Page 86 of On a Barbarian World

“Rynan, no,” Aurina insisted. “He claimed me. It’s different.”

The man raised a brow.

She stomped a foot. “It is. Look, everyone, put the weapons and the testosterone away.” Her gaze swung back to include Kavon. “How about instead of alpha-male stupidity, you ask me what I want?”

Kavon’s gaze clashed with Rynan’s. After a taut moment, they both reluctantly lowered their weapons. Kavon slipped Durendal back into the scabbard.

“Aurina, this planet is primitive,” Rynan said.

“Ry, you’ve been here three minutes. It’s a nice planet. Not high tech, but—” Her face lit up “God, I have so much to tell you about nanami and a ship that crash-landed here thousands of years ago.”

“Then we can leave?” Rynan said.

Kavon stiffened. He watched Aurina turn to face him and he saw the excitement leak from her. Her lips trembled. “Kavon…I can’t stay here.”

He felt his face turn into a blank mask—a warrior’s mask that didn’t give anything away.

But inside, he felt like she’d run him through with a sword. A mortal wound. Emotion filled him with a heaving painful mass…worse than any wound.

Aurina watched Kavon, her heart tearing in two. She wanted, no, she needed something more from him.

She needed his love.

She felt the scrutiny of her brothers and the villagers. Some of Kavon’s warriors were also nearby. God, she should have had this conversation with him in private. She just hadn’t been able to form the words.

She straightened her shoulders. “I can’t just stay and warm your bed. I need more. I deserve more, and so do you. I want to be a partner, a wife. And I know you need someone to help you rebuild your family name, someone you love enough to give everything to.” Her voice broke. It tore her apart that the person he needed wasn’t her. “If I stay, we’re both denying ourselves.”

She stopped and tried to read his face, but he looked frozen, like she’d hit him over the head with a sword hilt.

There was movement from behind Kavon. She recognized Coran’s worn robes as he pushed forward.

“Warlord Mal Dor, you are crazy not to claim this woman as your mate. She is smart, unique, beautiful, and she loves you. A true match for any warrior.”

Coran’s words warmed her, but she wasn’t sure how Kavon would respond to being chastised by one of his villagers. “Coran, thank you, but I can’t force Kavon to do something he doesn’t want to do.”

Coran flicked his hood off.

Everyone gasped and Kavon’s eyes widened. He, his warriors, and the villagers all dropped to one knee.

Kavon didn’t stay down for long and rose. “King Corant.”

King? Aurina looked between the two.

King Corant smiled. “I am sorry for the deception.” He looked directly at Aurina. “I very much enjoyed your class, Aurina. I wanted to see Kavon’s estate and see his skyflyer without all the pomp and ceremony that follows me around.” He scowled. “Even a king can’t always get what he wants.” King Corant’s gaze moved to Kavon. “If I were younger, Mal Dor, I would have her bonded and round with my child by now.”

Kavon took a menacing step forward, moving closer to Aurina and pulling her close to him with one arm. She gasped, her gaze caught on the possessive glint in his gold eyes.

“I have already taken her as my bondmate. And I am working on the child.”

Shock slammed into Aurina. “What?”

Amber-gold met her gaze. “The bonding at the cabin…that was the ceremony where a warrior claims his bondmate, if she’ll have him.” He shoved her sleeves up, baring her armbands, touching the jewels.

Around them, people gasped.

“When you accepted the wine I offered, and accepted me as your mate, it linked us.” He stroked her armband, his fingers brushing her skin. “Inside the bands, my name is carved in our sacred script. A symbol that you are mine and I am yours. These signify that you have my love, Aurina.” He went down on one knee. “You’ve shown me to live in the moment and not dwell in the past. To want more in my future than revenge and power. To ask and see all sides. I want you in my future.”

She tugged at him, her heart overflowing. “Get up.”