Mercenary, page 23
part #2 of Heart's Desire Soul Destroyed Series
“Riches are no good to me.” He smiled faintly, regretfully. “Of what good is money or belongings to a man who also walks on the edge?”
Before Maverk could try again, a thin gangly figure burst through the door, gazed wildly about, spotted him and came hurtling over, pulling to a stop and narrowly avoiding colliding with the table.
“Reya!” Cisco panted. “She’s gone into Brroca!”
“What?” Zadox and Maverk both exclaimed at the same time.
“She’s gone into Brroca! She’ll be killed for sure!”
Maverk leaped up, sending the chair hurtling backwards to crash into the wall. “Is she mad?” As soon as the words left his mouth a cold hand clutched his heart, his gaze flying to Zadox. The edge of insanity. Could she be seeking out death?
In a single bound he leaped over the top of the table and burst through the crowd, sending the tavern patrons flying in every direction. Ignoring the curses and stares following him, all he thought about was Reya in the worst pit of hell he knew. He’d never been there, but he’d heard about it. Every trader and man and wench who travelled or lived in the Outlaw Sector knew of Brocca.
In Brroca there was no mercy for anyone. Intruders were killed, savagely beaten, raped, tortured, and his lass was there. He had to find and protect her.
“Maverk, wait for me!” Zadox ran behind him.
Not waiting, not bothering to check to see if Zadox was keeping up, Maverk bounded down the long alley that led into Brroca and burst into the street to a scene that turned his blood to ice.
A wide circle of silent outlaws, men and wenches, held sputtering torches that cast light on the two people facing each other, one holding a laser, the other standing with arms stretched out to the sides, soft red-gold curls stirring in the slight breeze. Scattered at their feet were bodies. Dead or alive, he didn’t know, nor did he care right then. The only one he cared about was standing facing the outlaws, unafraid, defiant to the end.
Then she spoke the words that sent a chill down her spine.
“Pull the trigger, man.” The words were clear in the cool evening air, daring, goading.
“Nay!” Maverk roared, racing forward while grabbing for the laser at his hip.
Reya and the scarred outlaw swung around quickly.
“Maverk?” Her disbelieving eyes widened.
“Your champion, warrior?” the scarred man asked with a touch of amusement. He didn’t fire his laser, knowing that hidden killers already had their weapons aimed at the giant Daamen, waiting only for his signal.
Chapter 9
No, Maverk couldn’t be here! Reya switched her gaze wildly from the fast approaching trader to the outlaw. Merciful death had been so close, an end to the continuous nightmare that never left her sleeping moments. To have it snatched from her at the last second was too much.
Grabbing the outlaw’s hand, she jerked the tip of the laser against her breast. “Pull the trigger, curse you!”
“I’ll kill you if you do!” Maverk roared.
“Do it!” she snarled.
The scarred man’s eyebrows rose up in curiosity. “You do have a death wish, warrior.”
Skidding to a halt beside her, Maverk levelled his laser at the killer. “Put your weapon down now.”
“Ah, the Daamen trader. She means something to you?”
Reya could feel the situation changing. “I mean nothing to him. This is between you and me.”
“Don’t harm her.” Maverk’s eyes glittered warningly. “Any argument you have with her, you have with me.”
“Fine, you can die first.” The laser swung around toward him.
The action and words penetrated the cloud of panic and despair that filled her mind. The laser was now trained on the trader, and the danger he’d placed himself in for her pierced her mind.
She flung herself between the two men. “This is my fight, killer. You’ll harm him over my dead body.”
“If that’s what you choose.” Lazily, he shrugged.
A muscular arm wrapped around her waist and started to twist her away. “Reya, nay!”
“Hold!” a voice ordered.
The killer glanced around, genuine surprise in his face. “Zadox?”
The crowd fell back with a murmur as Zadox stepped into their midst. “Lower your weapons, both of you.”
Maverk kept his levelled on the scarred man. “You know this killer?”
“Yes. Venon, lower your weapon. These two are my special guests.”
Slowly the laser lowered but Maverk’s remained trained on Venon.
“Trader, lower your weapon,” Zadox ordered.
“What do you know of this place and these people?”
“I’m the leader here. No one will hurt you or Reya.”
Slowly Reya turned her head to meet pale blue eyes, the colour draining from her face. “You.” The word was a shaken whisper.
“It’s been awhile.” Zadox smiled slightly.
“You shouldn’t have stopped it.” Her low tone was accusing. “You of all people should understand.”
Zadox jerked his head at the curious crowd. “Be gone.”
Within minutes the street was deserted, the unconscious and dead taken away.
He returned his attention to the warrior who stood with the trader’s arm still around her waist.
Maverk could feel her trembling. He wanted to crush her to him in relief that she was alive. He wanted to soothe her and take her away to a private place to try and make sense of what had happened. He wanted to shake and yell at her for being so stupid. He hurt that she would choose death over confiding in him. It was as though a stranger stood before him.
“I couldn’t let you die, Reya,” Zadox replied quietly.
“I was so close. So close.” Agony sounded in her voice.
“Yes, you were.”
“Why did you stop it? What gives you the right?”
Empathy was etched on the hawkish face.
“I damned us all,” Reya stated bleakly.
“Perhaps, perhaps not. You made the decision, we obeyed, we chose to go. We got out of there after that….” He was momentarily lost for words, his fingers gesturing almost helplessly. “We live today.”
Savagely she pulled away from Maverk’s arm. “Live? This is hell!”
“Reya.” Maverk reached for her but she quickly backed away, her eyes filled with furious, helpless despair. “Lass, please.”
“Don’t, Maverk,” she rasped. “Don’t plead with me. I’m not worth the dirt beneath your feet.”
“Lass, listen-”
“To what? The screams at night? The horror and bloodshed and cold smell of death and decay?”
Her eyes glittered wildly and he suddenly feared that she’d truly slid into madness. “Lass, settle down.”
She stared at him, a haunted expression on her face. “You don’t understand.” Her gaze switched to Zadox, then she whirled and fled.
“Reya!” Maverk yelled. “Stop!” He took off after her.
“She needs you, trader.”
Zadox’s last words followed him as he chased after Reya but he couldn’t acknowledge them. It took all he had just to keep track of her.
**
Despair and hopelessness lending wings to her already fleet feet, she sped through the dusty streets and out of the settlement, making for the ship. Leaping up the three steps, she tore inside and flung herself into the sleeping cabin to grab the backpack from the floor.
Her breath came in ragged gulps, her pounding heart feeling as if it would explode in her chest.
The door crashed open and she spun around, her back to the wall.
Maverk stared from her distraught face to the backpack she clutched. “Where are you going?”
“Away.”
He stepped forward. “Nay, you’re not.”
“Don’t tell me what to do. Leave me alone. I don’t need you.”
His tone softened, his eyes filled with compassion. “You need someone, and it might as well be me.”
“No! It can’t be you!” Flinging her backpack onto the bunk, she clenched her fists. “Do you hear me?”
“I know you’re-”
“You know nothing.” Tears glittered in her eyes. “Nothing.”
He was really worried now. Never had he seen her so worked up and out of control. Her voice shook, her body trembled violently and hysteria edged her words.
Slowly he approached her, speaking soothingly. “Reya, you know me. Just tell me what troubles you so, what?”
“I can’t!” She burst into tears.
Covering her face with her hands, she slid down the wall until she sat on the floor. Once there, she drew her knees up to her chest, wrapped her arms around them and drew herself into a sobbing ball of misery.
“Reya, my love.” Dropping to his knees beside her, he gathered her into his arms and held her close.
Turning to him, she buried her face in his neck, uncontrollable sobs wracking her body.
“Ah, lass.” His voice was husky. “I wish I could take your pain and make it my own.”
“Don’t,” she choked. “Don’t ever wish that, Maverk. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.”
In answer, he rested his cheek atop her head.
She pressed against him while the storm raged inside her, crying her hidden pain and agony freely into the warm skin of his neck, inhaling his clean, masculine scent with every shuddering breath she took.
It was as though his cleanliness and warmth seeped into her, stealing through every part of her body, soothing her and making her feel safe.
He murmured words of comfort and held her firmly, one hand stroking the silky tresses.
Time passed and gradually the racking sobs subsided until only the odd, shuddering breath rippled through her. Still he held her in silence, and she curled into his reassuring warmth and solidity.
Finally she stirred, looking up to meet his concerned gaze.
Scrutinising her face, his expression visibly relaxed.
She understood the searching gaze. “Don’t worry. I’m not insane yet.”
“So I see, but you worried me tremendously there for a while, lass. You were on the edge.”
Only one person she knew of would have dared to mention that. “Zadox has spoken to you.”
“Aye, but I don’t know much more than before, except that he shares your secret and it has destroyed other lives.” One hand came up to cradle her tear-stained face. “It nearly destroyed you tonight. To share it will share the burden also. Share it with me. Please.”
Regardless of his kindness, there was no way she could talk to him about it. Sighing wearily, she started to pull away.
He tightened his hold, preventing the withdrawal. “Reya, I care for you. Whatever it is, that will never change. Tonight you came back from the edge but what about tomorrow or next week?”
“Maverk, if you truly care, you won’t ask me again.”
“‘Tis because I do care that I ask.”
“If you knew some of what I’d done, your care would turn to loathing.” She’d thought she was back in control, but a tear welled up to slip down her cheek. “My sisters would turn from me.”
“Is it so bad, lass?” he asked tenderly.
Slowly she turned until she knelt before him, her gaze beseeching, wanting him so badly to accept her decision. “It stains my soul and eats at it like acid. It’s a stain that must not spread to those I care about.”
“Let me help wash the stain away.”
The gentle coaxing voice accompanied by the soft stroke of callused fingers on her cheek made her swallow the lump in her throat.
“The stain is there for eternity. It destroys me and I’ll not allow it to destroy the lives of those I love. No, Maverk, it’s my secret and mine alone. Please.” She reached up to lay her hand upon his resting so gently against her cheek. “Don’t ask anymore.”
He studied her in silence, then slowly he nodded. “Very well, if that is what you wish, keep your secret for now. But if you don’t wish to hurt your sister, you should be with her for the birth of her first babe.”
“Maverk-”
“Nay, listen to me. If you would have her think all is well with you, visit her and waylay her fears and curiosity, for she suspects that something is wrong.”
“I don’t know.” I can’t.
“Just a short visit to lay her concerns to rest. Unless you want her to worry.”
Her shoulders slumped in defeat. “Very well. Once we find Mara, we’ll go and see Tenia.”
His smile was warm and approving. “‘Tis the best decision you’ve made in a long time, lass.”
“Is it?”
“Aye, it is.” Pushing upright, Maverk gently drew her up with him. “Now ‘tis time to see to your wounds.”
Reya glanced down at herself. Blood slicked here and there amongst the dust coating her skin, but the wounds were superficial. “I’ll shower first.”
He didn’t argue. “I’ll get the medipack meanwhile.”
Feeling drained of energy, moving almost automatically, she showered and dressed in a clean nightgown.
~*~
Maverk looked up when she entered the sleeping cabin, taking in the weariness on her face. He was relieved to see that the icy barricades were not yet re-erected. “Take a seat, lass, and I’ll start patching you up.”
She sat quietly while he applied antiseptic and a self-adhesive patch to the gash. He wondered what she thought about while she stared at the floor with a faraway expression.
She started when he spoke again. “What?”
“Lie on your stomach.” When she frowned slightly, he added, “You’ve some nasty grazes on the back of your thigh.”
“Gravel will do that to you.”
The reply was the kind she’d normally give, and he met her gaze to see a trace of the old Reya within, faint but discernable. He acknowledged it with a mixture of relief and regret. Relief for it meant that she was back from the edge of madness, regret because she’d grow cold and withdrawn again. Right now, she was softer, more approachable.
He worked steadily and methodically on the grazes and small cuts. When he’d finished, she carefully pushed up to sit beside him. Her eyes flickered up when the tip of his finger lightly traced the small swelling at the corner of her mouth.
“Is it very sore?” he asked gently.
“I’ve had worse.” Reaching up to touch it, she went still when his hand captured hers.
“Is it worth it, Reya?” His thumb rubbed the back of her hand in a soothing yet intimate gesture. “All this physical pain you put yourself through?”
“Take my advice,” was her only reply. “Go home before I destroy you.”
“How?” He pressed a kiss to the back of her hand.
“I hurt you tonight with the things I said.”
“As did I to you.” He shook his head remorsefully. “I can’t believe I was so cruel. I said things that should never have been uttered.”
She touched his arm reassuringly. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It does.” Reaching out, he pushed a stray curl back behind her ear before asking, because he needed to know, “Answer me truthfully. Did my viciousness spur you on to do what you did tonight?”
She studied him in silence and his heart fell. Turning away, he dropped her hand and stood up, self-loathing throbbing in his voice. “It did. I nearly killed you tonight with my savagery.”
How could he have been so stupid? Pushing her, bullying her, almost destroying her?
He hadn’t taken more than two steps away from her when he was stopped by her hand wrapping around his wrist.
“Turn around and look at me, Maverk.” The words were low, compelling, but forceful.
Taking a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and did as bidden, gazing down into the beautiful face that was neither cold nor dismissing. Instead, it was soft and there was a warm expression in her calm, clear eyes as she stated, “Maverk, you haven’t a savage bone in your body. What you said was true.”
Immediately he denied it. Strongly. “‘Twas a lie said in anger!” Bloody strongly.
“Have it your way.” Her smile was sweetly sad. “But as you pointed out, it was said in anger, the same as the words I raked you with. You are so good and kind and gentle, so very different to me. You’re the sun to my moon, the light to my darkness. We are such opposites, pretty boy.”
The term was said with affection, a fact he didn’t miss. It gave him hope.
“Maybe that’s true, lass.” He took her hands in his. “But night and day go together.”
“So much the optimist. I’m a pessimist. We are opposites.”
“Ah, but opposites attract.”
They gazed at each other, the room filling with warmth. Peace.
Maverk traced his hands up her arms, drawing her to him. He started to bend towards her when her finger on his mouth stopped him. He gazed inquiringly at her.
“Be warned, Maverk,” she almost whispered. “Whatever happens tonight, tomorrow comes with no promise. It will be as if tonight never happened.”
“Then I’ll take what I can tonight.” He’d take whatever she was willing to offer.
Show her he loved her no matter what she did or said. Wanted to tell her the same, but very aware that this moment was magical, didn’t want to rip away the delicate moment. But he’d show her his love.
It was as if she knew his thoughts. “It’ll make it that much harder for you when we part.” She touched his cheek gently. “It would be wiser to leave me now.”
His reply was to draw her into his arms and lower his mouth to cover her lips.
Sliding her arms around his neck, Reya pressed herself against him, returning his kiss with longing. Part of her mind screamed that it was madness to give herself to this blonde trader, that she would regret it on the morrow. Her heart pleaded with her to take what he offered, to take his caring and gentleness and give him her love.
For she did love him, acknowledging it deep inside herself, savouring it, for tonight would have to last for eternity.
The sound of an alarm penetrated their haze of desire, jolting them from the sensuous spell being woven so sweetly. They stepped apart, both reacting in their own way.
