Lost in Barbarian Space(42)
“Come on, Colm. Almost there.”
Finally, he pulled himself onto a high ledge beside Honor. He saw another tunnel entrance nearby. Quickly he reached out and touched her face, just to reassure himself she was okay.
She pressed her palm over his hand, turned her face into his touch.
“You okay?” she asked.
He nodded. He was. For the moment.
Then he heard noises below. He pulled back, holding a finger to his mouth. Together, they leaned over and looked down.
Five of the white-furred creatures had entered the cavern below. Even from up high, they looked huge. Their white fur was thick and covered every part of their body. The lead beast moved around the cavern, searching, sniffing.
If these things were what Colm thought they were, he knew they’d have an excellent sense of smell.
“We need to keep moving.”
The creature reached the base of the wall they’d climbed. And looked up.
Colm saw dark eyes lock with his. He ducked back, away from the ledge. “Go. Into the tunnel.”
Honor scrambled up and into the tunnel. Side-by-side, they carried on.
“So, more than the wolves call Ansar home,” Honor said. “Do you have creatures like these ones on Markaria?”
He shook his head. “But we used to.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
“They look like early Markarians. Like my ancestors.”
Her eyes widened. “Before you had nanami? Before the First Warriors bred human DNA into them?”
“Yes. These creatures are similar. They just appear to be adapted for the cold weather. Instead of the bronze skin, they have fur.”
Honor slowed to a stop and put her hands on her hips. “Okay. So what do we need to know about them?”
“They are wild, beast-like, and excellent hunters.” He met her gaze. “Meat eaters.”
She groaned. “All right, let’s keep moving.” She looked at her watch. “We still have several hours until the storm dissipates and we can go topside.”
Colm reached out and touched the nape of her neck. “You don’t mind…that I come from something like those beasts hunting us?”
She touched his chest. “Warrior, that is a stupid question. You’re part human, as well. You make the choices in your life to be good, be bad, protect, hurt. Those creatures don’t have that capability.”
Her words reminded him that one day he would no longer have that capability either.
“What?” she demanded.
He saw her watching him. “I am closer to those beasts than you think.” He shook his head. “We need to keep going.”
She looked like she wanted to demand more explanation, but she fell into step beside him. “Colm?”
He tensed. “Yes?”
“I don’t mind being stuck in ice tunnels, hunted by wild beasts, stranded on an icy moon, and lost in barbarian space as long as I’m with you.” Her tone was soft.
The feelings that moved within were a mess of savage satisfaction, hope, anger, and despair. Colm felt the connection between them, knew his nanami had been telling him this from the moment he’d met her.
Honor was his.
He dropped his hand and stepped back. And he could never claim her.
“Let’s go.”
Trekking through the ice tunnels, Honor could feel the tension throbbing off Colm.
“Colm, talk to me.”
She saw a muscle working in his jaw, but he stubbornly remained silent.
She stopped. “I’m not taking another step until you tell me what’s wrong with you. I know you’re hiding something—”
“My nanami…they have slipped my control. Seeing you threatened has them riled.”
“I’m fine.” She nudged him with her elbow. “And I can take care of myself, remember?”
He stopped and looked down at her. “I know, my little warrior, but that doesn’t change my need to protect you.”
Quiet fell between them and all she could hear was the rapid beating of her heart. “Do you…do you feel that way about all the women who share your bed?”
“No.” It was less a word than a growl.
His answer warmed something deep inside her.
They walked on, taking twists and turns through the tunnels. As they came to a junction, she saw Colm cock his head.
“What is it?”
“They’re coming.” He grabbed her arm and pulled her forward.
They broke into a run, sprinting down the ice tunnel. Honor took the lead, glancing back periodically to see if she could spot their pursuers. She turned a corner, and the solid ice beneath her feet disappeared. She landed waist-deep in icy, slushy water.
“Honor!” Colm roared.
The water had chunks of ice floating in it and Honor felt the cold seeping in through her clothes. It was frigid.