Barbarian's Prize: A SciFi Alien Romance (Ice Planet Barbarians Book 6) by Ruby Dixon

Author:Ruby Dixon [Dixon, Ruby]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Tags: sci-fi romance
Publisher: Ruby Dixon
Published: 2016-02-05T00:00:00+00:00

• • •

The day wears on and it becomes clear to me that Salukh never stood a chance at winning. The ‘brawn’ competition involves the men racing to retrieve boulders from a nearby plain and then carrying them through an obstacle course that Josie has set up. Though I know Salukh is strong and fast, the other men work against him. They leave the largest of boulders for him to carry, and they push and shove at him as they run. They knock over obstacles into Salukh’s path that slow him down. It’s not a fair fight and both Josie and Aehako are making unhappy noises when a triumphant Bek arrives for the win.

For the ‘talent’ competition, Josie gives the men a list of creatures to hunt: a scythe-beak, a fang-face, and a quill-beast. One is a bird, one is a fish, and one is a land creature. They’re to bring them back to the cave, and whoever returns the quickest with all three kills will be the winner. If they have nothing by sunset, they are to head back to the cave, the contest over.

The men set off in different directions with their weapons. As I watch Salukh jog away from the cave, I’m surprised to see Vaza change course and head after him.

“That cheater,” Kira murmurs. “He’s going to tail him and scare away his game. Vaza knows he’s not going to win so he’s going to make sure that Salukh fails at all of the challenges.”

My guilt chokes me. I head back to the cave with the others, but there’s no joy in the afternoon for me. I spend some time with Chompy, brushing him and cleaning out his cave. Farli hangs around with me, but she’s silent company since we don’t speak the same language. That suits me fine – I’m not in a talking mood anyhow.

It seems like an eternity before someone returns back to the cave with their trophies. It’s Taushen, utterly triumphant. Hassen returns a short time after, and he’s less than pleased. He deposits his kills and then stalks to his cave to sulk. Bek arrives at sunset, only two kills out of three in his hand.

Salukh and Vaza show up when it’s fully dark, and there is no kill in Salukh’s hand. The frustration on his face is evident.

“Congratulations, Taushen,” Josie says as the tribe tucks into the fresh meat. I don’t eat a thing, because I have no appetite. She awards the hunter his latest seed and then glances around the cavern. “The only contest left is that of ‘Effort’. The tribe is supposed to judge it, but it doesn’t matter at this point. Taushen is the clear winner. He has more seeds than anyone else.”

The young hunter whoops in delight and rushes over to me, looking for encouragement.

I give him a faint smile, even though I feel like throwing up.

“When shall I escort you to the Elders’ Cave, Ti-fa-ni?” He squats on the ground near me, his face puppyish in its adoration.

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