Read Online DarykRogue by Denise A. Agnew - Free Book Online Page A

amusing and maybe gratifying. “I never wear clothes
to bed, and I’m not starting now.”
    She lied. “But I’m not ready to sleep yet.”
    He shrugged as he tucked his thumbs in his waistband and
eased the trousers down his hips. “I am. It’s been a long day. You can stay up
if you like. There are books on the desk if you wish to read. Keep the lamp on
if you want.”
    Reprieve. “All right.”
    As his trousers fell lower, she sucked in a breath and
averted her eyes. She walked over to the desk, snatched a book of poetry and
sat down in the nearby chair. “I’ll read then.”
    “Suit yourself.”
    Rayder wandered to the bed, and out the corner of her eye,
she saw his naked figure climb into the bed and under the covers. She couldn’t
see anything really, but the thought of him naked upended her. As she flipped
open the book and started to read, she became even more aware of him. He lay in
bed, so close, the power of his presence somehow so disturbing that even
dressed he unnerved her. She glanced over quickly. He lay on his left side, his
eyes closed. Good. She couldn’t take it if he were lying there watching her.
    As nonchalantly as possible, she continued to read.
    It didn’t work.
    The lightning flashing, the sound of the storm lashing at
the cabin destroyed her concentration, and so did the man lying in the bed.
Both warred with her ability to read and that bothered her. She tried again,
determined neither one would win. Despite her efforts and the minutes that went
by, her awareness of him increased.
    He’s just a man. No reason to become all goggle-eyed over
him.
    Especially considering he was a rogue and wastrel.
    She forced her attention back to the poetry. Beautiful and
absorbing, the passages took her to another world. From the words, Xandra
learned that Dragonia possessed as much splendor as danger, as much life as death.
Glaciers, jungles and deserts occupied the continent. Though she’d heard it all
before, the poet described the land with such affection and depth that rendered
the country mysterious and beautiful. Curiosity twisted inside her and made
Xandra wonder if Dragonia would be her freedom or stifle her in entirely new
ways.
    Her eyelids started to droop with exhaustion, but she
couldn’t abandon the book. Finally she couldn’t keep her eyes open. She closed
the book with a sigh and noted the author’s name carved in red on the rich
black cover.
    She said the name softly. “Aknada Tyrus.”
    “She was my sister.”
    Xandra jerked, startled by Rayder’s voice. She dared to look
up. He was still under the covers. “Your sister?”
    “Yes.” He sat up against the dark wood headboard. “She was.”
    A sinking feeling entered the pit of her stomach. “Was?”
    He swallowed hard, his eyes momentarily burning with anger.
“She was murdered.”
    Murdered. She understood so well how it felt for a loved one
to be murdered. Her heart twisted as her own pain resurfaced with staggering
force.
    “Oh god Magon. I’m sorry.” She touched the cover reverently.
“This poetry is so beautiful and meaningful.”
    He nodded. His eyes sad. “Aknada wrote that poetry when she
was but fifteen. She was very talented.”
    “When did… When did she die?”
    “Three years ago. She was twenty and betrothed.”
    Tears prickled in her eyes. “How awful. What happened to
her?”
    “Never mind. I’ve said too much.”
    Curiosity plagued her, but far deeper emotions overruled.
Tears spilled over her eyelids. A few seconds later she heard the bed covers
rustle as he left the bed. Her heart pounded, her breath coming shorter. She
stood quickly, needing to escape. She kept her eyes averted from him.
    His hands clasped her shoulders. “Are you all right?”
    She looked up quickly, still afraid of his nakedness and
even more fearful she’d tell him her story. She solidified her strength and
remembered her goal. Return to Magonia to live her life, and more than
that…find a way to bring Taris Elian to