Page 39 of On a Barbarian World

Kavon’s sword clashed against another. He pushed hard, putting all his weight behind his weapon. The other warrior staggered backward. Kavon finished him off with one clean thrust of Tanir.

He turned, just in time to see Kian battling a giant of a man. The larger warrior turned slightly, and Kavon saw it was Zaltoh. By the Warrior’s fist. Zaltoh was slowly pushing the younger warrior backward…right toward one of Drog’s men, who was hidden beside some crates. Waiting with his blade drawn.

No! Kavon strode forward, but two more of Drog’s men surged into his path, swords raised. Curses. He wouldn’t make it in time to save Kian. He fought harder, calling on every ounce of strength from his nanami, his hearts beating hard.

Then he saw a flash of something bright whizzing through the air.

The man behind Kian cried out, and fell to the ground clutching his chest.

There was movement near Kian, and Kavon watched Aurina leap over a small stone wall, something small and metallic clutched in her hand and held out in front of her.

His heart stopped. Damn her. He watched her drop to one knee, swivel, and more of the orange lightning shot out at Zaltoh.

The man’s sword dropped, his stunned gaze met Kavon’s, then he fell to the dirt.

Aurina raced over to the shocked Kian, then she spun and took aim at the last few attackers.

But they were already retreating…and staring at Aurina with wide eyes. Drinking in every damn detail of her.

“Stop them escaping!” Kavon bellowed.

His men turned and gave pursuit.

He strode toward Aurina, and every step fueled his growing fury. He grabbed her arms, breathing deeply to hold back words he knew he’d regret when rage was no longer riding him. He felt like a young, untried warrior again, battling his overwhelming emotions.

Aurina looked up and was smiling. But when she got a good look at him, her smile withered. “Kav⁠—”

“Be silent.” He snatched up her strange weapon, grabbed her arm, and spotted a few villagers coming out of hiding. “Kian, are you all right?”

The young warrior nodded.

“Good. See to calming the people.”

“Yes, Warlord.”

Kavon swiveled, and started dragging Aurina back to the house.

She was, thankfully, smart enough not to talk on the way back to his rooms. His house workers stared as they strode through the halls. He unlocked the still-locked door to his rooms and dragged her inside.

He released her and slammed the door closed behind them.

Aurina spun, temper flaring in her eyes and her arms spread wide. “A thank you would be nice.”

“How did you get out?”

She lifted her chin. “I climbed off the balcony.”

He sucked in a breath. “And the device?” He held the weapon out. It looked tiny in his hand, incapable of doing anything.

Her face changed and he could tell she was embarrassed. “It’s a laser stunner. It shoots directed energy that can stun, maim or kill. I didn’t tell you before because I knew you wouldn’t give it to me⁠—”

“So you lied?”

Her chin lifted. “Kind of like you did about the e-beacon?”

Damn her. His hands clenched on her weapon.

“I did what I had to do,” she added. “I did crash-land on a strange, dangerous planet.”