Page 74 of Claimed By the Alien Barbarian

Thin vines appeared on the floor, and Nevarn used them to tie Gilard’s hands behind his back. The other male groaned as Nevarn rolled him back and forth to secure them, and his eyes opened, but he didn’t try to fight back.

Firion lifted Gilard to his feet and studied his face. “Can you walk, or do I need to drag you?”

“I can walk,” Gilard said softly, all the fire and heat beaten out of him. He’d been caught, and he knew it. Perhaps he was thinking about how he’d have to struggle to survive once he and his mate had been banished.

The two males left, and Nevarn shut the door.

Molly crept out from beneath the bed and scampered over to sit beside us. A few pats set things right in her world.

When I straightened, Nevarn cupped my cheeks in his warm hands. “You’re sure he didn’t hurt you?”

I wrapped my arms around him. “He didn’t. You’re going to be sore tonight.”

His sad smile rose. “I don’t mind. I’m just grateful we’ve exposed Weela’s murderer. As the elder said, maybe now she can rest in peace.”

“It’s over, then.”

“It is.”

“Then I think you and I need to go home.”

“Home,” he said, drawing me closer. “Yes, it’s time for me to take my mate home.”

Chapter 38

Kerry

EPILOGUE

The elder made the announcement and Gilard and Heldwep were banished from the clan. They were escorted to a waiting everlipe and taken to the mainland, then far across the forest. Left there, they were told never to return to the clan again. It was a harsher punishment than the one Nevarn received, but their crime was deemed even more serious.

We stayed a few days to visit with Firion before we left, cruising across the sea on an everlipe and then walking through the forest for days, stopping by the river each night to catch and cook fish and relax by the fire, getting to know each other better.

I’d found a best friend and a male I would love until my dying day, and that made me feel complete. I no longer wanted to return to Earth. My life and my heart belonged to Nevarn and Zuldrux.

In a short time, we’d reach Celedar Clan territory.

Molly skipped along the ground beside us, pausing to stand on her hind legs and sniff the air, her whiskers twitching. She was a joy to travel with, never complaining and always happy to ride on Nevarn’s shoulder or in my arms. She was the best guarddog, letting us know if predators were near, and I hoped she’d choose to stay with us once we were home. I had a feeling she might.

As we walked the last stretch, huge trees towered over us. The canopy whispered in the wind, seeming to sing with happiness that the clan traedor was returning home with his head held high and happiness burning across his soul.

“I’m nervous,” I said as Nevarn led me up to the tree where Helena, the clan god, resided. “It was hard enough getting used to the idea of gods sending me my food and clothing. But meeting one?”

I still wasn’t convinced she was a god, but it no longer mattered. I respected the relationship she had with her clan, and I was excited—though nervous—to meet her.

“She’ll welcome you,” he said. “Never fear.” He squeezed my hand. “She’ll love you as much as I do.”

We hadn’t hurried to get here, but instead, had taken our time. We wanted to get to know each other better, and this was basically our honeymoon, since the Zuldruxians didn’t hold weddings like humans. His wrist showed the mark of our mating, and that was all the world around us needed to say we were married.

My own mating mark had appeared on my arm this morning, and I’d cried when I saw it. In my heart, I knew we were meant for each other, but seeing the matching symbol etched delicately into my skin was like him sliding a wedding band on my finger. I couldn’t stop staring at it, admiring it, which only made Nevarn laugh. Then he’d swept me up in his arms and kissed me.

We spent a lot of our travel time kissing, among other things.

Along the way, we’d played in the river together, swimming and lounging before stuffing ourselves on fish beside our campfire. We’d only walked a few hours each day, preferring tolay back in meadows full of flowers, make love, and talk about our hopes and dreams for our future.

But now it was time to open a new chapter of our lives and for me to see if I fit into his clan.

He didn’t knock on the side of the tree, but simply placed his palm on it. The bark split down the middle, and the sides slid away to reveal a dark opening the size of a small door.

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