Page 11 of Barbarian Brothers

“You’re supposed to eat the core and the seeds,” Izzo chimes in.

They both watch me as I follow their instructions. I use my fingers to remove the pulp from the dark purple peel, then slurp it piece by piece. It is sweet and tangy, akin to a citrus fruit, but there’s also a hint of something similar to a much mellower kind of cinnamon. It’s good.

“I like it,” I tell them. “What do you call this?”

“Sun fruit,” Izzo says. “It’s our staple food. You’ll find it everywhere on Sunna. It grows on trees and can withstand pretty much any environment.”

“What environment other than hot do you people have on this planet?” Jewel questions.

“There are slightly cooler regions toward the north and the south,” Binzen says. “We don’t know what your definition of hot is, however. For us, tonight is quite chilly as opposed to other days.”

They tell us more about their seasons and about the alignment of the stars and the neighboring planets. The traditional Sunnis still use the sky as their navigation tool, whether by land or water. The Sky Tribe uses computerized systems and observatories. It’s odd how a civilization could split itself into such different halves.

The others go on about their evening, with only a handful of guards staying close to keep an eye on my friends. Nobody expects me to cause any trouble since I am basically flanked by their two leaders.

“What of the plague?” I ask Binzen and Izzo. “You said it’s not the first time you’ve had to deal with such a horrible disease.”

The brothers exchange dark glances, and for a moment, I expect them to change the subject. It seems to be the source of great pain and bitter memories. But Binzen does come through. “The last recorded plague brought our people closer together,” he says. “It was about surviving and working together. I don’t know when or how the separation occurred in this instance. I only remember our father taking Izzo and me away from the city when he joined the rest of the Fire Tribe. We’d already seen and heard plenty of arguments on the matter as more of our women perished.”

“And you two sharing a woman is a regular thing here?” Cynthia asks.

My face burns red as I finish the rest of my sun fruit, unable to ignore the warm tingling in my chest. I’m not sure if it’s the food or the brothers’ effect on me, but I am positive my arousal is swelling to the point where there’s a deliciously persistent ache between my legs. An emptiness in desperate need of filling.

“Yes. All the males of Sunna share a woman. They are either friends or brothers, always,” Izzo says. “It strengthens our bonds, and it has built our world over the eons. Our bodies connect to the female upon sight. It’s not something we can control but rather something we have learned to live with. We’re never jealous of one another, Cynthia. And the female gladly submits and carries our children. Speaking of… It’s time for you to meet someone, Amber.”

Just as Izzo says that one of the guards comes into the square with a small child in his arms, a sweet little boy with soft, pink skin and fiery red eyes. Two small horns protrude from the topof his head, reminding me of a young goat. He’s so chunky and cute that I could melt. My heart is beating harder and faster as the guard proceeds to give me the child to hold.

I’m breathless as I look down at him.

“This is our son,” Binzen says. “His name is Valen. He’s two years old. His mother died shortly after giving birth to him.”

The pain in his voice makes my throat tighten. “Your wife,” I reply.

“Alana. The plague took her,” Izzo sighs. “She was our mate. We bonded with her upon first sight, much like we did with you. We became inseparable. The best of friends. We hunted and led our people together.”

“Valen is your son now,” Binzen says.

“Hold on. So you two plan to take Amber to your bedroom, share her, and then she’s supposed to raise your kid, too?” Alicia exclaims. “This is preposterous!”

“Our bodies and souls have already spoken,” Binzen replies, his tone sharper and heavier. He doesn’t like being questioned over and over, not when we’re strangers barging in on their customs. Something tells me he and his brother have been lonely for quite some time, too. “Our bond is strong and unbreakable. Amber is our wife now. And Valen needs a mother.”

“I’m not sure I give much credence to this whole bonding thing,” I cut in, choosing to ignore my own sensations and instincts.

“It is biological,” Izzo says, his gaze burning holes into my very soul. “You feel it, don’t you?”

“Do you feel it, Amber?” Cynthia asks me.

I look at her and shrug lightly. “I’m not sure. I don’t know how to describe how I’m feeling right now.”

“Well, you need to find your words, honey, because if the same is supposed to happen to the rest of us, we have to know what we’re in for,” she shoots back. “Remember, it’s the four of us together.”

“Not anymore,” Binzen decrees. “Perhaps you ladies should get some rest. Take the night and sleep. You’ve been through enough for one day. I’m sure it couldn’t have been easy.”

Izzo motions for the guards to come closer. Jewel is tempted to slap one of their hands as they approach her. “Don’t even think about it!” she hisses.

“Please, go willingly,” Izzo says. “They are only here to protect you and our people from one another, but also from yourselves. You will sleep soundly and safely in your new beds, and tomorrow, you shall awaken and see Sunna through a different lens. I promise.”

“It’s best if we comply,” Alicia says to the girls. “Let’s keep our cool and get some sleep.”

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