MANDY SURELY HAD a screw loose. What do you want to talk about? Geez, this wasn’t high school. And she wasn’t sitting around with a couple of girlfriends. She couldn’t believe the way things had twisted. Spirited away from the Franciscos and the resort with no one the wiser. Perfect. All alone with two of the sexiest men she’d ever met. Great. At their mercy in eastern Ussed where barbarians ruled and offworlders could be killed on a whim? Not so good.

She should have been more alarmed, being with two virtual strangers. But she’d been attracted to them from the start, and their gentleness, so at odds with their capability to cause harm, fascinated her. As did the notion she couldn’t be anywhere safer from Mike and his goons.

Yet…something about the way they watched her, the proprietary way they had of getting rid of her food, stealing her away from the resort, and making her decisions for her. That didn’t sit well. Had they not saved her the headache of escaping from Mike Francisco, she’d have let them have it. But at this point, she couldn’t return to the resort where she’d surely be missed.

She’d have to deal with Zehn and Lore, lull them into complacency, then take off when she had a better idea of her exact location. Because, hello, it was a jungle out there.

She rubbed her belly, hungry all of a sudden.

Zehn and Lore narrowed their gazes at her movement.

“What?”

The pair exchanged a glance, then Lore left.

“Where’s he going?”

“To get us something to eat.” Zehn settled his large frame onto the ground, his back against the wall of the hut, his legs splayed out, taking up a good portion of the interior of the place. “Tell me, Mandy of Earth, why are you unmated? How many years have you known?”

O-kay, so they weren’t going to talk about the weather, then. “If I answer your questions, will you answer mine?”

He nodded. “I have nothing to hide.”

At least the barbarians displayed their fierceness openly, unlike those at home who’d put on a good face while using her. Which made her wonder where she would go once she escaped Ussed. She couldn’t see hiding out by herself on the planet, not with random barbarian clans roaming the jungle. She couldn’t return to Earth, not with an invisible collar tethered to her neck. The justice system—yeah, right—would hand her back to her owners, no matter that her servitude hadn’t been legal or moral.

It seemed Ussed’s eastern lands would have to suffice for a while more.

Zehn waited with expectancy.

“To answer your questions, I’m twenty-four years old. I don’t have a mate because I haven’t found anyone I’d want to tie myself to.”

He watched her with an odd expression on his handsome face. Such a square jaw, and those piercing golden eyes.

She swallowed a sigh. “What?”

“Do all the Earthers have psychic ability?”

“It’s no big secret. Most of us do, though the majority of us are fairly weak.” Perhaps they hadn’t sensed her inner strength.

“But not you. Your fire burns bright.”

Crap. With any luck, they wouldn’t try to use her the way those on Earth had. “I can spark little things. I have a smattering of pyrokinesis, but not much.” And was that one whopper of a lie.

“This is an untruth.” He shook his head but didn’t seem upset. “In time you will trust us.”

“Well, you did kind of kidnap me.”

“Should we take you back?” He asked as if he knew the answer to that one. Before she could answer, he followed up with, “What did that Earther want with you?”

She debated whether or not to tell him. Though most barbarians didn’t want anything to do with offworlders, Mandy had been burned too many times to give anyone blind trust. “I think he has a crush on me.” At Zehn’s blank look, she said, “You know. He wanted to join with me.”

“And that is why he assaulted you? Because he wanted to join with you? Is this some strange type of Earther mating ritual?”

“Um, yes. No. I mean, some people like to get a little rough. I don’t though. That’s why I didn’t want to be with him.”

“Hmm.”

Clearly not buying her story. She cleared her throat and did her best to change the subject. “What about you? How many years have you known? How long have you and Lore been together? Have you always been in the Vyctore Clan?” Despite wanting to shift the attention from herself, she truly wanted to know more about him.

Zehn smiled. “You are a clever female.”

“Huh?”

“I have been alive for many years. A few more than your own, surely.”

“You don’t know?”

“We do not keep count. But mine are probably closer to thirty. When the phelthar rises in us, our maturity is met.”

“You mentioned phelthar before. What is it?”

“When did we speak of this?”

She blushed. “The first time I saw you and Lore together. You talked about it.”

He grinned. “Ah. Yes. We did join that eve.” He chuckled. “You’re adorable when you turn pink.”

She frowned.

He laughed harder. “Even more beautiful when you’re angry. Your fire burns, nueshka. In the best way.”

She wanted to be angrier about being patronized, but she didn’t think Zehn meant his comments that way. He seemed to like her looks as much as he liked that “weak” fire within her. Approval radiated from his frame, and the warmth she felt from his support surprised her.

“Phelthar,” he continued, “is that essence from Ussed that connects all living things. We feel that most keenly with our mates.”

“Are you mated?” Sex with Lore didn’t necessarily mean he had a wife or husband. And he’d had sex with her too. So what did that mean, exactly?

“I am bond-mated to Lore. He is part of me, in here.” He tapped his chest. “But we have been looking for a worthy female to complete us. One to bear our young, to care for, to trigger our instinct.”

She didn’t know why she felt such relief that though he and Lore were partnered, they continued to look for a third. Did she really want to throw her hat in the ring? Please. She had enough problems without two bossy giants telling her what to do all the time. Sure, the sex was fantastic, but Mandy wanted to finally be free. To make her own choices and stop having to run all the time.

When Zehn just sat there, staring at her, she motioned him with her hand. “And? Continue. How long have you and Lore been together?”

He studied her, and she had the disconcerting thought he could see inside her, to all her secrets. His golden eyes blazed. “Lore has been my friend since we were both children. His family came to the clan a few years after my birth. We have been playmates, gone through warrior training together, and created a pair-bond that turned into a true mating.” At her look of confusion, he explained. “Our clan has more males than females, and this makes life difficult for our people. Our males have a need. For violence, for sex, but mostly, for a physical and spiritual connection. Talzec, our alpha, has given us permission to take fellow warriors to pair with.”

“For sex,” she said.

He nodded. “Because without that pairing, we can become too violent. Ussed fills us with life, and we hunger to share it. But sex,” he said, using her word, “is not as fulfilling as it needs be. Lore and I knew we were meant for each other a long time ago. Back before Talzec took charge.” He sighed. “Then, male-to-male pairing was not allowed. It was not easy to hide what we felt, but we did. I did not want Lore to be sent away.”

“Why Lore and not you?”

“Lore is different. His green eye, his ability to connect.” He tapped his forehead. “He’s such a power, and much loved by Ussed.” Zehn’s smile softened. “By me.”

She felt a burning behind her eyes and felt like an idiot. But his honest love for his partner touched her. “But you can be together now, because Talzec allows it?”

“Yes. Talzec mated with Skye, a human. And his beta serves also as his bond-mate. They are powerful triad and growing stronger. The mating is blessed by the Maker.”

“Oh. That’s nice.” She knew they considered the Maker their god.

“The Vyctore clan has become the most powerful amongst all the tribes.” He looked fierce. “When we hold our Tribal Council, you will see.”

Would she still be around for that? She didn’t think so, but she said nothing about leaving. “What’s life like in your clan? Do you guys fight all the time?”

“No.” He chuckled. “We train, yes, because warring is a way of life among our people. But within our clan, we are joyous. The females are protected and cared for. Our people work hard. Dissent is not accepted, but honesty is encouraged. One may disagree with our alpha, and discussions occur in the commons. But Talzec’s word is law.”

“And your females. Are they allowed to petition your alpha?”

“Of course.”

“But I though the men ruled in barbarian culture.”

Lore returned and must have overheard, because he answered, “We do. When our females allow it.”

The men laughed and pulled a grin out of Mandy. “What’s that?” she asked, cringing at the string of bloodied hides he held.

Lore brightened. “I found a small pod of flehiks.” He handed them to Zehn, who left the hut to clean them, she supposed. Lore nodded. “One hunts, the other cleans and prepares the meal. You will enjoy them. They taste delicious.”

“Um, okay.” She didn’t think she could eat something she’d seen all bloodied, but she’d reserve judgement.

“You are feeling well?” Lore asked.

“Fine.”

He squatted down in front of her, such power and maleness radiating like a furnace. The energy inside her couldn’t help reaching out to touch him.

“Ah.” He closed his eyes, and when he opened them, the green glowed in both orbs. The tattoos on his chest and shoulders flashed as well. “Mandy, the feel of you is like a dip into Fyanthul. I never want to leave.”

“Sorry.” She didn’t know how she’d lost control again. She was better than that.

He took her hand in his and gave a gentle squeeze. “Never apologize for who you are. You hide much. I know what it’s like.” His green eyes faded, so that the other turned back to gold. But his tattoos remained a dark web over his body. “I also know what it’s like to be able to be free with one you love.” He smiled. “Zehn allows only my truth. As we both allow only yours.”

“Allow?” That sounded a bit arrogant, though he sounded too good to be true talking about acceptance—something she’d strived to find her entire life.

“This is wrong? Do your males not allow equality on Earth?”

“Wait. Allow sounds like you’re in charge.”

He nodded. “I am. Of seeing to your happiness. As you are in charge of seeing to mine.”

“I…oh.” She didn’t know how to answer that, especially because he knelt in front of her, having drawn closer. “Lore?”

“You are everything to me. To us.”

“That sounds serious.” And wonderful. And freakin’ scary.

He drew her hand to his heart, and she swore she could feel the tattoos shifting under her touch, bringing her psychically closer. “It is. But the worry should not be yours, Mandy of Earth. We will not let the Earthers harm you. And we will do nothing but ensure your happiness.”

She wanted to argue. Meant to put some distance between them. Instead, she tugged him down and kissed him, needing to feel his strength again.

He sighed into the kiss but didn’t take charge, and that sweetness let her sink into him instead of leaving her overwhelmed. When Mandy pulled back, she saw him smiling.

“See? Truth.”

She wasn’t sure she wanted to know what truth he was talking about. “Zehn told me you and he are mated. And you’re seeking a third.” At his intense look, she added, “You think that third is me.”

He gave a slow nod.

“But it can’t be. I’m not staying on the planet, Lore.” Shoot. She’d meant to ease into that discussion.

Lore only nodded. “As you say. Mandy, you must know. We cannot force you to stay with us.”

Which should have relieved her but didn’t.

“You should also know we take very good care of what is ours.”

“I’m not a possession,” she snapped, having heard that line for most of her life.

“You—”

“Time to eat,” Zehn interrupted and shot a glare at Lore.

Lore rose to his feet and gave a sharp nod. “Good. I’m hungry.”

The food Zehn brought inside looked nothing like the carcasses he’d taken out with him. She stared at a hunk of cooked meat on a stick. It smelled amazing and familiar. “Is this ham?”

“Ham?” Zehn frowned. “The flehik is tasty and provides nourishment. It will make you strong.”

“So I’ll get big, like you two?” she teased, trying not to feel so out of sorts. One minute she wanted to be closer to Lore, and the next she wanted to smack him for being possessive. Then Zehn came in with food that made her salivate. He fed her before seeing to Lore, his mate. She held the stick, letting the meat cool. “So you guys are married. Mated.”

“Yes.” Zehn didn’t say anything, but she saw Lore flush and glance down, as if chastised. The small burst of heat between the pair took her aback. Were they communicating? She felt the connection between them, and she hadn’t sensed it so clearly before.

She probed carefully. “Lore told me you were looking for a third.”

“Lore said a lot in the short time I was gone,” Zehn said, his expression flat. Lore continued to look at the ground between his feet. “But yes, we are looking for a female to complete us. We are warriors who can provide for our mate. And we will make her very, very happy.” He stared into her eyes as he said that, and she swore she felt a mental caress from her head to her toes. “But we are in no rush to procreate.”

Lore refused to look up.

“When it is right, the Maker will bless us with a child.” Zehn smiled at her, warmth in his gaze. “Do you wish for children?”

“No.” Her immediate response seemed to shock him. “I’ve had a crappy life up to my time on Ussed. Maybe when I’m settled in a place I think of as home, with someone I love, then I’d have a child. But not until then.”

Lore finally glanced up at her. “You have the right of it, Mandy. You should know safety and peace before bringing a young one into the world.”

“Right.”

Zehn studied her a little too closely for comfort. The he smiled. “As it should be. Yes, Mandy. That is so. Now, we should eat.”

“Yes.” Why did agreeing with him feel as if she’d agreed to something else?

After the meal, Zehn and Lore led her to a nearby stream. The hour grew darker as the suns set. But Zehn wanted them to continue through the night.

Feeling a need to move, to put even more distance between herself and the Franciscos, she ran with the warriors. She knew they slowed down for her, but she didn’t mind. Fortunately they’d brought along her undergarments in her satchel, the ones that flattened her breasts and allowed her to run without flopping all over the place.

The shoes they’d given her were fantastic. They felt like silk on her feet and protected her soles from everything. She tired not long into the run, not used to such physical exercise. But her exhaustion seemed to please the men.

“My turn.” Zehn tossed Lore Mandy’s pack, then scooped her into his arms. Cradled against his chest and held tightly to muscles that bunched and strained as he ran, she should have felt cumbersome. But Zehn could move. She felt as if taking a ride on a jetpack in an amusement park.

“Wow. You’re fast.”

He grinned down at her, gave her a peck on the forehead, and followed Lore.

They moved for what felt like hours, and Mandy fell into a fitful doze. She woke when Lore signaled for them to stop.

“Raiders ahead.”

Zehn lifted Mandy toward a tree. “Climb and wait for us. We’ll be back. No noise.”

She nodded, glad she had no problem with heights. She accepted her backpack and put it on, then climbed the many-limbed tree. Thankfully, Zehn had put her on a tree she scaled with ease.

Once high enough to be protected from view by the blanket of leaves below her, she looked out and saw movement in the clearing ahead. The tree still camouflaged her from view, but the moonlight spilling down over the area gave her a front row seat to the battle taking place.

And oh my God, could her barbarians fight.