by Anna Hackett
“My Sync!” She pressed it to her chest. She eyed him. “Why give this to me now?”
“Because I do as I please.”
“You are so infuriating.” But her words held no heat. “Thank you, Kavon. This will really help. And it makes me mostly forgive you for not telling me about the e-beacon.”
He liked seeing the happy light in her eyes. “Good.” He pushed open the door.
Chaldora stood. The woman was their chief healer, but also a knowledgeable scholar. She was running the team searching for the sword.
Beside her, a thin, young man popped to his feet. Davin had been crippled as a young child, and therefore unable to complete warrior training. It seemed the boy was eminently suited to being a scholar. He loved knowledge, books, and peppering people with questions. The third scholar in the room was a woman, only a little older than Aurina. Kata didn’t look much like a scholar. Her dark hair fell in braids on either side of her pretty face, and she was extremely opinionated. She shot a suspicious look at Aurina.
“Scholars.” Kavon pulled Aurina close to his side. “I would like an update on the search.”
“Warlord.” Both Davin and Kata bowed their heads.
Chaldora nodded at him, then smiled at Aurina. “Aurina Skyflyer, you look recovered.”
“I am, thank you.”
“Sit, please.” The old woman waved at the solid wooden chairs at the table.
Aurina took a seat but Kavon stayed standing. “I would like you all to tell Aurina everything you know about Durendal and the search.”
Kata’s eyes widened. “Why?” she said sharply.
Kavon narrowed his gaze, noting the stubborn, suspicious look on the young scholar’s face. “Because I ordered you to.”
There was a sigh from Aurina and then she touched his arm. “Because I’ve agreed to help in any way I can. Where I’m from, I’m a scout. I’m…good at finding things.” Aurina smiled. “Kavon told me you’ve been working hard, have gathered a lot of information.”
Kata’s stiff body relaxed the smallest fraction. “You don’t plan to steal the sword for yourself?”
Aurina laughed. “I can’t go anywhere, Kata, and even if I could, what would I do with a sword?”
Some servers bustled in with platters of food—cooked meats, eggs and freshly-cut fruit.
After they’d left, Kavon pushed the nearest platter closer to Aurina. “Try the fruit.”
She tilted her head back, one eyebrow arched.
He smiled. “Please.”
With a satisfied nod, she plucked up the juicy fruit and started eating. He liked seeing her eat the food he brought her. He glanced up and saw his scholars watching him—Chaldora looked amused, and the others looked dumbstruck.
“Chaldora?” he prompted.
With a nod, the woman shuffled forward to start.
“When the First Warriors came to our land from the north, we were but a primitive, animal-like species. The warriors came to help guide us onto a path of learning and honor.”
Kavon watched Aurina lean forward, completely absorbed in the story. And he was completely absorbed in her.
He frowned. He’d never been so enamored of a woman. It wasn’t just her fascinating, tempting looks—he liked her quick mind, her annoying courage, and even that quick-talking mouth of hers.
“We were warlike and brutal, but not organized,” Chaldora said. “Our bodies were unrefined. Huge, with power but no skill. The First Warriors made their home here and started to teach us skills and eventually, they mated with the native Markarians. We became smaller, but smarter, less like the beasts that roam the land. The warriors taught us to become one with the nanami inside us…to use the power of the nanami to our benefit.”
Aurina’s face was rapt. Kavon scowled. Why couldn’t she look at him like that?
Chaldora continued. “Some Markarians learned to use the power of their nanami to mine, others to channel it into growing crops, others into healing. And of course, into being excellent warriors. Some warriors, the greatest in our legends, were able to create the power of lightning with their nanami.”
Aurina pulled her small device from her pocket. Kavon heard the younger scholars gasp.
She pressed something and the screen glowed. “This is called a Sync. I’m just taking some notes.”
Chaldora nodded.
Aurina tapped furiously. “Go on.”
“They taught us to write, to build, and to farm and to mine. Most importantly, they taught us the Way of the Warrior. To fight with skill and honor. To control our unruly, rampaging emotions. And they taught us to speak in more than grunts and growls.”
Now Aurina went very still. Kavon straightened, watching her face.
“They taught you to speak English?”
Chaldora frowned, a hundred wrinkles appearing. “We speak Markarian, Aurina.”
Aurina shook her head. “Your language…it’s called English. It’s spoken throughout the galaxy.”
Kavon saw the scholars’ eyes widen, a million questions in their eyes. The last thing he needed was Aurina spreading tales of life beyond the stars to his most impressionable clan members. He wanted order in his land, not anarchy. “Back to the story.”
Aurina looked up at him, something sparking in her eyes.
He sighed. “Please. Focus on the sword.”
Chaldora sank into a chair. “The First Warriors brought the sword with them. Legend says it was a long, elegant sword, crafted by the Warriors’ greatest weapons maker. It was passed down from great warrior to great warrior, and was the sharpest sword in all the land.”
“It was very old,” Kata added. “And its name meant ‘to endure.’”
“Durendal, Durendal,” Aurina murmured. “It sort of sounds familiar.” She released a breath. “I wish I could contact my cousins. Dathan is a treasure hunter, and his brother Niklas is an astroarcheologist.”
A treasure hunter sounded very close to a thief to Kavon’s ears, but he had no idea what an astroarcheologist might be. The scholars were all looking at her blankly.
“Ah…right,” she said. “One hunts for old treasure and the other studies it and history…kind of like you guys do.” She waved a hand at the scholars. “But we are a long way from my Phoenix cousins.”
“That’s if you even really are a skyflyer,” Kata mumbled. “Warlord, I do not see how this woman can help us. She isn’t from here, and does not even know our legends.”
“Kata, you have had no success after many months of trying,” Kavon said.
The female scholar’s cheeks heated.
“I suggest you let Aurina have longer than a few minutes to try.” He swept the room with his gaze. “I want the sword found, and we’ll do whatever we need to do to achieve my quest.”
“Yes, Warlord.”
“Yes, Warlord.”
Aurina was looking at him with a smile on her face. She straightened and turned back to the others. “When and where was the sword last seen?”
Davin stirred. “It was thousands of years ago.”
Aurina froze, then groaned. “Thousands of years?” She ran a hand over her hair. “Okay, that’s not going to make things easy.”
“We have written records of what it looked like, and how the First Warriors revered it.”
“You said the First Warriors came from the north? Do you know where?”
Davin shrugged. “The north is all we know. Nowadays, the north is a barren land, sometimes covered in snow, and no one has ever succeeded in finding the cities of the warriors. Our records say the warriors arrived here at a time when the stars were falling from the sky. Before they came, the Markarians were living in the dark, were unenlightened.”
“Our native ancestors were a fearsome, animal-like race. Taller, broader, more muscular and some records say, with scales,” Kavon said.
“Hmm.” Aurina tapped some more on her electronic device. “So, the First Warriors bred with your ancestors.” Her gaze dropped down, tracing over
Kavon’s body.
It was an almost clinical appraisal but Kavon still felt a flare of heat. “Aurina?”
She started. “Right. Well, you definitely look human-like. Your skin is unique. I know you have two hearts…anything else I should know about?”
“We have second copies of almost all our main organs,” Kata said. “It is perfect for warriors. It gives extra strength and stamina, and if one organ is wounded in combat, there—”
“—is a backup,” Aurina finished. “Wow. You really are bred to fight.”
Kavon eyed her face. “You’ve thought of something.”
“I’m tossing a few ideas around. When I have something workable, I’ll let you know. Chaldora, you mentioned records. Can I see them?”
The elderly woman looked at Kavon, who nodded.
“Of course, all the tomes on the shelves in this room contain legends of the First Warriors.” She waved to the back of the room.
Aurina turned, gasped and sprung to her feet. “Holy stars, real books!” She hurried over, her hands clasped together like she was too afraid to touch the leather-bound volumes. “I haven’t seen real books in forever.”
“You have unreal books?” Davin asked, frowning.
Aurina spun and held up her device. “Electronic records. Easier, but I think we lose something of the charm.”
“Mistress Aurina, I could help you go through the ancient records,” Davin offered eagerly.
Kavon’s gaze narrowed on the young scholar. The man had barely pulled his entranced gaze from Aurina the entire time they’d been in the room. He looked like a pup tripping over its paws to please its master.
Kavon could hardly blame the boy…and sincerely hoped he didn’t have the same look on his face. It wouldn’t be fitting for a warlord.
“Davin, have the books delivered to my rooms. Aurina can study them there.”
The young scholar’s face fell.
Kata’s face screwed up. “She shares your rooms?”
“She does as I please.” He let his warlord tone leak into his voice. “As do you.”
Kata’s mouth snapped shut, and she nodded. “Yes, Warlord.”
“Kavon,” Chaldora said. “I have some promising candidates in your search for the daughter of a war—”
“Not now, Chaldora. I’m far too busy.”
She inclined her head. “As you wish.”
“Come.” He held out a hand to Aurina. “I have sword practice.” And for the first time since he was a lad, he wanted a woman to watch him.
“Ask, barbarian, ask,” she muttered. But there was no heat in her words as she took his hand.
He squeezed her fingers. “Please.”
She smiled, and it made heat flare in Kavon. Maybe they were both adjusting to each other’s ways. The skyflyer and the barbarian.
***
Aurina could think of worse ways to spend her time.
She sat on one of several stone benches overlooking the hard-packed earth of the training arena. She watched a group of big, strong, half-naked warriors, their muscles flexing and gleaming with perspiration as they trained. Masculine grunts and the clang of metal rang in the morning air.
She’d spent some time studying all the warriors as they swung their swords, or sparred. But of course, her gaze was drawn to one particular warrior.
Kavon moved a little faster, and was more skilled with his sword. It moved like an extension of him—smooth, powerful and deadly. He’d run the men through various drills, including a type of exercise she’d never have guessed to see from tough warriors. They would stay in one place, swinging their swords through the air in a controlled, steady way that spoke of patience and restraint, not blood-thirsty aggression.
Kavon had told her control was vital. That it was what gave them strength.
After that exercise, they’d moved into standard sword-fighting drills. For all their control, they were hard, strong warriors and it showed in the ferocity of their attacks. Kavon drilled them hard, correcting errors, yelling encouragement and a few insults at them. He was tough, but fair and dedicated. Aurina saw it in every line of his face. That dedication to make them the best he could, so they in turn could protect everyone he’d claimed as his.
And to avenge his family, his father.
She understood. She’d loved her mother and there were days when she’d wished she could have taken revenge on all the people who’d worn her mother down and driven her to an early death.
Aurina’s shoulders slumped a little. How the hell was she going to find this sword? A sword that she suspected was only a myth, and wasn’t even real. She leaned her elbows on her knees, and rested her chin in her hands. And on the off chance that the sword really had existed, it was probably lost to the sands of time.
She was never going to get her e-beacon back.
“Aurina?”
Kavon’s deep voice made her glance up. He was waving her down into the training ring. The other warriors had all paired off and were practicing.
She headed over to him. His bare chest glistened and he smelled of healthy male sweat.
He lifted his sword. “I will show you the basics of swordfighting.”
“Would you like me to show you, Aurina?” she said in a mock deep voice. Then she raised the pitch. “Why yes, thank you, Kavon. Thank you for asking.”
His brows drew together. “Would you like to go back to your seat and look sad and brooding?”
“Now you ask a question, and it’s laced with sarcasm.” She shook her head. “I will have you asking instead of ordering before I leave here. Yes, I would like to learn, but I don’t think I can even lift your sword, Kavon.” The damn thing was almost as long as she was.
“Come.” He circled until he stood behind her. His large arms engulfed her, his damp chest pressed against her back. He placed her hands on the hilt of the sword, while his closed over hers, taking most of the weight of the weapon.
Her gaze snagged on the metal. The sword was a thing of beauty. The blade straight and well-crafted—a warrior’s weapon. Near the hilt were ornate swirls and sharp tips. Not pretty, but striking. It suited Kavon perfectly.
“Hold your fingers like this.” He rearranged her hands. “Feel the weight of the sword, let it get comfortable with you.”
“Let it get comfortable with me? You talk like it’s alive.”
“In a way it is. It’s infused with nanami.”
She gasped. “You have those little organisms in your sword?”
“Yes. It keeps the blade sharp and clean, and they make my movements faster, stronger, truer.”
She blinked. Incredible. “They help improve your reflexes.”
She felt Kavon nod behind her.
“They really are amazing, Kavon. I wish I could study them.”
“We are grateful for the First Warriors for teaching us to live with them and enhance our lives.”
She turned that over in her head. “The First Warriors showed them to you?”
“Taught us to be as one with them, to direct them.”
“The warriors…made the nanami?”
Kavon’s brow creased. “I am not certain what the legends say. All I know is the nanami have always been here and aid our living.”
Always been here made her think again they were native to this planet.
“Ask Chaldora,” Kavon said. “She may have answers for you.”
“I will.”
“Now, lift the sword and let’s practice some moves.”
With Kavon’s help, she moved the sword in some shaky arcs. At first, she was stiff and awkward, but with Kavon’s encouragement, she started to feel it, and improve. She could actually feel the push and pull of the nanami. Almost like the sword was alive. They helped her move a little faster.
“This is amazing,” she said.
“You have the soul of a warrior…although you would need much more training.”
She laughed. “Wow, great praise.”
Actually, having him a
t her back, surrounding her, was damned distracting. The feel of him, all hot and hard, made her wonder again why she didn’t just drag him back to his rooms and get him naked. Sure, she wasn’t going to be here long…but that wouldn’t stop them from enjoying each other for a short time.
She swallowed and lowered the sword, the tip touching the dirt. Sex was fun. A good time filled with pleasure and a few laughs.
Kavon’s touch was a hundred steps beyond fun. What she felt when she looked at his body was so far from enjoyment…it was deep and intense.
Something warned her that after a night with Kavon, she wouldn’t walk away unscathed. She felt the tug of the connection between them. He was a risk. The kind of risk she’d always avoided. Something told her this big warrior had the potential to shatter her soul, and she’d grown up vowing to never, ever let a man do that to her.
“Warlord!”
The shout made all the warriors in the ring pause, tensed and ready. A man was running toward them, waving his arms.
“Drog has attacked the village!”
The warriors moved as one, bristling, lifting their swords.
Kavon stepped away from Aurina. “Darroch, please see Aurina back to my rooms.”
“I’m coming with you,” Aurina said.
“No.” His face turned dark.
“I can help—”
“No.” He was already turning away and shouting orders at his warriors.
She grabbed his arm. “Kavon, you can’t order me around like one of your—”
He spun so fast, she gasped. A second later, he grabbed her, and her world turned upside down. A hard shoulder dug into her belly and a big hand slapped over her butt.
Oh, my God. He’d tossed her over his shoulder.
“Colm, take the men to the village. I want Drog’s men dead or captured.”
“Yes, Kavon.”
As Kavon strode into the house, Aurina hammered at his back. “Kavon, I have a weapon. One that could defeat Drog’s men easily, with no loss of life—”
“Be quiet.”
She smacked his back again. “I can help.”
“My warriors know what they are doing. It is our way. And I will keep you safe, even if you are determined to throw yourself into danger.”
Suddenly the world tilted again, and he set her on her feet. She blinked. They were back in Kavon’s rooms.
