Vulcan's Woman (14 page)

“Your fault?” Vulcan repeated, lifting her chin.

She nodded quickly but her eyes didn’t rise.

“Look at me and explain what happened,” he said, lowering
his voice. She was shaking, her bottom lip trembled and she was drawn to tears.
She already displayed a multitude of fear. He had no desire to frighten her
further.

Cautiously her gaze met his. “He followed me. I…I didn’t
know. I swear. Not until he grabbed me from behind.”

“Why were you wandering alone into Barbarian territory?”

She gulped. “Looking for my sister.”

“You don’t fear the Barbarians?”

“I…I… Yes. But my sister… I missed her.”

He knew Ivy loved her sister. She was the only person who’d
come to Wisteria’s defense and begged for her life the night he’d taken her
away. “I’m sure you did.” He glanced at Wisteria, where she stood watching,
chewing her lower lip, then he reclaimed Ivy’s eyes. “You put both of your lives
at risk.”

“I didn’t mean to. He made me coax Wisty outside. He
threatened to hurt my mom if I didn’t.”

Wisty
.
He liked the intimacy of her nickname.
“I won’t stand here and scold you because I believe you’ve learned your lesson
about wandering alone.” He released her chin and stepped in front of Trice.
“And
you
should consider this your lucky day.”

“Wisty, can I hold him?” Ivy asked while petting Birmon’s
tummy.

Wisteria cautiously lifted the creature from her lap and
handed him to Ivy. “Careful, he may still be hurt.” He’d lain in the hut for a
while, cuddled near Wisteria’s tummy, but had barely moved. She knew he’d be
okay because he kept peeking through his wings at her and Ivy.

Rather than leave him alone in the hut while awaiting
Vulcan’s return, she carried him outside and coddled him on her lap near the
fire. She tried feeding him bits of grains and berries from her finger but he’d
snubbed them and fallen back to sleep.

Two women walked by and stopped, studying him over their
shoulders. Neither came too close. Wisteria recognized the lady named Pearl but
she hadn’t seen the other female before today. She had long, dark hair like
Jade and was just as stunning, like soft moonlight rays. Shortly after they
passed, three unfamiliar men stopped as well but they departed quickly. Not
quickly enough. Wisteria felt uneasy having been approached by so many strange
people all at once. She hoped they respected their leader enough not to harm
her during his absence. Jade had said no one would. She needed to believe it
and calm down.

The only men she knew had ventured on foot with Vulcan to
find Sledge or proof that he’d perished.

She missed the comfort of Vulcan’s arms and couldn’t believe
how much. The thoughts of his departure to Earth upset her beyond words. What
would she do without him? Where could she go?

“What is he?” Ivy asked, situating Birmon in her arms like a
baby.

Wisteria smiled adoringly at her little pet. “I’m not sure.”

“Where did you find him?”

“On the path to the lake. He started to hatch from the egg
while I was holding it.”

“He’s really cute.”

“I think so too.” It appeared the rest of the tribe feared
him though. Having seen his full-grown mother, they’d probably avoid him
completely. Wisteria couldn’t blame them. Birmon’s mom terrified them and she’d
seriously horrified Wisteria too.

“I’m so sorry, Wisty,” Ivy said, stroking the top of
Birmon’s head. “I didn’t mean to trick you earlier.”

Wisteria laid her arm over her sister’s shoulder and pulled
her to her breast. “Shhh. I know.”

“I just wanted to find you. I swear I didn’t know Sledge was
following me.”

“Sledge is a mean, vicious man.”

“After he captured me, he sent me alone into the Barbarian
camp and waited in the background to see if they’d attack. I tried to warn you
before he charged from the trees.”

“I realized that a moment too late. Don’t worry, I understand.
I’m just so happy you’re here with me.”

Ivy inhaled a deep breath and sighed. “What about Momma?
What if he escaped the creature unharmed and either kills her or lets the Flesh
Eaters do it?”

Yes, what about their mom? Who was to say he wouldn’t
retaliate by taking her life? Or as Ivy suggested, release her to the
cannibals? Wisteria hoped her dad was present at all times to protect Momma. If
not… She shivered at the thought and squeezed her sister tighter. “How is
Momma? Did she worry much?”

“Yes,” Ivy replied, petting Birmon’s back between his wings.

“And what about Boar and Dahlia? Did they return?”

“No, not yet. And Momma,” Ivy took a deep breath and sighed,
“feared what the Barbarians did to you.”

“They’re not killers, Ivy. They are gentler than our people.
I’ve only experienced kindness from Vulcan.”

Ivy sat upright and locked her gaze on Wisteria’s. “Did you
know Vulcan was a Barbarian the day you met him?” she asked as if needing
clarification.

“No.” Wisteria meekly smiled. “Nor did I know it was him who
took me from our home so Sledge couldn’t hurt me anymore.”

Ivy covered her mouth in surprise. “When did you discover
the truth?”

“Later that night. After I’d escaped and his tribe
recaptured me.”

“Wisty!” Ivy blurted, her eyes big and round. “You could
have been killed.”

“Vulcan wouldn’t let them hurt me. Besides, I was too
frightened to care.”

“Oh my goodness,” Ivy said aghast, slightly shaking her head.
“What about Bronto? Is he a gentle man too?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t met all the tribesmen.”

“He seemed gentle. When he rubbed my wrists and shoulders,
my body grew warm and tingly.” She scooted closer to the fire and glanced over
her shoulder. “And something else happened too.”

Wisteria knew she referred to the same wetness between the
thighs she’d experienced with Vulcan. Wisteria closed her eyes and inhaled a
deep breath as her insides came alive with the memories but she bit the corner
of her bottom lip and after a caress to her smooth legs she pushed the visions
aside. Ivy needed her now. She’d lived through twenty harvests and was every
bit a grown woman. Her body wouldn’t react any differently to a man, and
Wisteria felt it her responsibility to explain. She’d not let her fall blindly
into an encounter and endure unnecessary embarrassment.

She moved to Ivy and placed her lips against the top of her
sister’s head. “It’s normal, Ivy. The moisture you feel with Bronto is
perfectly natural. Since Momma never explained it, I will. I found out the hard
way. I don’t want you to experience the humiliation I did.”

“So,” Ivy began, her cheeks turning pink, “what does it
mean?”

“It’s your body’s reaction to a man you’re attracted to.”

“Is this what happens when you’re with Vulcan?”

“Yes, but at first I thought something was wrong with my
body. He made me realize it’s normal.”

“Did he rut you?”

Yes, but the first time he made love to her over and over
and over. She inhaled softly as her belly fluttered. “He made love to me.”

“He kissed you like Momma and Daddy kiss?”

“Yes, that’s part of it.” Wisteria placed her hand on her
sister’s cheek. “Making love means the same thing as rutting, but it’s done
slower and with affection.”

“Did it hurt?”

“Not really.” It was sad yet heartwarming that her little
sister was now exploring the actions between a man and a woman. Wisteria didn’t
want to spook her, nor did she want to mislead her because she’d realized the
extent of pain was dependent on the man’s actions. “For an instant, but it goes
away quickly. Well, for me it did. What happens after is exciting.”

Ivy studied Wisteria’s eyes. “I’m listening.”

“I don’t know how to explain it.” Wisteria lowered her voice
to a whisper when Jade emerged from a hut, glancing around the camp with a
white garment draped over her arm. A smile brightened her features as she
approached the fire. “But all this pressure builds inside you,” Wisteria
continued. “Then suddenly it bursts, and waves of pleasure float through your
body.”

“So, you would do it again?”

“Yes. I’ve fallen for him, Ivy. I thought that one day I
would beg our clan to accept me, but that is not true. I’d rather stay with
Vulcan.” Where she felt secure and adored, and…and happy. Sadly that option had
been stripped from her. He had his own life to fulfill on Earth, where they had
unusual objects and fascinating technology. What would he want with a woman who
bathed in a lake and rode a two-headed snake?

Soon he’d become a memory. The man who’d stolen her heart
would truly become
nonexistent
. Tears burned the back side of her eyes,
blurring her vision.

“Why are you weeping, Wisty? You’ve finally found
happiness.”

Wisteria looked upward, blinking the tears away when Jade
stopped near Ivy and glanced at Birmon, asleep in her lap.

“Hi,” she said warmly behind a subtle grin. “I’m Jade.”

“H-hi,” Ivy stuttered, her body stiffening in defense.

“Ivy, Jade helped me when I arrived at the camp,” Wisteria
offered, hoping to reassure Ivy that Jade wasn’t a threat. She didn’t want her
sister fearing the Barbarians as she had.

“My name is Ivy. I’m Wisteria’s sister.”

“I can tell. You are as beautiful as she is.”

The compliment swept Wisteria’s thoughts to Vulcan and the
words he’d spoken the other night. She originally thought
beautiful
related to bright flowers, green meadows and colorful jewelry stones.

“Why are there no children?” Ivy asked, looking beyond Jade
toward the row of huts. “Are they confined to their homes?”

“We have many children,” Jade replied, her smile
brightening. “But they are in a different camp with their families. We keep
those tribal members separated from our combatants.”

“Combatants?”

“Our fighters,” Jade explained.

Ivy’s eyes broadened. “You’re a fighter?”

“No. I’m here to nurse our wounded men.”

“And the other ladies I’ve seen?”

“Pearl makes sure there is plenty of good food to fill our
men’s bellies. And Ruby, she’s, well, she keeps them happy so fights don’t
break out amongst them.”

“Doesn’t she want to keep everyone happy?”

Wisteria’s cheeks warmed as she stood and brushed dirt off
her bottom garment. She smiled and ran her hands over her legs again. The bare
skin would take a bit of an adjustment but she felt more feminine. They were
soft and shimmered in the firelight just like Jade’s. “Ivy, I think Jade means
Ruby makes love to them.”

Ivy glanced at Wisteria then gawked at Jade. “All of them?”

Jade nodded. “If they need her.”

“Even Bronto and Vulcan?” Ivy asked, her eyes bulging in
disbelief.

Jade obviously realized she’d said too much. She looked at
Wisteria then Ivy. “I’m not sure.”

“Ivy, Jade treated my wounds with yarrow leaves,” Wisteria
said to change the subject since the topic appeared to make Jade uneasy.

Ivy ogled Wisteria’s tummy and thighs closely. “The injuries
are completely gone. I didn’t notice.” Her eyes widened. “How did that happen?
Yarrow isn’t that powerful.”

“Birmon. He’s magical.” Instinctively Wisteria laid a hand
across her belly. “While he licked the dried blood the wounds magically healed
beneath his tongue.”

Jade squatted beside Ivy. “May I pet him?”

“Yes,” Wisteria replied.

Jade reached forward cautiously as if garnering the nerve to
touch him. Birmon yawned. She retracted her arm quickly and stumbled to her
feet.

“Don’t be afraid,” Wisteria said. “He doesn’t bite. He’s
harmless, and he hasn’t given anyone reason to believe differently.”

“Maybe some other time,” Jade stated. “I’m going to leave
and give you ladies privacy. I just wanted to bring you this, beauty queen,”
she concluded, removing the white garment from her arm and extending it to
Wisteria.

Wisteria took it and studied it closely. It was the softest,
most beautiful frock she’d ever seen. The stitching was very delicate and
evenly spaced. Having sewn many garments herself, she knew how much work
someone put into it. It was designed to tie around the neck, and the neckline
tapered into a point between the breast area, similar to her upper garment. A
strip of long, white fur was attached around the entire seam. She lightly
brushed her fingertips over the fibers. “Thank you. I love it.”

“My pleasure.”

As she walked away, Ivy’s eyes raised, full of excitement.
“If Sledge does escape and he hurts Momma, maybe Birmon―”

“I don’t think you have any reason to worry,” a familiar
masculine voice said, breaking into their conversation.

Wisteria’s insides warmed at the sound of the rugged tone.
She turned sideways and saw Vulcan and Bronto approaching while the other men
moved toward the huts. They were still fully dressed in furs but they’d removed
the headpieces and were carrying them under their arms. Her heart stopped at
the amount of power Vulcan exuded.

“We found his body,” Bronto clarified.

Ivy laid Birmon on the ground and stood, fluttering her
lashes. “His body?”

Bronto halted and placed his hand on Ivy’s shoulder. She
inched closer, which forced him to bend his elbow to maintain the physical
contact. “Yes,” he continued, his gaze focused solely on her. “We assume he
suffered the consequences of harming the creature’s baby. He was lying beside a
tree.”

Sledge, dead?
Wisteria smiled internally while Ivy
and Bronto eyed each other as if no one else existed.

Again Ivy fluttered her lashes. “Are you sure he’s―”

“In pieces,” Bronto concluded.

Pieces?
Wisteria shuddered.

“Come on, sweetheart,” Vulcan said.

Wisteria was so engrossed watching Ivy mingle with Bronto,
she actually jumped when Vulcan took hold of her fingers. He pulled her close
and kissed the top of her head.

“It’s been a long day,” he whispered. “Let’s rest awhile.”

She nodded because she briefly could not speak. Entranced by
his strength and warmth, and his hard erection pressing into her tummy, she
swallowed to find her voice.

“Do you have any objections, leaving your sister alone with
Bronto?” Vulcan asked, stroking Wisteria’s cheek with the back side of his
fingers.

She pulled her eyebrows together. “No. She’s a grown woman.”
It also gave Wisteria time alone with Vulcan and she wanted him so desperately
her insides trembled and hands perspired.

With a grin that stopped her heart, he lowered his lips to
her ear. “But Bronto
is
a Barbarian.”

She giggled to herself at the humor in Vulcan’s tone. “Yes,
and I fear my sister may have him bowing at her knees in no time.”

“Are you implying our reputation has been destroyed?”

“I’ll not tell a soul.” She stepped from his arms and
glanced at her sister, who now had a grip on Bronto’s forearm, gazing in his
eyes, seemingly intrigued by their conversation. “Ivy?”

Nothing.

“Ivy?” Wisteria shouted a little louder.

Not so much as a flinch.

“Ivy,” she hollered.

“Yes?” Ivy said, finally acknowledging her sister.