Betrayed by Rena Marks

Author:Rena Marks
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: barbarian romance, blue barbarians, new species shapeshifters, genetic engineering
Publisher: Rena Marks
Published: 2019-04-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

MY LOVERS RISE WITH me in the morning. We head back to the chamber where we left our bags and clothing to dress. I am not looking forward to the hours I must waste with Shen’robi today. But, at least my brother is spared.

“Do me a favor and wear the bellychain we gave you. Even if it is daylight out. Please.”

The look on Atan’s face is so earnest I can’t help but agree. “Okay. But no one will see it under the higher waist of the skirt I will wear today.”

“It doesn’t matter if it is seen. We know we are engaged,” Diont says.

“I was thinking that if anything should happen—and it won’t because if you’re not back in a few hours, we will come searching for you—but if there is an emergency, you will have instant light if you tug down your skirt.”

“If it makes you happy,” I agree.

“Thank you.” He looks relieved as he kisses my lips.

Such simple pleasures to keep my mates happy. I head out into the main area to find Shen’robi waiting. She hands me a filled waterskin and a small bag with straps that I can tie around my waist or back, hence the reason I wore a high-waisted skirt. Carefully I inspect the bag, expecting trickery. Perhaps supplies missing for first aid. Or not enough food. Inside the satchel is an assortment of dried meat and roots, some berries. There are also extra leathers to use as bandaging, healing salve, braided rope.

Despite my misgivings, I can find nothing wrong with her packing. It appears she has nothing up her sleeve. Nodding, I tie it up and hook it to my waist and the straps of my halter on my back, ready to get this over with.

We climb the vines up the entrance and slip out of the hidden tree into the dark forest. It is the only spot where the skies are muted with shadow though it is nothing like the ink of night. The forest is a dark, eerie spot, but the world clears of clouds as soon as we leave the shaded branches of the trees, and soon we are on the trail heading up the mountain.

“Thank you for coming with me,” Shen’robi says, and it is baiting rather than sincere.

I snort, a rather unladylike sound and not at all fit for royalty. “You’re aware I wanted to go nowhere with you. I do not trust you.”

She smiles, unperturbed. “I know. But I meant what I said. It is more beneficial for us to show solidarity among our people, isn’t it?” She hands me a skin of water, then opens her own, taking a deep swallow.

I follow. It is hot out.

“Soon enough, you will have another pleasure mating with Atan and Diont. You should not mind sparing a couple of hours for someone else in the tribe.”

“I choose them. They choose me. It should be as simple as that.”

“But it is not. It does not look good in the eyes of our people.

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