Not-So-Savage Barbarians Series by Amy Padilla

Prequel for the Not-So-Savage Barbarians series.

Every year, a woman from each town is chosen as a tribute to the barbarian clans to keep the peace, never to be seen or heard from again. The rumors about the barbarian clans were horrific. It was a sentence worse than death. I never thought they’d choose me. But when my brother betrays me by telling my father about my interest in men, he decides to throw me to the wolves to spare our family the shame. Making me the first male tribute.

I should’ve known better than to trust my childhood bully. I was too soft-hearted for my own good. Thanks to another one of his cruel tricks, I end up on the run through a monster-filled forest to avoid the noose. When I’m found by the local barbarian clan, I figure I’m done for. I’m injured, exhausted, and have no hope of fighting back. But the barbarian who rescues me from certain death isn’t what I thought he would be. And maybe the fear I had for them was misplaced... moreI should’ve known better than to trust my childhood bully. I was too soft-hearted for my own good. Thanks to another one of his cruel tricks, I end up on the run through a monster-filled forest to avoid the noose. When I’m found by the local barbarian clan, I figure I’m done for. I’m injured, exhausted, and have no hope of fighting back. But the barbarian who rescues me from certain death isn’t what I thought he would be. And maybe the fear I had for them was misplaced. Maybe the only thing I should be afraid of is falling for someone I can’t keep. less

Tomas was a jealous little shit. He should’ve known he wouldn’t win going up against the best. Everyone knew I was the most popular in the brothel. There was no point pretending otherwise. In a shameless act of revenge, he had the guards called and had me arrested for offending the man who’d chosen me over him. They, in turn, sold me off to the barbarians. They don’t know who they’re dealing with. Especially the barbarian babysitting me; he says he’s uninterested in males. We’ll see about that... moreTomas was a jealous little shit. He should’ve known he wouldn’t win going up against the best. Everyone knew I was the most popular in the brothel. There was no point pretending otherwise. In a shameless act of revenge, he had the guards called and had me arrested for offending the man who’d chosen me over him. They, in turn, sold me off to the barbarians. They don’t know who they’re dealing with. Especially the barbarian babysitting me; he says he’s uninterested in males. We’ll see about that. I’ll show them all. They chose the wrong man to mess with. less

I’ve been alone most of my life. No family, no home. No one would care if I disappeared. I wouldn’t survive another year on my own. In a desperate attempt to survive, I volunteered as tribute to the barbarians after hearing they now accepted males. At least if I died, I would have done something good by sparing someone else. But it wasn’t at all what I was expecting... moreI’ve been alone most of my life. No family, no home. No one would care if I disappeared. I wouldn’t survive another year on my own. In a desperate attempt to survive, I volunteered as tribute to the barbarians after hearing they now accepted males. At least if I died, I would have done something good by sparing someone else. But it wasn’t at all what I was expecting. And when my protector abandons me for being unable to speak, I’m left floundering again until someone else steps up to take his place. He’s dangerous and scarred, and people give him a wide berth, but he offers me something I haven’t had since I was a child. Safety. I’d be a fool to walk away now. less

When my father schemed to marry my sister off to a decrepit old man to boost his standing, I swore I’d protect her. Together, we drove suitors away, but his fury only grew. To punish us, he rigged the barbarian lottery—and when Evelyn’s name was drawn, her fate was sealed. Unless I stopped it. There was only one way to spare her. I would take her place. I’d do anything for my family. Even if it meant becoming a barbarian’s tribute.

There’s always a point in someone’s life where they regret the decisions of their past. Take me for instance. I skipped my lessons as often as I could get away with, figuring I’d always have someone with me to translate or watch my back. As a prince of Al Nuzem, I was very rarely alone. But when one of my own guards stabbed me in the back and had me handed off to the barbarians, my inability to speak even the common tongue meant I couldn’t tell them I wasn’t what they thought... moreThere’s always a point in someone’s life where they regret the decisions of their past. Take me for instance. I skipped my lessons as often as I could get away with, figuring I’d always have someone with me to translate or watch my back. As a prince of Al Nuzem, I was very rarely alone. But when one of my own guards stabbed me in the back and had me handed off to the barbarians, my inability to speak even the common tongue meant I couldn’t tell them I wasn’t what they thought. And no amount of fighting was going to get them to bring me home. Not until they learned to communicate with me. It wasn’t going to be the other way around. They’d learn eventually. less