Page 61 of Claimed By the Alien Barbarian

“Oh, um.” I dropped the slice on my plate, and it clattered against the thin stone surface. “That’s not quite what I expected.”

Nevarn lifted his bacon and munched through it, but his teeth were twice as big as mine and his tusks made quick work of the stone food. “Tasty.”

“It’s not pork.” I explained what it was.

“We hunt like that in the forest and smoke the meat, though we call it something else. I believe you’ll enjoy that more thanthis. Remember, the gods don’t provide meat. This is a stone version of what you asked for.”

I poked my omelet. “Then what’s this? Eggs come from chickens and most consider them meat.”

“An egg isn’t a fully formed being, which means the gods are happy to provide it at our request. However, they prefer to gift us vegetables and fruit. Grains.”

“A woman cannot live on veggies and fruit, let alone grains, alone.” This woman couldn’t, that is. “Although, bread is a grain.” I lifted my cinnamon roll and tentatively bit into it. It was as soft and chewy as bread should be, but the flavors were off. “I take it the gods don’t know what sugar is, let alone cinnamon.” I gently laid it back on my plate.

“I don’t know what soo-gar or sin-ee-mon are, so I assume they don’t either.”

“What do you normally eat for breakfast?”

“Vegetables and fruits. Grains.”

Of course. “Hey, stone gods? Could I have a traditional Zuldruxian meal instead of this?”

My plate shimmered and sunk into the table’s surface, and a new plate appeared on the counter, loaded with vegetables, fruit, and a pile of grains. After retrieving it, I ate, and honestly, everything tasted fantastic. Nevarn munched through his original meal, moaning at how wonderful it was.

Melwarn and the other male finished and rose, coming over to stand beside Nevarn, nodding politely to me.

The male I didn’t know dipped his head forward. “I’m Argost.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said.

“If you would like to have an embroidered tunic or dress,” his gaze slid across my body in a professional way, “I have items in my shop I’ll happily show you.”

“Argost embroiders clothing provided by the gods,” Melwarn said. “His shop is next to mine.”

“They sound pretty. I’ll be happy to stop by,” I said.

“I look forward to it.”

Melwarn’s gaze slid to Nevarn, and his body tightened. “Will you be staying on the island long?”

Nevarn rose and braced the male’s forearms. “We’re only here for a short visit.”

Melwarn grunted and lowered his voice, though no one else sat near us. “I couldn’t speak yesterday. There were other customers nearby.” He peered around before leaning close to Nevarn. “I have information about Weela I’d like to share. Could you come see me soon?”

Nevarn’s eyes widened. “Yes, I will.”

“Good, good,” Melwarn said in a jovial voice that drew many eyes our way. “If the other potential mates are anything like Kerry, I hope the gods look on me with favor.”

Argost grinned. “I’m going to travel to the central god island soon to ask them to send me a mate. I’m lonely, and I’d treasure a mate for the rest of my days. I will, of course, ask them to send someone who’d consider a Zuldruxian male such as me. I’d offer her one of the temporary residences to stay in while I woo her. If she grew to care for me, wonderful. If not,” he sighed, “I wouldn’t force anything, naturally.”

“I wouldn’t either,” Melwarn said gruffly. “Who would?” He gave Nevarn a sharp look and a subtle nod before he and Argost strolled toward the entrance, still talking about ways they might woo a potential mate.

Nevarn sat again, his steady gaze meeting mine. “Interesting, don’t you think?”

“Yes. I’d love to go with you when you speak with Argost.”

“Which we’ll do as soon as we can.”

Chapter 31

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