The Barbarian's Captive (31 page)

“Behave, sprite,” Kerr said with a warning inflection.

“Sorry.” Although she wasn’t, not really, and he could tell, sending a knowing look her way. Then he shook his head, his lips quirked slightly with amusement.

He said nothing more as he led her to the front of the chamber. As they approached, Aylan stood and gave her his chair. When she sat at Kerr’s side and looked about the room, her shocked gaze alighted upon Magda and a few of the other senior officers from the
Odyssey
.

“What’s going on?” Eva asked. “Why is my captain… here?”

“I decided it was time we met to discuss a mutually amenable agreement.”

Her own words coming back to her, she took a quick breath of utter astonishment. “You mean it? You’re willing to help my people?”

“Yes, and in return they can help us. Your captain polled the entire crew and about half of them were willing to be tested and potentially become Primarian mates.”

“Three years on an all-female crew does strange things to a woman,” Magda quipped. “One hundred forty-seven volunteered for testing. And, before they are matched, there will be a series of transitional education sessions to avoid some of the confusion and misunderstandings the original eight of you experienced. Your king insisted on that.”

“Princep,” Eva corrected.

Her brows rose a fraction. “Is that not the same thing?”

She grinned, shooting Kerr a sidelong look. “I believe it is.” Then she turned serious as she faced Magda. “Do think our leaders will object?”

“I’ve already sent word — and they have agreed to meet. Apparently, things are worse and they’re ready to consider anything. There is so much we have to gain from an alliance, particularly uladite. A renewable source of energy that could sustain us for millennia is… exciting.”

“I don’t understand.”

“The hunting planet has some small inert stores,” Kerr said. “Our scientists have a process to activate it, which will allow your people to be self-sufficient in their own right after about ten years. It is a good faith demonstration that we do not want to conquer or enslave your people. We want to coexist. There will be some rules, however, to protect Ventorcopia from the same fate suffered by your Earth.”

“It would be a fresh start,” Eva murmured, her eyes meeting Magda, and Rebecca, the
Odyssey’s
executive officer.

“We’d also share other technology, medical advances and knowledge about your kind that will be most useful for our physics. And we would like the stealth feature for hiding your ships, as well.”

“It sounds very amenable,” Eva said. “Thank you, Kerr.”

“No, mate, thank you. Captain Vohlmer said this was your idea.”

“That you, uh,
expanded
upon.” She smiled at him as he caught her hand and brought it to his thigh, where he continued to hold it, their fingers intertwined. “I think this can work though.”

“I hope, for both our worlds, that it can.”

Epilogue

H
is hand spread low on her back, as they strode through the outdoor market, felt familiar and comforting. Very tactile, as Primarian males invariably were, Kerr almost always had some kind of contact with her, a light touch on her back, a long arm curled around her waist, his warm palm resting on her thigh beneath the table at dinner. Or he simply held her hand. And he didn’t care who saw. Mostly, it drew warm-hearted looks from his people, especially happy smiles.

Eva didn’t mind in the least, and over the last three months found she missed it — and him — when they were apart. They’d never again risk parting long enough for him to become sick once more. They’d found eight hours caused a headache, and twelve a low grade fever, so they didn’t push beyond those perimeters. And always, when they came back together, their first stop was the bed, or the bathing pool, or the back of the sturdy couch in their private lounge. There were over two dozen positions they’d explored in the “Mate’s Helper.” Number twelve was her favorite. With her hips raised to the perfect height, he could—

“What are you thinking about, sprite?”

She jerked around and found him staring down at her in amusement, his lips tilted up as his eyes snapped with gleaming golden light.

“Uh…” Her face heated to the temperature of a supernova.

“That’s what I thought,” he chuckled, moving her to the side to avoid two men carrying a heavy chest for an excited buyer. In her ear, he said low, “Not the most appropriate place to be thinking about what we did in the bathing pool last night, or was it number ten, this time?”

“Number twelve,” she blurted out, not quite believing she’d actually said it aloud.

He laughed unreservedly this time, drawing stares and smiles from the people around them. Pulling her closer, he brushed his lips across her temple. “We’ll do number twelve tonight, although number eight brings back nice memories, too.

The inverted sixty-nine with her firmly bound and clamped.

“Maybe we could do both?” she suggested.

“Absolutely,
anisa meo
. My thoughts exactly.” His grin faded somewhat as he shifted, using the fullness of her skirt to hide as he adjusted his snug pants in front. “Enough of this talk. I’ve got a meeting and you have to see Jarlan. Later, we can go through the whole repertoire of positions, if you’d like.”

“I’d die from—” She caught herself short of saying orgasm overdose as she looked around at the people nearby. “Uh, from exhaustion before we got to twenty. So, let’s take them in small increments.”

“I can do that too, and still wear you out.” Kerr as usual, didn’t care a whit and did not lower his voice. But he moved them on down the row now that the furniture movers were clear. “What are you seeing Jarlan about, by the way? Are you not feeling well?”

“I feel fine. I’ve discovered an herb that will help the pregnant mates with their nausea. It’s called peppermint on Earth and can be steeped into a tea. Currently, its only used here as an aromatic. What a waste. It’s a wonderful flavor for hard candy too.”

“Who knew my prima was going to be our next best herbalist and home remedy healer,” he teased. “You’ll put Jarlan out of business.”

“I doubt that.”

“I’m very proud of you, Eva.” His tone was serious and the hand at her waist gave her an affectionate squeeze.

That he thought highly of her talent warmed her. “I might give Jarlan a run for his money when Lana returns with everything on the list I gave her. She’ll need a whole stateroom on the Dauntless for my seeds and saplings.” She bit her lip. “I hope they survive the trip.”

Kerr gave her a wry smile. “I’m sure Rothke will make arrangements to preserve their lives.”

She angled her head up at him. “How are Trask and Lana?”

“He didn’t say much, but inferred that things are strained between them.”

“I’m so sorry. I’d like for our friends to find happiness again, like we have.”

His hand lifted to her cheek in a soft caress. “I’d like that too. Hopefully, they can work out whatever issue they have between them on the return trip.”

“Why didn’t he go with her? I never understood taking a second ship.”

“She wasn’t supposed to be on board, Eva. She stowed away. Trask took the smaller ship to bring her back, but they didn’t have a chance of overtaking them and now are assisting with the Earth mission.”

“What? You never told me!”

“Trask doesn’t want it getting out that his mate ran away, so we have this story of the liaison. Although from what Rothke tells me she is a perfect go between.”

“Hm, maybe she should use those skills to communicate with him. I think she really loves him.”

“And he is not willing to give her up. Sounds familiar.”

A heaviness centered in her chest, not wishing the heartache she and Kerr had gone through on her worst enemy, let alone Lana, or the general who through his loyalty to her mate, and by extension to her, had come to hold a special place in her heart. “Maybe they can work things out and find what we have on the return trip?”

“That is my hope, though two months in space can be an eternity when you’re fighting and don’t have any place to escape to. Good thing it’s a short trip.”

“It took us three years, Kerr. I can’t believe your ships travel so fast.”

“Uladite is an amazing element.”

Eva sighed. “I hope for both their sakes they can figure it out.”

“Me too. Now, enough of our friends’ misfortune. We have half a cycle before we need to return. What holds your interest?”

“I need more pots and a new hand trowel.”

He grinned. “Why am I not surprised? You don’t need, or as Neela insists,
want
to spend my credits on something extravagant?”

She pursed her lips while she thought for a moment, then they turned up into a mischievous smile. “You know… I have a closet full of clothes and more shoes and scarves than I could possibly wear. There is one thing, though...”

“Name it.”

“Panties. There’s a booth with slinky fabric over there which would be perfect.”

“Except that.”

“But Kerr…”

“Nope.”

“You aren’t grasping the concept of skimpy lace and satin that enhances and reveals more than it conceals. You’re really missing out, Princep.”

“Skimpy, you say?” He tugged her hand and made a beeline to a booth up ahead that was stacked high with just the kind of fabric that would make lingerie.

“What’s your favorite color?” she asked as she perused the options.

“Skin color.”

She stifled a laugh as she whirled on him, shaking her head. Then she leaned in, placing her hand on his chest as she came up on her toes. Near his ear, she whispered, “Think how black lace will look against my fair skin. You can undress me, revealing the prize inside like a present. And there is this particular type of panty called a thong. It has a thin strip up the back that wedges in between my cheeks, exposing my backside in its entirety. I’d think that would be something you’d like.”

“Why wear anything at all then?”

She rolled her eyes. “You are such an alien!”

“Beg to differ, sprite, but around here, the alien title falls to you.”

“How about I wear it because it’s sexy and fun, and you can take it off with your teeth? Or rip it apart and ravish me. Whichever you prefer.”

A lustful look flashed in his eyes. “Purple, red, and black.”

She grinned.

Point, Eva.

Someone called Kerr’s name, and he looked around, his great height aiding him in scanning the crowd. Finally spotting who’d summoned him, he lifted his chin in acknowledgment. “That’s Vardax. I need to have a word with him. Make your purchases and I’ll be back to escort you home.” He took a step away at her nod, then turned back. “Not black, green lace.” He met her gaze. “You know the color I like.”

She flushed as he strode away, the tingling sensation between her legs making it her turn to shift uncomfortably beneath her skirts.

Turning back to the table, she ran her fingers over the luxurious fabric. The merchant, who was dealing with another customer, gave her a small bow. “My mate or I will be with you momentarily, prima,” he promised.

“Take your time, sir.” She went back to her browsing.

“You!”

Her head came up at the hissed word and it was all she could do to keep from cringing at the hate-filled eyes staring back at her.

“Zalina,” Eva said coolly.

“You dare come to my booth! I wouldn’t allow you to buy the dirt off the floor.”

“I can see a public flogging before the entire town did nothing for your demeanor.” Her eyes shifted to the merchant, Zalina’s mate. Several years older than the other woman, he wasn’t bad to look at. He was huge, barrel-chested with enormous bulging biceps and muscular thighs that tested the seams of his clothing as he moved. Bigger and taller than Kerr, and indeed any of the other warriors she had seen, it was amazing that this man was a merchant. She’d heard about the fit Zalina had pitched when she’d been matched with a cloth merchant, despite his obvious wealth. It had to have been a bitter pill for her to have mated beneath her high standards, but the man himself must have made this match easier to bear.

Too bad.

Though she knew it was spiteful, she wanted him to be the troll Zalina deserved. Eva shrugged. “If you’d rather turn away my credits...”

“You mean Kerr’s credits.”

“Yes, but he is very generous and urges me to spend as I like.” She looked again at the big man, who remained busy with another customer. “What is your male’s name? Someone said Yak, or was it Dak? Maybe we should ask him how he feels about you turning away the Princep’s mate’s business.” She paused, enjoying the way the beautiful woman’s face turned red.

“His name is Nayak and there is no need to call him. What do you want?” Fuming, she folded her arms over her chest. Clearly, it galled Zalina to have to serve the alien who held the position she coveted for herself.

Smiling inwardly, Eva took her time before making a decision. “I’ll take the green and the scarlet, and some of that delicate black lace.”

In a snit, Zalina snatched up the bolts and a measuring tape. As she unrolled the fine fabric, she eyed Eva’s form with a sneer. “I’ll double the standard dress length; you appear to need it. Perhaps skipping the trips to the bakery might help.”

Eva gasped. She had curves, which Kerr liked, but she wasn’t at all overweight. “Are you calling me fat?”

“If the name fits…”

“Zalina! You dare insult the prima?”

She spun and faced a very angry, red-faced Nayak. His huge hand curled around his mate’s arm, as he turned to Eva and respectfully bowed. “I am horrified at her lack of manners, prima.” Zalina had earned the brunt of his anger. “Apologize,” he growled. “Now.”

“I won’t.”

“You will, or I will bend you over the table right here and paddle your belligerent behind with the measuring stick.”