Men of Anderas II: Dak the Protector
the reactions of those around her. They
believed in witch magic , but she knew the mind was the
source of true magical power.
    Before Murdock could end the bidding, Kierin
interrupted in a strong, clear voice easily heard above the din of
the drunken crowd.
    "Two thousand gold coins."
    "That's more like it. Come forward and les'
see the color of yur coin."
    Kierin maintained her eye contact while she
removed her robe. The earlier sight of her distinctive silver-white
hair had driven the crowd back until she was virtually alone near
the center of the platform. Her father would never approve of her
using her appearance and reputation in such a theatrical manner,
but she intended to have that Anderan. She needed him no matter the
cost.
    Dak watched as the woman, the crystal
witch, removed her cloak and climbed the shaky ladder to the
platform. The cowering guards gave up all presence of courage and
stumbled over each other trying to get away from the approaching
woman. She was a tiny little thing. Pretty, too, with her
fairy-like appearance. Definitely no one to cause fear in grown
men. The most impressive thing about her was that heavy mane of
silver-white hair. There were blondes on Anderas but never had he
seen such totally white hair on someone so young. Even her skin
complimented her hair with its pale translucence. Pretty just
didn't do her justice but she wasn't beautiful, at least not in the
way he pictured beautiful women. Exotic. Yea, that's what she is
… exotic .
    "Beggin' pardon, Lady," Murdock sniveled,
"but what use does one of yur kind have fer a slave?"
    "My reasons are none of your concern." She
walked slowly around Dak, taking a good long look at what she saw,
especially the area between his waist and his knees.
    "Relax, Murdock." Dak drawled, intending to
see just how far he could push Murdock's fear of this woman. "It's
obvious the lady has a need she thinks I can fill."
He tried to ignore the sick guilt churning in his stomach at
insulting a female. Anderan men were raised to cherish and protect
women. It was as much a part of him as his personal honor and
integrity.
    Don't be a fool! You can escape from her
a lot easier than from this prison .
    If she heard his comments, Dak couldn't
tell. She continued to stare at his groin until he began to harden
beneath her gaze.
    Blast and damn! You're worse than a
stallion sniffing a mare in heat! By all the Ancient Prophets I will not have an erection now !
    "Pay no attention, Lady," Murdock shot a
murderous glance at Dak, "he's a stranger and knows nothin' of yur
… uh … customs. He didn't mean no insult."
    "The lady knows exactly what I meant,
Murdock," Dak argued, trying desperately to ignore the growing
evidence of her effect on him. His eyes locked with the pale aqua
of the crystal witch, praying she wouldn't glance back at his
penis. His eyelids dropped. "I look forward to her gentle touch
after such a long time under your care."
    Damn! Dak knew himself well enough to
recognize the deep, husky sound of his voice for what it was--a
promise of long hours of heart-pounding, gut-wrenching sex. When
her aqua eyes widened in response and she looked back at the hard
length of flesh pulsing against his belly, his humiliation reached
an all-time high.
    "Fuck." Dak's whispered declaration
summarized his opinion of himself in particular and the situation
in general.
    "Shut yur bloody mouth, boy," Murdock
bellowed, landing a blow to the side of Dak's head. "It's bad 'nuff
you insult the Lady. Now, ya got a boner harder 'n any whore's
heart. What's the matter wit' you? Don't ya un'erstand? She's a crystal witch . Yur gonna bring death 'n destruction down on
all of us!"
    "Death and destruction?" Dak laughed,
ignoring the ringing in his ears. "From one puny little woman?" He
turned to the woman standing next to him. "You may buy me," he
growled, seeking refuge in anger from his public display of lust,
"but I give you my vow that the first time you blink, I'll

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