The Barbarian Prince (8 page)

She rubbed her temple. The recorder stuck irritatingly to her dry eye. She tried to poke it free, loosening it with several blinks until it slid. Morrigan yawned again.

"Ualan?" she asked louder, her voice hoarse. She guessed he was gone. Morrigan sighed in heavy relief. She was glad he understood she was not staying. She had been worried he would make more out of their night together than he should.

Rolling her neck, she noticed a pile of fresh clothing laid out for her on the end of the bed. They were more concealing than her outfit of the night before. It was a two-layered dress, but looked more comfortable than the harem gown. The under tunic was tighter fitting and light gray. It was the softest undergarment she had ever had against her skin. Sighing, she looked around for her underwear. She found them ripped, so had to go without.

The over tunic’s sleeves were long, belling around the elbows. The dark blue-gray material was magnificent, fitted at the waist and flowing out in the fashion of a medieval tunic gown. Silver embroidery edged the gown in an intricate Qurilixian pattern and on the bodice, in the center of the chest, was the emblem of the dragon.

Morrigan could understand how the rumors that the Qurilixian race was once from Earth started. There seemed to be much medieval influence in their lives--from their dress to their penchant for long hair. She vaguely remembered some of the married men having Viking-like beards and braids

Smiling, she slid the gown over her head. It was kind of Ualan to leave it for her. She made a mental note to thank him. If she was lucky, he would let her take it with her back home. She would like to have a keepsake to remember him by. Squinting, she fingered her emerald, and wondered if she had taken a picture of him. If not, she would have to--just for later.

Chapter Six

The three suns were shining brightly on the red Qurilixian soil and the council that had gathered in the morning hours to observe some of the newly married men. Now, fully dressed in their customary clothes, the new husbands stood proudly. It was a good day for them.

The brides were still abed. It was expected they would be absent this morning if the men had done their duty by them. The wine would have helped them into a deep, relaxed sleep--once sleep was what they chose.

The King and Queen frowned to see that only one of their sons had made it to the preliminary showing. But it was not unusual. Some of the other men were missing as well. Though this part of the ceremony was tradition, the elders let the absences slide.

Agro grimaced through his darkened eyes. Ualan grinned at him. He’d have to remember to thank the man later for the fight, though he doubted his black-eyed comrade would think of it as a favor.

Besides, how could he not smile? He had spent the entire night with a woman who would share his passions and his bed. It was more than he could have hoped the Gods to bless him with. Since boyhood they were taught to give offering for a steady and beautiful wife. Not all men would find such a thing. He was truly blessed. In light of his pride, he could even forgive her hesitance in choosing.

"Lord Ualan?" called the council, waiting for his verbal confirmation.

Ualan stepped forward without his mask. His father, a large man of matching girth and coloring, was one of the center figures at the council’s table. The man nodded at him to speak. Even though he did not smile, Ualan saw the matching pride in his eyes. He was very pleased.

"It’s done," he stated loudly. A smile broke out on his father’s face. The wind whipped Ualan’s hair about under the gaze of the council. Raising his hand high to the council, he showed the glowing crystal and arrogantly bowed his head. Turning about, he showed the crystal to all. They acknowledged in silent approval of him and waited for the next man to step forward.

* * * *

"Rigan, it is time," called Ualan from where he raised the tent flap. Dipping his head beneath the opening, he went inside. He expected to see Morrigan still abed. She wasn’t. Looking around, he realized she had disappeared again. The smile that had graced his features all morning melted with a wave of fury.

"God’s Bones!" he thundered, storming out of his tent. His face took on look of a beast and his eyes transformed from blue to gold. His teeth grew slightly in his mouth, sharp and pointed. His head snapped harshly, his senses enhanced as he shifted dangerously in his anger. With a sound that was more of a growl, than actual words, he swore, "I will teach you, dear wife, once and for all that your place is by my side."

* * * *

The ship had left without her.

Morrigan cursed, staring up at the dimming twin lights of the Galaxy Brides spacecraft as it faded into oblivion. Glancing around the spot the ship had been, she frowned, seeing the imprints of its landing. She couldn’t believe it. It had actually taken off without her.

"A true lady doesn’t use such words."

Ualan stood silently watching her. Relief flowed through him when he discovered she hadn’t run off like he first feared she might. She had chosen, but would she try to change her mind?

She had been easy for him to track in his Draig form. It wasn’t commonly known that Qurilixian men possessed the gift of shifting. He’d changed back, as he did not want to scare her. It was learned long ago that new brides needed time to adjust before being told of this little fact. Usually, they had no problem with the magic arts or the mystics who practiced them. But show them their lovers turning into a beast with fangs and they went running for the horizon. Go figure.

When Morrigan turned around, her face was tight with worry. She shaded her eyes to look at him. He was dressed in a tunic that matched hers in blue-gray color and basic design. They had the same silver embroidered edges, only his patch was larger on his chest and his tunic was more of a long shirt that split at the sides than an actual dress. It hung nearly to his knees. Morrigan gulped. He was handsome, but there was something to be said for the loincloth.

"Good thing I’m no lady," Morrigan quipped, again turning to the sky. She shook her head, giving another curse just for the benefit of her listener.

All around them the light of the three suns shone. Morrigan thought she saw the beginning of a village at the base of the nearby mountain peak. It was hard to see any of it in the depths of the big-leafed forest. What people she passed on the way to the ship had nodded politely to her, seeming to study the dragon emblem on her bodice as she moved.

Ualan frowned, but let the comment pass. Instead, he offered, "You have no need to worry. Your belongings have been moved to our quarters."

"Our quarters?" She snorted. "Listen, buddy, I don’t know what you think you are doing. I already told you last night, I am not staying with you. I am on the first starship out of here."

Ualan’s brow rose at the challenge. All right, so she was still a little sore about her discipline. Perhaps he had pushed a little too far. The thought did not bring remorse, but a small smile he didn’t dare show her. Her angry body could account for her foul mood. He couldn’t blame her. And, being that this was the first day of their married life, he decided to graciously forgive her. Besides, if she had pushed him to that point, he would have been thundering mad. Thinking of Agro’s face, he smiled. He had been thundering mad.

"What are you smiling at, barbarian?"

His grin widened. His wife was gorgeous in her ire, with her flushed cheeks and spirited eyes. She would do his family name proud. The Qurilixian people appreciated strength in character. He would just have to teach her how to properly channel her strength. It wouldn’t do for her to constantly be scowling at him.

"Come," he said.

It was too much of an order for Morrigan’s liking. She almost refused, but then the crystal about his neck glowed. She forgot what she was about to say. Her eyes became transfixed on it.

"They are waiting," he murmured, seeing the haze fall over her eyes. He looked down, frowning. His crystal was getting impatient. They had to finish it before it enthralled them both and they acted like fools.

Stepping forward, she took his offered arm. He began leading her to where the main bonfire had burned so low that it was almost out. A crowd gathered to watch.

"Where are we going?" she asked, regaining herself. She looked more at him and the crystal than around the campground.

"To present ourselves to the council," he answered.

"I can’t. I need to find someone with a transport before that ship gets too far away to catch. Who knows when I will be able to book another flight to Earth," Morrigan rushed. Even though it was a protest, the crystal kept it from coming out too harshly.

"You spent the night in my tent," Ualan said, as if that should explain everything. When she frowned, stating she didn’t understand what that had to do with anything she had been saying, he explained, "If you do not come this morning, you will dishonor both of us. All know where you were last night, Morrigan. And they heard."

Morrigan balked, fighting the blush that tempted her cheeks at the shameless jibe. She almost hit him.

"Can the council get me up to that ship?" she insisted, glancing back. It was completely gone, replaced by the green, cloudless sky of the planet.

"If it were to be done, they would be the ones to do it," he returned, seeing that might be the only way to get her to come along with him. Already they were late and his people were beginning to stare at their hesitance.

This pacified her some and she let him lead her forward.

"So do I just ask them, then?"

"No," he answered. "This is not the place. I must introduce you first."

Morrigan lifted her eyes to the platform. In the center of the standing councilmen sat one very regal lady in purple, next to a man in the same shade. To Morrigan’s amazement, she noticed they both wore crowns.

"Royalty," she whispered. Ualan glanced at her. "I thought royalty didn’t wear crowns here."

"Only for special ceremonies."

"Oh." Morrigan sighed at the smile he bestowed upon her. She was led to stand before them. Oh, that upload programmer is dead meat!

"Queen Mede, King Llyr, may I present Lady Morrigan Blake of the Earthen people," introduced Ualan, giving a bow. Morrigan, a quick study, curtsied. The royal couple looked her over carefully, their eyes shining brightly. Morrigan wondered if it was the atmosphere that made everyone’s eyes look so liquid.

"You’re late," said the King, studying Ualan. A worried frown creased between his eyes. "Is all well?"

"That was my fault, majesty," broke in Morrigan. She gave another curtsy for good measure.

Ualan glanced at her, his eyebrow rising. This was a public ceremony. She had not been addressed.

The King looked confused. Glancing at his wife, he questioned, "What did she call me?"

Morrigan noticed everyone was staring at her in confusion. Weakly, she explained, "Majesty is what we call royalty on Earth."

"Ah," the Queen said. She began speaking in her Qurilixian tongue to her husband. It was a soft, smooth language. When she finished, the King smiled in understanding. Suddenly, Morrigan realized that Queen Mede was a rare Qurilixian woman. She had to get a picture of this. She pushed on her emerald finger. Finishing her discourse with the King, the woman turned back, and instructed, "Proceed."

Ualan bowed again, taking the crystal from his neck. He handed it to Morrigan, who took it in confusion. When she just looked at him, holding the hard stone in her fingers, he instructed, "Smash it."

"Then that’s it?" she asked in a hush, thinking that a perfectly symbolic way to end their ‘relationship’. Her serious dark brown eyes watched him warily. "We’ll be done with this?"

Ualan smiled at her, a truly breathtaking smile and nodded in agreement. "Yes, smash it and it will all be over."

"All right then." Witnessing his handsome grin, Morrigan was almost sorry she was going to end it with him. Lifting up the crystal, she shrugged and dropped it to the red earth. It landed but did not break. Then, Morrigan stomped on it with her slippered foot. It broke with the ease of glass, much easier than it should have. The gathered cheered.

Morrigan jolted in surprise at the sound. Her head and eyes became clear as a mist left her mind. Staring at Ualan, it was like watching a man emerge from a dream. Her body became sore, throbbing all over as if she had run a mile full-out. Her head buzzed as if she did indeed have a hangover that she could now begin to feel the effects of. She blinked heavily and began to look around, as if seeing everything for the first time.

Before she could ask Ualan what was happening, the Queen said, "Welcome to the family of Draig, Lady Morrigan. I hope you will enjoy your new home."

"Oh, I’m not staying," Morrigan said, in blinking distraction. Even her voice sounded more real to her ears. She blinked several more times, trying to get her bearings. "I have a flight to catch."

Ualan turned red. He could see the crystal haze had left her eyes. Now the real work of a marriage was to begin. The crowd started to titter with laughter at her words. The councilmen’s eyes narrowed. The Queen and King shared puzzled looks.

Standing, the King strode over to Ualan. Looking down at the woman, he motioned, saying in his native tongue, "What is this talk of leaving?"

"It’s nothing," Ualan said in the same language. His fists gripped in his embarrassment. "I’ll straighten it out."

"See that you do, son," said the King, placing his hand on his oldest boy’s arm. "I won’t have our family name soiled by an unhappy marriage. There are those who wish to see our line ended and I will not grant them the contentment of seeing my house divided, even in my son’s marriage to an Earth woman."

Morrigan understood the world ‘Earth’ and nothing more. It gave her hope. But seeing Ualan’s angry face, took that hope away.

Taking his wife’s hand, Ualan grabbed her up into his arms, scorching her senses in an all-claiming kiss that left no doubt to the crowd that he had indeed found a bride.

Morrigan was stunned by the public onslaught. Her hands beat weakly at the attack. Her heart raced to feel his lips move so savagely, tearing at her sensitive mouth. It wasn’t the dreamy kisses of last night. Those kisses had been a sweet hazy paradise. This kiss conquered her from her curling toes to her dizzying head. When he let her go, she looked dazedly on the crowd, their shouting ringing in her brain.