Free Daryk Warrior by Denise A. Agnew Page B

slipping.
“What?”
    “This conversation. The freedom in having it with you,
discussing situations and subjects as an equal. It is unheard of in Magonia.”
Fresh enthusiasm made her place one hand upon his chest. “Here you claim a
woman, but out of protection of her not suppression. Do you know how wonderful
that is to a woman who has never known anything but condescension?”
    Eryk’s gaze turned reflective as he nodded. “I hadn’t given
it any thought until I met you.” He placed his hands on his hips. “Then you
understand I’d never force sex upon you? Ever?”
    Her heart lightened. “Yes.”
    “Did I frighten you while we were in the alcove?”
    “Yes.”
    Frown lines formed between his eyes. “I’m sorry.”
    “No… I understand you didn’t mean it. I was frightened
because of the way it made me feel. Because of what I wanted to do.”
    “What did you want to do?” His voice dropped, the low timbre
making her insides tremble with renewed arousal. “Tell me.”
    She shook her head. “I can’t yet. Let me become used to this
world. It’s too much, too fast.”
    A smile broke over his face. “All right. Let’s go then. You
need those clothes.”
    Feeling substantially better, she went along with Eryk’s
suggestion. The shop they entered a short time later was little more than a big
hole in the castle wall. Two men and a woman worked the shop where a variety of
clothes hung on hooks or lay on shelves.
    “I’ve never seen anything like this.” She spoke softly so
the shop people couldn’t hear. “All the colors are so beautiful.”
Disappointment returned. “Wait. I don’t have any money for clothes. For
anything. I lost it all in the shipwreck.”
    Eryk didn’t look fazed. “I’ll pay.”
    “But—no. You can’t.”
    “Why not?”
    “Why would you spend your money on clothing for me?”
    “Because I want to.”
    His generosity sent a glow through her. “Thank you.”
    He shook his head. “You really aren’t used to men wanting
nothing from you.”
    “No, I’m not.”
    One of the shopkeepers attended Mia and she brought several
clothing articles to try on.
    “She’ll take two sets.” Eryk gestured at the woman
shopkeeper.
    When everyone stared at Mia expectantly she said, “Thank
you, Eryk.”
    “Try them on,” the woman said.
    Mia looked around. “Is there somewhere I can go in private?”
    The woman looked scandalized and the men disappointed. The
woman said, “No. We didn’t have room for a changing area.”
    Mia balked. “I cannot undress in front of you.”
    Eryk placed coin on the counter for the clothes. “She’s from
a very modest family. We’ll take the clothes as is. They look to be the right
size.”
    The clerks looked pleased with the money he gave them and
the woman placed the clothes in a nicely woven bag.
    “The bag is extra.” The woman smiled and her attention
stayed firmly on Eryk. “A gift for such a generous payment.”
    Before they could leave the oldest man of the two stopped
Eryk. “You’re a Daryk One?”
    “Yes.”
    The older man nodded vigorously as if that would make Eryk’s
statement more definitive. “Can you tell us what it’s like outside of Felican?
We haven’t been outside the castle walls for a long time.”
    Eryk handed Mia the bag. “War is still coming.”
    “I heard it was already approaching Grimnald Castle,” the
female clerk said.
    “Where did you hear this?” Eryk asked.
    The female leaned on the counter as close as she could get
to Eryk. “Annalica at the tavern house. I hear she’s the best one to ask. She
hears all the gossip.”
    “By the gods.” Eryk groaned. “Gossip is not always truth. I
wouldn’t believe everything Annalica tells you.”
    As they left, Mia wanted to ask Eryk why this Annalica
seemed to irritate him so much. She sensed there might have been a sexual
connection between the mysterious Annalica and Eryk, if not a mental connection.
    As they left the shop she noticed the talking,