I was watching a barbarian prepare what looked like a spit to cook whatever was hunted for the evening when an arrow whistled through the air and struck him in the chest. He collapsed backward with a grunt, and before his companion could even draw his sword, another arrow hit him as well.
The women who were with me screamed in fear and huddled together. A part of me felt like I should do something to protect them, but I wasn’t a fighter. I couldn’t even lift a proper broadsword myself.
The thunder of hooves came closer and a group of five rough-looking barbarians came into view, grinning wildly and shouting. They hopped off their stallions and came straight for the women, speaking in the barbarian language I didn’t have a hope of understanding. They were yanked to their feet and tossed over the back of the stallions like prizes from a hunt, kicking and screaming to no avail.
The biggest barbarian in the group eyed me with disgust, speaking to his friends. For a moment, I hoped they’d leaveme behind, but another barbarian said something and laughed, tipping his head at me. The bigger barbarian smirked, the grin filled with evil intent. My instincts kicked in and I jerked backward when he reached for me, scrambling to get away. But my hands were still bound, and I was still weak after so long with very little food. I didn’t get far before he caught me. And for my insolence, he punched me hard in the face, knocking me out cold.
Two
My brow furrowed as I concentrated on restringing my pendant. It got ripped off during my last fight and the leather thong was beyond repair. I had to make a new one. It bothered me that my clan brothers were so careless with it, but that was just their way. My clan was loud and violent. We solved our issues with swords or fists. I didn’t enjoy it like the others did, but they were my clan. When there was a threat, we had each other’s backs.
“Khrull!” The newest clan leader, Ugbar, bellowed from outside my tent. He didn’t wait for my permission to enter, ripping the flap open and stomping inside. He threw someone at me, nearly causing me to stab them with the needle in my hand as they landed in my lap. “A new bondmate for the clan simpleton. Enjoy.”
Bondmate? I glanced down at the small figure in my lap and back up at my clan leader. I knew they had gone to receive the tribute for our clan, but I never expected them to choose me to keep them. Usually, those who were favored by the clean leader were chosen. I was not one of them.
He took in my confused silence and snorted, rolling his eyes. When he spoke, he glanced over his shoulder toward the clanbrothers crowded behind him, all snickering and watching me. “I don’t think he knows what to do.”
Hozat, Ugbar’s closest confidant, stepped closer with a wide grin. “It’s simple. Take your dick and stick it in a hole. It doesn’t matter which one. Perhaps if you get off, it will clear some of the fluff between your ears and make you smarter.”
Was that a thing? Did sex make you smarter? I’d never had sex before. Was that why I was slower to understand than the rest of them?
Ugbar glared at me, jabbing a finger at my new bondmate. “This is the only time you will receive such a gift. Don’t waste it. If I find him untouched, I’ll give him to someone else.”
He?
I was still confused when he stormed off, taking his friends with him. He left me alone with the little tribute, who was motionless in my lap. Was he asleep?
I hadn’t known that males could be tributes. I didn’t even know males could have sex with each other. What hole were they referring to?
Carefully, I moved the small figure onto the furs beside me. When I rolled him over, I did my best not to grimace. Half his face was swollen and bruises were already forming. No doubt Ugbar’s handiwork. He had very little patience and always used his fists instead of his words.
The tribute didn’t immediately strike me as male. It was hard to tell with the swelling, but he had delicate features and a small, slim frame. I felt the need to check to be sure. His chest was flat, no breasts, and when I peeked in his trousers, he had a cock. It was much smaller than mine, but he was definitely not a woman. Then again, I was bigger than many of my clan members. It was best not to compare my cock with others. It only ever made people angry when they did.
His hair was cut short like I’d seen many townsfolk wear it. It was sandy blonde and silky soft to the touch. There weren’t many soft things in our clan, and I found myself running my fingers through it, fascinated by the texture. The undamaged side of his face was soft, and there were freckles on his cheeks and nose. I wanted him to open his eyes so I could see what color they were, but I heard Ugbar’s warning in my head. If I wanted to keep my new bondmate, I had to use him as bondmates were supposed to be used or he would be given to another. To do that, I needed to figure out how.
Since tributes were known to run if left alone, I didn’t want to be gone too long. Luckily, Tyal’s tent was next to mine, and he never said no to answering my questions. He was my friend as well as my clan brother, and I spent most of my free time with him.
Pushing to my feet, I eyed the little tribute again to make sure he wasn’t faking sleep before ducking out of my tent. I could see the light coming from Tyal’s tent, so I cleared my throat to get his attention and waited for him to invite me in.
“Enter,” he said gruffly.
Ducking my head in, I found him seated at his round table eating his meal. He wasn’t very social with the others, doing his job as a hunter and returning to his tent most days. Many called him a recluse, but I wasn’t sure what that word meant and I didn’t want to upset Tyal by asking him.
He looked up at me, one eyebrow lifted in question. “Are you going to sit?”
Normally, I would. I often joined Tyal for a meal because he was nicer to me than the others. But I was reluctant to fully come inside. I didn’t want the tribute to sneak off while I was distracted.
I glanced anxiously over my shoulder, seeing no movement from my tent, before looking back at Tyal. His brow furrowed deep as he studied me.
“What is it, my brother? What bothers you?”
“I, uh… I have been given a bondmate. But he is a male. I am not sure how to care for him.”
His eyebrows shot up and his mouth fell open in surprise. He seemed lost for words for a moment before pushing to his feet. “Show me.”
There was a part of me that didn’t wish to. Now that I had him, I didn’t want my bondmate near my clan. They would hurt him. I didn’t want that. But I trusted Tyal. He wouldn’t hurt the male. He was my friend.
Stepping back, I led him to my tent and poked my head inside. I breathed a sigh of relief to see the male hadn’t moved from the spot I’d left him in. I didn’t want to go inside, our conversation might wake him, so instead I made room for Tyal to lean in too and look at the male.
