“We won’t take any more of your men. Just show us how to recognize them.” The man clutched at the arms of his chair and seemed to be trying to disappear into its plush cushions.
The man didn’t appear to recognize that this wasn’t simply a rescue mission. It had gone past the warning stage. No empty promises would suffice at this point.
“You won’t be doing this again to anyone. Not for a long time,” Logan vowed.
“Your threats are meaningless. Leave.” The man’s tone rose but he cringed in his seat.
“Those aren’t threats.” Rygar took immense satisfaction in the suspicion and anxiety rolling off the man and his friends.
Logan stepped out of the covered area and raised his hand and closed his fist, moving it in a circle. The men at the top of the arena began urging the people down the steps and out of the stands. It didn’t take long for the people to understand. They began filing out of the arena.
“What do you think you’re doing? You have no right.” The man’s anger finally seemed to overcome his fear. He jumped out of his seat.
“I have every right. You practically invited me to do this. I’m tired of having to pull my men out of here.” Logan’s hard voice carried a distinct growl.
“Your little games finally angered the wrong people,” Rygar told the man. “I’d advise you and your friends to get up, because your arena is coming down.”
“You can’t do that!”
“How many men have died or been maimed in your games? Your mistake was thinking that the men you took had no one to care if they disappeared or died.” Rygar waited as those under the awning stood and began shuffling out. Most of them clearly wanted no part of the argument.
“You won’t be able to do it. This building has stood for years.” The thin man’s mouth twisted and his fists balled at his sides.
“We’ve been taking down fortified buildings for years. This won’t be a problem,” Rygar offered with a smile.
“There’s never been a problem before. No one seemed to care. There are so many of you warriors walking around, nobody misses the few that we take. We’ve done this for years. Why now?” The man threw his hands up. His eyes moved over the emptying benches.
“You were lucky. You should have known your scheme couldn’t last. If you feel like doing it again in the future, use your own people.” Rygar resisted the impulse to toss the man into the arena and show him just what he’d forced other men to endure. In the end, destroying this place would be a far worse punishment than any beating even if it wasn’t as immediately satisfying.
The thin man shot him a furious look and stalked down the stairs. He shoved a woman who had the misfortune to be in front of him. She nearly tumbled over the barrier and into the fighting pit. She yelped as her hip caught the edge of the wall and momentum carried her forward. Her hands shot out, one missed and skidded off the narrow wall but the other caught and braced her weight, catching her before she fell. It was the only thing that saved her from going over the edge. Rygar stepped forward but the woman jumped to her feet. For a moment, she looked as if she was going to attack the man. The she seemed to get control. Her shoulders shifted and her hand smoothed down her skirt. She straightened and her muscles relaxed before she followed the man down the stairs and to the exit.
“As soon as the last person is cleared, I’ll send in the men to weaken the interior cells. Then we’ll get started on the walls. Did you want to go see your Dari?” Logan asked.
“I want to see the demolition started and then I’ll go to her.” Rygar looked around the clearing arena. He wanted to make sure it was starting. Being here twice, he wanted to make sure it didn’t happen again.
The last of the people filed out of the arena. Then a systematic search was performed to make sure no one was hidden anywhere. Rygar went into the large cell with several other men. He carried an ax and helped dismantle the wooden partitions first. The structural stone columns would be weakened then pulled down with ropes and chains. He left when he saw the first chunk of rock fall off one of the round pillars.
He left the fighting pit and began walking out of the arena. Now that he’d seen the beginning of the destruction, he needed to see Dari. The woman had given him some bad moments lately. He’d never felt such relief as he had when Logan had informed him they’d found Dari. Finally she was safe. Keeping her that way was sure to be a lifetime project.
The camp had been moved closer to the city. The sheer number of warriors provided the security and safety needed. He walked into the camp, making his way through the tents, hunting for Dari.
“Rygar!” Dari’s shout surprised him.
His head snapped around as he spun on his heel. He spotted her running toward him. She leapt. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her legs around his hips. Rygar barely had time to brace for the impact. His arms curved around her. She felt so good against him. His head lowered and he drew her scent into him. He had missed her so much.
“You worried me so much,” Rygar said, not wanting to release her just yet.
“I didn’t mean to. I just felt like I had to do something. I didn’t even really take time to think things through.” She stroked her fingers over his back.
“I know that Logan has given you punishment for what you did. How are you liking your two shadows?” He gestured to the two men who had been following her. She hadn’t liked having guards before so he wondered how she was dealing with it now.
“Your brother probably thinks those two men following me will drive me insane but having those two men with me isn’t so bad. Aside from that, they’d be with me anyway since we’re so close to the city.” She smiled and stretched up to brush a kiss over his lips.
“So the punishment isn’t working?” Rygar couldn’t help responding to the smile and her light mood.
“I didn’t say that. I just said that it wasn’t as bad as he thought it was. Don’t try getting me in trouble because it’ll only get you into trouble with me,” she warned. Her lips pulled into a straight line and she gave him what she probably thought was a stern look.
“Ah, you’re threatening me. Let’s go to our tent and you can see if you can convince me to see things your way.” Rygar put her on her feet and curved an arm around her shoulders.
“I think I can convince you.” She tilted her head and looked up at him.
He heard the laughter in her voice and smelled her rising desire. Dari led him to their tent. She opened the flap, slipping through it. Rygar followed, securing it closed behind them. He didn’t want to be disturbed. All he needed was to have her alone for as long as possible.
He looked up and found her taking off her shirt. “Stop. It’s been too long since I’ve had you in my arms. I want to peel you out of those clothes and make slow love to you.”
“I’ve missed you. I don’t think I can do slow now. I need you too badly.” She slipped out of her shoes and walked over to him. She slid her hands up his chest over the soft fabric of his shirt to his shoulders.
Rygar slowly undid the buttons on her shirt, pushing the fabric wide, baring her breasts. He licked his lips. The sight of those pink-tipped breasts lured him. He wanted to touch those small mounds, taste the nipples. For the moment, he kept his hands moving downward to the buttons on her skirt.
She wriggled her hips as the fabric loosened and fell around her ankles. Stepping out of it, she went to work on his clothes. He held still as she worked on his shirt, finally tossing it to the far side of the tent. He drew in a hissing breath. Her touch sent sharp, sweet heat streaking through him. Suddenly, he wasn’t sure he could make love to her slowly. Just from that single touch, he wanted to press her into the bedding. When she started on the ties of his pants, her knuckles brushed the swollen ridge of his cock. He knew then that he wouldn’t be able to take her slowly. He’d wanted to savor being close to her again but it had been too long and he’d feared for her safety too much.
The laces of his pants ripped as he pulled at them. He barely
noticed that. He was just thrilled when the constriction over his shaft loosened and he could strip off his boots and pants. Finally naked, he wrapped his arms around her and carried her over to the pallet.
He needed to hear how she felt from her lips, not secondhand, not from her thoughts. His lips slanted over hers. Her tongue met his and drove into his mouth. Her mouth hungrily sucked at his as he lowered her to the cushion of blankets. Her thighs widened in invitation.
He moved between them without hesitation. Her hips arched as he lowered his body to hers. She moaned against his mouth. Her hands stroked over his back, urging him to move. He wasn’t about to deny her. His cock ached with the need to feel her sweet pussy wrapped around it. He rolled his hips forward and found her wet and slick for him.
“You scared me so badly. I had nightmares about you being attacked while you were trying to get to me.” He held her for a moment, his body pressing against hers. He needed the contact. Just holding her made him feel better.
“I’m sorry.” She placed kisses on his cheek, her fingers running through his hair.
“I can’t lose you,” he whispered, his hips rocking against hers.
Her breath caught and she clutched at him. “You won’t lose me.”
He withdrew and stroked slowly back into her, his movements tightly controlled. His hands swept down his back and she cupped his buttocks, trying to increase the force of his strokes.
“I love you,” he said, leaning down he nipped her lips as he fucked her. He kept control with effort. She had to tell him soon.
Her breath hitched and her hips rose to meet his. She looked a bit stunned as she met his eyes.
“Gods, Rygar, I love you,” she breathed. Her lips met his and she kissed him.
Her emotions poured over him and she was obviously holding nothing back. Relief rushed through him, taking the last bit of his restraint. He drove into her desperately, his balls drawing tight, aching. The tension ripped through him, demanding release. He ground his hips against hers with every stroke, needing her to find pleasure first. She stiffened and gasped, tremors shaking her body as she came. He felt the pleasure through their link and let his own release take him a moment later. Tearing heat ripped through him, his hips pressing against his as his seed spurted into her womb. She shivered again, moaning his name as the re’kai took her. Her face pressed into his neck.
He rested against her, most of his weight on his forearms. He became aware of her hands slowly stroking over his shoulders. She was watching him and he could tell just by her expression that she needed to talk.
“You look sad.” He drew his thumb over her lips. He consciously didn’t try to pick up anything more than her surface feelings. He wanted her to tell him what was wrong.
“I didn’t mean to scare you when I followed. When they took you, all I could think of was that I could easily lose you to their stupid games,” she said. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.”
Rygar withdrew, moving to his side. He pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her. He could feel the panic pulsing through her. Her arms clutched at him. He wanted to tell her that he wasn’t going anywhere but she knew there were no guarantees in life. She wouldn’t believe him and he wanted to give her more than an empty promise.
“I’m not looking for trouble. You’re my mate. There are going to be times of trouble but I’ll to do everything I can to stay with you.” He stroked his hand down her back.
She looked up at him.
“You’re not alone here. You have a family. Gaden and Logan are your family now. They care about you too.” Rygar wanted her to see that she had a home, people now who’d always be with her.
“Gaden seems okay. I’d like to help him find his mate if I can. Logan, on the other hand, is much too serious and bossy but he has been understanding and nice.” Her head tilted and her lips pursed. She really seemed to be thinking about the subject.
“Bossy kind of goes with being an Achan. He has a sense of humor but I don’t think you’ve seen it yet.” He brushed her hair away from her neck and nibbled on the exposed flesh. He could feel she was a little uncertain. She was trying. That was what was important. Eventually she’d see that she had a family here.
“If he’s bossy because he’s the Achan, what’s your excuse?” Dari leaned back a little and met his eyes.
He could see the teasing light in her eyes. He was happy her mood had lightened a little.
“Now that’s just natural. How else can I be the man you need?” he whispered just before he nipped her earlobe.
“Do I need a bossy man? I would have sworn I needed someone a bit more beta and not an alpha who likes to give orders.” She tilted her head to the side a bit, giving him more access.
He closed his teeth over the muscle where her shoulder met her neck. Her body went totally still and her breath quivered. He loved that and how the scent of her arousal immediately rose hot and heady around them.
“Then I guess you were wrong, because that scent assures me that you want me just as I am.” He licked the reddened spot his teeth had just made.
“What can I say? You’re a great lover.” She grinned.
“I’m glad that you think so. I try very hard. I’m hard for you already.” He took her hand and put it on his cock. Her fingers curled around it, stroking his shaft.
“I see you are. Do you want to see how hard you can get?” she asked.
He closed his eyes as her fingers tightened a bit. He loved the feel of her warm fingers. He felt his cock jump in her hold. She smiled and licked her lips.
“I’d love to but later tonight. We both need to eat and I do have some duties.” He reluctantly loosened his hold. Just talking about it reminded him that there really wasn’t time for another round.
She sighed. “I just got you back.”
“And we’ll have all night. Don’t pout,” Rygar said with a chuckle as he reluctantly released her. Truthfully, he wanted to stay here just as much as she did.
She put a hand on his thigh and slowly shook her head. “Set aside for food and duty.”
“Don’t give me that pitiful look. You’re trying to tempt me.” He grasped her hand and lifted it away from his thigh before she got her hands on his cock again.
“Yes, I am and you’re not cooperating at all.” She sat up and rolled to her feet. A toss of her head sent her hair flying. “You just ruined your sexy lover reputation.”
He laughed as he got to his feet. “Don’t worry, taneen. I’ll reclaim it later tonight.”
“It’s going to take more than one night. You messed up.” She stood and put on her clothes.
“I think I’ll have that title again before dawn.” He put on his shirt and bent to pull on his boots.
Chapter Eleven
Dari stood leaning back against a wall. The stone felt cold but she was enjoying the sight in front of her too much to mind. A good portion of the arena had been taken down already. The sight of those broken light brown walls satisfied her. She knew that many more men than Rygar and the other Zarain had been held in those walls, fighting until they either escaped or died.
A large trench had been dug completely around the columned building and under the foundation. It had taken a while to get through the cobbles on the streets but the Zarain had persisted. One part of the round wall had already collapsed allowing a clear view into the interior. Now they prepared to knock down the last walls standing. The men were testing the swinging ram positioned in front of one of the solid sections of wall.
“Looks good, doesn’t it?” Rygar asked as he strolled over to her.
He slid his palm over her arm. Until moments ago, he’d been helping with the demolition and a light sheen of sweat coated his bare arms. Of course, he looked gorgeous even with the smudge of dirt across one tanned cheekbone. Some of his hair had come loose from the thong securing it.
“How long is it going to take to get the whole thing down?” She looked around the area, still expecting trouble.
When she’d heard what they planned, she’d had her doubts. Not about taking the arena down. That she wholeheartedly supported. She’d doubted that it could be done without someone getting hurt. She’d been sure that the people would resist the demolition of their building. Surprisingly, there had been very little resistance. Aside from a few grumbles, there hadn’t even been any arguments about it.
“It will take a few more days but we should be headed home soon.” He settled next to her against the wall, his eyes always on her.
“I’ll be glad when it’s gone. At least for a while, none of our people will be used in their games.” She glanced away from him in time to see one of the pillars crash to the ground. She winced at the loud sound of stone meeting stone.
“For a while.” Rygar nodded.
She knew he, like a lot of the other men, wanted to end it permanently, but they wouldn’t kill a man who wouldn’t fight them. No matter how many of the guards they killed, until the men behind it were stopped the games would continue. Taking their anger out on the city would hurt those who had never even entered that stadium. Some other way would have to be found to put a final end to it. There would probably be more situations like this before it started to get better.
“What’s got that frown on your face? Do you feel sorry for them?” Rygar traced the line of her lips. She could feel his concern.
“Sorry for them? No, they’re fairly lucky that it was the Zarain who did this. I know of at least three groups of people who would have sacked the city, leaving it in ruins as well. They should have known trouble would come their way.” She leaned into him. There would have been innocent deaths if anyone else had done it.
“So what is bothering you?” he asked.
“I was just thinking that it’s going to be a long time if ever before this little pastime of theirs is stopped.” She inhaled, taking comfort in his warmth and his arousing scent.
“After enough opposition, they’ll move it. At least they’ll be more careful about who they choose for a while.” His arm slipped behind her and tugged her closer to him.
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