He cackled so loud it drew others’ attention. He ignored them, grabbing my wrist and pulling me toward the group of male bondmates that gathered together almost weekly to share their stories. Simon had invited me a few times before to join them, but I preferred to return to the tent with Uttin. Since he was still busy with Orthorr, I let Simon drag me into the little circle and pull me onto a pillow beside him.
“Gentlemen, another male has been enthralled by a barbarian. I told you their cocks were magic.”
Finn, the teacher, blushed hotly but nodded in fervent agreement. The man beside him, Patrick, the cook, laughed. On his other side was Briar, a weaver bonded to another terrifying looking barbarian named Khrull. He bit his lip to hide his grin. And next to Simon sat Matthew, who twisted his lips in an attempt not to smile, but when Simon bumped shoulders with him, he let out a snicker and a nod. The only male bondmate missing from the group was the evil doctor, who thankfully was too busy to be here.
Leaning forward a little, Finn asked, “Does that mean you’re bonding with Uttin? I’ve always thought he needs a companion. He works so hard and needs someone to care for him.”
My face fell, and I drew in a breath, letting it out in a huff. I didn’t want to answer that. Doing so would mean admitting that my attempts to hold off my return home were only temporary. I didn’t think Orthorr would allow me to stay forever.
Simon put his hand on mine, squeezing supportively. “We’ll figure it out. If you want to keep your big barbarian, then we’ve got your back.”
My eyes trailed over the other men in the group, all nodding firmly and giving me reassuring smiles. The tension in my shoulders slipped away, and a smile stretched across my face. “Alright. I look forward to your ideas.”
Twenty
UTTIN
Zakai was up to something. He’d been adamant about returning home until the storm. When he first started making excuses to stay, I assumed it was because of the snow on the ground. I figured his fear of another storm would pass in time. But as the weeks passed, the excuses got more ridiculous by the day. His attitude when speaking to Orthorr had been another sign of trouble. He was a brat by nature, but not cruel and snotty like he’d been when demanding to stay until the weather warmed. It wasn’t like him. Why was he acting so strange?
I’d grown used to having him sleep beside me, curled against my side with a sweet little snore I knew better than to tell him about. I looked forward to seeing him when my training was finished and resented Orthorr whenever he pulled me away for more clan business. The snarky little prince had my attention, and I was as interested in giving him up as I was taking a swim in the trench. But I reminded myself often that he wasn’t staying. My emotions clashed between wanting to keep him as long as I could and returning him home quickly to spare myself any moreheartache. But if he was making up excuses to stay until the spring at least, was it possible he wanted to stay permanently?
My heart leapt at the thought, and I couldn’t keep my gaze off him for long, looking for any sign that he felt as I did. I knew it would be complicated, a relationship between us, but I craved his presence, and if he wanted to stay with me, I would fight for it. I would even become clan leader if only to make sure no one could send him away.
“When will Clan Urthazrak arrive?” Orthorr asked, drawing my attention back to him.
“Soon,” I informed him, dragging my eyes away from Zakai. “Their scout arrived this morning. He said he was only a half day’s ride ahead.”
Orthorr nodded, his expression pensive. “Have the areas been cleared for tents?”
“Yes, clan leader, though I don’t believe we need much. Many will be staying with family.”
Clan Urthazrak hadn’t always been their name. Clan Akes was once a formidable clan with more power and wealth than any other. They were the leading voice in treating tributes honorably and because of their size and power, most other clans followed their lead, ours included. We believed much like they did. However, a few clans took issue with their influence, and in a bid to gain power themselves, they combined forces and attacked in the night, much like the Fer’na had done to us a few years prior. The Akes clan were not as lucky to come out on top, and their clan was left decimated.
In a show of support, many of the Northern clan’s older generation left to take back control of Clan Akes and chase off the weaker clans that were trying to play king over the women and children left behind. Seasoned warriors like my father met those clans in a fight that didn’t last long. Most of the cowards who attacked in the night fled to avoid our clan, and the restdied in battle. When the war was done and it was time for the warriors to return home, most couldn’t make themselves go. They split our clan, the older generation moving to Clan Akes after ensuring our success and renamed their clan Urthazrak, the clan of rebirth. They were smaller now and no longer held power like they had, but they remained our strongest allies and returned once per season to trade and visit with family.
The next reunion would bring my parents, and I knew they would cause trouble when they realized I had someone under my care, even if he wasn’t a true tribute, but I looked forward to seeing them all the same. Maybe their influence could help me figure out what to do about Zakai and my growing need to keep him by my side.
I hadn’t yet told him about my parents coming to visit. I wasn’t sure how he’d take it. He was selfish with my attention and preferred to spend time in our tent. Not that I was complaining about that. I knew better than to believe he would behave while they were here, but I didn’t think he would be outright cruel to them. And thankfully, his language had improved a lot in the last three weeks. All I had to do was promise to give him my cock for him to speak in our tongue.
Saneth ducked into the receiving tent, a wide smile on his face. “Clan leader, Clan Urthazrak nears.”
“Huh. They must have picked up the pace to get here so quickly,” Orthorr commented, waving to me to follow him out of the receiving tent. “Perhaps we should warn those who recently adopted to be prepared. No doubt, there will be a lot of doting grandparents swarming them soon.”
I snorted and called over one of the older children who was close by. “Tell the others to alert the village. Clan Urthazrak has arrived.”
His eyes lit up in delight. “The grandparents are here?”
“Yes, but if you want treats from them, you and the other children have to tell the clan. Go, now. Hurry, and I’ll ask Patrick to make you treats as well.”
Grinning, he nodded and took off, calling to his friends to spread the word. When Orthorr raised an eyebrow at me, I shrugged.
“They’re faster than I am. And the excitement will ensure they tell absolutely everyone.”
He smirked and patted my shoulder in a fatherly way. “This is why you will make a good clan leader. You know your clan well. Come. We will wait for Clan Urthazrak in the village center.”
I left Zakai with Simon and the other male bondmates who looked to be in deep conversation about something important. I didn't want to interrupt him or risk his troublemaking tendencies. Instead, I joined Orthorr in the village center, watching as the clan drew closer. I expected eager and smiling faces, so when Bren, their clan leader, came closer, his intense expression worried me. He rode hard, straight into the village center, and stopped only a few feet in front of us. Hopping down off his mount, he clasped hands with Orthorr in a warrior’s greeting, his voice rough with age.
“Trouble from the south. An army of gold. They’ve been moving closer throughout our journey. I think they’re headed for you.”
