Free The Barbarian Prince by The Barbarian prince Page B

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