Page 81 of On a Barbarian World

He gave her ass a sharp swat. “Something I should have done a long time ago.” He urged Tarm on, turning sharply and riding away from his men and the direction of the estate. “My ancestors had a tradition of kidnapping the women they wanted to keep.”

“Barbarians!” She struggled to get up a few more times, before cursing him and going still. Not long later, the land turned to gentle hills, and in the distance he saw the Forest of Kern rising up.

Before they reached the trees, he spotted the hunting cabin.

He slowed, then commanded Tarm to stop. The hargon beast was more than happy to obey. The grass was lush and the beast was sniffing the air, already scenting the plentiful prey in the forest.

Kavon dismounted, then dragged Aurina off and into his arms.

She turned into a spitfire, slapping at him. “What the hell are you doing, you arrogant barbarian?”

“Calm yourself.” He tossed her over his shoulder and headed for the cabin.

“I’m going to kill you for this!”

The cabin was built of the same stone as his estate. It wasn’t large—the main cabin was a single big room with a small annex joined by an enclosed walkway.

“It is getting dark,” he said. “We need to get inside, as we are close enough to the Wilds that some of its denizens do come this way at night.”

He opened the sturdy wooden door and then he set her on her feet.

She came at him and landed a hard kick to his gut. He grunted, and just in time, blocked the second kick coming at him. He grabbed her leg and twisted so she was off balance. Her face was furious…and he’d never seen her look more beautiful.

“I want to go back to the estate. I want my e-beacon.” Her gaze moved to the wall and stayed there.

He watched her for a second. He’d known his woman wouldn’t be the easiest conquest, and he’d hurt her by not telling her his marriage plans. Now he had some making up to do.

He was a master battle planner, but he would need all his skills for this battle.

He wandered over to the large, wooden storage box in the corner. He opened it and pulled out some glow rocks. They weren’t in the shape of a wand, but just a small pile of stones. He set them in an amber glass bowl. It cast a muted, orange glow in the room. In one corner was a pile of furs and blankets with a sheet of gauzy fabric draped over them from the roof. He knew someone from his estate came frequently to ensure the hunting cabin was kept clean and well-stocked.

“What is this place?”

His lips twitched. He’d known Aurina’s natural curiosity would get the better of her. “It’s a hunting cabin. The forest beyond here is filled with animals prime for hunting. It is a rite of passage for a young warrior to come and stay here alone, and hunt for his first kill.” He started walking toward her and she stiffened.

“What are we doing here?” Her tone was icy.

“I’m claiming you…properly.”

“You already claimed me when I first got here.”

“Not that kind of claiming.” He brushed his knuckles against her cheek and saw her eyelids flutter. “I don’t want you to leave me.”

Her lips flattened. “Right, you want me around for some convenient sex? Like my father wanted from my mother?” She pushed his hand away.

It was time for the truth. The bare, unvarnished truth. “I don’t want a warlord’s daughter. I want you.”

She went very still, and he saw many different emotions skitter across her face. “Kavon…”

He cupped her cheeks. “I want your strength, your intelligence, your beauty. You are more a match for me than any woman I’ve met before. I want all of you.”

Her face softened, and she reached up and put her hands over his. “It’ll mess up your plans, your alliance with some other warlord. All your plans to rebuild the Mal Dor name.”

“Alliances come in many forms. For now, the only one I’m concerned with is the one between you and me.” He tugged at the ties on her corset. “I want you. Ordinarily, as a warrior, I would announce my claim and that would be it.”

She raised a brow.

“But, as you are not of my planet and have other views, I’m asking you to be mine.”