Page 27 of On a Barbarian World

She felt heat in her cheeks. “I like geology. I told you, I collect gems. I often find interesting things when I’m scouting.”

He stared down at her. “I will introduce you to the head of my mines.”

“Thank you. I’d like to meet him.”

“Her.”

She smiled. “Her.”

“And you will share any knowledge that might be useful.”

It wasn’t a question. Aurina felt a sting under her ribs. Kavon was a driven man, and she got the impression he’d use whatever he had at his disposal to further his clan and beat Drog…including her.

He told her a bit more about his land and his clan. She heard the deep pride buried in his words. There was one thing she didn’t doubt—Kavon was dedicated to protecting and providing for his people.

They continued on, and he stopped to speak with some of his workers in the fields. Very quickly, he sorted out some problem at the mills. Soon, he turned the beast back toward the estate. Aurina noted with some surprise that the sun was setting already.

Time had flown while they toured Kavon’s lands, and she suspected the day was a little shorter here. He pulled Tarm to a stop outside his house. He slid off the beast in a practiced move, and before she could dismount, he gripped her waist and lifted her down.

They stood there, close together.

“Thank you for showing me your land,” she said. “And distracting me.”

He just looked at her and didn’t say anything.

She shot him a wry smile. “I knew you were taking my mind off things.”

His golden eyes flashed. “I am a warlord. I don’t have time to coddle anyone. Come. The evening meal will be ready.”

He led her into the house, calling out hellos to people. She endured the speculative and curious looks. She got it. She’d seen the people today. Everyone was tall and lean, with dark hair, and everyone had that gorgeous, dark-bronze tint to their skin. She looked completely different.

She heard the hubbub of conversation, punctuated by booming laughter. Kavon strode into a great hall, with a high, soaring roof and long tables lined up in rows. He led her to a smaller, carved table that sat, elevated above the rest, at the front of the hall.

Conversation quieted, many heads turning in their direction.

Kavon waved his free hand at his people. “Eat.”

The conversation ratcheted up a notch, and most people went back to their meals.

“Sit.” He waved at the leather chair beside his.

Aurina crossed her arms. “Barbarian.”

He sank into his chair and eyed her. Then he sighed. “Sit, please.”

She smiled and sat. Instantly, two women and a man appeared, setting plates and cups down before them.

Aurina stared at her plate in horror. It was a meat of some description…and it looked awfully raw. “Ah, Kavon, what is this?”

“Fagar meat. A delicacy.” He forked some of his own into his mouth.

She picked up her fork, made of a lustrous silver metal that reflected with a rainbow sheen. She made a mental note to ask him about it later. It would be excellent to trade. Right now, she was preoccupied with the meat. She lifted it. It flopped a little, and wasn’t cooked at all. “Why isn’t it cooked?”

“It tastes better raw.”

Her stomach turned over. She liked meat perfectly fine…when it was cooked. She lived on a ship most of the time and either ate well-cooked food, food printer offerings, or cloned rations when she had to. She did not eat raw meat of unknown origins.

Kavon shoved another plate closer. This was filled with a pile of something that looked like rice and topped with delicious-smelling vegetables. She suddenly realized she was starving, and stabbed at the vegetables. After one tentative bite, amazing flavors exploded in her mouth, and she groaned. She scooped up some more.