“Calm down, K’hor.” Juniper reached for the hand he had gripping the leather over his heart.
He relaxed instantly at her touch. Covering her hand with his, he held it to his beating heart. Whether Juniper realized it or not, she controlled the organ just underneath her fingertips.
“I can’t imagine losing you to the dangers here but I don’t want to let you go either.” K’hor squeezed the fingers that were linked with his own and tried to calm his breathing before he scared her even further.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Juniper said, laying a palm on his cheek.
At her whispered promise, K’hor’s eyes shot to her face to search for the truth in her words. She appeared shocked at her own words yet wasn’t taking them back…at least not yet.
“You’ve decided to stay?”
“Uhhhh—” Juniper looked anywhere but at him as she rocked back and forth as if nervous. “I—uh—yeah. I guess I have.” Looking back at him, she blew a breath of air that had the hair in front of her eyes moving to the side. “I’m staying.”
K’hor raised his head and let out a yell of triumph at her words, the sound ringing through the tunnels around them.
“Holy sh—” Juniper jolted in place; her eyes wide at the war cry he let out.
Cutting her exclamation short, K’hor pulled her up against his body. Without missing a beat, he plastered his mouth against her own. Pouring every bit of need he had into the kiss, K’hor stroked his tongue into her mouth to tangle with hers.
When Juniper broke their connection to suck in a huge breath, K’hor wasn’t deterred. He peppered kisses across her face, unable to pull himself away.
“You’ll never regret this decision,” he promised.
“K’hor—”
Whatever Juniper was about to say was cut short when a loud click came from the gate they had been close to reaching.
“They’re here.” K’hor stepped in front of her. His body was the only shield he had available. He wasn’t yet ready for the confrontation that would come from the other Warlords arriving in his city but it seemed he had no choice in the matter any longer.
He was tempted to warn her not to call attention to herself, but that idea was tossed out as he studied her. From the top of her head to the tips of her small feet, his Tiny was nothing but a temptation. Even if he resisted the mating instinct between them, he would still find her incredibly appealing. Now, all he wanted to do was cover her so others wouldn’t see the treasure he possessed.
K’hor fought the instinct to remove his own cloak and use it to cover her for warmth, protection, and concealment. But he knew that Sparx and Matrix needed to see the marks on her fair skin. It was all he could do until he could have mating bands prepared. Until then he would be unable to avoid others questioning their bond.
“That’s them?” Juniper peeked around his body as the large gate swung open slowly.
Seeing the overly large and familiar figure of Sparx entering their cavernous section of the tunnel, K’hor nodded. “Yes, the man in front is Warlord Sparx.” He couldn’t help but feel a flood of warmth in his chest when Juniper clutched his cloak covered arm in her small fingers. Although a small act, it spoke to her trust in his protection. Something he would make sure she would never doubt.
“He’s huge,” she whispered. Her eyes widened at the sight of the first of the men funneling into the tunnel through the gate.
“Don’t worry, Tiny.” K’hor patted the white-knuckled hand that still gripped the leather of his coat, but his attention focused on the approaching Warlords.
Although Sparx was leading, Matrix followed a few steps behind with the rest of their men. Wearing heavy hooded cloaks, the men crowded the tunnel as they shut the second gate behind them with an ominous crash.
“Warlord Sparx.” K’hor held out his arm to the other miner. When Sparx did not hesitate to clasp his own hand over K’hor’s forearm, he relaxed slightly. Nodding to Matrix, K’hor repeated the action with the other Warlord as well. “I’m surprised you arrived so quickly.
“You shouldn’t be surprised considering the cargo you brought home.” Sparx pushed back the fur-lined hood that covered much of his face.
“I figured that was why you have made the journey.” K’hor crossed his arms over his broad chest as he waited to see what the others would say. While Sparx was larger in stature, there was a reason K’hor governed as Warlord of the largest tunnel city on Djaromir. The Warlord’s size may intimidate others, but to K’hor, he simply saw the man as larger target. If these men thought they’d muscle their way into his city to take the human women he had sworn to protect, they were going to be sorely disappointed.
He did not relish fighting his Djaromir brothers to keep the women safe, yet if he had to do so—he would.
Chapter Eleven
Juniper’s first thought at the sight of the other Warlords was not pleasant. Clad in furs and leather from top to bottom, they looked like cavemen straight out of a museum exhibit. The one leading the way, Sparx, was gigantic, and considering K’hor was a mound of muscles, that was saying a lot.
Remaining silent, she watched as K’hor did some weird handshake with the two Warlords. It took everything in her to keep her trap shut when Sparx had called them “cargo.”
Fuck this asshole.
“Are all the humans awake?” Matrix rumbled in a voice rough and, as if he needed a lozenge.
“Yes.” K’hor reached back to pat her hip reassuringly. “My mate was the last to awaken.”
Juniper was unable to suppress a shiver when the two Warlords’ eyes focused on her with laser-beam precision. It was harder to see the expression on Sparx’s face due to the furred hood he was still wearing, but she was clearly able to see the glare Matrix had focused on her.
K’hor growled, the sound creating a vibration she could feel where they touched.
“Don’t.” The one word was all K’hor said before Matrix dropped the dirty look he’d been giving her and turned his attention back to the man she was peeking out from behind.
Juniper sighed in relief before she remembered the other Warlord.
She wasn’t sure how she’d forgotten him, considering the man was literally built like a mountain. Though it seemed impossible, his shoulders appeared even wider than the ones she was currently hiding behind. When he had first cleared the large door, Sparx created quite an intimidating picture. His size combined with the heavy furs he was wearing had reminded her of Bigfoot as he lumbered forward.
Raising his arm, he pushed back the hood of his cloak, leaving Juniper to realize two things.
One, covering a face like that should be a damn crime.
And two, she’d maim someone for the cheekbones he’d been blessed with.
Sparx brushed back the straight dark hair that fell over his forehead as he gave her a crooked grin. The sharp angles of his eyebrows and cheekbones would probably look feminine on most, but there was no denying the hyper-masculine vibe he put off. It had been the last thing she’d ever expected considering how large and oafish he’d seemed while covered. If she hadn’t known better, Juniper would have expected to recognize him from a fashion ad.
The other man was a completely different story.
Matrix’s bright blue eyes pinned her in place as she felt them drift over her with icy concentration. With a fully shaved head and a large scar running from his left temple down to his cut jawline, the Warlord looked more like a villain straight out of a movie than a model off the runway. The look he gave her only managed to cement the caricature she imagined. It was so cold and calculating that Juniper felt it seep straight into her bones.
Yikes.
“Your mate?” Matrix rasped, focusing his glare back on her living shield.
“Yes, my mate.” K’hor stepped to the side, leaving her exposed. “Juniper, this is Warlord Sparx and Matrix. Sparx rules the tunnel city of Fyeir while Matrix leads the miners of Gunninng.”
Juniper watched both men wa
rily, noting how they stiffened at K’hor’s announcement. Figuring it was now or never, she stepped forward and held out her hand. “Nice to meet you both.”
“You’ve already begun claiming the women?” Sparx asked with a frown even while reaching forward to accept Juniper’s welcome.
Juniper jumped when his huge hand gripped the underside of her forearm instead of her hand before remembering the strange shake that he had performed moments before with K’hor. Following his lead, she pumped up and down a few times before offering her arm to the other Warlord watching the interaction.
“My claiming is the result of the Djaromir mating instinct,” K’hor answered, his tone prideful as he pulled her back into the curve of his body. “Tiny feels the pull as well.”
The look on their faces was priceless.
“Tiny? I thought you said she was called Juniper?” Sparx was bumped into from behind as the miners he was with crowded forward to get a better look at her.
“She is tiny though—” Matrix added before glaring behind them at the anxious men still vying for a glimpse of her. “Back. Off.”
Juniper’s eyes widened at the harsh words he’d practically growled. When the miners immediately stepped back, it cemented her original thought.
Matrix was not a man to fuck with.
“I see that you’ve wasted no time in marking her according to the old ways,” Sparx observed with a nod toward the hickeys scattered across her exposed skin.
“I have.” K’hor casually stroked his thumb along the line of bruises on her neck where his arm was tossed over her shoulders.
Juniper gave him a small smile at the contact as his scent wafted towards her with the movement. His touch was warm compared to the cool air swirling around them tempting her to snuggle into his side even more.
“And she’s accepted it?” Matrix asked, his tone full of surprise as his eyes studied the pair.
“Yes, I did,” Juniper answered. When Matrix looked at her with a raised brow, she couldn’t stop herself from snapping her mouth shut with a gulp.
Maybe it was better if he forgot she was here.
“And the others? Will they accept their fate as well?” Sparx asked, looking at her specifically.
“Uhhh…” Juniper didn’t know what to say, especially with the pressure of everyone waiting for her to answer.
In her head, she was going over all the reasons why the others might choose to stay or go. When it came down to it, she couldn’t call it either way. It would just be guessing on her part. There were too many variables in play.
“Well?” Matrix frowned at her from beside Sparx. “Will they accept it or not?”
The look startled her so much that she frowned back at him.
“It’s up to them really…on whether they want to stay or go,” she finally answered. “K’hor promised to give the women until the Phaetons get here to make their decisions. I have no clue how many will end up staying. It’s their choice.”
Juniper’s words effectively silenced the entire tunnel, and left the men staring at K’hor with various expressions of shock and anger across their features.
“Is she telling the truth?” Sparx demanded, stepping forward only to be held back by Matrix’s hand on his arm.
“Calm, Sparx,” Matrix warned the other Warlord with a shake of his head.
“Did you tell them they could leave?” Sparx asked again. This time his tone was steadier than before. “Did you promise it?”
“Yes, I did.” K’hor nodded. “And, it’s a promise we will keep.”
“But—”
Juniper stepped back slightly at the fury on the faces of the miners before them. Shock and anger rolled through the men behind the two Warlords as they began to protest K’hor’s decision.
“I have made a promise as Warlord, and it is a promise Djaromir will keep,” K’hor repeated louder, and the men were silenced. “The Phaetons are planning to land after the static storms dissipate to collect the rescued brides. There will be nothing we can do to stop them from leaving if they so desire. You know that as well as I do.”
“What if we don’t want them to leave?” one of the men behind the Warlords shouted. His question spurred others to yell out their own displeasure.
Matrix held up a fist signaling to the men behind him for silence. “Enough.” The command effectively quieted the now disgruntled group. “Djaromir could withstand an attack from the Phaetons if necessary, and our men would gladly fight to keep the women if it meant a chance to have a mate—”
“Yet, you’ve given them a choice,” Sparx interrupted, his voice more curious than angry. “Why?”
“We are not slavers. That is not who we are. That is not who we will become,” he announced. “Besides, if they are truly our mates, they will not want to leave. The bond won’t allow it.” K’hor’s words earned him a few reluctant nods from some of the men while others held onto their anger.
“Tell me, Sparx. Do you want a wife who is constantly looking to escape? A female that would risk the dangers of our planet to leave?”
“Of course not,” Sparx answered.
“’Trix?” K’hor called out.
“No, you’re right. The last thing I want is for a mate that runs from me.” Matrix ran a hand over his jaw. “I apologize, Juniper. Our ancestors would be ashamed by my thoughts and words today. I know that Sparx shares in my regret as well.”
She simply nodded, unsure how else to respond. She had a feeling guys like them didn’t apologize often.
K’hor hugged her close. “I’m sure Tiny will have some ideas but we will need to figure out a system for introducing the men to the women. With everything they have been through, it would be best not to overwhelm them any further.”
“Tell me, little human…” Sparx cocked his head slightly as he watched her with assessing eyes. “Are we overwhelming?”
“I mean,” Juniper swallowed hard as she tried to think of a way to explain it all without offending the still slightly peeved guys in front of her. The longer they stared at her the more her stomach began to churn. “I’m sure it’s normal for you guys, but we aren’t used to dealing with men so—”
“Handsome?” Matrix interrupted, the scar on his cheek crinkling slightly as he surprised her with a wink.
The action was so unexpected it made Juniper snort. His teasing also helped her relax. If he were willing to let bygones be bygones then she would do the same.
“I was going to say big, kind of intimidating,” she finished. “I may be short, but you guys are a whole new level of tall. Add those muscles and it’s a bit much.”
K’hor gave a low growl at the exchange and edged closer to her side. “Mine,” he rasped, and laid his arm back across her shoulders. His hand rested near the areas he had marked earlier.
K’hor’s possessiveness didn’t bother her like she expected it would. Instead, Juniper found it slightly amusing. Judging by the look on the other’s faces, they found it funny as well. Sparx made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle before Matrix bumped his shoulder, effectively cutting his laugh short.
Matrix acknowledged K’hor’s claim with a respectful nod before addressing her once again, “You believe our size will frighten the others?”
Juniper eyed him up and down, earning another growl from the big guy at her side. Rolling her eyes at K’hor, she answered Matrix. “Well, let’s just say that some of the women may be wary.”
“You are aware that we’d never hurt you, correct?” Sparx asked as he watched her closely. “None of us would ever bring harm to you or the others.”
“K’hor said the same thing.” Juniper smiled up at the man she’d decided to let keep her.
Matrix let out a heavy sigh as he rubbed his hand over his shaved head.
“I am sure you and your men need rest after the journey here,” K’hor clapped Matrix on the back, before repeating the same with Sparx. “I will make sure your usual quarters are readied while we consider how to appro
ach the situation regarding the females.”
“It will be decided though,” Matrix warned, his tone firm. “Hamuir may be the largest of our cities but Fyeir and Gunninng will not be denied the bounty the stars have blessed Djaromir with.”
Chapter Twelve
K’hor knew the men with whom he ruled Djaromir were fair, honest, and loyal. The trio were as close as brothers to K’hor despite the distance that separated their cities.
This fact alone kept him from punching both Sparx and Matrix for flashing their smiles at his mate. K’hor knew it was unreasonable, but even seeing another male look at his female made him bristle.
He didn’t even want them looking at Juniper much less smiling at her. A piece of him worried others would see her for the treasure she was and try to steal her away. K’hor knew this was an idiotic concern, yet he couldn’t control the possessiveness.
Juniper was his and his alone, and he would never allow another to tempt her away.
“K’hor?”
Hearing his name brought his attention back to the man talking. “I apologize, Matrix. My mind is elsewhere.”
“I imagine it is.” Matrix shot a knowing glance at Juniper cuddled into K’hor’s side. “I asked how many brides were rescued.”
“Twenty-seven.” K’hor held Juniper’s hand as they fell into step, leading the parade of men further into the tunnels.
“Twenty-seven possible mates—” Sparx repeated softly, his voice filled with the hope that K’hor himself had also felt at the possibility of so many females available to them.
“Twenty-six.” Juniper’s interruption confused him until he realized she was taking herself out of the equation.
K’hor couldn’t stop himself from puffing up a bit as she acknowledged his claim. He would never tire of hearing her agree that she belonged to him. “When we left, my men were speaking to the women in the dining hall to see if there may have been any more matches among them.”
Miners of Djaromir: K'hor Page 9