Outlaw

by Angela Verdenius

  “Developing a soft spot for this little wildcat already?” Maverk screwed the lid back on the jar.

  “Not much of a wildcat now. She’s as weak as a lykitten.”

  With the wounds tended, Darvk relaxed enough to study her, to notice small things he had previously overlooked.

  A wide silver band encircled her left upper arm and small silver hoops pierced her ears, two in the left and four in the right. His gaze lowered to the grazes left by the neck collar and iron cuffs on her throat and wrists. A bruise on her jaw and cheek, and a healing graze on her temple attested to her struggles with the slavers, as did the bruises on her thighs, a fact that made Darvk’s gut tighten with distaste.

  “She’d have been examined,” Maverk said tightly. “’Tis not uncommon.”

  “Forced to submit to an examination, chained and violated. Mayhap she has reason to hate.”

  “Going by the Reeka’s reputation, hatred for men could be bred into her.”

  Soberly, Darvk scanned the pale features. “I hope Byron can help her.”

  ~ * ~

  Male voices accompanied the large hand just above her knee.

  Survival instincts screaming out, Tenia clawed her way through the blackness, opening her eyes to find herself surrounded by men as big as the Daamen traders but without the rough, piratical appearance. There was a fleeting glimpse of sleeveless tunics belted at the waist and hair neatly tied at the napes, but it was the pair of scissors poised near the laces of her skirt that made her panic.

  “No!” She struggled to sit up, gasping sharply as pain raked through her.

  Even as her vision swam sickeningly, firm hands carefully pushed her back down onto the smooth surface of the examination table.

  Hazily, she gazed up into Darvk's face as he held her down with ridiculous ease. “Rest easy, lass.”

  “Get away from me.” Her words were painfully panted.

  “You are among friends.” A golden-haired man appeared at her side. “My name is Byron. My comrades and I are medics. Do you know where you are?” When she didn’t reply, he added, “You’re on Saalm to have your wounds attended to.”

  “Don’t touch me.” Pain made her voice thready.

  “Little charmer, isn’t she?” Maverk observed mildly.

  She managed to glare at him. “You, I will kill first.”

  He winked.

  “You’ve lost a lot blood, your wounds need to be cleaned and stitched.” Another medic stepped into view. “I’m Coran. We mean you no harm.”

  “The last man to say that stabbed me. Do you think I’ll trust your word?” She tried to roll away from the hands on her shoulders only to bite back a moan when the pain became more excruciating. Nausea filled her, hands trembling violently as she gripped the side of the narrow trolley she lay on.

  Oh yes, she knew the signs of infection in her system, the weakness, nausea and burning pain that clawed from her side into the very depths of her stomach. Recognised it and hated it, knowing it made her defenceless as she sagged back while fighting the urge to vomit with the hot pain.

  A large hand cupped her chin to carefully tilt her head back so she met Darvk’s gaze. “You have no choice but to allow the medics to attend you. Make it easier and less agonizing for yourself and cease struggling, otherwise we’ll have to restrain you. Don’t make me do it.” Harsh words, a warning, yet kindly spoken.

  Restraint. She shuddered inwardly. Regretfully, the trader spoke the truth. There was no choice. Too weak to fight, she had to submit.

  For now.

  “We’ll work quickly, warrior.” Byron smiled reassuringly. “The sooner you rest, the sooner you heal.”

  Picking up the scissors, the other medic reached for the ties on the bloodied skirt, and Tenia stiffnened in dread. “Don’t.”

  “Lass, ‘tis soaked in blood. You can’t stay in it and ‘twill make it easier for the medics to work,” Darvk explained.

  “No.”

  She saw him glance up to see his friends regarding him questioningly. “What?”

  “Well, man, she belongs to you,” Maverk answered. “So?”

  Tenia tensed but what little strength she had was rapidly fading.

  “I should have thought of it.” Byron shook his head. “I’ll drape a sheet over her first. Keema, hand me a sheet.”

  “No!” Frustrated and weak, she barely managed to hid the insane desire to cry. “Nothing comes off!”

  Darvk stroked her shoulders with his thumbs, big hands cupping them gently bit firmly. “No one will hurt you, I promise.”

  Heart pounding, she felt the laces part under the scissor blades, then a sheet was draped over her hips and the skirt removed with the minimum of flesh revealed.

  “See, warrior.” Byron smiled reassuringly. “As promised.”

  Tenia wanted to respond, wanted to spit out a curse, say something, but as she sagged against the table her vision darkened, the deep voices echoing from a distance, and her body finally gave in to the fear and pain that had been hers the last three days, the blood loss and pure nerves on which she’d been functioning.

  She fell into the yawning abyss that was beckoning.

  ~ * ~

  Groaning, Tenia tried to sit up but she was still too weak. Her side hurt and her leg throbbed. Could it get any worse?

  Shifting carefully beneath the covers of the large bed, she realized it could. She was naked. Struggling, she managed to lift her head enough to search the room for her clothes, but apart from two heavy wooden armchairs with cream cushions and a dressing table, it was empty. No clothes in sight. Damn. How long had she been unconscious? From the slant of the sun through the gently billowing curtains at the window, she judged it to be morning. One night?

  At the sound of the door opening, she turned her head on the pillow to see Darvk enter. He walked over to the bed, long legs striding easily over the plush blue carpet. She searched the rakishly handsome face for an indication of whether or not he was going to attack her. Not that she could do anything about it if that was his plan.

  One large hand came out to rest on the post at the head of the bed while his vivid blue eyes studied her. “You’re awake.”

  Her lips twisted in derision. “Disappointed?”

  One dark brow rose. “Not at all. Would’ve been a waste of six hundred dinnos.”

  “Ah. Money. You would not want your investment to die before you have put it to good use.”

  “Tart tongue you’ve got there, lass. What’s your name?”

  “Did the slaver omit to tell you?” Tenia shook her head slowly. “How remiss of you not to find out first.”

  Muscles rippled under tanned skin as he folded his arms. “Actually, at the time ‘twasn’t important.”

  “Typical. Who cares about names if all you want a woman for is to slake your pervertedness, or to do your dirty work?”

  His lips quirked upwards. “You have spirit, lass, I like that. And I can’t say that I’ve decided what to do with you. Now, your name?”

  “Tenia.” The weariness started to overtake her. Obviously she was weaker than she’d thought, something she despised. But there was nothing she could do about it. “Satisfied? Now go away and leave me alone.”

  “Tenia? I’ve heard that name somewhere before.”

  “Congratulations.” Unable to control the heavy drooping of her eyelids, she mumbled, “That should keep you amused for awhile.”

  Something calloused and warm brushed her cheek before pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, but she was helpless to prevent it as sleep crept over her. The last thing she heard was a quiet, deep rumble close to her ear, and she knew even as she slid under that the Daamen was leaning close, his words following her down. “Rest, little outlaw. You’re safe.”

  ~ * ~

  “I can’t believe you bought a slave.” Lica frowned up at Darvk.

  “Outlaw,” Maverk corrected.

  “Slave, outlaw, whatever. You shouldn’t buy a person.”

 
; “He did.”

  “I’ll tell you about it later, or better yet, Maverk can.” Darvk glared at his unrepentantly grinning friend.

  “Anyway, what race is your outlaw from?” Lica poised her hands.

  “Reeka.”

  Lica touched the screen, swiped several pictures away and pulled one in close, information scrolling down the side panel. “Warrior women?” She cast him a dubious glance. “You’re going to have your hands full.”

  The traders leaned forward, Maverk reading aloud the words slowly scrolling down the screen.

  “‘The Reeka race of warrior women were farmers and lived off the land. Men from other tribes married them, and lived their lifestyle. Women were trained in combat beside the men. They lived this way for centuries, until fifteen years ago, when the males—men and infants—started to die, while the females of all ages survived. It is believed the Reeka women murdered them, but there is no evidence.

  They became nomads and mercenaries, their efficiency in combat and cold-blooded killing ensuring their employment by warring district lords.

  Seven years ago the inhabitants of a small settlement were slaughtered. Survivors named the Reeka warriors as the murderers, attacking during the night in a murdering frenzy. No one was spared.’” Maverk stopped and glanced at his friend.

  Frowning, Darvk continued to read. “‘The Inka Empire leader, whose son was amongst those murdered, outlawed the warriors. The few believed to have survived are scattered throughout the galaxy, mostly sheltering in the Outlaw Sector and fighting there for warring district lords.

  The leader of the Reekas, Karana, was killed five years ago. The whereabouts of her two daughters, Tenia and Reya, are unknown.’”

  Straightening up, Maverk raked his fingers through his hair. “Well, it seems you have one of the daughters of the infamous Reeka leader.”

  Darvk stared at the screen. Aye, he’d known she was Reeka, but one of the leader’s daughters? Reaching over Lica’s shoulder, he touched a small icon. “Let’s get an image of these wenches. Mayhap a mistake was made.”

  The viscomm screen went blank, then a picture of a warrior woman with two young lasses appeared.

  “That’s Karana.” Lica pointed to the violet-eyed woman with braided red hair.

  “That child is Tenia,” Darvk stated. “A much younger version, true, but her nonetheless. Is there an updated image of her now?”

  Lica shook her head. “This is all there is.”

  Intrigued, Maverk pursed his lips. “The older child must be Reya. Now I can believe that wench would be a mercenary when she got older. Just look at those cold eyes.”

  Darvk studied the three Reekas. He noted the striking similarities in the small, straight noses with slightly tilted tips, the high cheekbones, the full red lips, and the large, heavily fringed eyes, all combined in heart-shaped faces. All stood straight and proud dressed in leather skirts, bodices, and boots.

  “If all the wenches looked like these three, no wonder the men willingly went to live with them when wed,” Maverk commented.

  “’Tis her.” Darvk nodded. “No mistake.”

  “What are you going to do with her?”

  “I can’t release her to be hunted and killed or resold.”

  Amused, Maverk’s lips twitched. “You like the little witch?”

  “You don’t?”

  “Actually, I don’t mind her…when she’s not trying to kill us.”

  “She has spirit.” Darvk flashed his friend a sudden grin. “Well, no choice but to retrain her. How about it?”

  “This little hellcat belongs to you. What makes you think I’ll help in this mad scheme?”

  “Being captain and in charge does have its good points.”

  “For who?”

  “For me. Maverk, inform the crew that we have a new member on board.”

  “Oh, they’ll just love watching you try to tame this wench.” Maverk chuckled as he strode to the door.

  “How hard can it be?” Darvk took a last look at the screen before turning the viscomm off and leaving the library.

  He’d expected the trading trip to go its usual smooth way, but life had taken a strange turn. One impulsive act of compassion and now he had an outlaw. Okay, however unintentionally, he owned an outlaw. He should be worried but truthfully, the challenge of showing her she could trust him, that she could be a part of a normal life, that she was no longer on the run, was one he looked forward to.

  Life suddenly appeared a whole lot more interesting.

  Next on his agenda was a visit to the Consult Members to inform them of Tenia’s identity. If they were to stay here until she recovered, ‘twas best if the Saalm people knew who was in their midst. Tenia was an outlaw from a tribe with a vicious reputation.

  And that made her dangerously unpredictable.

  Chapter 2

  Tenia awoke to the lowered tones of feminine voices.

  “She looks so helpless, Lica.”

  “That doesn’t make her any less dangerous.”

  For the first time since she’d arrived on this planet - wherever it was - there were women in her room. Only Darvk or Maverk had checked on her that she was aware of, and one of the medics came frequently to change the wound dressing.

  Opening her eyes, she saw two women dressed in knee-length tunics standing near the windows. A quick glance around revealed no men, so she eased herself up onto her elbows. Her side wound merely felt tight with a slight ache, while her thigh was pain free. Feeling more improved by the minute, she carefully sat up clutching the sheet to her.

  “Tenia.” The woman with the brown braid approached the bed quickly. “I am Lexie, Byron’s wife, and this is Lica.”

  “How do you feel?” queried Lica.

  “Fine.” She glanced around. “Where are my clothes?”

  “Charming.” Lica folded her arms. “In the top drawer of the dressing table, washed and mended.”

  Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, Tenia stood up slowly, adjusting to the sensation of being upright for the first time in nearly a week.

  She caught their startled expressions as she straightened to her full height and smiled inwardly. A six and a half foot tall woman was an oddity to many worlds. Stretching her arms, she started walking around slowly.

  “Um…you’re naked,” Lica pointed out.

  “Where are my clothes?”

  “In the drawer.”

  As she took them from the dresser, Lexis said, “Might I suggest a shower before dressing? You still have traces of blood on you.”

  Glancing in the elegantly scrolled mirror fastened to the wall, Tenia saw spots of old blood on her skin around the water-proof wound dressing, although most of it had been sponged away. The thought of a shower sounded heavenly. How long had it been since she’d last had the luxury of one? “Where is it?”

  “Through that door.” Lica pointed to a door further along the wall.

  Tenia studied the two women regarding her warily. If anyone had wanted to attack her, they could have done it while she was injured. They still could, but for now it was just her and the two smaller females.

  Disregarding the women as a threat, Tenia entered the bathroom, shutting the door securely and engaging the lock. Not that she had any false beliefs that it would stop one of the big Daamens or Saalm men from entering, but it was there, so…

  She scrutinized the surrounds, noting the high ceiling, the small round windows no bigger than her fist that dotted the far wall. No other door led out. No escape avenues.

  Shaking her head at her own thoughts, she turned on the hot water, regulating the temperature. Loosening the messy braid, she stepped under the water. Almost instantly she gave a blissful sigh as the water cascaded over her. A hot shower and fragrant soap beat a quick wash in a cold stream any day.

  But as much as she enjoyed it, she didn’t linger or relax, listening intently for the sound of heavy boots approaching as she showered quickly, scrubbing her body and scalp vigorousl
y before rinsing and getting out. Stepping into the dry-air cubicle, she held her arms out as warm air blew on her body. She only stayed in it long enough for her body to dry, dressing quickly in her clothes which, she was able to appreciate, had been washed. A quick comb and she braided her hair as she walked back to the bedroom.

  Lexie and Lica were sitting on the end of the bed, their expressions still cautious as they watched her enter.

  Their wariness was of no interest to Tenia. “Where are my boots?”

  “Bottom drawer.”

  Lica and Lexie watched as she retrieved the boots, pulled them on and expertly crisscrossed the rawhide laces from ankles to boot-tops and fastened them tightly. Straightening up, she turned her attention fully onto them. “Have you been sent to watch me?”

  “Nay, they haven’t,” a deep voice replied from the doorway.

  Tenia tensed at the sight of Darvk.

  “We just came to check on her.” Lexie stood up.

  “Your patient has recovered remarkably quickly,” Lica said.

  “So I see.”

  Tenia eyed him warily as his gaze swept assessingly over her. Behind him stood the blonde trader, amusement on his face.

  “I suppose you wish to talk.” Towing Lexie behind her, Lica started for the door. “Nice meeting you, Tenia.”

  Within seconds she was alone with the two traders. Maverk leaned against the inner wall near the door while Darvk crossed the room towards her. Tensing, she readied herself for anything he might try.

  His eyebrows rose a little at her expression. Coming to a stop near the bed, he hooked his thumbs into his belt and rocked back and forth on his heels. “I see you are feeling better, lass.”

  She shifted her stance slightly.

  “I’m surprised you haven’t tried attacking me yet.”

  Her gaze met his unflinchingly.

  “Decided not to talk, wench?”

  “You haven’t said anything worth replying to.”

  He grinned. “Still have some sass there, Tenia. Glad you didn’t lose it along with your blood. Now, follow me.”

  “What for?”

  Maverk laughed. “Suspicious mind you’ve got there, lass.”