Northlands Barbarians Series by Atlas Jones

Avrid Ironwolf has earned his reputation as a fierce warrior with a heart of stone, but when he finds a bloodied and broken slave dying in the northern forests, he can't walk away. Ancient laws declare the man his property by right of rescue, but Avrid has never believed in owning people—and he certainly doesn't trust the way his chest tightens every time he looks at the healing stranger... moreAvrid Ironwolf has earned his reputation as a fierce warrior with a heart of stone, but when he finds a bloodied and broken slave dying in the northern forests, he can't walk away. Ancient laws declare the man his property by right of rescue, but Avrid has never believed in owning people—and he certainly doesn't trust the way his chest tightens every time he looks at the healing stranger.Faye survived years of brutal slavery, passed from one merciless master to another, learning that kindness is just cruelty in disguise. When Avrid brings him to the barbarian village, Faye braces for the inevitable—waiting for gentleness to twist into something darker. But day after day, Avrid's patience never wavers, his touch never turns harsh, and Faye finds himself falling for the tender warrior who defies everything he thought he knew about strength.As Faye learns the barbarian tongue, he begins to understand the impossible he's been free all along. But freedom means nothing if it comes at the cost of losing the man who saved him—and when others in the village question his worth he fears that soon so will Avrid. MM • Hurt/Comfort • Size Difference less

Erik Eastwind has spent his life as a warrior, but watching his former rival Avrid find love has left him restless and searching for something more. When a routine mercenary job guarding a Aldoran caravan goes wrong, Erik discovers their secret cargo—a captive prince whose golden eyes and defiant spirit ignite feelings he's never experienced before.Riven is the fiery and stubborn crown prince of the mountainous Ashlands, captured while defending his people's fortress... moreErik Eastwind has spent his life as a warrior, but watching his former rival Avrid find love has left him restless and searching for something more. When a routine mercenary job guarding a Aldoran caravan goes wrong, Erik discovers their secret cargo—a captive prince whose golden eyes and defiant spirit ignite feelings he's never experienced before.Riven is the fiery and stubborn crown prince of the mountainous Ashlands, captured while defending his people's fortress. Bound in iron chains and deemed too valuable to kill, he's biding his time for an escape—until a fierce barbarian warrior breaks his shackles and changes everything. As they escape together and make their way back to safety, they discover they work better together than either of them could have anticipated.But their growing passion faces impossible obstacles. Erik believes a prince could never truly want a common mercenary, while Riven struggles with a royal betrothal that could strengthen his besieged homeland's defenses. As they race toward the Ashlands, dodging Aldoran trackers and fighting their own insecurities, both men must decide what they're willing to sacrifice for love. MM • Hurt/Comfort • Size Difference Although this is the second in the series, you do not need to have read The Barbarian’s Slave to read this book less