Page 37 of On a Barbarian World

“In a way it is. It’s infused with nanami.”

She gasped. “You have those little organisms in your sword?”

“Yes. It keeps the blade sharp and clean, and they make my movements faster, stronger, truer.”

She blinked. Incredible. “They help improve your reflexes.”

She felt him nod behind her.

“They really are amazing, Kavon. I wish I could study them.”

“We are grateful to the First Warriors for teaching us to live with them and enhance our lives.”

She turned that over in her head. “The First Warriors showed them to you?”

“Taught us to be as one with them, to direct them.”

“The warriors…made the nanami?”

Kavon’s brow creased. “I am not certain what the legends say. All I know is the nanami have always been here and aid our living.”

Always been here made her think again they were native to this planet.

“Ask Chaldora,” Kavon said. “She may have answers for you.”

“I will.”

“Now, lift the sword and let’s practice some moves.”

With Kavon’s help, she moved the sword in some shaky arcs. At first, she was stiff and awkward, but with his encouragement, she started to feel it, and improve. She could actually feel the push and pull of the nanami. Almost like the sword was alive. They helped her move a little faster.

“This is amazing,” she said.

“You have the soul of a warrior…although you would need much more training.”

She laughed. “Wow, great praise.”

Actually, having him at her back, surrounding her, was damned distracting. The feel of him, all hot and hard, made her wonder again why she didn’t just drag him back to his rooms and get him naked. Sure, she wasn’t going to be here long, but that wouldn’t stop them from enjoying each other for a short time.

She swallowed and lowered the sword, the tip touching the dirt. Sex was fun. A good time filled with pleasure and a few laughs.

Kavon’s touch was a hundred steps beyond fun. What she felt when she looked at his body was so far from simple enjoyment, it was deep and intense.

Something warned her that after a night with Kavon, she wouldn’t walk away unscathed. She felt the tug of the connection between them. He was a risk. The kind of risk she’d always avoided. Something told her this big warrior had the potential to shatter her soul, and she’d grown up vowing to never, ever let a man do that to her.

“Warlord!”

The shout made all the warriors in the ring pause, tensed and ready. A man was running toward them, waving his arms.

“Drog has attacked the village!”

The warriors moved as one, bristling, lifting their swords.

Kavon stepped away from Aurina. “Darroch, please see Aurina back to my rooms.”

“I’m coming with you,” she said.

“No.” His face turned dark.