Page 41 of Claimed By the Alien Barbarian

She bent closer to study the grass. “You mentioned stone, but I thought that meant your old clan worshiped stone monuments or something like that.”

“The clan is closely bound to their stone gods, but they’re everywhere around us.”

“You said your Celedar Clan is bound to wood, and I’ve seen you have a bond with trees. Helena is your only clan god.”

“Yes.”

“I think I’m finally figuring it out.” She stared around.

I tried to see it like she might. A broad island that would take a few hours walking to encircle or at least one hour if a male walked through the middle. Lush, stone vegetation wavered in the breeze. Varying shades of purple, as she’d pointed out, though other colors spotted the landscape. A gradual rise to the middle of the island where the village was located, though we couldn’t see it from here due to the forest we’d soon walk through—one without Celedar gods. The ocean surrounded us, also made up of varying shades of purple, though the waves were capped with white.

A few ryvars circled overhead. The riders would’ve seen us approaching the island, and if I knew my older brother’s guards, they would’ve notified him of our pending arrival already. Would he allow me to remain here long enough to prove my innocence? When we met at the clan gathering, he told me I waswelcome to visit. My banishment was over, but that didn’t mean the clan would want me looking into Weela’s murder.

Many times, a banished person died during their time away or they found a new life. I’d thankfully lived long enough to return. If I could prove I hadn’t killed my first mate, I would leave here with my head held high and a feeling of satisfaction in my heart.

We entered the spindly forest and strode side by side, Molly bobbing on Kerry’s shoulder. The grundar leaned against Kerry’s neck, clutching fistfuls of my mate’s hair. Her little nose twitched as she peered this way and that.

“There are no grundars on the islands,” I said. “I’ll tell the clan they’re not allowed to eat her.”

“Eat her?” Kerry stalled on the path, her hand going to Molly’s side. “Why would they want to eat her?”

“Because grundars taste good. We hunt them on the mainland.”

Kerry’s face fell. “I enjoy meat. I’ll admit it. And I’m not opposed to hunting, something I’ve done a few times myself. But it’s different when the creature you’re contemplating eating is a friend.”

“They’ll leave her alone,” I said grimly. “I’ll make sure of it.”

“Thank you.” She scooped Molly from her shoulder and continued walking, holding the grundar like a youngling in her arms. “Tell me more about how we’ll learn who killed Weela.”

“We’ll speak with everyone who knew her.”

“If they’re willing to talk to you. Will her father attack you like Heldwep just did?”

“I hope not.” I tapped the hilt of my wooden spear. “Now that my banishment is over, they risk being punished if they try to harm me.”

“Your brother may have information,” she said. “He believed you, didn’t he?”

“Yes, he did, and I hope he’s learned something while I was gone.”

The forest thinned, and we stopped on the edge, staring toward the village built on the top of the hill in the middle of the island and surrounded by a high stone wall.

A broad field stretched between where we stood and the path winding up the hill speckled with a few scrubby trees.

“How many people live in the village?” Kerry asked.

“The Dastalon Clan has three hundred or so members. Younglings may have been born since I left. While a few live on the smaller islands, the majority reside here in the buildings ahead.”

“Where will we stay?” she asked, nibbling on her lower lip.

I was sure someone else lived in the home I’d shared with Wella. I’d built it myself, but I had no interest in asking them to leave. I’d prefer to stay somewhere new with Kerry. “We’re about to find out.”

We were halfway across the open area when a shriek pierced the very air around us.

I reeled around and watched as Faelest dove toward us with her burnished gold wings tucked tight to her sides.

Chapter 21

Kerry

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