It was the sweetest moment of his life.
Later, she lay in his arms, her back to his hard chest, his arm draped over her waist as, satiated and completely satisfied, he drifted dreamily towards sleep.
“There’s something else it means,” she said softly, unexpectedly.
“Mmmm?” Darvk was half-asleep.
“A warrior gives the man she loves her death mask.” Tenia ran her fingers down his arm. “It is a sign that her heart belongs to him.”
“That’s nice,” he mumbled, snuggling closer against her delicious curves.
“When she dies, her husband places it on her face. If he dies first, it is placed upon his coffin to be dug up on the day of her death and placed on her face before her coffin is lowered in on top of his.”
“Gruesome.” He yawned. “What of those that don’t wed?”
“The next of kin ensures the mask is buried with her.”
Tucking her up close to him, he kissed the top of her head. “All right, I’ll carry on the tradition, lass, only you’re not to go before me and not for a very long time. I plan to have many children and grandchildren, and I intend for us to be around to be great-grandparents!”
Her fingers slid down to his wrist, lower still to curl around his fingers and squeeze gently.
Smiling, Darvk pulled her back against him, buried his nose in the silken tresses and slipped into sleep.
When he awoke in the early hours of the morning, he was alone. Sighing, he rolled over, wishing they were on Argon. Once wed, Tenia would share his bed from the moment he got into it until they both got up.
The day passed similarly to the previous day. Kiile was once more on board and the sisters avoiding being near him. He merely laughed when Darvk shrugged and apologized.
“Don’t worry, my friend.” He chuckled. “Reekas are known for their long memories.”
After the midday meal he left the ship. Not long after Red, entered the dining cabin where Darvk sat finishing a snack. “Kiile says a fleet craft will dock here this afternoon with a message.”
“Can’t they just tell us what it is over the intercom?”
“Apparently it’s too important to risk being picked up by someone else.”
Maverk’s eyebrows rose. “Must be some message.”
Darvk rested his chin on his hand. “Wonder what it is?”
“Don’t know, but for the fleet craft to bring it, it must be urgent. Those crafts may be small but they’re incredibly fast. Need one to catch one.”
“Let’s see if Kiile can give us a hint of what it’s about.”
~*~
Holding the death mask in her hands, Tenia studied the familiar features - her features - blandly etched into gold. Reya’s had long since disappeared, lost during battle and escape, and she couldn’t help but wonder if there’d ever really be a time when the Reekas would once again live life peacefully, unhunted.
The door to her cabin opened and she looked up as Reya entered.
“Do you still wish to come with me?” Reya asked.
The question filled Tenia with dread. “You’ve found a way?”
“An Argon fleet craft docks here this afternoon. They are small and fast. That’s our escape.”
“They’ll track us.”
“I have that radar blocker that Sinya wore. We’ll attach it to the radar screen in the craft and they won’t be able to track us.”
Feeling sick, Tenia nodded. “All right.”
Reya studied her silently.
“I’m going with you,” Tenia said. “When?”
“Stay here until I come for you.” She left the cabin.
Tenia gazed at the closed door. So, the time was near. Time to leave the ship, the traders who had become her friends. The man she loved.
Raising the death mask, she stared at the cold likeness of herself then made her way to Darvk’s empty cabin. Crouching down before the robe, she wedged the mask into the darkest corner, covered it with one of Darvk’s vests and closed the door.
Standing, she took a deep breath, feeling the constriction around her heart. She was leaving not only the mask with the man she loved, but her heart also.
Swallowing down the lump in her throat, she straightened her shoulders and quickly returned to her cabin.
She’d just opened the door when Darvk appeared in the deserted corridor. “Tenia! Wait!”
Wondering why his stride was so hurried, she stood half-in and half-out of the doorway. As he drew near, she frowned. “What’s the matter?” When he didn’t answer, his expression serious, she started to get really worried. “Darvk, tell me what’s - oh!”
Her words were cut off as he grinned suddenly, wrapping one brawny arm around her waist while pushing her back into the cabin. Kicking the door shut behind them, he took her mouth in a deep, drugging kiss that left her clinging to him.
“Ah, lass.” Smiling, he raised his head. “I’ve been longing to do that since I awoke and found that you had fled my bed once again.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “You did not.”
“But I did.” Cupping her chin in his hand, he tilted her head to the side.
She closed her eyes when his lips touched the sensitive area beneath her ear. Allowing him to kiss her, knowing that she wouldn’t be seeing him again, that she would be gone by nightfall, was torture.
Lifting his head, the smile in his eyes was quickly replaced with concern. “Tenia? What’s the matter?”
“What? Oh, nothing. Nothing at all.”
“There is.” Leading her over to the bunk, he sat her on it before crouching down on his heels to gaze up at her. “Tell me, lass, and I’ll take care of it.”
“You see problems where there are none,” she chided, all the while wanting to fling herself into his arms and cry her heart out.
He wasn’t swallowing her attempt at amusement. “Something troubles you. Share it with me.”
Leaning forward, she pressed a kiss to his forehead. “It’s nothing.”
“You’d tell me if something was wrong, wouldn’t you, lass?” His eyes scoured her face searchingly. “You trust me, don’t you?”
Tenderly, she smoothed her hands through his hair, her voice husky with tears she refused to allow to fall. “I do. I also love you more than you could ever imagine.”
“So what’s the problem, my love?” Covering her hand with his, he turned it over and pressed a kiss to her palm. “Why so sad?”
“Sad? The last few nights have been heaven. Don’t worry about me.” She shrugged. “I’m just a little maudlin today. It’s nothing.”
Before he could further pursue the matter, the sound of Maverk calling his name made him curse softly.
“You have a job to do,” Tenia pointed out.
“You need me.”
“Me? Phsaw.” She flapped a hand. “I’m fine. Just things catching me up, you know?”
He didn’t look convinced.
Not wanting him to start prying further, Tenia raised both eyebrows when his name was called again.
“Tenia-” Darvk began.
“Good grief,” she said. “If I can’t have a moment to be a little maudlin about memories brought up by the mask, then when can I? Private memories,” she added when Darvk opened his mouth. “Now go, your crew need you.”
For several seconds he studied her, but when she simply dimpled at him, he sighed and stood up. “If you say so, lass.”
“I say so,” she assured him.
Walking over to the door, he opened it, stepped through and turned to look back.
Unable to stop herself, she said, “Go safely, my love. My heart belongs to you.”
Warmth flickered in his eyes, but before he could reply, Maverk’s insistent voice called yet again.
He sighed. “Tonight,” he promised, and left after casting her one last, tender look.
Tenia stared at the closed door. Little did Darvk know there would be no tonight, no tomorrow night.
Little did he
know her heart was breaking.
But sometimes, to protect the one you love, you had to make choices, and she’d made hers.
When the fleet craft docked two hours later, she was controlled, resolved and ready when Reya entered the cabin.
“It’s time,” Reya said. “We need to hurry while they’re all occupied.”
Knowing her sister would have scouted the area, Tenia followed her down the deserted corridor. “The crew?”
The platform lift rattled down to the cargo hold. “Some are in the dining cabin, a few asleep in their cabins, and a couple are on the big Argon ship to talk of trade. Maverk and Darvk are with Kiile in the control cabin. No one is aboard the fleet craft, we’ll board it with no problems.”
Descending the staircase so they didn’t alert anyone of their escape by using the clanking platform lift, the warriors entered the cargo hold. In the side of the cargo hold was a door. Opening it, Reya revealed the tunnel leading to the Argon fleet craft docked securely against the side of the big Daamen trade ship.
They entered the tunnel, closing the door behind them. Crossing to the craft was quick, and they boarded it, sealing the door to the tunnel behind them. Single file, they went through the arch at the end of the small cabin and found themselves in the control cabin. Reya clipped the radar blocker onto the screen and it emitted a crackle, the screen flickering black and red before returning to the normal black screen with green lines.
“We’re off scanner,” she said with satisfaction.
Tenia glanced out the space shield. “We’d better move quickly.”
The engines roared silently to life, the tunnel disconnected, and the fleet craft shot away from the Daamen ship to disappear into space.
~ * ~
“Hey, the fleet craft has disappeared from radar.” Red looked at Darvk. “What the hell’s happening?’
Leaning over his shoulder, Darvk scanned the radar screen. The only object on it was the Argon spaceship. The fleet craft had indeed disappeared.
Red spoke into the communicator linked to every part of the ship. “Heddam, Jase, go check the docking area and find out what’s going on.”
Kiile frowned. “I don’t understand.” He motioned to the Argon pilot and the guard. “You two go as well.”
“Mayhap something is wrong with the screen.” Red tapped the radar. “But the Argon ship shows clearly.”
The viscomm flickered on and Kiile’s second-in-command appeared. “The fleet craft is gone!”
“It’s off our radar, too,” Red said.
“No,” the Argon said. “I mean it’s gone.”
The Argons and Daamens looked at each other.
Then Darvk felt a sudden heaviness in his chest, and without another word he turned and ran.
Jase collided with him at the platform lift.
“It’s gone,” Jase informed him. “The tunnel is the only thing out there.”
“Search this floor and see where the lasses are,” Darvk snapped. “Get someone to the cargo hold and search there as well.”
“You don’t think -”
“Do it!”
The platform lift didn’t even clank to a halt on the third floor before Darvk leaped off and ran to Tenia’s cabin, thrusting the door open and bursting inside to find it deserted.
Heart clenching with dread, the knowledge of what had happened undeniable, he tried Reya’s cabin next to find it empty.
Standing in the doorway, he closed his eyes. The crew was searching the ship but he knew it was to no avail. Pain filled him, rippled through his body, tore at his heart. Why had she fled? After all they’d shared, why had she left him? Why?
The disbelief and wrenching pain weighed him down, pulling at him, and he slumped against the door, fists clenched tight.
Cam, Simon, and Morgan appeared at the end of the corridor, spotted him, paused then prudently they left.
They didn’t hear him roar her name and punch the door savagely in helpless rage. Only his bloody knuckles and the dent bore testimony to it.
Chapter 11
“We land in thirty minutes.” Reya didn’t look up from the control panel when Tenia entered.
As she’d done since their escape from the Daamen trade ship five days ago, Tenia kept her mind resolutely focussed on the mission at hand and studied the radar screen. “There’s not much activity this side of Urion.”
“That’s because the outlaws prefer the more civilized areas of Urion, if you can call it civilized. Where we land, there are no nearby settlements.”
“So who is there?”
“Connie, if we’re lucky, and some of the others.”
Her sister warriors. Tenia’s stoic expression softened into a smile. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Connie.”
“She hasn’t changed,” Reya said.
“I haven’t seen her for several years.”
“Okay, she’s a little older.” Reya cast her a sideways glance. “But don’t tell her I said that.”
Tenia laughed.
For the first time since the escape, Reya smiled.
The planet grew closer, the landscape revealed as they descended, sweeping fast across the sky. The distance disappeared, turned into trees skimming below the craft, sweeping across the desert, above mountains and settlements, then a deserted area followed by a thick forest.
Controlling the flight, Reya landed the fleet craft in a small clearing. Nothing moved outside, and Reya and Tenia disembarked cautiously, palming the lasers left onboard by the Argons. No sound filled the air. No breeze rustled the bushes.
It was too quiet, too still, and Tenia felt eyes upon her. “I don’t like this.”
“It’s all right.” Reya lowered her laser.
“Something is out there. Keep your laser up!”
“Would you shoot us, little sister?” An amused voice queried.
Tenia froze at the familiar tone. The bushes parted before her and a tall, dark-haired, sloe-eyed, warrior woman approached. A woman so dearly familiar. The woman who’d cared for her and Reya after the death of Karana, the leader of the Reekas.
“Connie!” Dashing forward, she threw herself into the warrior’s open arms.
“It has been so long. Too long.” Connie held her close. “You have grown.”
She laughed tearfully. “I wasn’t that little when we were parted!”
“Okay, older, more grey hair.”
She sounded so like Reya in that moment that Tenia could only laugh harder.
Over Connie’s shoulder she saw six more warriors between the ages of fifteen and forty enter the clearing, knew them all, happiness overflowing her as she hugged each and every one. Voices filled the air, questions flying back and forth between them all.
It took several minutes for the group to quieten down, mainly because Reya held up a hand. “Let’s get back home and we can talk then.”
Hands on hips, Connie grinned at Reya. “You did well to find Tenia.”
“It was more that she found me,” Reya replied.
“I heard you’d been claimed.” Laughter laced the tones.
Reya’s eyes narrowed warningly. “Don’t mention that incident to me ever again.”
“That would’ve been a sight for sore eyes, you under some man’s control!”
A titter went around the group of warriors.
“Connie,” Reya said icily.
“They must be something, these Daamen traders.”
“Will you shut your mouth?”
Amused at the teasing, Tenia felt the renewed kinship with the women of her tribe.
Connie clapped Reya heartily on the shoulder. “Come on, let’s get the craft covered and Tenia settled.”
Eager now to be reunited with the Reeka survivors, Tenia followed them through the forest to the base of a mountain. Bushes were pulled aside to reveal a narrow opening big enough for them to enter single-file only. It led upwards, steps carved roughly into the rocky floor. After five minutes of climbing the path veered o
ff into three different tunnels.
Reya touched her shoulder. “These tunnels all lead out of the mountain.”
Tenia entered a huge, round cave. In the middle burned a fire and flickering torches attached to the walls added more light. Blankets and furs were piled on rocky shelves, and crude wooden benches surrounded a long wooden table made up of planks. Someone had placed a small vase of wild flowers in the centre of it. For all the roughness, the cave had a warm, home-like atmosphere.
Several other Reeka women were in the cave, all greeted Tenia with more hugs, more questions, all eager. Tenia and Reya were ushered over to the table. Mugs of fresh, cold water and bowls of berries were placed before them.
Everyone sat around the table, some leaning on the shoulders of others, some standing as the seats were all taken.
Connie wanted to know everything that had happened since the last time she’d seen Tenia, and everyone listened curiously while she recounted the past. Tears appeared now and again as she mentioned sister warriors who had died, but it was nothing new and so it was mostly met with nods and sober faces.
The conversation turned toward more recent events, Reya taking the opportunity to inform the Reekas about Shari’s accusations, the mystery of his Dragon soldiers, and the conversation overheard in the ruins of the massacred settlement.
She ended with, “The Inka Empire is the place to start to unravel these lies and get to the truth.”
“And to avenge our sisters,” Connie added softly. “Our mothers, sisters, and daughters.”
A murmur of agreement swept the room.
“Our fallen sons, brothers and fathers,” another warrior said, running her hand through greying hair. “It’s all tied together somehow.”
More murmurs of agreement.
Tenia glanced up as another Reeka, Mya, said, “It’s good that finally we have a place to start.”
“Are any of our warriors out on mercenary assignments at the moment?” Reya asked.
“Five,” Connie replied. “Hopefully they won’t be gone much longer.”
“Any more here apart from who’s in the cave?”
“There’s more here?” Tenia asked eagerly.
“Four more in the forests collecting food.”
Outlaw Page 28
