The Barbarian Before Christmas (Ice Planet Barbarians #17.5)(20)

"Obviously," I murmur, moving out of the tent as Rukh settles down next to Harlow and they kiss. She's smiling and happy and I'll let them have a moment…because I need one alone with my mate. I saunter up to Raahosh—well, as much as a heavily pregnant woman can saunter—and give him a smile. "Is this what you've been up to for the last few days? Learning Christmas carols?"

He snorts, his candle flickering. "You did not think I suddenly preferred the company of the new tribe to spending time with you?"

"This is very, very…sweet," I say, deciding to be diplomatic. "What made you decide on songs?"

"Lo-ren and Tee-ah told us it is a human tradition." He leans in, candle flickering under his chin. "There are many foolish human traditions, but I do this one for you."

Bless his heart. I slide my hand into his belt and tug him forward a step, smiling. "I'm honored that you'd put up with so many 'foolish' things just to impress me." God, even after all these seasons, just the sight of him gets me all wet between the thighs. His features are too sharp and fierce for him to be handsome in the sa-khui sense, and his childhood scars ruined any chance of that long ago, but I love his face. I love looking at him, I love that his mouth gets all tight at the edges when he smiles because his scars are pulling. I love his crooked horns. They make me crazy with need.

"My mate," he murmurs, leaning closer even as he puts the candle out with his fingertips. "I would perform no end of foolish tasks if it would make you stop crying. I cannot bring the girls here with us, but I promise I will try to make our time together enjoyable."

"You nut," I whisper, getting all stupidly emotional again. "Every day with you is a good day. The girls are safe. That's all that matters. I'm just being silly and emotional, but I appreciate your effort."

"I have learned another carol," he admits. "Do you want to hear it?"

"Fuck no." I tug on his belt again. "I'd rather find someplace quiet and give you a present."

"A present?" He looks surprised. "For me?"

I nod slowly. "It's hot and wet and loves to suck on hard things." I lean in and whisper. "Spoiler: it's my mouth."

"I think I like this holiday," he tells me.

"Thought you might." I grin and pull on his belt again, tugging him forward. "Now let's go take over the supply tent before someone notices we're missing."

His eyes gleam with anticipation, and for the first time in days, I feel lighter.

Happy.





10





VEKTAL



My Georgie cannot stop kissing me. It does not matter that others crowd around us, eager to greet, or that Vuh-ron-ca and Ash-tar trail behind me like lost kits. It does not matter to her that I am so much taller that I must stoop over so she can kiss my face over and over again. She just presses her mouth to mine over and over again with delight. "You're home," she says. "I'm so glad!"

I chuckle as she plants another kiss on my mouth. "Let me take a look at you, my mate."

"In a minute," she tells me, and then kisses me again, this time teasing my lips with her tongue. Ah, she is playful this day, my mate. Hopefully this means the new kit she carries in her belly has settled more.

I wait, patient, as she kisses me once more and then releases me. I straighten and take her hands in mine, stepping backward and studying my beaming mate with a critical eye. When I left, she was thin, her belly flat in the early days of her carrying. She is slightly rounded now, her color better, and her cheeks are plump. "You are well, my sweet resonance?"

"Never better," Georgie tells me, and puts a hand to her gently swelling stomach. "Right after you left, it was like he decided that he was fine with everything. No more puking. Now I'm just hungry all the time." She sighs, but it is a happy one. "I hope you don't mind your mate fattening up."

"I can think of nothing better," I tell her, pleased. I clasp her hand tightly in mine and then glance around. "My girls…?"

"Hiding." She grimaces. "We didn't know if it was safe. They're in the longhouse. Someone said they saw a big monster in the skies, and then it was chaos. I didn't realize it was you guys—"

"The monster is truth," I admit, and then pull my mate against my shoulder, tucking her under my arm before she can ask more questions. I gesture at Vuh-ron-ca and Ash-tar, who stand behind us. "These are two of the newcomers. One of them can become a monster."

"A dragon," Vuh-ron-ca corrects me, and then her cheeks flush as she looks at her mate.

"A drakoni," Ash-tar corrects his mate, grinning. "But I like 'monster.' It sounds fearsome."

My Georgie puts a hand to her mouth. "Oh! I didn't realize you'd brought newcomers. I was so focused on looking for you." She pushes out of my grip, giving my stomach a gentle pat before she turns into “chief's wife.” "Welcome! I'm Georgie, Vektal's mate. Were there only two of you in the spaceship?"

"Oh no," Vuh-ron-ca says with a smile, even as she extends her hand to my mate. "There were twenty all right. And there are a bunch of islanders, too."