Barbarian’s Taming by Ruby Dixon
17
HASSEN
Mah-dee is right aboutone thing—the how-ses are warm.
We finish exploring and pick one of the smallest of the small, cup-like structures to spend our night in. Under Mah-dee’s instructions, I use my spear and several of the extra furs we carry to form a tent over the top of the howse. We build a fire in the center, and she moves into my lap so I can wrap her in my furs and let my body heat warm her as the suns go down and it grows dark. Once the fire is burning, though, she does not need my warmth. The small structure of the howse means it does not take long for it to get warm. With the fire going, it is almost pleasant.
It is very quiet, not unlike the tribal cave when all the hunters are out on journeys. Perhaps Mah-dee is right and this will be a good place for our people. I think of her excitement over the toy-lets. Those are a good thing, she tells me. The hot pool of water like our bathing pool at home? Also good. That we can make these cup-like structures into small, warm caves for each family? This place is just waiting to be inhabited again.
Mah-dee is excited. She thinks the chief will be, too. She thinks we can spend the brutal season here and be happy.
But I hesitate. To me it is not home.
It is a cold, strange place that someone else has left behind. I do not know what to make of it.
I know this thinking is wrong. I ponder this as I stare into the fire and hold my mate close. The humans have adapted to our land, have they not? It is strange and frightening to them, and yet they have made the best of it. Perhaps it is time for the sa-khui to adapt to change, as well.
I rub my mate’s arms as she drowses in my lap.
Perhaps I need to learn to be brave like my human. Mah-dee has been nothing but strong and confident since she awoke from the strange alien bubbles. When her sister cried, Mah-dee shielded her. When I stole her, Mah-dee fought the others and wanted to get her back. Mah-dee does not know how to quit. She does not give up, ever. And she sees everything—even this strange, empty place—as opportunity.
I need to be more like my sweet mate. Embrace the changes that come into my life, the way I embrace her. After my family’s death, I lived in fear of more change. When I stole Li-lah and ended up with nothing, I thought change was bad. I thought I had made mistakes and regretted my choices.
But those choices—those changes—have brought me Mah-dee, and she is the greatest gift a hunter could ask for.
Perhaps this place will be as good for my people as Mah-dee is for me. I slide a hand over her thigh, feeling possessive.
My khui immediately begins to rumble, sensing my mood. In my lap, Mah-dee gives a little sigh of pleasure and leans back against me, exposing her neck to me. I nip at it and move my hand between her thighs, seeking her little nipple there.
“Mmm, what are you doing, Hassen?” Her hand moves to my mane, and she twists her fingers in it as she holds me close. Her back arches as I find the sensitive spot on her cunt and stroke it. “Oh. Is that what we’re doing?”
“We are resonating,” I tell her between kisses to her soft neck. “It will happen, and it will happen many times. Tonight, you are mine and mine alone.”
“Completely alone,” she agrees, and I hear a smile in her voice. “It’s kind of weird, isn’t it? To be in a home and not have other people around.”
“Very odd,” I agree. I miss the noises of a busy cave, but after being exiled, I am growing used to it. “But like you, I think it will work. And tomorrow, we will leave and begin our journey home so we may tell the chief of this place.” My fingers stroke her slick, wet folds. “But first…”
“First,” she agrees, undulating her hips against my hand. “First, we have all the sex.”
MADDIE
Two Weeks Later
“Mush, big guy! Mush! You’re slowing down and we’re near the finish line!” I call out from my seat atop the first sled of supplies.
Hassen looks back at me, eyes narrowed. “You have been shouting that all morning.”
“It’s because you’re not a great listener, baby.” I smile brightly at him to take the sting out of my words. “Get your second wind and let’s go! Or are you too tired? Do you want me to get out and help?”
“Stay where you are,” my delightfully surly mate tells me. “You will need your energy for later.”
Despite weeks of resonating, I’m still dorky enough to blush and get all turned on, too. I press my thighs together and try not to think about sex too much, because if that happens, my cootie starts to purr, and then his cootie starts to purr, and then we throw down in the snow like a pair of wild animals.
It’s a lot of fun, but it’s also put us behind schedule. With every day that passes, it gets a little colder and a little snowier, and I suspect the brutal season is almost here. That means less time to fool around and more hustle to get home.
Which is why I’m riding on a sled instead of pulling one behind me.
We’ve got two sleds with us, a larger one that Hassen pulls behind him, and a smaller one sized for my frame. Both are full of furs, food supplies, and dried dung for fire fuel. We’ve killed game and skinned and smoked meat as we’ve traveled, adding that to the pile of supplies so we don’t demolish every hunter cave we run across. They’re not completely picked clean, in case someone needs to drop in during an emergency, but they’re definitely down to the bare bones. For now, though, getting supplies to the tribe is the most important thing, and since dragging a sled has left me far too exhausted every day for my mate’s attentions, he’s decided that we should tie both sleds together and I should ride on top while he pulls them. Which sounds ridiculous except…it works. And I’m not passing-out exhausted by the time we stop every night, which leaves us plenty of snuggle time.
My Hassen craves snuggle time.
Okay, I do, too.
“Around the next ridge,” he calls to me as we head into one of the many undulating valleys. “And we shall be at the Elders’ Cave. Are you excited to see your sister?”
“I don’t know if excited is the right word,” I tell him. “I want to see her again, but I’m also a little worried she’s going to lose her lid about you and me.”
I hear him grunt as he digs his feet into the snow, pulling a little harder now that we’re close to our destination. “She will have to learn a safe place to keep her lid, then. I do not intend on losing you.”
I stifle my giggle at his response. I love his sweet words, especially when they’re mixed in with a complete lack of knowledge of human euphemisms. It’s fun. Actually, everything about being with Hassen is fun. I love him. I love our crazy, passionate sex. I love the way he holds me tight like I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to him. I even love our journeying together, though it’s hard. I love everything.
I’m just a little worried that Lila’s reaction to our resonance is going to crap on my happiness.
Because I’m really, really happy. I know I’m supposed to be full of despair or worried about the future since there’s been a cave-in and people are injured and Warrek’s dad is dead. I know there’s a lot to stress over and this place isn’t safe and my sister might never recover her hearing and I’m pregnant at the worst possible time with a baby who’s going to be half-alien and…I’m deliriously happy. Like, crapping-rainbows-and-bluebirds-singing happy. And it’s not just because I’ve been getting dick on the regular—though that certainly helps—but I love Hassen. I love our funny conversations and the way he cares about everything so damn much. I can’t imagine life without him at my side.
My sister is going to have to cope, because I’m not giving him up.
I’m lost in thought, trying to figure out the best way to soft-pedal the news to my sister that I resonated to the enemy when I realize that Hassen’s steps are slowing. “Do you need me to get out and walk for a while, big guy? Because I can. I don’t mind.”
He doesn’t respond, and I see he’s gazing at something up ahead. I turn to look—
And gasp. My stomach tenses and my entire body feels like it’s been dipped in ice.
We’re still a short distance away, but from here, I can see something sticking out over the cliffs. Something with smooth black metal curves that are completely out of place in this jagged, snow-covered landscape.
It’s the Elders’ Ship. And it looks like it’s completely on its side. Oh, shit. “Is that the…it has to be. What does that mean?”
“Hold on,” Hassen tells me. I barely have a chance to do just that before he surges forward, his steps quick as he races over the rest of the distance, heading for the ship. I cling to the leather straps to anchor myself, worrying. If the ship is on its side, then no one can live in there. Heck, I don’t even know if anyone can even use the computers anymore. All of this worries me.
It’s also a little discouraging because that means it’s just one more place knocked off the list of potential places to stay for the brutal season. Now, more than ever, our discovery of the little stone village tucked into the canyon seems important. I know Hassen has his worries, but I think we’ll be safe there. Certainly safer than out in the open.
We’re both silent as we head into the valley, approaching the Elders’ Ship. Even from this distance, I can see a spread of small, hide-covered tents clustered around a central fire. Smoke rises from it, and I can see people moving. That means the sa-khui are still here. Good. One worry-knot in my belly unclenches.
A few people approach our sleds, and I see Farli with her pet, who’s no longer limping. There’s Georgie, holding her baby as she approaches, and Bek.
“Ho,” Hassen calls out. “We bring back supplies.” His voice is careful and even, and I know he has to be stressing. His gaze focuses on Georgie as he sets down the handles for the sled. “Where is my chief?”
“He’s out with Rokan and Lila,” Georgie says, adjusting her daughter from one hip to the other. “They’ve got a big group out at the fruit cave picking everything they can before the storm comes in.” She glances up at the skies and grimaces. “It’s going to be a nasty one, looks like.”
“The brutal season is upon us,” Hassen says gravely. He moves to the sled and puts his hands out for me, and I let him help me down. “Is everyone well?”
“Well enough,” Georgie says. She looks at Farli and Bek. “Can you guys take the sleds? Sevvah and Kemli are smoking some meat by the fire, and you can get their mates to help unpack things.” She shoots a look at me, bouncing Talie. “It’s been a long few weeks.”
“I’ll bet,” I say, putting my arms out to take the baby from her. Talie’s getting big, and Georgie looks exhausted. “So my sister’s not here? The fruit cave still exists?”
“She’ll be back tonight,” Georgie says, handing over her kit. “We weren’t sure when you guys were coming back, though she’ll be excited to see you. And yep, the fruit cave is still mostly intact, which is good. I’ve been half-tempted to dogpile everyone in there instead of out here in the snow, but there’s not enough room.”
“The Elders’ Cave,” Hassen asks, his gaze going to the ship. “It is…”
“On its side. Yeah.” Georgie rubs her forehead. “Rukh and Harlow say they managed to get out just in time, but there’s no way we can set up shop in there for the winter. We’re going to have to find an alternative.” She looks at the sleds, and a little of the tension eases on her face. “These supplies are going to help so much. I’m glad you guys came back when you did.”
She sounds…defeated. That’s not good.
“The South Caves?” my mate asks, his expression growing increasingly bleak. “Are they livable?”
“Gone.” She shakes her head. “We’ll figure something out. It’s going to be okay.” The smile she beams our way is tight and tired, and I’m guessing it’s an answer she’s had to give over and over again lately. Poor Georgie.
I squeeze Talie tight, and the baby just blinks up at me with big glowing eyes. Okay, I haven’t been much of a baby person in the past, but now that I’m carrying my own (at least, I’m pretty sure I am at this point, if the law of averages is with me), she’s suddenly fascinating and adorable. “Is everyone all right, at least? Everyone healthy?”
“We’re making it,” Georgie says, crossing her arms over her chest and gazing back at the small, scattered camp. “Maylak’s exhausted herself trying to heal everyone, so we’re making her take it easy for a while.” She gives us a quick look-over. “If you’ve got any broken bones, they might have to wait—”
“We’re okay,” I say quickly. “Don’t worry about us.” I move a little closer to Hassen, wishing he’d put his arm around me. I know he doesn’t dare because he’s back to exile status and I’m off limits, but we’re going to fix that. Somehow.
“Pashov?” Hassen asks, a hushed note in his voice. “Is he…”
“Good and bad,” Georgie says quietly. “He’s alive and recovering, but…his memory is gone. He doesn’t remember anyone. Not Stacy, not his son, nothing. But his body? His body is healthy enough.”
Hassen sucks in a breath. “No memory of his mate…?”
“Give him time,” I say, before Hassen worries further over his friend. “He’ll be fine. I imagine even a healer can’t fully fix a traumatic brain injury. He’s got a cootie, and he’s got people to look after him. He’ll be all right. These things just take time.”
Georgie just nods. “I hope you’re right.”
“May I see him?” Hassen asks.
Georgie turns and points at a pair of tents near the fire. “He’s in the tent on the left there. Go say hello, but don’t go into the other one. Stacy’s taking a nap. It’s…hard on her.” Georgie shoots me a worried look.
God, I’ll bet. Her mate nearly dying and then him not remembering her? With a small baby, too? And all of this other crap going on? She has to be going through hell.
Hassen steps forward, and then hesitates, looking back at me. There’s so much pain and worry in his eyes, I just want to take it all away from him and absorb it.
I reach out and touch his arm. “You go ahead, big guy. Say hi to Pashov. I’ll stay here and talk to Georgie for a minute.”
He nods at me, and I see a possessive flash in his eyes. “I will be back.”
“I’ll be here. I won’t go anywhere without you.”
A ghost of a smile touches his face. He rubs a hand down his jaw, tired, then heads off for the small tent.
Georgie waits until Hassen is gone and then arches an eyebrow at me. “Should I ask?”
“You can, but I’m not sure how much I’m willing to tell just yet.” I’m kind of glad that Hassen’s and my cooties are being mutually silent, because I’m not sure how our resonance will affect things. “Is he still an exile?” I ask bluntly.
“That’s not my call to make,” Georgie tells me. “That’s Vektal’s. It’s his tribe.”
“Yes, but you’re his mate.”
“Yes, and Hassen stole your sister after being warned that exile would happen if anyone did.”
“Yes, and that was a big goof on his end. He knows that, and he’s sorry for it. And I’m sure if you put a bug in Vektal’s ear, he’d be willing to listen to reason and lift the ban on Hassen.”
“Why would I do that? Look, I like Hassen as much as the next guy, and overall, I think he means well. But I think he also showed a criminal lack of judgment.”
“He acts before he thinks sometimes. You know, like when he went into the cave to save Pashov?” I can’t help but throw that back in her face.
“Point taken.”
“Being exiled is killing him, Georgie. He doesn’t have a family—all he’s got is the tribe. Not being able to be part of the team really hurts him, maybe more than most.” She’s not getting it, and I’m growing frustrated with her. I know Georgie’s going to see things through her mate’s point of view out of sheer loyalty. I totally get that, and I’m probably doing the same thing when it comes to Hassen. “He’s proved his worth to the tribe, hasn’t he? And what’s the point in exiling him when everyone’s homeless? Doesn’t that seem unfair? After how hard he works to provide for this tribe?”
Her mouth purses, and she takes Talie back from my arms. “I wish it was that simple, Maddie, I really do.”
“It is that simple. You can talk to Vektal. Make him see things our way.”
The look on her face is hard. “You think my mate doesn’t have enough to worry about? You think he’s not killing himself slowly trying to fix everything for everyone? To be everywhere? To be the leader they need him to be? You think this is easy for him?”
“I know it’s not. It’s not easy for anyone.” I’m not getting anywhere with her, and so I’m going to have to play hardball. If it means getting myself booted out of the tribe too, so be it.
Hassen’s my mate, and I’m going to stand by his side. I think of Lila and feel a little squeeze of anxiety, but I tamp it down. Even if they exile me with Hassen, we’ll find a way to visit each other, my sister and me. We’re family. They can’t pull us apart.
Time to bring out the big guns. “So Hassen found something interesting while we were out,” I say casually as she settles her daughter back in her arms. I deliberately leave out my part in things. I want my mate to get all the glory in this, because I don’t want to muddy the picture. I’m going to get him back into this tribe, damn it.
“Oh?”
“Yup. And you’re going to want to hear about it. It’s a game changer.” And then I wait.
She looks over at me, little frown-lines appearing between her brows when I don’t continue. “Well?”
I cross my arms over my chest and give her a look. “You going to talk to your mate about mine and letting him back in the tribe?”
“Depends on what you found. It’d better be pretty fucking good,” she snaps, and I can tell her patience is at an end with me.
“Toilets, Georgie. We found toilets.” And a whole abandoned city attached to it, but whatever.
Her eyes narrow. “Did you say toilets?”
“Yup. Did you say you’ll talk to your mate?”
She stares at me for a long moment, and then flicks her hand, indicating I should continue. “I’m listening…”
