Lost in Barbarian Space(10)

Most warriors wore a medallion with their family crest engraved on it. Colm felt a muscle tick in his jaw. He had no interest in wearing his father’s crest.

His father had already given him something far worse. A reminder Colm could never escape.

Colm settled the medallion on his chest, then pulled his long hair back and tied it with a strip of leather. Then he found the bottle of scent Aurina had given him for his birthday. She’d told him it was from a distant planet and highly prized. It smelled like the forest to Colm—something green and earthy. He splashed a little on his neck and then headed out.

As he descended the stairs, he heard the din of voices. In the great hall, the space was already filling up. Markarian men and women mingled with groups of skyflyers—many wearing their black-and-gray uniforms.

Colm spotted Niklas Phoenix and Nera Darc at the head table, where Kavon and Aurina were seated.

And then he spotted Honor. She was also in her uniform. Damn, he’d hoped to see her in something else.

He nodded at everyone and dropped into the empty chair beside her. The chair he’d bribed Morghan to ensure was beside Honor’s.

“Excellent display today, Colm,” Niklas said. “It’s fascinating to see how you and the warriors move with your swords. And interact with the nanami.”

“Glad you enjoyed it.” He glanced to his other side. “And did you enjoy it?”

Honor raised a brow. “Very much. I enjoy winning.”

There was a round of good-natured laughter. Colm lifted his mug of ale to Honor. “But you didn’t win, Agent Brandall. It was a draw.” He took a sip and watched as her gaze zeroed in on his mouth. He saw a flash of something in her pale-green eyes.

“But I will next time,” she said.

His gut tightened. He found this woman very intriguing. There was no room in his life for a woman—not a permanent one, and never a bondmate. His nanami roused, anger rising. He took another sip and pushed the sensations away. But this fascinating skyflyer who would leave when her mission was over… How long would it take him to talk her into his bed?

They ate the various courses the servers brought out from the kitchens. Wide platters filled with all manner of Markarian game, and fruit and vegetables from Kavon’s farmlands. Colm noted most of their visitors avoided the raw-meat delicacies.

He nudged a platter of meat toward Honor. “This is the meat from a wulver beast. I brought him down myself, just before you arrived. Women don’t usually eat it, it is the food of a warrior.”

“Oh?” There was a stubborn undertone to her voice. She lifted her fork and speared some of the meat. Not breaking her gaze from his, she popped the morsel into her mouth and chewed.

She had a strong face, Colm decided. Strength covered with that warm, golden-colored skin. He wondered what that skin would feel like under his hands.

He spotted the glint of metal on her finger and looked harder. A ring. He frowned. He hadn’t seen it when she was sword-fighting with him. He hoped that didn’t mean she was taken. “What’s this?”

She held her hand out. “It was my mother’s. I usually keep it on a chain around my neck when I’m working.” She smiled at it a little sadly.

“You lost her,” he said.

Honor nodded. “My planet, Predia, was destroyed in the Frontier Wars. My parents were soldiers, and my mother was killed in the fighting.” Honor stroked the pretty twist of what looked like gold, silver and platinum. “I was only a baby. My father managed to escape with me and my brothers.”

Colm couldn’t imagine his entire planet being destroyed. “I’m sorry. I…lost my parents, too.” Ugly, black emotion swelled. He’d kept nothing that reminded himself of the toxic relationship his parents had shared.

Her gaze traced his face. Colm got the impression she sensed more and was trying to read him.

“Thank you,” she said.

Niklas Phoenix cleared his throat and leaned forward. “Kavon, Colm…I think it’s time we discuss our expedition and what I discovered in my research.”

Colm reluctantly looked away from Honor and focused on the man.

“I did extensive research on the First Warriors and their ship. As you know, records from old Earth are patchy. But since our expedition to the planet, we have managed to attain new information. I found a record of the Excalibur leaving Earth. That was the name of their ship. It was named after a mythical sword.”

Kavon nodded. With one hand, he pushed food onto Aurina’s plate. It was warrior tradition to show your interest in a woman by feeding her, providing for her. “That is good news, Niklas. At first, I was concerned that the very foundation of Markarian beliefs, and the Way of the Warrior, would be ruined by learning more about our ancestors.” He glanced at Aurina with a smile. “But my mate convinced me that nothing can change the culture we have built for ourselves. The First Warriors were men and women, just like us, and whatever choices and mistakes they may have made, they made life better for us.”