DarykRogue by Denise A. Agnew Page A

this, she stayed rigid. She averted her eyes, knowing
if she looked into his she’d find that fire again. She didn’t know if she could
stare into that flame and not be swept away in the conflagration. When his
mouth touched hers, it was a tender touch that didn’t demand. Warm and coaxing,
his mouth teased and dissolved in a heartbeat.
    Suteras cleared his throat, something he seemed to do an
awful lot. “I introduce you formally as Rayder and Xandra Tyrus.”
    Shocked that her name had been changed, she frowned. That
just wasn’t done on Magonia. Women kept their last names, even though children
used their father’s last name. Before she could question it, Rayder took her
hand and lead her out of the canopy into the center of the room. The magic
she’d felt standing under the canopy with him had diminished in an instant.
    “Congratulations,” the admiral said as he shook Rayder’s
hand.
    Rayder kept a straight face and said nothing. Aramus frowned
at him but spoke no rebuke. Instead, he turned to Xandra and lifted her left
hand. “Congratulations to the new bride.” He eyeballed the ring. “A most lovely
present he’s bestowed upon you. And valuable to from the looks of it.” He pressed
a swift, cold kiss to her fingers.
    Her skin crawled as she withdrew her hand, wanting to
immediately wash her skin. “Thank you.”
    She didn’t want to thank him for being so crass about the
ring, but what else could she do?
    Yoanda smiled. “I’m pleased you’re married and safe.”
    “Thank you,” Xandra said automatically, finding the entire
exchange awkward.
    Phili stood near the door like a sentinel with boredom
etched into her features. She approached and it was all Xandra could do not to
run from the room.
    Phili came to Rayder first, reached up and grabbed his head
in both her palms. “Such a shame ladies will no longer have the pleasure of
your flesh.”
    With a shameless smile, Phili drew his head down and planted
a huge kiss on his lips. Xandra’s blood came up, an unaccountable anger surging
so high she almost reached out to yank the impertinent chit away from her
husband. To his credit, Rayder grabbed Phili’s wrists and pried loose.
    He reached for Xandra’s hand. “If you’d excuse us, we’re
eager to begin married life.”
    Phili, looking put out, stepped away as Rayder started for
the door.
    “Why, I never,” Phili said in a bored tone. “He didn’t even
thank you for the hospitality.”
    “Shut up, Phili,” the admiral said. “He’s just hungry to bed
his mate. It’s natural.”
    Xandra hurried to keep up with Rayder’s stride as they left
the admiral’s quarters and crossed the huge deck back toward Rayder’s cabin.
Men lined the deck, and she half expected them to jeer or cheer, but they
stayed quiet. Most kept blank expressions and continued their work, but here
and there she caught their quick glances as they leered. Her stomach tossed and
turned, and she almost felt ill. How humiliating to have them staring at her,
but it could have worse.
    Her foot caught on the hem of her dress and she tripped. As
she gasped in surprise and started to fall, Rayder snatched her back and lifted
her full into his arms.
    She gasped again, totally surprised. “What—”
    “Are you all right?” The soft concern in his eyes and voice
as he held her sent a new, disturbing sensation into her belly. This one was
hot and filled with pleasure.
    “Yes.”
    He didn’t reply, just walked swiftly toward the cabin.
    “Is it really necessary to rush?”
    “Yes. I won’t have these bastards staring at you any more
than I can help.”
    A smidgen of humor made it past her nervousness. “Ah, so
you’re troubled for my modesty.”
    He threw her a quick look as they approached the cabin. “Yes
and no.”
    His confusing agreement and contradiction kept her off guard
until they reached the cabin and he set her down long enough to unlock the
door. She stepped in ahead of him as new trepidation rose inside