Page 20 of Lost in Barbarian Space

Soon he gained on the raider. As he neared, Colm felt his eyes widen.

Honor was slamming hard punches into the raider’s face. The man was trying to protect himself, but from the color in her cheeks, it looked like Honor Brandall was beyond furious.

Another vicious hit and Colm saw the raider lose his grip on the reins. The man lurched to the side, grabbing at anything to stop his fall. He let out a terrified shout.

Honor jammed an elbow into the man’s neck.

The raider toppled off. He hit the ground, tumbling over and over.

Colm slowed his hargon and leaned to the side, holding on with his knees. He drew his sword and it took one swing to take care of the raider.

When he looked up, he saw the other hargon was still racing away at breakneck speed, Honor clinging to its back.

By the warrior. He kicked his beast and they took off in pursuit.

He pushed his hargon hard. Its hooves pounded on the dirt and flames poured from its nostrils.

He pulled alongside the raider’s animal. He saw Honor’s hair had torn free from its tie and it covered her face in a golden cloud.

He reached over and yanked her off.

Her weight hit him hard enough to make him grunt, but he kept his arm wrapped around her and jerked her into his chest. Her arms clamped around him.

Colm slowed his hargon. It took some time, but finally the beast slowed to a walk.

He urged Honor’s face up. “Are you all right? Did he hurt you?”

She held up her hand. Her knuckles were red. “Nothing I can’t fix.”

Any other woman he knew would be upset and hysterical after being snatched by a raider. Not Honor Brandall.

“I raced all this way to rescue you,” he said.

“Well, I was almost done rescuing myself.” She looked smug.

He fought back a smile.

“I just couldn’t get the damn hargon to slow down,” she added.

Colm wheeled his hargon around to head back to the others. “You’re sure you’re okay?”

She nodded, her hold on him easing. He felt a flash of disappointment as her arms slid away.

He helped her settle in front of him. With her snuggled in his arms, her round backside pressed to his stomach, he decided this wasn’t too bad either.

She fitted in his arms perfectly.

“I would prefer you avoid being kidnapped by raiders in the future,” he murmured to her.

“It isn’t on my to-do list.” She paused. “But thanks for coming after me, warrior.”

He smiled, feeling lighter than he had in a long time. “You’re welcome. Perhaps next time, you will leave me something to do.”

“Don’t hold your breath.”

His smile widened. “Now, how about we let your friends know you’re okay—” he saw them ahead now “—and return to the estate?”

“We’re on the same page, warrior.”