Cormac met his gaze unflinchingly, and under other circumstances Darvk might have admired his backbone in the face of what he knew was going to be a merciless beating. Might have admired the quiet, deadly stoicism every hunter standing faced the on-coming beating.
Under other circumstances.
“’Tis our right to exact punishment,” Darvk stated coldly. Without another word, he smashed his fist into Cormac’s face.
As one the four remaining hunters of Cormac’s pack surged forward, meeting the two traders unflinchingly even though the fight was fast, vicious and unrelenting. Outweighed by strength, size and fury, Maverk and Darvk showed no mercy and by the time they finished the hunters were unconscious and bloody.
Not even breathing hard, Darvk shoved one of the fallen hunters blocking his pathway aside with his boot and glared contemptuously at Quincy. At least the peacekeeper knew the law, knew he couldn’t interfere when a slave’s owner arrived before they were killed. But Darvk didn’t miss the way the craven peacekeeper quaked.
“Be sure this is entered in the records correctly,” Darvk growled, voice low and rough. “If ‘tis not done so in the next hour, I will be back.”
“It’ll be done.” Quincy nodded frantically, then looked down at the insentient men in the dirt. “What of the bounty hunters?”
As far as Darvk was concerned, that didn’t even warrant a reply. Turning, he strode into the fleet craft he’d exited, his crew and the Argons following.
Within a minute the Argon fleet crafts were gone, and only the settlers and the unconscious bounty hunters remained in the market square.
~ * ~
Hands pressing and feeling, a gentle touch to her throat. Hands that made her skin feel too warm.
Frowning, she shifted restlessly. Opening her eyes, she saw a brilliant green gaze fastened on her throat as he looked at it with intense concentration.
It was a man with a strange, sensual air about him that made her uneasy. A man who looked into her eyes and smiled, a warm caress to her senses.
Tenia acted on instinct, knocking his hands away from her throat. Swinging up into a sitting position, she swiftly brought her leg up, knee bent, slamming her foot flat on his chest and shoving hard.
Surprised, the man hurtled backwards to slam against the wall.
Within seconds Tenia was on her feet, one hand on her throat which felt like it was on fire and aching fiercely.
“Now, Tenia, I’m a friend.” Pushing to his feet, the man looked at her warily.
“Who are you?” she rasped painfully.
“My name is Kiile of Argon.” He smiled placatingly.
Yes, the smile was smooth, his face achingly handsome, and his voice a warm caress to her senses, but fury whipped up inside her at the memory of Reya’s story. Kiile. Kiile of Argon.
The man who’d humiliated her sister.
“You bastard!” She lunged for him.
“Darvk!” Kiile dodged to the side. “Darvk!”
Dragging in a hoarse breath, she spotted a glass on the table and grabbed it, smashing it against the surface. Swiping up a pointed shard, she spun about in place, staggering just a little.
Apparently her brush with death hadn’t quite vanished.
Pushing the thought away, she focussed on Kiile.
“Now, Tenia.” He held up his hands, speaking soothingly. “It’s all right, I-”
She sprang, slashed at him, and with a groaned curse, he grabbed her wrist, trying to hold the glass shard away from him while avoiding the strong kicks she aimed at his legs in an attempt to bring him down.
“Darvk!”
She was so focussed on doing some damage to the man who’d humiliated her sister that she didn’t notice the door open, cursing hoarsely as the shard of glass was knocked from her grip by Kiile gripping her wrist, his fingers digging into a nerve so painfully that her hand spasmed.
Desperately Kiile kicked it away, but she didn’t need a weapon, not when she still had a fist that worked. She slammed it full force into his stomach, rewarded by his grunt of pain.
“Tenia! Nay!”
Darvk’s shout didn’t register in her mind. One thought ruled her right then; to kill the Argon bastard. Diving for the glass shard, she rolled swiftly to her feet facing Kiile, who was straightening up and gasping for air.
Before she could take one step toward him, a strong arm snaked around her waist, lifting her off her feet and pulling her back against a muscular body.
Even as she registered Darvk’s presence, she kicked back with one heel, connecting with his shin as she spat hoarsely, “Let me go!”
“Bloody hell, stop it! He’s a friend.”
“I’ll gut him!”
Maverk grabbed her wrist. “Drop the glass, Tenia.”
Without hesitation, she kicked out, her boot connecting with his stomach, and she shoved him hard back into Kiile. They fell in a tangled heap of limbs.
“Damn it.” Darvk swung around and bore her down onto the bunk. Pinning her down on her back with his body, he disarmed her quickly and secured her wrists above her head in one large hand.
“Let me up!”
“Listen to me, lass-”
“Damn you, Darvk!” The rest of her curses were cut off by his large hand firmly covering her mouth.
Maverk and Kiile staggered to their feet.
Maverk grinned. “She has a temper.”
“So I see.” Kiile gingerly rubbed his stomach.
Helpless to do more than lie beneath the big trader, Tenia glared over at Kiile.
“How’s her neck?” Darvk glanced at him.
“No problems. I have a cream on the table over there. Apply it to the rope burns, it’ll help.”
“Thanks. Regardless of how this little wildcat greeted you, we are beholden to you.”
“Think nothing of it.” Kiile grinned. “I like spirited women; they make intimacy so much more interesting.”
I’ll kill that arrogant bastard! Tenia started to struggle against Darvk’s heavier weight.
Kiile eyed her with a mixture of amusement and respect. “I think we’d better check on Reya, and this time I’d appreciate your presence in the room, Maverk.”
Reya! How would she take the Argon being in the same cabin as her, knowing he’d touched her and done…things to her? Horrified, helpless, Tenia was more than willing to sacrifice her own outraged pride to look mutely up into Darvk’s eyes, pleading with him.
Darvk apparently didn’t have a clue what was wrong, his gaze questioning as he lifted his hand. “Tenia, what’s wrong?”
Before she could reply, Maverk said “I know.”
“Maverk-” Tenia began.
“’Tis fine, lass. I’ll handle this.” He turned to Kiile, who looked inquiringly at him. “I know that Reya was once your prisoner, and I heard what you did to her, but she is now under my protection.”
Tense, Tenia watched them.
“Ah.” Kiile nodded. “Understood.”
“Is it?” Maverk asked seriously.
“What is in the past is gone, my friend. She redeemed herself by delivering my enemy into my hands.”
Maverk looked at Tenia.
“Maverk, don’t-” she began.
“Kiile is a trusted friend, lass,” the blonde trader replied. “His word is good enough for me.” Without waiting for her to reply, he asked the Argon, “Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be,” Kiile replied dryly.
“No!” Tenia twisted beneath Darvk. “Damn you, let me up! Maverk! Don’t you dare take that bastard to Reya! Maverk!” The door shut behind them. “Damn it, damn it! Maver-” Her words were cut off once more by the large hand covering her mouth.
At the knowledge that she was helpless beneath the giant Daamen’s body, she could only glare up at Darvk.
He arched an eyebrow. “Are you going to control that temper of yours, lass?” At her continued glaring, he smiled faintly. “Fiery as ever, I see.” The smile vanished as he became serious
once more. “I need to attend your wounds. While I do so, I’ll explain why Kiile is here.” He lifted his hand.
“Darvk, you have to stop him, you have to-”
“No, Tenia, you have to stop.”
“But he-”
“Enough. That man saved your life and Reya’s.”
“You don’t know what he did to her, you don’t-”
“Nay, I don’t, but Maverk does apparently. Kiile has given his word, he won’t try anything on Reya, and Maverk will be with them both.” His eyes softened. “Tenia, trust me. Just trust me.” At her angry hesitation, he added, “Have I let you down yet? Have I not kept my promises?”
He had, but…She swallowed, her loyalty to her sister warring with her trust in Darvk.
“You’re safe,” Darvk stated quietly. “Reya’s safe. You will both remain safe with us. With me. Please, Tenia, don’t fight me on this, not now. Not after what you went through, what I went through thinking I wouldn’t get to you I time.” His thumb gently stroked her jaw line, bringing her unwilling attention back to his. “Please.”
At the open pain in his eyes, shame flickered through her as memories and commonsense returned. Yes, they were safe, thanks to Darvk and Maverk and possibly the other traders putting their lives in danger to rescue the sisters. And the Argon had helped.
The Argon’s help against her pride. Reya’s pride. They were alive because of the Daamens and the Argon.
Humility was sometimes a bitter pill to swallow, but she knew Darvk was right. Slowly, she nodded.
He didn’t look completely convinced. “I’m getting up to get the cream from the table. You stay right here, or I’ll get Garret and Jase to hold you down. Understand?”
“I understand.”
He rolled off her carefully and she sat up with his help, his big hand between her shoulder blades steadying her as her head swam a little and she placed a hand to her forehead. “Easy, lass.”
He didn’t leave her until she assured him she was fine. Watching him cross to the table to retrieve a small jar of cream, she sighed silently. Even when he had every right to be angry he was courteous and helpful. There were some men who would have given up on her by now, probably would have stormed from the cabin, but here was the dark-haired Daamen captain still tending to her. Shame flickered, but she couldn’t deny the fissure of pleasure, either.
Returning to her side, Darvk unscrewed the lid off the jar and dipped one finger into the cream. He kept his gaze on the job at hand while carefully applying the cream to the rope burns on her throat, remaining quiet while taking one of her wrists gently into a big palm while lightly rubbing the cream into the raw chaffing from the shackles.
His touch was warm, his nearness a soothing presence, and for several minutes she allowed the quietness of the cabin to alleviate the last of the anxiety. Studying his face as he bent to the task, she noted the slight furrow on his brow, the tension in his square jaw.
Obviously he wasn’t over what had happened, either, and that didn’t include the altercation between her and his Argon friend.
Seeking to ease him, she ignored the soreness in her throat. “How, exactly, did Kiile help?”
“He was in the area and his fleet crafts are faster than my ship, enabling us to get to you and Reya in time.”
“Is she all right?”
“The same as you.” His glance was reassuring. “Maverk’s attending her.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For being such a nasty bi-”
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence.”
“I deserve to. You all risked your lives for us.” Good intentions aside, it slipped out, “Including that lecherous bastard.”
Darvk grinned.
She looked unhappily at him.
Reaching out, he cupped her cheek. “What’s wrong, lass?”
“I repay you by snarling and cursing.”
His eyes softened. “My love, you’ve been through a traumatic experience.” His smile held a touch of humour mixed with tenderness. “I’m just glad you’re alive to snarl.”
She couldn’t help but smile ruefully.
His hand shifted down, his arm sliding around her shoulders. “Come here.”
Willingly going into his arms, she pressed her face against his neck. “I was so scared that I’d never see you again.”
His lips pressed to her temple. “You couldn’t have been any more scared than I. I prayed harder than I’ve ever done in my life. When I saw that trapdoor open…” He shuddered.
“Never mind,” she whispered, her voice sounding so raw from the rope damage. “It’s over now.”
“Never mind?” His arms tightened. “The thought of losing you…”
“You didn’t. You were there for me. For us.” She inhaled his familiar scent, the comfort washing through her.
Drawing back a little, he gazed down at her tenderly. “Always, lass. Always.” Closing the small gap between them, he pressed his lips lightly to hers, a gossamer brush of silken skin that had her lifting her head for more. “Always.”
The warmth inside her grew, blossomed, and before she returned his kiss she paused just a hairsbreadth from his lips to whisper, “Thank you for saving us, Darvk, I-”
A crash from outside the door brought them both to their feet.
They looked at each other, the instant realisation clear in both their eyes. Tenia bolted from the cabin, Darvk on her heels.
Skidding to a halt in the passage, her gaze went from Maverk laughing uproariously, to Kiile pushing himself to his feet with one arm around his midsection and wincing, to Reya who looked coldly down at him.
“Are you all right?” Tenia moved up beside her sister.
“Better than you could ever imagine.” Reya’s voice was as raw and hoarse as Tenia’s.
“What happened?” Darvk’s expression was resigned. “Or need I really ask?”
“Maverk relaxed his guard.” Kiile straightened up carefully. “These warriors pack a powerful punch. I feel like I’ve been worked over by one of your crew.”
Maverk grinned. “At least she didn’t keep coming after you like Tenia did.”
“You explained to her first,” Kiile reminded him dryly. “I’m going to get a drink and nurse my bruises.”
They watched him disappear into the dining cabin.
Maverk turned to Reya. “Feel better now that you’ve gotten that out of your system, lass?”
Her smile was one of frosty satisfaction.
“Think you can control yourself enough not to kill him?”
One dark eyebrow arched.
“I’ll take that as a yes, shall I?”
Going by Reya’s expression, she didn’t really care how he took it.
Biting her lip, Tenia touched her arm. “Reya?”
“Don’t worry, little sister.” Reya’s arm wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her in for an unexpected quick hug that was so out of character Tenia actually blinked in surprise. Releasing her just as swiftly, Reya looked at both Darvk and Maverk. “Thank you.”
“No need,” Darvk said.
Thumbs hooked into the waistband of his pants, Maverk rocked back and forth in his boots, grinning widely. “I’d not be adverse to a show of gratitude, my sweet.”
Reya just looked at him.
Tenia couldn’t help but smile a little.
Reya turned that glacier gaze onto her, but there was a flicker of warmth in her eyes. Warmth and relief, and Tenia knew her sister wasn’t as unaffected as she appeared.
Both were glad to be alive, both glad to be safe.
Darvk motioned towards the dining cabin. “Let’s get something to eat.”
The mention of food made Tenia’s stomach growl hungrily. At his amusement, she shrugged. “What can I say? Sore throat or not, I’m hungry.”
“I’m not surprised.” His expression darkened. “I doubt the hunters would have been worried about feeding you properly.”
“We ate a bit.”
“There’s soup especially for you two, it’ll be easier to swallow.”
It sounded heavenly, but now she became aware of other things. Her raised arm had dirt smeared down it, and she looked down at herself, her nose wrinkling. “Ugh. I think I better shower and change first.”
Reya nodded.
“Surely a meal first,” Darvk protested.
“We’ve been in these clothes for days. I need to feel clean again.”
“You don’t smell dirty.”
“Ah, diplomacy.” A gleam of humour lit Tenia’s eyes. “Actually, nature gave us a shower while we were in the cages, but nothing beats soap and hot water.”
Almost instantly, Darvk’s eyes narrowed. “So ‘twas true, you were left in the rain all night with no shelter.”
“We had protection from the rain.”
“But not the cold. That bastard.”
“You must have been freezing.” Maverk moved closer to Reya. “Are you sure you feel well?”
“I’m fine. Disappointed?”
For a second Tenia thought he would explode but his normal good humour came to the fore. “Actually, aye, because if you had a fever I’d have to bathe your body to cool you down.”
A muscle flexed in Reya’s jaw.
“Temper, temper, sweetheart.” With a flourish he opened her door. “Go ahead and pretty yourself up. I’ll be waiting in the dining cabin for you.”
She stalked past him, and he laughed and walked away.
When Tenia looked ruefully up at Darvk, he smiled. “Better have that shower, lass, then come to the dining cabin for soup. You need nourishment.” He dropped a swift kiss onto her lips and strode off.
Her heart thudding a little heavier after just the light kiss, Tenia watched him until he disappeared into the dining cabin. Only then did she enter her cabin, but as she peeled off her clothes, she was smiling.
And yes, she had to admit, as the warm water beat down on her in the shower and she lathered the soap over her body, she did it with a dreamy smile.
Nothing like a little privacy to be a little girlie.
~ * ~
Darvk leaned back in the chair.
From the viscomm screen, Shari observed him seriously. “I hear the Reeka women have been causing you no end of trouble.”
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