Barbarian Lover (Ice Planet Barbarians #3)(57)

It’s a little shocking, but also exciting.

Aehako and I are taking the painted cave. I have to admit I’m excited to have my own cave, especially one that’s already decorated and comes with a makeshift tub. Aehako loads his furs, his hunting tools, and his carving utensils, and he’s ready to go. Me, I have even less than that. My worn leather dress, a pair of snowshoes, and my blankets. I think Aehako’s mother Sevvah takes pity on me, because she fills his arms with a few baskets and utensils from her own cave, clucking over her baby bird finally leaving the nest.

Coming with us to the new cave is a mixture of old and new. Maylak and her family will be staying in the primary cave, since she is the healer. Vektal and Georgie, and all of the newly-mated couples will also be staying with them, since no one knows exactly how a sa-khui/human pregnancy is going to go. Elder Kemli and her mate Borran and their young daughter Farli will be coming with us to the new caves. The elders – all men – will be coming and split into two of the caves. Tiffany, Josie, and Claire will be joining us, along with several of the bachelor hunters who now get to split the big, roomy caves at the front of the South Cave system. There’s a bit of grumbling because the South Caves are full of the single and the elderly, but Vektal wants the elders to teach the humans the way of life here, and who better to do that than someone who’s already lived a hundred turns of the season and is still going strong?

The only couple coming with us that Aehako’s unhappy about is Asha and her mate Hemalo. While they’re a mated couple, they also don’t have a small child, which means they’re a natural pick to come to our cave, and all of the other caves back at the tribal complex are now back to their original uses. One of the hunter caves is now meat storage once more, and there’s an empty cave that Vektal wants set aside in case Liz’s pregnancy progresses faster than expected.

It’s a good group heading to the South Cave, despite Asha’s annoying presence. We hug all around – even though we’re only a few hours walk – and then set out. Claire’s happy as could be, now that she knows Bek is also heading to the South Cave, and Tiffany’s eager to learn more crafts from the elders. Josie’s chattering happily to Kemli and Farli, even though neither can understand her. Haeden’s coming to the new cave as well, and he looks rather irritated at Josie’s talking. Part of me thinks that Josie’s blabbering is good for Haeden, who’s entirely too self-contained and lost in his own thoughts most of the time.

When we make it to the South Caves, people exclaim with happiness and for the next few hours, there’s a lot of eager running around and exploring, checking out each other’s caves, and setting up. A large fire is built in the central area, for lighting as well as to give the area a homey effect. It’s nice and toasty warm for us humans, though I do notice that several of the hunters strip down due to the heat.

“Can’t say that’s a terrible side effect of things,” Tiffany murmurs at me as I gawk at Aehako’s brawny, sweaty chest as he sweeps a branch over the floor, ridding it of debris.

“No,” I say, distracted as another near-naked hunter strolls past. “I can’t say it is.”

At that moment, Asha stomps forward and puts her hand on my mate. “I want to talk to you, Aehako. I don’t like my new cave! It’s too small.”

Tiffany rolls her eyes. “Here we go. Princess is going to lobby for your cave, just you watch.” She saunters away. And she’s probably not wrong. It’s clear that a long, long time as one of the few single women in the sa-khui tribe has made Asha rather spoiled and demanding. Of course, she’s mated now.

Of course, I am, too. And she’s touching my mate’s arm and pretending to cry, and the sight of it irritates me. I watch as Aehako reaches out and pats her shoulder, trying to comfort her. “Your cave is one of the nicest. I promise.”

“It’s small,” Asha pouts.

Oh, for Pete’s sake. She doesn’t have to share with anyone except her mate, which makes it twice the size it would have been if she’d had another mated couple squeezed on top of her. I sigh with irritation as she takes Aehako’s hand and tries to pull him toward her new cave, as if to give him a personal tour.

Enough of that.

I step forward, approaching Aehako’s back. As I do, I notice his expression changes to one of horror as he stares down at Asha. Worried, I quicken my steps—

And hear the unthinkable.

Aehako’s resonating and Asha’s got her hand in his.

Shoe? Dropped.





PART SIX




KIRA



I can’t breathe. My heart’s pounding in my chest so hard that my blood is thumping in my ears.

Aehako just resonated for another woman. I’ve lost him.

The shock and grief is overwhelming. I stare at their joined hands, and look at my mate. He puts a hand on his chest, and I can hear it thrumming from over here.

He’s resonating – his khui is reacting to the presence of his perfect mate.

And I’m not it. Asha is.

“I don’t understand,” I say. I can barely hear my own voice over the roar of blood in my ears. “Asha has a mate. You can’t resonate to her.”

You’re mine, not hers.

It’s too unfair. Aehako is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I’m going to lose him so quickly? A sob chokes my throat. My heart thumps a wild beat.