Page 43 of Claimed By the Alien Barbarian

I grinned. He was so cute with this beast who was anything but little. But she had a sweetness about her that made me want to talk baby talk to her as well, so I could understand. I patted her again, and she leaned her head against my arm. Even Molly gave a peep goodbye.

Faelest took off, soaring above us as we continued up the hill. As we approached the large wooden mesh gate, someone standing on the wall surrounding the village called out and waved.

Nevarn’s breath caught, and he waved back. “They’re . . .”

I leaned into his side. “I bet a lot of your former clan is glad to see you.”

“Maybe.” His smile slipped. “We’ll find out.”

As we approached it, the gate opened.

A Zuldruxian warrior dressed in a linen tunic, belted with a band of gold, stepped outside the wall. His body bristled with weapons, from blades in sheaths strapped around his waist to one on his thigh, to the spear he held sporting a sharp, thin stone head.

He waited, frowning as we strode up to him and stopped. “Nevarn.”

Nevarn grunted, his hands by his sides, not touching one of the weapons he still wore. “Firion.”

Was this his older brother and the traedor of the Dastalon Clan? I could see the resemblance in their teal eyes and the strong shape of his jawline, though Firion had an almost pretty boy slant to his eyes and face that must make all the females swoon.

I preferred Nevarn’s sharper angles and the way his eyes gleamed when he looked my way.

They were about the same build, though Firion was an inch or so taller than Nevarn.

Firion stepped up to Nevarn and wrapped his arms around his younger brother. “Welcome, brother. Welcome.”

Chapter 22

Nevarn

Iwasn’t sure how I’d be greeted, though my brother had not believed I’d killed Weela. My grandfather, sadly, was convinced I’d done it, but he’d been a harsh male. He’d raised us after our parents died, and he’d had a strict hand and a snarly demeanor. Perhaps he’d resented having to take care of two younglings when he was already busy as clan traedor. Or perhaps he was mourning the loss of the son he’d adored, my father. Whatever the reason, I never felt close to him. He was much too critical of me and much too indulgent toward my brother, his presumed heir. Even Firion had remarked on it, telling me it wasn’t fair.

At least I’d had him.

Hugging my brother felt amazing, like I’d finally come home. But my home was with my Celedar Clan, not here, and I suspected the males who’d left with me felt the same.

I stepped back out of his embrace and nodded. “Thank you.”

“I’m glad you took me up on my offer.” Firion’s intent gaze landed on Kerry. “This is your mate.”

He didn’t ask, and that didn’t surprise me. He’d seen the women lying in stasis on the central god island, plus the onesnow mated to Zuldruxian males. He must note the mating mark on my wrist that Kerry had recently discovered. I’d wanted to give her a chance to love me for who I was, not because the gods chose her for me.

“This is Kerry.” I wrapped my arm around her waist and tugged her closely. “Yes, she’s my mate.” Pride shone in my voice. She was everything to me already, and I couldn’t imagine going on without her.

Molly scrambled out of Kerry’s arms to perch on my shoulder.

“This is Molly,” I said. “Our pet. We won’t be eating her.”

“I see,” Firion said, his brow scrunching. His gaze traveled to my hand and softened with envy. Was my brother as lonely as me? “Congratulations.” Stepping over to Kerry, he hesitated, studying her face, before he enveloped her in a hug as well. “Welcome, sister.”

Pain stabbed through my chest, and my throat ached so much, I couldn’t swallow. His welcome meant so much to me.

He backed up but couldn’t look away from Kerry, and a touch of jealousy shot through me, a feeling I had no right to.

I hoped what was growing between Kerry and me would continue to grow into more. We would discover who’d killed Weela and then we could talk about a future together. Over the past week, I’d gotten to know her better, and there was no one else I wanted standing by my side. If the gods were kind, she’d soon feel the same way.

As long as my deficiency didn’t drive her away like it had Weela.

“Someone tried to kill me on my way here,” I said.

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