by Avery Kloss
“You were hard to tame.”
“Is that so?” An eyebrow shot up.
He slipped from my grasp too easily, turning with me in his arms, his face in my neck, as I flung a leg over his hip. “You’re ravishing, Peta. I adore you.”
“I adore you,” I breathed, feeling his hand at my hip, fingers soon skimming over a thigh. “I want you, Husband.”
“I’m yours to take.”
He kissed me, shifting slightly, his manhood sliding deeply with one push. I groaned against his mouth, shuddering, while our hips moved rhythmically, bodies pressing together. The sweetness of abandon became my only thought, something pleasurable growing.
“I love you,” he murmured near my ear.
“Oh, Ronan.” I clutched at him, feeling the muscles in his buttocks contracting. “You have my heart, always.” I shuddered then, shattering to tiny pieces, a moan tearing from my throat.
“Peta!” He grasped me tightly, trembling with his own release.
Tiredness left us lethargic, lying side by side, with arms and legs entangled. A sheen of perspiration coated our skin. I closed my eyes … drifting … a feeling of peace being the last thing I remembered before sleep claimed me.
Preview of Chamber of Bears
Sturdy branches threaded together and parts of tree trunks made up the hut, the roof a combination of dried, bundled grass and animal hide. An intricate pattern of bone from some wooly creature outlined the doorway, where a thick pelt hung to keep the chill out. The men, eyeing my approach, got to their feet, the shorter man grasping a spear.
“Who are you?” He stared at the weapon, the bow hanging from my shoulder. “What business do you have with our lord?”
Knowing that whatever we said could be heard inside, I said, “I’ve come for my son.”
He appeared confused, his brows furrowing. The men stood taller than me, each wearing a long skirt of leather, their feet bundled in fur. Being the cold season, the air wasn’t as chilled here as in other places, the ground not frozen in the least. The air smelled of smoke and cooking, someone preparing meat inside the hut.
“Your son?”
“The infant you stole at the dark clan,” I said a little louder. “The clan you butchered a few days ago.”
“This is a matter you must take up with Greggor,” said the taller man. “I’ll see if he’s awake.”
Before he took one step, a man appeared in the doorway of the hut, although he had to stoop to pass through, his height formidable. I recognized him at once, never forgetting that face, the man darkly featured, his beard shorn. Wearing a skirt of leather, sewn with decorative beads, his chest remained bare, exposing a wall of muscle laced with old and new scars. Younger than I thought, I guessed him to be nearer to Ronan’s age. His eyes remained pinned on me, their look inscrutable, but I felt his annoyance, the man having been interrupted from whatever he was doing, either eating or mating.
I took a step back, not realizing I had done so. I would not be the first to speak, although I yearned to see my son.
“What is this?” he asked, his voice impossibly deep. “Who is this?”
“I’m Peta. You have my son.” He seemed to know exactly what I meant, his eyes never once leaving my face. “The infant you stole. I left him in the care of kin—the people you slaughtered.”
“She’s armed, my lord,” said the shorter man.
“I can see that, Owen, but thank you for pointing it out.”
People stood at a distance staring our way, wondering at the commotion, no doubt. “My son. I’ve come for him. I won’t bother you for another moment. Give him to me, and I shall be on my way.” Although I desired to kill him, my fingers itching to affix an arrow.
You must be careful, Peta! He has Bannon. The only thing that matters now is getting him back. Revenge will have to wait.
As if sensing my thoughts, he said gruffly, “Take her weapons. She may come inside as my guest … for the moment.”
Before I could object, he disappeared into the hut, the leather flap closing behind him. Annoyed with this turn of events, I faced the men, who waited for my bow and arrows. The sound of a baby crying—my baby propelled me to thrust the items at the shorter man, whereby I hurried for the doorway, flinging the leather aside to enter. Animal hides covered the ground, some coming from woodland creatures and cats, while a large fire graced the center, the smoke disappearing through an opening in the roof.
A woman sat with a baby, the infant suckling at her breast. “Bannon!” I cried, nearly delirious with happiness, the boy looking healthy. Greggor sat cross-legged on a pelt facing the fire, his expression just as flat as before. “Please give me my son.” I would be as polite about this as possible, although I seethed, imagining snatching a rock from the pit and smashing his head in.
Greggor oozed authority, his firm chin lifted slightly. “Shay, this woman claims the baby is hers. Give him to her.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
I fell to my knees, scrambling over to her, the woman lifting Bannon from her breast, disturbing his meal. He cried at once. I grabbed him, hugging him, as tears fell to my cheeks. For the moment, I set aside all thoughts of murder and hatred, a sense of relief flooding me, the reunion as hopeful and tender as I had dreamed.
“Oh, Bannon,” I cried. “I’ve missed you so. I never should’ve left you with Kia. Never. If I’d known you’d be set upon by murdering heathens, I would’ve taken you with me. I would’ve taken my family too.” I glared at Greggor. “Only the gods know where they are now.” I sprang to my feet, intending to leave.
Shay fell back abruptly just as Greggor stood, the man incredibly fast, blocking the path to the doorway. “You come here to insult me?” Anger narrowed his gaze. “You take my child. I think not.”
I gasped. “He’s my child! You stole him from his kin. You killed all their men. The women have scattered because of you. Most will die without the protection of their men.” Rage laced my tone, the voice not sounding anything like me. I had never been so angry in my life, my jaw grinding painfully.
“It’s good you’re disarmed.” He loomed menacingly. “Sit. It’s nearly dark. We shall discuss your grievances in due time. That baby’s hungry. I don’t wish to stand here listening to his cries. If you’re the mother, like you say you are, feed him.”
The last thing I wished to do was occupy the same space as this horrible man. “Let me pass. It shall be quiet the moment I leave.”
“You’ve not been dismissed, nor will you be. Sit!” His angry shout filled the air.
I reluctantly did as I was told, although I had every intention of quitting the hut at the first opportunity. Bannon needed to be fed, latching onto a nipple almost immediately, although my milk supply wasn’t as robust as before. Perhaps, after he had nursed on each side, it might encourage it to produce more. I felt a distinct lethargy then, my shoulders sagging.
“You may go, Shay. We’ve no need for you at the moment.”
“Yes, my Lord.” She bowed her head slightly.
After she left, another woman appeared, her hair not as dark as Greggor’s. She blinked when she saw me, not having expected a guest. “I heard a fight.”
“This woman claims the infant is hers.”
She digested that bit of information. “Oh, I see. That was the disagreement. I know how tired you are. Shall I make her go away?”
“No. I wish to question her, when she’s in better spirits.” He waved to the fire. “I desire meat, woman. Bring me a meal.”
“Yes, my Lord.” She turned on a heel, leaving the hut.
“You look tired,” he murmured, his attention never once straying from me. “What’s your name?”
“Peta.”
“It suits you.”
“I’ll go as soon as he’s fed.”
“You will not. Sleep here this eve. I’ve everything you could ask for. The fire will stay lit all night. You may have as many pelts as you like. Food comes shortly.”
“I’
d rather dine with wolves.”
“I somehow expected you’d say that.” A tiny measure of a smile appeared, softening his harsh features, making him look almost handsome. A heady, masculine energy radiated about him. I had never encountered such a person before, sensing he would never bow to any woman or man, for that matter.
The woman soon returned with a basket of meat. She set about cooking it, leaving strips on a hot rock, where the venison sizzled. Hungry beyond measure, I licked my lips, debating what I might do next, wondering if I could leave now. Where were my weapons?
“This is my woman, Wildre. Peta will be our guest tonight. See to it that she has whatever she wishes.”
I glanced at her. “I’ll take my weapons, please. I left them with the men before the hut.”
Laughter filled my ears, Greggor’s eyes glinting. “She may have everything but a weapon. She wishes to end my life, which I find puzzling. Perhaps, I’ll ask you about it after I’ve eaten.”
I placed Bannon over a shoulder, the baby nearly asleep. It gladdened me that I still had enough milk to feed him. “You’ve murdered my mother’s people, twice now.”
He seemed unconcerned about this, coughing. “Water. Bring me water.”
“Are the women here slaves?”
“What?”
“Slaves. This poor woman seems to be your slave. You bark an order, and she runs to do your bidding.”
He inhaled sharply, his features hardening. I thought he might say something, but he held his tongue, which must have taken a great deal of effort. Wildre served lightly grilled meat, which tasted delicious, offering a basket full of freshly picked greens and berries. I ate and drank, taking a long pull from an animal bladder. Needing to relieve myself, I gazed at Bannon, the baby sleeping beside me. The affection I felt for my son nearly overwhelmed me, being stronger than I could have imagined. I longed to take care of him, relieved to be with him.
But … I sat in the chamber of a bear, the animal dangerous, feral. I felt small and insignificant compared to the man across the fire, his very presence making me itch to grab a spear, which I planned to throw in his direction. He chewed meat, his jaw working … but he continued to stare at me. I could only guess his thoughts.
“I have to … relieve myself. Is there somewhere to go?”
“Yes, of course. I certainly don’t want you doing it in my house. One of the men can tell you where the latrine is.” He glanced at Bannon. “You may not leave with the boy. He stays here.”
I knew he would say that, scowling as I got to my feet. “Fine!”
“It’ll be my pleasure teaching you the meaning of submission … Peta.”
“I won’t be here long enough to make it worth your effort.” Tossing hair over a shoulder, I turned to look at him, loathing everything about the man. “Don’t touch my son while I’m gone.” I darted through the doorway before he could respond, finding his men outside.
When I returned, Wildre sat next to Greggor, using some sort of sharpened stick to pick at his fingernails. He stared at me, following my every move. I settled in next to Bannon, the baby fast asleep. Holding my head in the palm of my hand, I gazed into the fire, wishing to be anywhere else, although I had eaten well enough and the hut felt warm and cozy.
“That will be all,” he intoned. “You may sleep now.”
“Here or with Shay?”
“With Shay. I wish to speak to … my guest. I don’t want to keep you awake. You grow my babe. You need your rest.”
She eyed me, a look of displeasure marring her features. “Yes, my Lord.” She left without another word.
Greggor untied the fur from his feet, tossing them aside. Then he lifted a beaded necklace over his head, discarding it. I scooted nearer to Bannon, pretending to sleep, although I could not help feeling worried over what might happen next, wishing I had a weapon. Killing Greggor would end my troubles once and for all, the man an enemy of my people, his very presence a scourge upon the land.
I closed my eyes.
“You’re still awake. Come here, Peta. I wish to talk.”
End of Preview of Chamber of Bears
Books by Avery Kloss
Caveman
Caveman 2
Caveman 3
Clan of the Wolf
Chamber of Bears
About the Author
Avery Kloss is obsessed with the past—the prehistoric past. As a child, she wanted to be an archaeologist, finding ancient Egypt fascinating after a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Now, all grown up, she mixes fact with fantasy writing about love and survival at the dawn of time.
Coming soon! Look for my new book, Chamber of Bears
If you liked what you read, please stop by Amazon and leave a review.
Thank you,
Avery Kloss
