The Barbarian Before Christmas (Ice Planet Barbarians #17.5)(8)

The two humans stand and chatter, unaware of our approach. Lo-ren holds the motherless kit on her hip, talking to Tee-ah as she does. They watch the water, and a quick glance out shows that Lo-ren’s four-armed mate, K’thar, is learning to cast nets into the surf with Zolaya. It is a wise task for him to take on, because the strange male is extremely strong. After another cast of the nets deep into the water, he turns to his mate and makes a shivering motion, and then rolls his neck. This cool weather is new to his people. The humans said that the entire island was warm and steamy like the fruit cave. It sounds terrible.

“Ho,” I call out, doing my best to sound friendly.

The females turn to look at me, wariness on their faces as Rukh and I approach. I do not blame them. Normally I only speak to the humans to correct them on something they are doing wrong. Perhaps I am not the most patient of hunters. I hear Zolaya calling K’thar’s attention back to the nets—no doubt the protective male is ready to come and get between me and his mate if I make her upset. “I have a question. It is about human things,” I say, and do my best to be…well, if not pleasant, less fearsome.

“Human things?” Lo-ren echoes, bouncing the kit on her hip as she glances out to the waters and to her mate. “What sorts of human things?”

“We wish to know about No-Poison,” Rukh says.

“What?” Tee-ah blurts out, a confused expression on her face.

“The holiday,” I explain. “The one with the leaves and the kissing and the gifts.”

The two females exchange a glance. “Um, humans have a lot of holidays,” Lo-ren says.

I bite back my impatience. This is for Liz. “It is the holiday with the gifts,” I repeat, talking slowly. “With the tree and the strings of decorations.”

“And kissing,” Rukh adds.

Tee-ah giggles. Lo-ren gives her a quelling look and steps in front of her, a hint of a smile touching her mouth. “I’m going to assume you guys mean Christmas. Like Christmas trees and Santa Claus and giving presents, right?”

“What does that have to do with poison and kissing?” Tee-ah whispers loud enough for me to hear, but Lo-ren swats her with a hand and focuses her gaze on me, waiting.

At least one of these females is sensible. I ignore the silly, giggly one. “Yes. My mate is sad she cannot be home with our kits for the holiday and so I wish to give her the holiday here.”

“Aww, that’s sweet,” Tia says with another giggle. “I love it.”

“I—we,” I correct, pointing at Rukh, “wish to know how we can bring the holiday to our mates and make them smile.”

“Foot-ball games?” Rukh asks, gravely serious. “Eggs?”

Lo-ren looks even more puzzled. “Uh, okay. No, I wouldn’t start with those things. I’d start with gifts for your mates.”

“We will have something for them,” I say and give her an impatient flick of my hand. “Tell me of your traditions. Your customs. I need more of those.”

“Oh, um, all right. I’m guessing a big red suit and white beard is out. You could do a tree, though, and decorate it. Make it look festive.” Lo-ren adjusts the wraps around the kit on her hip as she speaks.

“With a star on top,” Tee-ah adds. “Gotta have a star.”

I do not know what she means by that, but I will figure it out. I look over at Rukh and he nods. We can do a tree. “What else?” I ask.

“Let’s see…presents, gifts,” Lo-ren says, pondering. “A family meal. Christmas carols!”

“Oooh, yes,” Tee-ah adds and claps her hands. “That would be perfect.”

“How is your singing voice?” Lo-ren asks.

It is not good. “Cay-rols are important to the holiday?”

“Very,” Tee-ah insists.

Then they must be done. “Teach me these songs.” I will learn them all and sing them to my mate to show her I care.





4





ELLY



I decide I’m going to give Christmas to Bek. Maybe he won’t be here for No-Poison Day to celebrate officially with the tribe, but that doesn’t matter. Kira helps me with the boots and I spend all night sewing because I’m too distracted to sleep for a change. When dawn comes, I head out and join the others on their tree-hunting expedition. They’re not close to the trees we had at home, but I take a little pink one anyhow, make a stand for it, and then spend hours sitting in front of Kira’s hut with her and Kae and Erevair, making garlands from dried seeds. By the time the suns set that day, my hut is decorated, and I curl up on the blankets once more to work on Bek’s boots. After the boots, I want to make him a tunic. Maybe some special trail ration cakes he can take with him the next time he goes out. I can think of a million things my mate needs now that I sit down and really focus on him, and I want to make him everything.

When he gets home, I’ll be ready to celebrate with him, and the thought brings me joy and renewed purpose. If he can’t be here with me, I can still bask in his love.





5





BEK



“I need a new loincloth after that bit of travel,” Aehako tells me with a nervous laugh as we slide to the ground from the dragon’s back. He kneels in the snow and presses his horned brow to the ground. “I never thought I would be so glad to see snow underfoot.”