The Barbarian Before Christmas (Ice Planet Barbarians #17.5)(10)

I rub my chest, wishing for the friendly hum of my khui that would tell me she is near, and that I am wanted.

A band of hunters appears at the far end of the canyon, spears in hand. I can make out Oshen’s age-rolled shoulders, and the two next to him must be Vadren and Drayan, with Drenol and Vaza behind them. I snort with amusement at that. Have the elders decided to come and protect the village and left the able-bodied hunters behind to protect their mates? It is admirable…and a little foolish as well.

Aehako raises a hand in the air, jogging forward. “Ho, Father. It is us! No need to be afraid.”

“My sons?” Oshen calls out, squinting as he steps forward.

“It is us, Father,” Rokan agrees, moving to Aehako’s side. “We have journeyed back.”

“But where are the rest?” Vadren asks, studying our small group. His braids are stark white against his skin and the hand that holds his spear trembles just a little, but he keeps himself strong and upright, a fierce look on his weathered face as he studies Vuh-ron-ca and Ash-tar. “What of the giant creature in the sky? And who are these newcomers?”

“There is much to explain,” Vektal says briskly, moving forward. “But everyone is well and sends their greetings. It is good to see all of you.”

The elders cluster around us, offering to take packs and greeting the Icehome newcomers with pleasantries. I watch Aehako and Rokan hug their father and wonder if my sister and her family are well…but I mostly think of my Ell-ee. She is the one I truly want to see. “If we are done shaking our spears at each other, let us go home,” I announce, but everyone is busy exclaiming over Ash-tar’s scale-like golden skin and the packs of goods we carry. They are in no hurry, it seems.

Annoyed, I shoulder my pack and head on toward the village. They do not need me here for greetings. They are just fine without me. I head on through the canyon, my steps quickening as I round the bend and catch sight of the village at the far end of the gorge. The smoke from the fires has disappeared, and all of the huts have privacy screens in front of them. In the distance, I see a few hunters standing in front of the longhouse, armed with spears. No doubt they are still frightened at the appearance of the dragon.

Bah. The time for protectiveness is past. I cup a hand to my mouth, calling out for my mate. “Ell-ee! It is I, your Bek! I am home!”

“Bek?” A startled shriek rises from behind the wall of hunters standing in the doorway of the longhouse, and then a small figure wiggles out from underneath Haeden’s shoulder and races toward me. It is my mate, covered in furs, her pale face all eyes and pointed chin, and she is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. My khui races at the sight of her, and my knees grow weak. I feel the overwhelming urge to weep like a female, I am so relieved to see her alive and well.

She sobs as she runs toward me, her arms outstretched, and I drop my packs on the ground. I do not care if the delicate shells inside are crushed—all that matters is getting my arms around my sweet mate and holding her close.

Ell-ee slams into me with all of the weight of her slight form, and her arms go around my neck. “Bek!” she cries, and buries her face against my neck. She sobs my name over and over, her body shaking even as she wraps her thin legs around my waist, as if she is terrified I will leave again.

My mate.

The hollow parts inside me suddenly feel full once more. The bitterness I carried for these long days without her is gone, and I touch her hair, her back, her leg, petting her and reassuring myself that it is her after all. “My Ell-ee,” I murmur, and my voice is husky with emotion. “How I have missed you.”

“Never leave me again,” she weeps against my throat, her hands tangling in my hair. “You’re not allowed.”

“Never,” I agree. Even if I must go on the trails hunting, I will take her with me. The thought of leaving her again is unbearable.

She lifts her face and her cheeks are streaked with half-frozen tears, but she is smiling. She is so lovely that it steals the breath from my throat. Our khuis sing loud at our reunion, and I feel a surge of lust at the sight of her.

Mine. My mate.

I press my mouth to hers. It has been far too long since I’ve tasted her. To my delight, my normally shy Ell-ee responds with a hungry little moan, clutching my face as she kisses me with ferocious intent. There is nothing better than a mate eager for my touch, and I return her kiss with equal intensity, our mouths hungry as they lock together. There is nothing that exists beyond Ell-ee’s slight form pressed against me, her tongue slicking against mine.

I have waited too long to claim her again, and I will wait no longer. I ignore the happy cries of those around us reuniting with family. Nearby, I hear Aehako laugh as he swings his daughter into his arms, and Vektal calls out for Shorshie. Others crowd around, wanting to know about family members and greet the newcomers, but I care for none of this. With my Ell-ee in my arms, I push through the crowd, heading for our hut.

I am going to claim my mate and fill her body with my seed. Greeting the rest of the tribe can wait.

She makes hungry little noises as I carry her away, her legs tight around my hips. I have missed this—missed her—so much that it makes my spirit ache. It is like I have become whole once more and must take my fill of her to wipe away the memories of those endless nights and days without her at my side.

We make it to our hut, and I kick aside the privacy screen. The fire inside is nothing but banked coals, and our furs remain in the same spot as they always are. I move to the bed of furs and gently lay my mate down amongst them.