Page 83 of On a Barbarian World

He nodded. “I had an artisan set them into these bands for your arms. They make me think of your eyes.” He kept her gaze with his. “Aurina Phoenix, will you be my bondmate?”

She stared at the beautiful jewelry he’d had made for her. The pieces were simply stunning. She reached out and ran her finger over the luminous green stone. He wasn’t asking her to be his wife, and she admitted that bothered her a little. “Bondmate?”

“Mine. In every way.”

Bondmate sounded like it was a step above bedmate, at least. “Have you had a bondmate before?”

“Never,” he said emphatically. He lifted the bands. “I would very much like to see these resting on your skin.”

She tilted her head. “Kavon, do these signal some sort of…ownership?”

He smiled and looked younger. “It depends how you look at it.”

“Kavon—”

“They symbolize my commitment. Our commitment.”

Warmth flooded her chest. Okay, so it wasn’t a marriage proposal, but it was pretty damn close. Her warrior wanted her.

She took the first armband. He shifted and took it back. “Allow me?”

She nodded, her throat tightening.

He held her arm and with the other hand slid the beautiful band up her arm until it settled around her bicep. It was a perfect fit. Then, he picked up the next band and did the same with her other arm. She shifted, loving the glint of the green stones in the muted light. His face was so serious as he watched her, but his eyes were ablaze, and the burning-hot look in them made it hard to breathe.

“Beautiful,” he murmured.

She held her arms out, admiring them. “Me or the bands?” She looked up and saw a fierce look of satisfaction on Kavon’s face. He grabbed her and pulled her down in the furs. His big body moved over hers, rough and aggressive, his hard cock pressing against her belly.

“Both,” he growled.

He touched the bands on her arm, then moved lower to drag his hand up her bare leg. She made a sound in her throat, arching into him. Then his hand delved between her thighs.

“Hmm, so wet for me, my not-so-sweet skyflyer.” One thick finger slid inside her.

She moaned, moving against him. “Yes.”

“I claim you, Aurina. You’re mine. Now and always.”

“I claim you right back, Kavon.” Then his mouth took hers, and she lost herself in her wild warrior.

“So, next up we’re going to discuss some geological characteristics of some ore-bearing rocks you haven’t been mining to date.”

The group in front of Aurina nodded, a few scribbling notes in their books. For today’s geology sessions, she had brought them outside. They were an enthusiastic group, and she’d been enjoying teaching them. Many had come in from outlying villages, eager to learn.

She fingered her emerald band on her arm, partly hidden by her linen shirt. Something had made her keep her bands secret. They were special, something just for her and Kavon. It had been three days since their mission to the Riom Mines and their night in the hunting cabin.

They’d arrived back at the estate to cheering crowds, all in awe that their warlord had found the mythical Durendal. The only sad spot had been seeing Viken’s parents, distraught at the loss of their son. His mother’s weeping still haunted Aurina.

She twisted the band. Since they’d been back, Kavon had been so busy. He’d gone with a team to retrieve the other artifacts, and he’d been busy claiming Drog’s land and dealing with the slain warlord’s people. He’d banished some of them, and then he’d asked her opinion on what to do with the rest. She smiled. Everyone had been shocked he hadn’t just claimed Drog’s people; instead, he’d given the others the choice to be part of Clan Mal Dor or leave. A part of Aurina was pleased to see her warrior had learned a thing or two about asking.

He’d gotten rid of the troublemakers, and people who didn’t want to stay, and the rest would be happier, productive clansmen. Win-win for all.

He’d also contacted the king about Drog’s death and Durendal. Everyone was abuzz about the fact the king was coming to Clan Mal Dor sometime soon.

Meanwhile, she hadn’t mentioned the e-beacon and nor had Kavon.

But she was thinking about it.