Page 79 of On a Barbarian World

Aurina stiffened. “What?”

Drog laughed, his hand stroking down her neck. “Did he not tell you that you were just a bedmate while he searched for a worthy woman to be his wife?”

She stared at Kavon, ice seeping into her bones. His amber eyes were somehow cold, devoid of any emotion. Her gut felt heavy. He’d told her Markarians couldn’t control when their emotions changed their eye color. Now, looking at him, it was clear he felt nothing.

It had all been a lie.

Every touch, every kiss, every moment—sweet, infuriating, and spicy—had all been lies. Had he really fooled her all this time?

“Ah, yes, reality is sinking in, isn’t it, skyflyer?” Drog relaxed his grip and set her beside him.

Her arms dropped to her sides, and she tried desperately to sort through it all.

“Fine, Mal Dor. I’ll take the skyflyer off your hands and her shiny tech.” The older warrior’s lips tipped. “She can warm my bed for as long as it suits me.”

Hot, molten rage filled Aurina. These two men were discussing her like she was a belonging, a lump of ore to be bartered and fought over.

Enough.

She didn’t make a sound to telegraph her intention. She swiveled and kicked, slamming her boot into Drog’s groin. The warrior froze, then let out a pained bellow. When he doubled over, she chopped her hand down on the back of his neck. His knees slammed to the ground, and then she kneed him in the face.

A familiar arm wrapped around her, and suddenly a sword appeared. She expected to feel the sting of the blade, but instead, it was pointed at Drog’s neck.

The older warlord looked up, his brown eyes blazing and his face contorted in pain.

“My woman can take care of herself, Drog,” Kavon said, his tone lethal.

Drog’s muscles bunched, and Kavon shoved his sword harder against the man’s skin. A trickle of blood fell down Drog’s neck.

“Move,” Kavon barked. “And feel free to try something stupid…I’d love an excuse to run you through, like you did to my father. Now, you try to take my woman… Yes, I am more than ready to see your blood soaking into the dirt.”

“Your father was a fool,” Drog spat. “He came right into my trap like a farmyard animal to slaughter.”

Kavon twitched. Aurina stayed still, waiting for this to play out.

Suddenly, Drog moved, far faster than she’d guessed he could. He gripped her top and yanked her down. She kicked him, but he was damn strong and he barely reacted. His fist slammed into her face, and she saw stars.

There was a sound of rage, and then she was released. She stumbled back and landed on her butt. When she looked up, Kavon was standing over Drog’s body, where the warlord lay sprawled on the ground. Kavon’s sword had entered his chest, and Drog’s blank face was staring at the rocky roof.

The fighting behind them ceased. Drog’s men were shouting, and then she heard a few last clashes and the sound of Drog’s men retreating down the tunnel.

Kavon stayed still, staring at Drog’s body. He looked incredibly alone.

She would have gone to him, but she was still bleeding from his words, and unsure what the hell to believe anymore. She pressed a hand to her swollen face. She didn’t want to be her mother, accepting pretty words and then having her heart cut out. She probed her swelling cheek and eye. The medscope would fix it quickly…but for now, she wanted the pain. The insistent throb matched what she felt inside.

Then Kavon turned, his gaze hitting hers. She forced herself to hold it for a beat, then she looked away.

He was beside her in an instant, his arms going around her.

She pulled away.

“Aurina—”

“You have everything you’ve ever wanted. The sword, Drog gone…”

“Aurina.” He put a finger under her chin and forced her gaze up. His eyes were a shimmering gold.

She swallowed. She’d always made herself face everything in life head on. “Take her? Means to an end?”