Page 68 of On a Barbarian World

“Nothing that we didn’t already know.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Let’s unpack our gear and head in.”

“What about the hargons?” She patted the hide of her animal.

He suppressed a smile. For someone who thought they were pretty frightening in the beginning, she seemed to be growing fond of hers. “They will stay here. They do not mind the dark, and if we leave food, they won’t venture far.”

She unclipped her bag from the beast and nodded.

Soon, their small group headed into the dark tunnel.

Kavon kept his light wand lifted high. Dirt and small rocks crunched under his boots. Here, the air was still cooler, but from a lifetime of being associated with mines, he knew as they moved deeper, the air would heat.

“Look,” Colm called out.

A rail track appeared on the floor. It was made of wood and metal, and badly deteriorated.

“That’s a good sign,” Aurina said.

They followed it as it snaked through the tunnel. Finally, they reached an area where the track split, spearing off into three different tunnels. In the center of the junction, sitting on the tracks, were large, bulky shadows.

“Mine carts,” Kavon said. The simple metal carts were an old design—hundreds of years old.

She tapped her Sync screen. “We need to take the central tunnel. Do you think we can use the carts?”

“It’s a risk. The track could be damaged in places.”

“I will ride first.” Colm dumped his gear into the lead cart. “It will cut a lot of time off our journey.” He looked around, his nose wrinkling. “The less time spent in this cursed place, the better.”

Aurina placed her gear in the next cart. “This is my ride.”

Kavon handed his gear to Kian and placed a hand on the edge of Aurina’s cart. “Our cart.”

“It’s going to be a tight fit, warrior. You’ll be right behind me.”

“Yes, I will. In this cart.”

She huffed out a breath. “Kavon⁠—”

He climbed in and sat, then waved at her to join him. “Old mines haunted with evil. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

She climbed in and settled on his lap. “I’m trying not to be pissed at your over-protectiveness.”

“You like it.”

She made a small, strangled sound, but he noted she didn’t refute his words.

Then she took her time shifting around to get comfortable. Her round ass rubbed against him tantalizingly, and he gritted his teeth.

She rubbed again, one of her hands pressing against his thigh. “Fine, it’s annoying, but I find it kind of sweet.”

He heard his warriors try to muffle their laughs. “I am not sweet.”

“Sure you are, big guy.” She shifted again, grinding hard against him, then patted his leg.

He gripped her long braid and held her still, his lips brushing her ear. He kept his voice low, “I know you are taking revenge by rubbing yourself against me.” He lifted his hips so she’d feel his hard cock against her. “But be warned, I will have my payback later. I promise.”

She shivered. “Dangerous mines, remember, Kavon? You need to focus.”

He slid a hand down and patted her thigh. “I remember. I will also not forget that payback.”