Page 63 of Claimed By the Alien Barbarian

“Any time,” Khol said.

Nevarn kissed me quickly and whispered by my ear. “I’ll find you soon?”

“Yes, do.”

The two males left, and I followed them outside, watching as they strode in the opposite direction of where Nevarn and I were staying.

“Where would you like to go?” Khol asked pleasantly, his hand on the hilt of the stone blade strapped to his waist. He wore a simple, black cotton tunic and dark pants, and he’d left his long silver hair down. A breeze caught it and swirled it around his head until he smoothed it and tied it with a scrap of leather at the nape of his neck.

“The market.” In addition to looking over the embroidered items, it was time to do some investigating. Would villagers share information with me if they weren’t eager to talk to Nevarn? I was about to find out.

Khol’s arm swept out to our right. “This way, then.”

We strolled down a narrow path and out into the bustling village square about the size of half a football field.

Vendors had set up tables with their wares on one side of the big open area, and I headed in their direction, stopping at the first display to admire jewelry made from tiny shells and precious stones.

Khol moved off to the side, facing me. His sharp gaze scanned the area, and I was grateful to have him with me. I could defend myself if need be, but this way, I could ask questions and look at the items in each shop without worrying about someone rushing up behind me.

“See anything you like?” the male standing behind the jewelry table asked in a cheerful voice.

“Oh, I don’t have money. Coins.” I doubted they used debit cards here.

“Everything is free.”

The clothing, I understood, but these items had been handcrafted by this artist. “You don’t charge for your work?”

“I do this for the joy it brings me,” he said, shooting me a tusky grin. “I have no need for money or coins, though I understand some Zuldruxians use them for trade. Here,” his hand swept out to the other laden tables nearby, “everything is free.”

What an amazing concept. “You must accept trades, then.”

“Sometimes. But there’s no need to trade anything if you see something you’d like to claim as your own. If my friend, Argost here,” he tapped the arm of the male I’d met who stood behind the table next to his, “wants one of my necklaces or somethingfeaturing jewels and shells to hang on the wall of his home or around his neck, I would give it to him. Later, I might admire one of his nicely embroidered tunics and he would give it to me. It all balances out.”

“Yes, this.” Argost said with a smile.

“We have three areas within the village where items may be chosen,” the first male said. “Like your lovely dress. It looks good on your human form.”

“Thank you. Have you lived on the island all your life?”

“I have indeed. My family has for many generations. We weren’t among those who blamed the gods for the disease, so we’ve reaped the benefits of our relationship with the gods for longer than my family can remember.”

“It’s gorgeous here. You must love it.”

“I do. It’s cooler during the hot months when the mainland swelters, and more moderate when it gets colder. The sea helps with that. Such a vast body of water chills and heats much slower, and it shares . . .” He looked past me. “Ah, there’s my mate.” He grinned as she came nearer. “Marlesta? This is Nevarn’s new mate.”

“Kerry,” I said, turning to greet the older female Zuldruxian.

She smiled and dipped her head forward. “Welcome. It’s nice to meet you.” She wore a tunic similar to her mate’s, plus a skirt instead of pants. She’d pulled her hair up in a bun on the back of her head, adorning it with shells and jewels like those her mate used to make jewelry.

“It’s nice to meet you as well.”

“I came to see if you wanted to take a walk, Yestar,” she said to her mate. Her gaze swept to me. “You as well if you’d like. I plan to pick berries.”

“I can’t,” Yestar said. “But you two females go without me.”

“I’d love to.” This was perfect. I could get to know a new friend and pick her brain about what happened to Weela. Khol would follow, keeping us both safe.

“Do you mind leaving the village?” she asked me. “I understand if you’d prefer to remain close in case your mate needs you.”

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