Lost in Barbarian Space

by Anna Hackett

  Under his palm, Colm felt Honor’s heart racing with panic. “Would you give up on Nik?”

  Something moved in the woman’s eyes now. “Dammit, Brandall. You weren’t supposed to fucking go and fall in love with a barbarian warrior.”

  “Please. Please help him.”

  The woman’s multi-colored gaze took them both in. Then she nodded. “You get him back to the ship without him killing anyone and then we’ll see. Got it?”

  Honor’s hair tickled against Colm’s jaw as she nodded.

  She spun to face him, her hands pressed against his chest. “Colm, I need you to listen to me. I need you to trust me.”

  He stared down at her, his mate, his brave warrior. He leaned down and buried his face in her hair.

  “I’ll take that as a yes. Follow me.” She held out her hand.

  Colm put his hand in hers and let her tug him forward.

  As they neared the group, and the other men, he growled. She paused. “We’ll stay at the back.”

  They began moving back through the ice tunnels. Whoever was in the lead was holding a device that made a strange beeping sound that hurt Colm’s ears.

  He stayed alert, ready to protect Honor from any danger.

  Then they were stepping outside of the tunnels. The bright light made him blink.

  “It looks completely different out here,” Honor said.

  The sun was shining, gleaming off the white snow and ice. There were no storm clouds in sight.

  Ahead, Colm saw a ship. And beside it a larger group of people. He tensed.

  Honor squeezed his hand. “I’ll take care of you, my warrior. Trust me?”

  He yanked her up until her feet were dangling off the ground and pressed his mouth to hers. She made a small sound and kissed him back.

  “Mate,” he said.

  Her eyes widened. “Oh, Colm.” She pressed her face to his. “I love you. Whatever happens, remember that.”

  “Mate. Love.”

  Her face went soft. Then he saw her gaze move over his shoulder and her eyes widened. “What are you doing?”

  Suddenly, Colm felt a prick at the back of his neck. He whirled, taking Honor with him.

  Behind him stood the woman in black, and she was holding some sort of device in her hand.

  “I’ve given him the correct dose for his weight and metabolism,” she said. “It’ll only take a moment for it to take effect.”

  Honor stroked him. “Was that really necessary?” Colm thought her face looked sad.

  “It’s for his safety, and everybody else’s.”

  Colm didn’t know what they were talking about, but the next instant he felt tiredness crashing in on him. His muscles went lax.

  As his legs failed, Honor caught him, struggling to keep them both upright.

  His eyes went to hers. She’d let them incapacitate him!

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” She stroked his face. “It’ll be okay.”

  He sensed a warrior nearby, felt strong hands taking his weight before they hit the snow. But Colm kept his gaze on his mate.

  “I’m here, Colm. I’m here.”

  But lights danced in front of his eyes and her voice drifted off. Then there was nothing.

  ***

  Honor paced the corridor outside the med bay on the Magellan. Her boots thunked on the floor until she reached the far wall, pivoted, and headed back.

  Nervous energy was winging through her body, and there was no way she could sit in the waiting room chairs nearby. Aurina was there, rubbing her round belly and looking worried. Kavon stood against the wall, his arms crossed over his bare chest. His face was blank, but she could tell he was worried, too.

  Honor ran a hand through her hair. It was still damp. Nik and Nera had bullied her into taking a quick shower and getting changed. She hadn’t wanted to be far from Colm, but it was nice to be clean.

  The med team had been working on him for hours.

  Honor sensed someone approach her.

  “How are you doing?” Aurina asked.

  “It’s taking so long.”

  “I’m sure they’re doing everything they can. Kavon’s worried as well.” Aurina cast a concerned glance at her mate and lowered her voice. “He’s angry that Colm never mentioned this. I think Kavon’s angrier at himself for not noticing it.”

  “Colm was hiding it. He’d gotten control down to a fine art.” Her voice cracked.

  Footsteps rounded the corner and Niklas Phoenix appeared. He stopped beside them, his face serious.

  “Doing okay, Honor?”

  She nodded. “I’m hoping they’ll be done soon.” But more than that, she was hoping that there was something they could do to help Colm. She pressed her hands together. He had to be okay.

  Nik touched her shoulder. “Well, thanks to you and Colm, I now have a large team down on the moon. They’re working hard to package and preserve all the artifacts from the Valhalla. Even Dr. Behati was feeling well enough to go down.”

  Honor was glad the doctor was better.

  Nik’s face hardened. “The surviving pirates are not feeling particularly comfortable in the brig.”

  She managed a small smile. “That’s the best news I’ve had all day. And T’kon?”

  Something dark flashed on Nik’s face. “Also in the brig…with the pirates. He’s had to endure a few interrogation sessions with Nera.” Now a faint smile. “Last time I checked, he asked me to throw him out an airlock.”

  Honor knew she shouldn’t feel some pleased about that, but T’kon had brought this on himself. And because of his greed, people were dead and hurt.

  Nik touched her shoulder again. “You two did excellent work down there. Let me know when you hear anything.”

  After Nik had left, Honor slumped into a chair. “What if they can’t help him, Aurina?”

  The woman grabbed her hand. “They will.”

  Honor pushed herself to her feet. She couldn’t sit still. She started pacing again. Aurina didn’t really know that. No one knew if the medical team could do anything for Colm.

  The minutes drifted into another hour. She paused by the round window at the end of the corridor. She touched the glass, staring out into space. She could just see a tiny glimpse of Markaria off to the left.

  “You’re in love with my friend.”

  Honor had been so lost in her misery, she hadn’t even heard Kavon approach. She turned to face him. “I am.”

  “His actions on the moon…he feels strongly for you.”

  She shot him a sad smile. “You warriors aren’t very good at talking about your feelings are you?” Her smile dissolved. “He’s been very upfront about not wanting any long-term entanglements.”

  “Because of the nanami sickness,” Kavon said darkly.

  “Yes.” But she knew that without this problem hanging over him, Colm had a chance to explore the possibilities of a real life. To decide what he really wanted.

  The door to the med bay opened.

  Honor moved, her heart suddenly in her throat. She realized that Aurina and Kavon had flanked her.

  A tired-looking doctor exited, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m Dr. King. I won’t lie to you, this has been the hardest procedure I’ve ever done.” He shook his head and looked at Kavon. “Your alien physiology combined with the nanami—” a look of wonder crossed the man’s face “—they are simply incredible, but we don’t know enough about how to work with them yet. I had to make a lot of educated guesses.”

  “Is he okay?” Honor asked.

  The doctor pressed his hands together in front of him. Dread filled her stomach.

  “Well, we managed to restore the balance of nanami.” The doctor smiled. “I wasn’t sure we were going to be able to do it, but we had a breakthrough in the last hour. He’ll no longer have the control issues.”

  Honor released a breath, her chest bursting. Thank the stars. Aurina reached for her hand and Honor grabbed it and squeezed hard. He was going to be okay.

/>   “There was one complication.”

  Honor froze, a lump forming in her throat. “You said he was okay…”

  “Physically, yes. These Markarians—” he looked at Kavon again “— have excellent constitutions.”

  Panic rising, Honor wanted to hit the man. “Doc, please—”

  “During the procedure, his short-term memory was affected.”

  “What does that mean, exactly?” she asked.

  “It’s minor, really. He won’t remember your escapades in the ice tunnels of Ansar. He won’t actually remember us arriving. I estimate he’s lost a week or so of his memories, and as far as I can tell, he’s unlikely to regain them.” The doctor smiled again. “Like I said, minor in the entire scheme of things.”

  Honor staggered backward. When the backs of her knees hit a chair, she collapsed. Dr. King, unaware he’d just shattered her life, nodded and moved back into the med bay.

  Colm wouldn’t remember her.

  Wouldn’t remember anything of what they’d shared.

  He wouldn’t remember falling in love with her in the ice tunnels.

  Her heart contracted. She was amazed she could just sit there, like nothing momentous had happened and destroyed her.

  Aurina knelt carefully in front of her. “He’ll remember, Honor. A warrior wouldn’t forget his bondmate.” The woman’s tone was fierce. “He loves you.”

  “It’ll be like it never happened, Aurina. I’ll be a stranger to him.” Oh, God. Honor felt sick.

  Kavon’s hand rested on her shoulder. “A mate is sacred. It is a deep bond.”

  She nodded, trying to keep the tears at bay. “If…if he doesn’t remember, I want both of you to promise me something.”

  “Anything,” Aurina said.

  Kavon nodded.

  “You won’t tell him…about what happened with me.”

  Aurina gasped. “Honor—”

  She held up her hand. “I love him.” She met Kavon’s gaze. “He’s been living with the shadow of this his entire life. He expected to die. He told me he was going to go to the Northern Wastelands and die there alone. Before he could hurt anyone.” A muscle ticked in Kavon’s jaw. “He’s cured.” That thought at least sent a rush of happiness through her. “I want him to have a chance at the life he wants. The life he deserves.”

  “That’s a life with you—”

  Again, Honor cut Aurina off. “It’s a life he chooses for himself. You promised.”

  The two of them gave her reluctant nods.

  The med bay door opened again and a male nurse shuffled out. “You can see him now.”

  The three of them moved inside. At the doorway, Honor paused and took a deep breath. Then, she entered.

  He was sitting in a narrow med bunk, his bronze skin a beautiful contrast against the simple white sheets.

  He looked disgruntled.

  “Kavon!” Colm gave his friend a wide smile. “Get me out of here.”

  “They explained where you are?” Kavon moved across to the bed.

  Colm nodded. “Aurina, you look far…rounder than I remember. My warlord’s baby grows big inside you.” Then Colm’s gaze lifted and settled on Honor.

  Her entire body was tense and she held her breath.

  He gave her a smile. “Hello. Are you part of my medical team?” There was no spark of recognition in his brown eyes.

  For the second time in a few minutes, Honor felt like her insides had shattered into tiny pieces. She could almost hear the tinkle of the breaking pieces of her heart. She felt as though they were cutting her up inside. She fought to stay steady on her feet.

  She found her voice. “I’m with security.”

  He leaned back against the pillows. “I’m a warrior, I don’t need security.”

  Her stubborn, protective warrior was gone. He was once again Colm Mal Kor, and he was no longer hers.

  “I’ll leave you all to catch up,” she said.

  Aurina’s face was pained and Kavon’s was stoic.

  Colm frowned at her as she left, but Honor strode down the hall and didn’t let herself look back.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Colm walked through Kavon’s house, absorbing the smells of home. He’d come back from the spaceship that morning and he was glad to have his boots back on real ground.

  The small rooms, narrow corridors, and sleek, metal walls of the ship had made him feel claustrophobic and yearn for open spaces.

  People bustled around the house, busy with preparations. Tonight, there would be a goodbye feast for the skyflyers. He shook his head. It was strange, since he didn’t even remember their arrival, or subsequent visit.

  Apparently, he’d been a hero. He’d been lost on the icy moon of Ansar, helped defeat space pirates, and discovered a second ship that had traveled with the First Warriors and the treasure still loaded in its wreck.

  Not bad, considering he didn’t remember a single part of his adventure.

  Colm’s steps slowed. Added to that, was the far more momentous fact that his nanami sickness was cured. He pressed a hand to his chest, felt the steady beat of his hearts, and the steady hum of his nanami.

  He should be feeling on top of the world.

  But the truth was, he felt…unsettled.

  His nanami were also unsettled. Not the out-of-control edge that he was used to…it was just as if something was upsetting them.

  He moved to the end of the hallway and out onto a small balcony. The courtyard below hummed with activity. A team from the Institute was stacking boxes of treasure off floating carts, while some of Kavon’s warriors moved the boxes into the house. Most of the treasure was staying here, along with a small team of archeologists, who would stay to analyze it. The people from the Institute would be heading off to take the remainder of the treasure back to their museums.

  He watched the people in the black-and-gray uniforms moving back and forth. Then he caught the glint of gold.

  The security officer who’d visited him in the med bay.

  He’d asked around, and he knew her name was Agent Honor Brandall.

  He leaned his hip against the railing and watched her. There was something about her…

  He listened to her giving crisp, clear orders, and helping her team. He liked the way she moved, with an athletic efficiency. She was certainly attractive, with intriguing curves combined with a warrior’s strength. He liked the entire package and wondered if she’d be interested in a night in his bed.

  Then he frowned. But it wasn’t just the way she looked that made him curious, it was the way she had looked at him in the med bay…

  Kavon strode out onto the balcony and stood beside him.

  Colm raised a brow. “Feast organized?”

  “Yes. There’ll be no wulver beast, though, like at their welcome feast.” His friend looked at him. “You brought one down the day they arrived. All alone. Didn’t even wait for your friend to aid you.”

  Colm smiled. “Of course I did.”

  “I see your cockiness didn’t suffer like your memory.”

  “It’s confidence, my friend.” Colm waggled his eyebrows. “It’s only cockiness if I can’t back it up. Besides, right now, I’m just happy to be alive and to have my nanami sickness gone.” It was like a death sentence had been lifted.

  Kavon turned, looking out into the distance where the mountains of the Darken Wilds darkened the horizon. “I wish you’d told me.”

  “At first, I wanted to keep it a secret from everybody. I hoped I wouldn’t turn out like my father. Once I realized the sickness was creeping in…you were so busy with your grand plan to rebuild your family name and get revenge for your father’s death. I didn’t want to take you away from that. I knew how important it was to you.”

  “You are my best friend, Colm, and my right hand.” Kavon clasped Colm’s arm. “I always have time for you, no matter what.”

  Colm slapped his hand against his friend’s shoulder. “I know. I’ve never doubted your loyalty or your friendship.
I’m sorry. I should have told you.” Colm smiled again, trying to shake off the strange feeling that had been sitting on him like a dark cloud all day. “I think a feast is just what I need. And I certainly have something to celebrate.” He winked. “I think I’ll put my charm to good use tonight, and convince that lovely supervisor from your grain mills to spend a few hours in my bed.”

  He watched Kavon’s face go blank. There was no good-natured ribbing, no smile, no roll of his eyes.

  Instead, Kavon cleared his throat. “You enjoy the feast, my friend. You deserve it.”

  Kavon turned and walked toward the door.

  Colm frowned. He was missing something. “Kavon?”

  His friend paused.

  “When you told me of my adventure on Ansar and discovering the ship, you said one of the Institute team members was with me.”

  Kavon’s back stiffened but he didn’t turn around. “Yes.”

  “You never told me who it was.”

  There was a long silence. Colm’s frown deepened. His friend was definitely not telling him something.

  “It was Agent Brandall, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes,” Kavon said finally.

  Colm turned back to lean on the railing. Ah, that must be why he felt a strange pull to the woman. He saw her below, moving between the boxes. “She seems competent.”

  Kavon turned now, his face serious. “She saved your life. In more ways than one.” Kavon’s face twisted with what appeared to be frustration. “I have to go. I’ll see you at the feast.”

  Colm continued to watch Agent Brandall. Yes, she was all crisp competence, and obviously intelligent. Between giving orders and moving boxes, she talked with curious Markarians who drifted past. He watched a group of village kids accost her. She crouched down, smiling, and showed them some of the artifacts nestled in their boxes. She smiled and stood, ruffling the kids’ hair.

  Colm felt his nanami vibrate. He frowned, looking around. Something was wrong.

  There was a sudden shout. He heard a metallic clang as something hit the cobblestones of the courtyard.

  “Agent Brandall! There’s a live explosive in one of the boxes,” one of the uniformed agents called out.

  “Everyone back,” Brandall shouted. She pushed the kids away. “Go!”