had enough of the admiral and stood, ready to do
something…anything in her own defense, up to and including using Rayder’s
dagger on the admiral.

Perhaps, if all were well, Rayder would be the one at the
top of the stairs. By the god, she hoped. Heavy footsteps clanged down the
stairs, but when Phili appeared, the room went silent. Surprise kept Xandra mum
at first too. Phili was the last person she expected to see.

Phili walked toward Xandra, her face impassive. “Time to
leave.”

Not wanting to miss the opportunity to escape the ship’s
dungeon, Xandra decided she’d ask questions later. She turned to Malena. “Thank
you for the hospitality.” She waved to other women in the room. “Thank you very
much, ladies.”

A chorus of genuine goodbyes followed Xandra upstairs.

“You take care now,” Malena said as Xandra reached the top
of the stairs and freedom. “Don’t forget us.”

Xandra’s gut clenched with guilt at the thought of leaving
the other women, but what choice did she have? She had to take this escape
while she had a chance.

When Phili locked the door and turned to Xandra, Xandra
wondered what the woman had up her sleeve. “Why did you let me out? Is Rayder
injured?”

Phili glanced around the bustling ship. Men moved with
purpose and quickly. “I let you out because the ship is leaving soon, and I
need you to convince the admiral that he can’t leave without Rayder.”

“What? But I thought—”

“You thought Rayder was hurt. The admiral lied. He only
wanted to take you to his cabin and have his way with you.”

Xandra shuddered. “I thought perhaps that was the case, but
I was so worried about Rayder.”

Phili’s smile was thin, her eyes filled with sardonic
amusement. “You are truly mated with him, aren’t you?”

Xandra didn’t want to think this Dragonian mating phenomenon
was possible. “I don’t see how. If I am, then why doesn’t the same thing happen
on Magonia?”

“Mating?” Phili shrugged, her voice sarcastic. “I don’t
know. Hundreds of years of cultural sexual repression?”

Xandra didn’t respond to the mockery. “Rayder should have
been back by now.”

“Exactly. Something might have happened to him. I locked you
in the dungeon and left you there to keep you safe.”

Surprised, Xandra almost didn’t know what to believe or say.
“Thank you. I think.”

Phili’s nose wrinkled. “Do not flatter yourself. I did it
because I hate all men like the admiral. I knew when Rayder left the ship the
admiral would try to take you. He’s an animal with sexual appetites no woman
should have to suffer.”

Xandra’s confusion deepened. She didn’t want to like this
woman. “You suffer them.”

Phili smiled. “I do. But only to survive. For money. For
that security I’ll satisfy any man’s bumbling sexual needs.”

“Any man’s? Have you…satisfied Rayder’s?”

Phili’s smile this time held genuine amusement, and she
chuckled. “I suppose I should tell you the truth. No. I’ve never slept with Rayder,
and he’s never asked for sexual favors. The damn man has been nothing but
honorable with all the women on the ship. It’s why they adore him. That’s why
you have to be on the lookout for more trouble. Yoanda will try to take him
from you. And she will go to any lengths to get him.”

Xandra’s mouth opened but at first nothing came out.
Impossible that Yoanda would try such a thing. “I don’t believe you.”

“Which part? That Rayder is as honorable as I say, or that
Yoanda would try to cause you trouble?”

“Either one. Rayder is a slave trader. He couldn’t possibly
be that honorable and still do what he does. And I’ve seen how sweet Yoanda is.
She told me about her daughter and about how she was taken by the admiral.”

“I didn’t say Rayder is perfect. But Yoanda is an entirely
different animal from me. She pretends to be sweetness and light but she’s a
two-faced coward.”

“Perhaps what you think is cowardice is simply fear.
Besides, no one is perfect.”

Phili snorted softly. “Not even you.”

The assessment stung, even though it shouldn’t have. “I
never said I was.” Xandra looked around, afraid one of the men might overhear
them. “How can I take your word about Yoanda? What proof do you have?”

“I have no proof. I’m from Magonia too. Perhaps that will
make my word carry more weight.”

Surprises just kept evolving. “You’re Magonian?”

Phili nodded. “From far out in the deserts, beyond the mines
of Opali.”

“I thought no one lived out there.”

The other woman snorted softly. “That’s the idea. My parents
didn’t believe all the crap the scribes and Truth and Order Police tell us.
They moved as far from civilization as possible and eked out a life where few
people dare live.”

“But those lands are forbidden. They’re almost one hundred
and forty-degrees during the day. No one can live out there.”

“That’s what the Truth and Order Police and the scribes say.
True, it’s hotter than the coast and Opali. But it’s not unlivable. People in
the Badlands have learned how to adapt, and they showed my parents.”

Amazed and stunned, Xandra said, “This is fascinating. So
how were you kidnapped?”

“My parents wanted me to see the ocean. They hired a boat to
take us offshore for a small cruise. Heavy waves drew us farther out than we
should’ve been. Before the boat could turn back to shore, the
Beast
came
alongside.” Phili’s eyes filled with undeniable pain, her already tight lips
now a thin slash of bad memories. “Everyone was killed except for me. Sometimes
I wish I’d died that day.”