On a Barbarian World (22 page)

As he walked away to a small chest, she admired the flex of muscles in his taut backside and blew out a breath. She needed to chill. She was letting her past make her twitchy. She wasn’t her mother, and Kavon wasn’t her father. Here was a magnificent man who wanted her. Who liked everything about her. She liked his people, his land, his fascinating planet.

After rummaging around in the chest and then his saddlebags, he came back and sat beside her. He placed two long-stemmed glasses beside the bed and opened a bottle of what she guessed was wine. He poured the dark, purple-red liquid into the glasses.

“This is a special wine we only use for the most special occasions.”

She smiled. She liked that her warrior could be sweet. She took the glass he handed her.

He was watching her like a hawk. She took a sip and the deep flavor of the wine burst across her tongue. “It’s excellent.”

He smiled, and his eyes glittered with an intensity she didn’t understand.

Reaching over, he picked up something else and held it out to her. “Again, in our tradition, I would just put this on you and you would be mine…but I know you are not a fan of that way of doing things.”

Aurina blinked, staring at the two beautiful armbands resting on his palms. They were made from beaten gold and inlaid with… “Are those emeralds?”

He nodded. “I had an artisan set them into these bands for your arms. They make me think of your eyes.” Kavon kept her gaze with his. “Aurina Phoenix, will you be my bondmate?”

She stared at the beautiful jewelry he’d had made for her. The pieces were simply stunning. She reached out and ran her finger over the luminous green stone. He wasn’t asking her to be his wife, and she admitted that bothered her a little. “Bondmate?”

“Mine. In every way.”

Bondmate sounded like it was a step above bedmate, at least. “Have you had a bondmate before?”

“Never,” he said emphatically. He lifted the bands. “I would very much like to see these resting on your skin.”

She tilted her head. “Kavon, do these signal some sort of…ownership?”

He smiled and he looked younger. “It depends how you look at it.”

“Kavon—”

“They symbolize my commitment. Our commitment.”

Warmth flooded her chest. Okay, so it wasn’t a marriage proposal, but it was pretty damn close. Her warrior wanted her.

She took the first armband. He shifted and took it back. “Allow me?”

She nodded, her throat tightening.

He held her arm and with the other hand slid the beautiful band up her arm until it settled around her bicep. It was a perfect fit. Then, he picked up the next band and did the same with her other arm. She shifted, loving the glint of the green stones in the muted light. His face was so serious as he watched her, but his eyes were ablaze, and the burning-hot look in them made it hard to breathe.

“Beautiful,” he murmured.

She held her arms out, admiring them. “Me or the bands?” She looked up and saw a fierce look of satisfaction on Kavon’s face. He grabbed her and pulled her down in the furs. His big body moved over hers, rough and aggressive, his hard cock pressing against her belly.

“Both,” he growled.

He touched the bands on her arm, then moved lower to drag his hand up her bare leg. She made a sound in her throat, arching into him. Then his hand delved between her thighs.

“Hmm, so wet for me, my not-so-sweet skyflyer.” One thick finger slid inside her.

She moaned, moving against him. “Yes.”

“I claim you, Aurina. You’re mine. Now and always.”

“I claim you right back, Kavon.” Then his mouth took hers, and she lost herself in her wild warrior.

***

“So, next up we’re going to discuss some geological characteristics of some ore-bearing rocks you haven’t been mining to date.”

The group in front of Aurina nodded, a few scribbling notes in their books. For today’s geology sessions, Aurina had brought them outside. They were an enthusiastic group, and she’d been enjoying teaching them. Many had come in from outlying villages, eager to learn.

She fingered her emerald band on her arm, partly hidden by her linen shirt. Something had made her keep her bands secret. They were special, something just for her and Kavon. It had been three days since their mission to the Riom Mines and their night in the hunting cabin.

They’d arrived back at the estate to cheering crowds, all in awe that their warlord had found the mythical Durendal. The only sad spot had been seeing Viken’s parents, distraught at the loss of their son. His mother’s weeping still haunted Aurina.

She twisted the band. Since they’d been back, Kavon had been so busy. He’d gone with a team to retrieve the other artifacts, and he’d been busy claiming Drog’s land and dealing with the slain warlord’s people. He’d banished some of them, and then he’d asked her opinion on what to do with the rest. She smiled. Everyone had been shocked he hadn’t just claimed Drog’s people; instead, he’d given the others the choice to be part of Clan Mal Dor or leave. A part of Aurina was pleased to see her warrior had learned a thing or two about asking.

He’d gotten rid of the troublemakers, and people who didn’t want to stay, and the rest would be happier, productive clansmen. Win-win for all.

He’d also contacted the king about Drog’s death and Durendal. Everyone was abuzz about the fact the king was coming to Clan Mal Dor sometime soon.

Meanwhile, she hadn’t mentioned the e-beacon and nor had Kavon.

“Aurina?”

She blinked and saw one of her students watching her expectantly. “Right. Okay, can you all write out the properties of the zanite ore?”

With nods and murmurs, they bent over their books again.

She smiled. She liked teaching. She’d never, ever thought it would be something she’d enjoy, or be good at. But this group was soaking up everything she said.

She sighed, her smile slipping. She was working with the miners every day. At night, she slept, held tightly in Kavon’s arms. She should be happy. She had a man who cared for her, who was a hundred percent concerned for her well-being and happiness.

But she wasn’t entirely happy. Inside, there was a small kernel of doubt and uncertainty eating at her. Every morning in the mirror, she saw the same bruised look in her eyes that had been in her mother’s eyes.

Sighing, Aurina rubbed her face. She was Kavon’s bondmate, and she wanted to be with him. But as far as she could tell, bondmate wasn’t wife…and she was too damn cowardly to ask anyone about it. Even Kavon.

She just wasn’t sure she could live like this, knowing she was second best.

“Such a serious look for such a beautiful woman.”

She glanced up and saw Coran, one of her students, looking at her. He’d apparently come in from some distant village and, despite being older, she would have guessed he was a warrior not a miner. He was as tall and broad as a warrior, although his simple clothes were very well-worn. He had streaks of gray through his dark hair that she thought gave him a distinguished air, and his deep-brown eyes were the most serene she’d ever seen on anyone. He looked like he was always going to start smiling about something.

“I…it’s personal, Coran.”

He studied her. “Your warrior isn’t treating you right?”

She automatically touched the hidden bands on her arms. “No…yes.” She blew out a breath. “I love him and he cares for me…” She looked around. “I want to belong here.”

“It seems you already do.” Coran leaned closer. “These people speak very highly of you. The knowledge you share, the way you stand up to the warlord, how you’ve helped him achieve his quest.” Coran smiled. “The way you make him laugh.”

“He wants me to stay, but he hasn’t asked me to be his wife.” She straightened. She shouldn’t be talking to Coran about such a private matter. But God, she wanted to talk to someone. “I won’t let myself be second best.”

Coran’s brow wrinkled. “Warriors rarely talk of love, but they have their ways of showing it. If your warrior doesn’t value you or your love, he isn’t worthy of it.”

She shot Coran a rueful smile. “Kavon is a good man. But if he doesn’t love me, there isn’t anything I can do about that, except respect myself.” The thought of leaving was a thousand knife cuts to her belly. She swallowed and looked around the village square. God, how had this become so familiar, almost like home. She looked up, her gaze snagging on the gauzy curtains at the balcony off their rooms.

But she knew while she liked the place, it was the man who’d become home to her. The man who made her feel complete in almost every way.

But she wouldn’t, couldn’t, follow the heartbreaking path her mother had.

Suddenly, there was a whooshing sound overhead. Her students all gasped and sprung to their feet. Coran spun, his face turning serious.

Aurina shielded her eyes from the sun…and saw a sleek, gray shuttle shoot overhead.

She gasped. It was the shuttle from the
Sky Nomad
.

“Oh, my God.” She ran. She dodged through the streets, around groups of people looking up and the crowds spilling from the houses.

When she got to the main gate, she saw the shuttle landing in an empty field not far away.

A second later, she saw the three tall, wide-shouldered forms of her brothers step out into the Markarian sunshine.

Aurina had never felt so happy and soul-shreddingly sad at the same time.

Her brothers had come for her.

But going with them meant leaving Kavon behind.

For now, she focused on the men walking toward her. Right now, she needed the strong arms of someone who loved her around her.

Chapter Seventeen

A roar sounded overhead, and frowning, Kavon strode to the window. Durendal was still clutched in his hands. He’d been busy checking with the restorers who were caring for the sword.

He pushed the curtains aside…and saw the sun glint off the metal of a small ship. His gut hardened.

He turned, and without thinking, slipped Durendal into the scabbard on his back. He ran from the room.

“Warlord!”

He ignored the restorers and took the stairs two at a time. He charged out of the house.

Ahead, he saw the tables and chairs Aurina had set up for her classes. Some of her students were milling around.

“Aurina?” he shouted.

One of them pointed. “She went to meet the skyflyers.”

Dammit
. Kavon headed in that direction. He pumped his arms, using all his speed and calling on his nanami for more. She’d accepted him as a mate, wore his bands, but since they’d returned, she’d seemed unhappy. She appeared to enjoy working with the miners and digging in her boxes of flowers he’d gotten her for their balcony. He already was planning to give her an entire garden. At night, she was all heat in his arms…but she was holding something back.

She’d given him her heart, but he was afraid that life on Markaria was not as exciting or comfortable as her tech-filled life flying through the stars. Up there, she got to see amazing things. Here, life was very normal.

No
. He wouldn’t lose her. He charged through the gates and saw the ship had landed in the field ahead. As he watched, Aurina ran toward the three tall strangers.

Something hot and ugly flared in Kavon. Aurina was
his
. He’d tried to be patient and go her way in their claiming…but maybe it was time to truly claim her as a barbarian would—no asking, or cajoling. Then, she would not be uncertain of her place or where she belonged.

He pushed himself to close the distance to his mate.

Behind him, he heard some of his warriors scrambling to follow him.

Aurina was hugging the men, laughing and crying. A small group of awestruck villagers had gathered nearby, watching the group and goggling at the ship. Aurina rested her head on the shoulder of the tallest man. He wasn’t as broad as a Markarian warrior, but he had the look of a man who knew how to fight. Possessive rage slammed through Kavon. A lifetime of honing his warrior control was gone in an instant.

He strode forward, grabbed Aurina, and yanked her from the man’s arms. Kavon hauled her back against his chest. She yelped, then settled back against him, her hands clamping onto his forearm wrapped around her middle.

“Kavon—”

“You will not leave me.” He spun her and pulled her up so her face was an inch from his. “You will not leave me. I have claimed you, you are mine.”

He heard sounds, and saw the three men were now grim-faced and all had drawn small weapons.

“She’ll do as she pleases, barbarian,” the tallest man growled, command in his voice.

Yes, this man was used to giving orders. But he’d never encountered a warlord before. Kavon pushed Aurina behind him and reached up and drew his sword. Instantly, he felt the difference in weight and the grip.

But Durendal was a sword built for combat and it felt right in his hand.

He might just destroy an ancient artifact to protect Aurina and keep her with him. One he’d spent his entire life searching for.

And he didn’t care.

Aurina leaped between them. “Stop it!” She held a hand up to him. “Kavon, these are my brothers. My family.”

Brothers? He stared at the three men, but didn’t see any resemblance to Aurina. Still, it soothed the beast inside him…a little.

It didn’t matter who they were. They wanted to take her away from him—the beast roared to life again—and he wouldn’t let that happen.

She turned to her brothers. “Put those laser pistols away. Kavon and his people rescued me. Protected me and took me in. They don’t need weapons pointed at them.”

“He said he
owned
you,” the man in the middle said. He was broader than the others, with a tougher-looking face. Kavon recognized the eyes of a fellow warrior.

“Rynan, no,” Aurina insisted. “He claimed me. It’s different.”

The man raised a brow.

Aurina stamped a foot. “It is. Look, everyone, put the weapons and the testosterone away.” Her gaze swung back to include Kavon. “How about instead of alpha male stupidity, you ask me what I want?”

Kavon’s gaze clashed with Rynan’s. After a taut moment, they both reluctantly lowered their weapons. Kavon slipped Durendal back into the scabbard.