Lost in Barbarian Space(6)
Her gaze lifted and met his. Colm held it. Her eyes were a fascinating pale green.
He saw her nostrils flare, like she was scenting the air…scenting him. He suppressed a frown. She couldn’t have nanami like Markarians, so was she…enhanced in some other way?
It was a little mystery Colm intended to solve.
“Ho-ly cow.” The piping voice broke the silence. A young girl pushed forward and did a graceful twirl. “This place is rocking. Almost like a castle.” A gusty sigh. “I always wanted to live in a castle.”
Colm’s eyes widened. This girl was in her late teens, and her hair was a shocking shade of pink. Like the flower of a wenga vine.
The girl’s bold gaze landed on Colm, taking in his chest and form in a way that made him damned uncomfortable.
“Holy muscles.” She peered at him more closely. “Big guy, your muscles have muscles.”
Phoenix cleared his throat. “Lala…it’s polite to greet people before you start commenting on their appearance.” He shook his head. “Actually, I’d prefer if you didn’t comment on anyone’s appearance.”
The pink-haired girl shrugged and pulled something from her top pocket. She popped it in her mouth and started chewing. “You got it, Nik. My lips are sealed.”
A look crossed the man’s face and it told Colm the man wasn’t buying the girl’s assurances.
Kavon moved forward and all gazes moved to him.
“I am Kavon Mal Dor. Welcome to Markaria.” He put his arm around Aurina and tugged her to his side.
Colm watched the woman press into her warrior’s side. Love, security, acceptance.
He’d never seen a connection like theirs growing up. All he could remember was his father’s shouts and fists and his mother’s screams and sobs.
He looked away from Kavon and Aurina and noticed the golden-haired woman watching him with a curious frown.
Looked like she didn’t miss much. Colm would have to remember that.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Warlord Mal Dor. I’m Niklas Phoenix, Director of Acquisitions for the Institute of Historical Preservation.” The man came forward to shake hands. “My cousins have…had a lot to say.”
Kavon’s teeth flashed. “Aurina’s brothers are not particularly thrilled she mated me and stayed on Markaria.”
Niklas smiled. “That would be putting it mildly.”
Aurina sniffed. “My brothers are…overprotective.” She raised a brow at her mate. “Unfortunately, my husband is as well.”
“They love you,” Niklas said. “We are extremely excited to be here. We’ve been studying the information and images that Aurina sent through regarding the discovery of the ship of the Earth explorers. The First Warriors. Fascinating stuff. And—” the man’s blue eyes gleamed “—we’ve found some extra information that should prove very interesting for you, Warlord Mal Dor.”
“Call me Kavon.” When Aurina elbowed him, he glanced at her, then back at Nik. “Please.”
The astro-archeologist smiled. “Kavon. But before we go any further, let me introduce my team.” He lifted a hand at the tall woman by his side. “This is my partner, Nera.”
The woman didn’t say a word, just gave a slow nod.
Colm’s instincts still itched. He would not turn his back on this one.
“Seriously, you guys don’t want to mess with Nera.” The pink-haired one called Lala blew a huge bubble that snapped with a loud pop. “She might not be as big as you guys, but she’ll make Tanari hash out of you with her sword quicker than you can say—”
“Lala,” Nik said with exaggerated patience.
“Sorry.” The girl’s smile said she was nothing of the sort. “Nera is badass, especially if anyone tries to hurt Nik.”
Nera looked at Lala.
The girl’s mouth snapped shut. “Right. Quiet now.” She made a zipping motion across her lips. Then she leaned toward Colm, a conspiratorial look on her face. “I think I just wet myself a little bit.”
“This is Lala,” Nik said. “She’s a student assistant on this trip. It’s a part of her studies.”
The girl nodded. “I haven’t decided what I’m going to specialize in yet. Explosives, weapons creation, astro-archeology, cooking…I’m keeping my options open.”
Nik rolled his eyes to the ceiling, and even the woman, Nera, looked like a faint smile was threatening.
“And this is Agent Honor Brandall.” Nik swept his hand at the other woman.
The blonde stepped forward.
“She’s Nera’s second-in-command on the security team on our ship the Magellan.”