Bronto's Revenge: 2 (Barbarian Lust) Read online

  “I thought so,” he replied.

  “It needs lanced and drained before she becomes septic.”

  A concerned expression contorted his features and he nodded as if to agree.

  Ivy’s gaze shot between both of them. “What does that mean?”

  “We have to slice it open to drain the poison,” Jade explained, her eyes laced with motherly compassion.

  Oh gosh. Ivy’s heart lurched and she swallowed nervously. “Or?”

  “It’ll get worse, love.”

  “If the poison gets into your bloodstream,” Jade added then paused, “you could die.”

  Oh gosh. Oh gosh. Her eyes flared. “What about Birmon? Can he fix it?”

  Jade shook her head. “That’s a lot of poison for the little creature to ingest. It may kill him.”

  She couldn’t let that happen. She’d never hurt Birmon. “Then do it,” Ivy said, her voice trembling. “Quickly.”

  Jade pulled her weaving blade from her pocket and handed it to Bronto. “This is small, so it’ll work better than yours. Sterilize it over the fire.”

  He nodded as he removed it from her fingers and held it over the flame. When it turned red-hot he walked to the crate and rolled a small pelt that he fisted in his hand and carried to Ivy. His gaze never wavered from her eyes as he lay down beside her and passed the blade back to Jade. “I’ll hold her down,” he explained, his voice full of concern.

  Hold me down! Ivy nearly panicked.

  “Bite down on this,” Bronto instructed. When she nodded and opened her mouth, he placed the pelt between her teeth. “And hold my hand.”

  Again she nodded. Inhaling sharply through her nostrils, she slid her palm against his. And when he laid his leg over the fur to hold her thighs in place she fought the urge to jump up and run. Although the pelt obstructed her ability to speak, she squeaked in fear and tried to swallow.

  “Ready, baby doll?” Jade asked.

  The pressure from Bronto’s leg grew heavy. As soon as Ivy nodded once more and clamped her eyes shut, he placed his lips on her brow.

  “Make it quick, Jade,” he said under his breath. “Spare her some pain.”

  Without any further warning the knife sliced into Ivy’s tummy. She squeezed his hand hard and crushed her eyelids together. Don’t scream. Don’t scream.

  She dug her teeth into the leather and instinctively tried pulling her legs to her tummy but Bronto held them flush to the ground. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head and her shoulder writhed. She teetered on the edge of unconsciousness, wishing she’d pass out.

  “It’s okay. It’s okay,” Bronto soothed as he placed an arm over her chest to steady her upper body. “It’s almost over,” he reassured her, kissing tears from the corner of her eyes. “Hurry it up, Jade,” he growled.

  Long, torturous seconds later the excruciating pain eased. It hadn’t completely stopped but it was tolerable—until Jade began pressing on her belly.

  Ivy whimpered, grasped Bronto’s upper arm and dug her nails into his flexed muscles.

  “Just a little bit more, love. She’s removing the poison.”

  Please hurry. Oh gosh, it hurt so badly. It throbbed as if she had a second heartbeat pounding in her tummy.

  “I think we got it all, baby doll,” Jade said in a calming tone. “But I’ve got to clean it with peroxide. It’s going to really burn.”

  Ivy opened her eyes and nodded. It couldn’t hurt any worse than the knife slicing her skin. But when Jade said, “Here goes,” in an apologetic voice and cold liquid poured over Ivy’s belly and ran down her sides, she tried bolting off the ground.

  Bronto loosened the arm across her chest, giving her a bit of room to rise, and she slammed her face into his chest.

  Mercy! They were killing her.

  She released his hand and fisted his upper arm. She squeezed and squeezed, desperate to expel the scorching pain.

  Jade fanned cool air over the wound but it didn’t lessen the sting. It was as if hot embers sizzled on her lower stomach. A dizzy feeling washed through her. Everything became a blur.

  “Ivy?”

  She heard Bronto’s voice but it was fading. Something smooth and cold was placed across her tummy.

  “Ivy?”

  The weight eased from her legs and she felt as if she were floating. Warm hands settled on the sides of her head and her face was gently tilted backward.

  “Open your eyes, love. Look at me.”

  His voice grew louder.

  “Ivy, open your eyes.”

  She struggled and fought and then her lids finally slinked open to a hazy close-up of Bronto. She blinked until her vision finally cleared and his handsome face came into view.

  “Are you all right?” he asked. Though his voice reached her ears in a feathery tone, the skin between his eyes was bunched. A hint of alarm darkened his gaze and her heart melted.

  She nodded.

  He carefully removed the pelt from her mouth and lowered his lips for a gentle kiss.

  “I’m finished applying the antibiotic cream and bandages,” Jade said. “Bronto, she should rest. Let her sleep for a while.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “Bronto, may I come in?” Jade asked from outside the doorway.

  “Yes,” Ivy whispered. Sunshine fled through the entrance when Jade stepped into the hut.

  “Good morning, baby doll. I thought you’d still be asleep.”

  Ivy smiled and glanced at Bronto, where he lay stretched on his side right beside her. “I’ve been up most of the night watching him sleep.”

  “You should’ve been resting.”

  “I wasn’t tired. I’ve slept too much lately.”

  Jade returned the smile. “That’s a good sign, I suppose. Do you mind if I change your bandages? They’re already twelve hours old.”

  “No.” Ivy lowered the fur to the top of her thighs and raised the frock to her waist. “It feels better.”

  “That’s good to hear,” Jade replied while she sank to her knees at Ivy’s waist. She gently removed the bandages and lightly pressed on Ivy’s tummy. “Does this hurt?”

  Ivy shook her head. “Very little.”

  “It looks good.” Jade sat back and relaxed her shoulders.

  “Can Birmon help now?”

  “I think it’s best to wait at least one more day to make sure the infection is completely gone.” She caressed Ivy’s arm with fingers as gentle as her eyes were compassionate. “Do you want to talk about what happened?”

  Oh gosh no. “I want to talk about you and Rocko. It seems he’s no longer shunning you.”

  “Not anymore. We had a long talk. He wasn’t upset with me as I thought. His silence and avoidance was his way of dealing with the rape.”

  “Like I thought.”

  Jade nodded as she applied clean bandages to Ivy’s belly. “Yes, you were right. He just needed time to accept what happened before he could move on. Much like what you’re doing.”

  Ivy’s brows scrunched. “Me?”

  “You cannot hide inside the hut forever, baby doll. I know you’re afraid but you must face your fears to overcome them.”

  “I’ve been trying.”

  Jade cupped Ivy’s hand. “Bronto has work to do. He can’t shirk his duties because you’re too scared to be alone. That isn’t fair to him, is it?”

  “I…” Gosh, she hadn’t thought of that. How selfish of her. She’d been so wrapped in self-pity it hadn’t crossed her mind. Not once. In six days. Six long days. She glanced at Bronto then looked Jade in the eye. “I didn’t… He must… I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize. I understand,” Jade was quick to respond. “While he sleeps, why don’t you come outside with me? It’ll do you good to move around anyway.”

  Leaving the security of the hut was unsettling and caused her belly to knot but was something she needed to do. “You’ll stay close by?”

  “Yes, of course.” Jade smiled the motherly smile Ivy adored. “If it makes
you feel better, Grunt hasn’t been around in days, nor has there been any alien activity. The men might have obliterated all of them. If not, destroying their lab might have convinced them to flee Helixis.”

  Grunt didn’t scare her. Not anymore. What now scared her was the prospect of disappointing Bronto by staying confined inside the hut, feeding a weakness. She’d never been a woman to hide or back down from anything. Not her father. Or Sledge. Or Grunt. “Okay.”

  She wanted to see Wisteria anyway. Other than the day Ivy woke up to see Wisty sitting by her side, she’d only visited Ivy briefly a couple times a day. Despite Bronto leaving to give them privacy, it wasn’t the same as sitting around the fire and talking about girl stuff. Ivy didn’t want to discuss aliens but they were Wisteria’s primary topic lately.

  “Then shall we?” Jade said, taking a stance and offering her hand.

  Ivy took hold of Jade’s fingers and carefully rose to her feet. Rising to full height stretched her belly but it didn’t hurt enough to address.

  “You’ve got to be hungry, baby doll. You’ve hardly eaten.”

  “I am.” She followed Jade to the door but when they stepped outside Ivy stopped to look around.

  Ruby and Pearl were stirring two large pots that were hanging over the cooking fire, and Wisteria and Vulcan were standing near the pen, feeding leaves to the baby dinosaurs. Numerous men stood between the fire and the supply hut.

  Ivy tilted her face toward the sky and inhaled the fresh air. The sun bathed her skin and wrapped around her like Bronto’s embrace. Gosh, she missed this.

  “Ack.”

  She glanced at the ground just as Birmon waddled to her feet and looked up, his rhino-shaped head tilting side to side.

  “Ack,” he repeated.

  “Hi, Birmon.” She bent down and lifted him into her arms. He licked her cheek then nuzzled his snout between her breasts. “I missed you too,” she said, petting his head.

  “Ivy,” Wisteria squealed. She handed Vulcan her handful of leaves then dashed toward the huts. “Welcome back,” she said, giving Ivy a hug. She squeezed her gently then held her at an arm’s length and glanced at Ivy’s tummy. “Why didn’t you tell me you were injured?”

  “I didn’t want to worry you.”

  “I’ve done nothing but worry since Jade told me how bad it was. Are you okay now?”

  Ivy nodded. “Yes. I’m fine and I’m hungry.” For the first time in days she had an appetite and wouldn’t need to force herself to eat.

  She took another long glance around the yard. In one section Muck and three other tribesmen stood just inside the forest wall, guarding the camp. It was uplifting to know they continued to guard despite the lack of alien evidence.

  Relaxing her shoulders, she set Birmon down, inhaled a deep breath then walked hand in hand with Wisteria to the fire. After Ivy sat down, folding her legs beneath her, Jade handed her a cup of dark liquid and a full bowl of grains mixed with blue and red berries.

  “Hi, Ivy,” Pearl said as she approached and sat down, her expression filled with compassion. “It’s nice to see you outdoors.”

  “Thank you.” Ivy sipped the cup. The contents were hot and nose-scrunchingly bitter.

  Jade giggled. “It’s coffee. The caffeine in it will give you energy.”

  Ivy nodded and took another sip. It didn’t taste bad. Unusual but not bad at all. Surely it wasn’t her choice of liquid but she could drink at least one cup a day. Her momma made something that tasted similar she called black oomph. Momma drank it periodically but the clansmen drank it from sunrise to sunfall.

  “I’ll be right back, baby doll,” Jade said, stroking Ivy’s hair. “I’ve got something for you in my hut.”

  “You shouldn’t go by yourself.”

  “It’s just right there,” Jade stated, pointing at the row of huts. “I’ll be back before you take your next sip.”

  Ivy set the cup aside and scooped a bite of grains into her mouth. From the corner of her eyes she spotted Vulcan turn away from the pen. Wisteria’s eyes brightened and she smiled as her man headed toward her. Because of Bronto, Ivy understood those feelings. It was something Momma couldn’t teach but needed to be experienced. If Wisteria hadn’t been banned from their clan, or if Sledge hadn’t forced Ivy into the Barbarians’ camp, Ivy’s and Wisty’s lives would be very different. Wisteria would actually be united to Sledge, and Ivy, well, she’d probably still be sheltered by Momma.

  She sighed as Vulcan kissed Wisteria on the cheek then draped an arm around her shoulders, urging Wisty closer. “Ivy, I’m glad you’re feeling well enough to join us,” he said. “Does Bronto know you’ve ventured out?”

  “I do now,” Bronto replied at Ivy’s back.

  She glanced over her shoulder and her heart burst in emotion as he strolled forward, his eyes locked on hers. Warm flutters erupted in her tummy, replacing the hunger pains. Knowing he loved her, the handsome, muscular man with his hair dancing behind him in the breeze, took her beyond her expectations. She only hoped he felt as if he couldn’t touch her deeply enough, or get close enough or become the air he breathed as she felt about him.

  She reached for his hand and the moment their palms connected and his large fingers folded around hers, tingles raced up her spine. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t want to wake you,” she said, watching as he brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back side.

  “I’m not complaining, love,” he said as he sat beside her. “It’s great to see you socializing again.”

  She raised her eyes. “I didn’t mean to confine you inside the hut.”

  “Don’t, love. I have a mind of my own. I stayed because I wanted to stay.”

  Then why’d she feel as though she hadn’t given him a choice? Had he shared in her fears the aliens would attempt another abduction if, in fact, they still existed? The thought caused her to shiver.

  “Move out of my way, heathen!” a woman hollered.

  Ivy looked at Wisteria, who was already peering at Ivy with her mouth agape. Ivy then glanced past Bronto’s shoulder.

  Her momma was storming through the yard from the direction of the meadow path. Trice kept an equal pace behind her, flailing his arms while obviously trying to reason with her. Ivy giggled. He didn’t know Momma.

  Wisteria assisted Ivy to her feet. “Wisty, don’t tell Momma about my abduction.” She glanced at everyone present. “No one tell her. Please.”

  “Do you think that’s wise?” Bronto asked.

  “You can tell her about the aliens, just not about what happened to me.”

  Wisteria took off running. Ivy ambled behind her, anticipating the moment she and her momma embraced. It was going to hurt.

  “Wisteria,” her mom wailed. “My baby.”

  Ivy sped up as fast as the tug on her tummy allowed. “Momma!”

  “Ivy. Oh Ivy. My baby. I’ve finally been reunited with my babies.” She embraced Wisteria. Even from the distance Ivy saw how tightly her arms squeezed Wisty.

  It was really going to hurt.

  Ivy stepped into her mom’s arms, sticking her butt out a little, avoiding contact between their bellies. “How did you find us, Momma?” she asked while her mom drenched her face in kisses.

  She grabbed Ivy’s cheeks. “Your father hasn’t been home to stop me, and Shale had no choice but to let me go.”

  Wisteria glanced over her mom’s shoulder. “Where is he? Is he here?”

  “No, I came alone. I figured the barbaric killers would kill any man who wandered into their territory. If they had any sense of decency they wouldn’t harm an unarmed woman, though.”

  “Momma, they’re kind people,” Wisteria said. “They’ve taken good care of me and Ivy.”

  “They better have.” She held both girls at an arm’s length and glanced toward the fire. “Now where’s this man who took my daughter captive?”

  Wisteria pointed at Vulcan, where he stood near the fire pit. “He’s right there. His name is Vulcan, Momma, and I love him. Be
nice.”

  She backed away from Ivy and Wisteria and stomped toward Vulcan. Wisteria was able to keep her pace but Ivy lagged behind.

  Her mom stopped directly in front of him, fisting her hands on her hips. The top of her head barely reached his breastbone. She said not a word as she stared. Then she raised her hand and smacked him across the face. His head barely jerked but his teeth clamped together and his jaw twitched.

  Wisteria gasped and cupped her mouth. Ivy cringed.

  “That is for the pain and heartache you’ve caused this old woman,” Momma scolded.

  While he stared into her eyes as if deciding the best way to handle her, she wound her arms around his waist and hugged him soundly. “And that’s for saving my baby from Sledge.”

  Ivy glanced at Wisteria, who looked appalled, and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Did she suspect Vulcan would discipline their mom for her actions? Would he smack her back because of the do unto others rule? Gosh, Ivy hoped not.

  He nodded once. “I’m sorry, ma’am, and, you’re welcome.”

  Wisteria’s shoulders slouched and Ivy smiled.

  “Vulcan,” Wisteria said, taking hold of his hand, “this is my mother Nodda.”

  “Yeah, we just met.”

  “And, Momma,” Ivy added, stepping beside Bronto, who’d taken a stance when her momma’s hand introduced itself to Vulcan’s cheek, “this is Bronto.”

  Her mom looked at Ivy then at Bronto before she stepped forward and examined him closely, starting with his feet. Of all the days he hadn’t worn his furs.

  “You,” her momma said when her gaze reached his eyes. “What are you to my daughter?”

  He glanced at Ivy, either visually asking for permission to tell the truth or seeking help. She feigned a smile and wrapped her arms around his tummy and back. It at least put a barrier between him and her mom in case she decided to whack him too. “We love one another, Momma,” she replied.

  She raised her nose at Ivy, snubbing her. “Is this true?” she asked Bronto directly.

  “Yes, Nodda. Ivy speaks the truth. I love your daughter.”

  “You treat her well,” she warned, shaking her finger. Then she turned toward Vulcan. “And you too. These are my remaining girls. If you hurt them you will answer to me.” She waved her hand as if to dismiss them. “Your barbarian ways don’t scare me.”