Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
The sun was setting and the first of Markaria’s moons was on the rise when Colm’s group made it back to Kavon’s estate. Hooves clattered on the cobblestones and some of the Institute team looked exhausted.
Looking at Honor, sitting straight and tall on her hargon, you wouldn’t have guessed she’d made such a long journey and then, on top of that, fought off a band of raiders. Especially not with a skill Colm found breathtaking.
The strange droid moved behind them, carrying the escape pod. He glanced at it, still marveling that such a small thing could carry something far larger than itself.
As they pulled to a stop, a crowd came down the steps of Kavon’s house. Kavon and Aurina, Niklas and Nera, the young girl, Lala, and a bunch of others.
“Well done,” Niklas said. “A Terran escape pod.” The man hurried over to look at the artifact.
Kavon nodded and Colm returned his friend’s gesture.
“Any problems?” Kavon asked.
“Raiders. They won’t be a problem anymore.” Colm slid off his hargon and handed the reins to the waiting stable boy.
“Good work protecting our visitors.”
Colm shot him a small smile. “Actually, they did an admirable job of protecting themselves.” His gaze caught Honor’s. “Agent Brandall is a formidable fighter.”
Niklas stood. “There’s an ID plate here. It was hidden under the slime.” The man smiled. “This pod is from the Valhalla.”
There was a small round of cheers.
Niklas held up a hand. “It proves the Valhalla made it here, but we still have to find it.”
“And our scans don’t show anything ship-sized on the planet,” Nera said.
Niklas nodded. “Tomorrow, Kavon is taking us to see the wreck of the Excalibur. Perhaps we’ll find more clues there.” He eyed the pod. “Or in here.”
Honor stepped forward. “There is another possibility. I’m no astro-archeologist, but I’m good at analyzing the facts. The Valhalla was clearly in trouble if they released an escape pod. Markaria has two moons. Could there be a chance the ship crash-landed on one of them?”
Colm’s gaze went up to the night sky. He could see the first of Markaria’s moons—Ansar—hanging in the sky. The smaller, Myrine, would follow shortly.
“That’s a good theory, Honor,” Niklas said. “Kavon, with your permission, we’d like to run scans of the moons from our smaller expedition ship, the Drake.”
“One moon is rocky with little atmosphere,” Honor said. “It should be quick to scan that. The second moon, however, has an atmosphere, but it’s covered in snow and ice. It might take a little longer to check that one out.”
Kavon nodded thoughtfully. “Very well. Again, Colm will help your team.”
Colm felt his gut harden. “Go in a ship? To the moons?” He’d never once considered stepping foot off Markaria. He wasn’t sure warriors were meant for space. Sure, after he’d met Aurina and her brothers, he’d thought about it, but the reality of it…
“What do you say, barbarian? You up for some flying?”
The challenge in Honor’s voice made him straighten. “I think I am, Agent Brandall.”
“All right,” Niklas called out. “I need the archeologists to stay and open this escape pod. Everyone else, we all have a busy day planned for tomorrow, so get some rest.”
Honor shot Colm a small smile. “Thanks for your help today, warrior.” Then she walked away, but not in the direction of the personal rooms assigned to their visitors. He knew she was headed for the large room Honor had asked for, to use as a training room for her security team.
Colm checked in with his men. The training he’d assigned for Kavon’s warriors had gone well.
“So, how was your mission to the meadows?”
Colm turned and saw a young warrior, Kian, grinning at him. “Fine.”
“I’ve seen the security agent you’re working with.” A look of appreciation crossed the man’s face. “I would trade you for the task in a heartbeat.”
An ugly feeling rose in Colm. “Have you finished work on those breathing exercises I left for you?”
The young warrior’s face cleared. “Uh…not yet, I was planning to?—”
“Finish them, Kian. I think you need to hone your control.” And your thoughts.
Colm headed off, planning to go to his rooms.
Instead, pulled by a force he didn’t seem to be able to fight, he found himself in the hallway leading to the security team’s training room.
He reached the doorway and paused. He sucked in a breath.
Honor’s discarded Institute uniform was draped over a chair. All she wore were tight, black leggings, and a tiny top that cupped her breasts and left her toned stomach bare.
She was working with her staff. Lunging, swinging it, moving like she was dancing.
She was gorgeous. He wanted her. Deep inside he felt a flicker, his nanami buzzing.
Today, she’d almost been hurt. The nanami felt like they were ebbing and flowing, pushing at him. He could have lost the chance to taste her because he hadn’t been fast enough, hadn’t protected her.
He dragged in a deep breath.
She spotted him and paused. “Hi.”
He cleared his throat. “Don’t stop on my account.”
She nodded, and moved her staff again in a long swing above her head. She lunged to the side, dropping low, one leg bent under her and the other out straight. Then she pushed upward, swinging the staff again. He found her moves almost hypnotic.
Watching her for a few minutes, he felt the intensity inside him settle. Soothed by her fluid movements.
Suddenly, he disliked the distance between them. He crossed the mat on the floor, moving in behind her until only an inch separated their skin.
He felt her go still.
“Will you show me?” he asked.
“How to use the staff?”
“Yes.”
She nodded. He reached around her and wrapped his hands over hers on the staff. She moved and he followed, their bodies brushing together with each slow swing and step.
He scented her arousal and his own surged. He closed the inch between them, pressing his chest against her back. She went still again—like prey scenting a hunter closing in.
But this woman was no prey. She was a warrior in her own right.
He leaned down and pressed his lips to her sweaty throat. “I can sense the blood rushing in you.”
She pulled in a shaky breath. “You know I’m attracted to you. There’s no point in me lying about it.” She shivered. “But I don’t think involvement with you is wise, and I’m not interested in a one-night stand. I’m told no woman shares your bed more than once.”
It was true. He could never risk feeling more for a woman, and the truth was, he’d never felt any desire to keep a woman longer.
But something told him one night with Honor wouldn’t be enough.
“I’ll show you how to use the staff, Colm, but that’s all.”
Okay, so his little warrior needed some more coaxing. He could be patient. He placed his hands on hers again and pulled the staff in to her chest. It nestled between her breasts.
He moved it, the slick surface sliding against her.
She let out a breath with a hiss. “Colm.” She pulled away. “I think you’ve had enough of this lesson. Let’s move onto sparring.” She strode across to some large bags against the wall. She rummaged around for a moment, then moved back to him.
She handed him a retracted staff.
He mimicked the way he’d seen her shake the weapon and it extended.
She raised her staff in front of her, holding it with both hands. “You showed me some sword-fighting, it’s only fair I show you some staff fighting.”
“Why do I get the impression you plan to leave bruises?” he said.
She gave him a sharp smile. “Are you afraid, barbarian?”
He lifted his staff. “Never.”
She took him through some basic moves. It wasn’t complicated, but it was different, compared to using a sword.
“Good.” She brushed her damp hair from her face. “Not bad.”
Colm pressed his tongue to his teeth. “How about a challenge? The winner can demand a boon from the other.”
She looked uncertain.
“If you’re afraid—” He shrugged and lowered his staff.
She put her hands on her hips. “I’m not six years old, Colm. That won’t work on me.”
He smiled.
“Damn you.” She shook her head. “Fine. If you win, what do you want?”
“A kiss.”
Her eyes narrowed. “That’s it?”
“Yes, but you have to kiss me with no inhibitions, no holding back.”
She looked away, nibbling on her lower lip, which made his cock twitch.
She looked up. “Fine.” She swung her staff up, tightening her grip on it and widening her stance. “Do you want to know what I want if I win?”
He lifted his staff. “No. Because I’m going to win.”
She bristled like a darken beast. “Because you’re a big, bad barbarian and I’m just a woman?”
“No. Because I really want that kiss.”
He saw a blush of heat in her cheeks.
With a growl, she stepped toward him, and slammed her staff against his. He moved, and they circled around. She came at him again. She was packing her hits with all her strength.
And dammit, she was making him work for it.
They parried a bit longer, staffs smacking together, feet shuffling across the mats. Finally, Colm saw his chance.
He stepped back, leaving himself open. An invitation she couldn’t ignore.
As soon as she lunged at him, he brought his staff up and knocked hers from her grip.
He saw her grit her teeth for a second. “You tricked me!”
“Did you think warriors were all just power and brawn?”
“No. But I didn’t think you were quite so cunning.”
“Ah, but with the right incentive…”
She released a long breath, then she strode forward. Without a word, she pressed her hands to his chest and leaned up on her toes.
Then she pressed her mouth against his.
It was like electricity through his body. She moved her lips softly, almost delicately over his.
“More,” he growled. His hands clamped on her hips.
Then the kiss ignited.
Colm groaned and wrapped his arms around her. She made a husky sound in her throat, and then she was practically trying to climb up his body. The kiss deepened, tongues tangling.