Page 80 of On a Barbarian World

He pulled her close again, this time subduing her struggles to pull back. “If he knew what you meant to me, he’d have fought harder, or killed you to spite me.” Kavon’s fingers tightened, then he brushed her swollen cheek. “When he touched you, he signed his death warrant.”

She angled her head back. “And the warlord’s daughter?”

He grimaced. “Aurina…”

Pain cut through her. She kept her voice calm. “You’ve been looking for a wife all this time.”

He released a breath. “It was something in place long before you crash-landed into my life.”

She forced a smile. “And it can be in place after I’ve left it.” The image of Kavon marrying some pretty, dark-haired thing made her stomach churn.

“Aurina—” Frustration seeped into his tone.

“My mother fell for a man who didn’t find her worthy enough to marry. I grew up a child not worth claiming. I’ve always vowed to believe in myself, and never let anyone make me feel less. But you succeeded in doing it.” She stepped out of his arms. “Please, can we go? I want to go.”

He looked like he wanted to say more.

Instead, he let her go.

Kavon stared at the center of Aurina’s back as they rode the hargon beasts back through the Wilds.

The exit out of the mine had been almost anti-climactic. They’d stopped briefly so Aurina could use her medscope to heal everyone’s wounds. He rubbed his chest where the arrow had pierced him. There wasn’t even a hint of a scar. He was relieved to see the swelling on Aurina’s face was completely gone.

Thankfully Drog had not slaughtered their hargon beasts in his rush to intercept Kavon. The hargons had been agitated, Drog’s beasts milling with them, but were still where Kavon and his men had left them.

The ride so far had been quiet.

Very quiet. Aurina hadn’t said a word.

He could feel her slipping away from him like water through his hands.

Resting near his leg, nestled safely in his saddlebags, he felt the weight of Durendal. Something he’d dreamed about for so long, and worked toward ever since his father had died. And now that he had it… It meant little when he thought about the broken look on Aurina’s face.

He stared at Aurina’s bent head, and something burst inside him. He kicked Tarm up beside Colm’s beast.

“My friend.” Kavon pulled Durendal out of the bag and handed the wrapped bundle to his best friend. “Will you keep this safe and see it back to the estate?”

Colm took the sword, his eyebrows rising. “Where are you going?”

Kavon cut a glance at Aurina. “I plan to claim my mate and ensure she has no questions about where she belongs and to whom.”

A grin broke over Colm’s face. “About time, Kavon. I suggest you don’t say the ‘who she belongs to’ bit aloud.”

Kavon felt a spurt of amusement. “Thanks for the advice.”

Then Colm’s face turned serious. “You think she wants to stay here? Without all her technology?”

The idea that she truly wanted to leave him left him carved out inside. His jaw tightened. “I’ll make her want to stay. I plan to claim her in the oldest tradition of our warrior ancestors.”

Colm’s face froze. “What? You really think that’s a good idea?”

Kavon didn’t respond, just kicked Tarm to a gallop. The beast responded with a sharp burst of speed.

At the last second, Aurina heard the thunder of hooves, and spun in her saddle. He grabbed her and dragged her off the hargon.

She cried out, but he pulled her safely onto his beast and threw her over the saddle in front of him. He pressed a hand to her ass to hold her in place.

“What are you doing?” she yelled, trying to sit up.