Barbarian's Touch (Ice Planet Barbarians, #7)

by Ruby Dixon

Me? I walk silently, listening to their conversations with amusement. The day is cold but pleasant, and we are healthy, so I have no complaint. My brother is here if I am lonely and need company — but I do not. My younger brother Sessah is home with my father and mother. I have no mate waiting for me. I am content.

Aw he seems happy

I shrug. “If there is a mate for me, I do not care what color she is.” Humans have many strange features, but when I see Aehako looking at Kira’s flat, smooth face with adoration, I know it does not matter. She can have three noses and if I resonate to her, I will cherish all three of them.

Thats the attitude

Maddie and I live in Arizona.

Oh thats gonna suck so hard

“Ha!” Mah-dee says triumphantly and smirks up at Hassen. “Suck on that, Smurf.” She wiggles her fingers at Haeden. “Now gimme a knife.”

Lol

“Is this wise?” Hassen demands, switching to sa-khui. “We should not arm them!” “Why? Do you not think you can take them?” Bek counters. He is no happier with Hassen than I am for being selfish with the dark-haired female.

Haha

I eventually sit up again and look over at Hassen. He’s sitting by the fire, and his shoulders are slumped with dejection. He’s disappointed? I ignore the twinge of pity I feel because the jerk freaking kidnapped me. This shit is not right, not at any level.

we got the glowing-spaghetti-noodle-of-doom shoved into our throats?”

Lmao

“Are all the yellow-maned ones so angry? She reminds me of Leezh.” Haeden shoots an accusing glance at Raahosh.

Lol

She gestures at me with one finger, and that puzzles me. Does she think I speak their hand language? I decide to memorize the signal in case I need it to talk to Li-lah. I practice it a few times and then pack my bags for the morning.

Lol the middle finger with only 3 fingers is interesting

She is teaching me her words. Pleasure rushes through me and I repeat the motion, trying to get it as close to her gesture as possible given that I have less fingers than her. I mentally repeat it over and over again, determined to learn. I want to communicate with her in the way she is comfortable. If she cannot use spoken words, I will not either.

Awe

I feel super awkward and flushed, like the dweeby virgin I am. I’m twenty-two and most girls my age have had at least one lover to call their own, but I’ve always been a lot shyer than most.

we take careful steps through the deep snow, because she must tread carefully with the bulky snowshoes.

Why doesn't he just carry her?

I will carry her the rest of the way.

Should've carried her from the beginning

Because I can’t tell if what I feel is real or if it’s all pretend because it wants us to sleep together. It does not want us to sleep. It wants us to mate. Afterward, we can sleep.

Lol

You’re forty? Holy crap, Rokan! That’s old! Is it? He looks amused. I thought we were of an age. I’m twenty two! His brows furrow. So young. How long do humans live? I don’t know. Seventy or eighty years? He looks alarmed at that. My mother is a hundred brutal seasons old. He reaches out and taps my breast. You are lucky you have a khui, then. It will keep you healthy for much longer than your human world would. My people live to be very old. Vadren has seen a hundred and sixty-two brutal seasons and is still agile on the hunt.

Lol

We should include her in the conversation. I know what it’s like to be excluded. Of course. She’s going to want to learn the language. Everyone back at the tribal cave has been trying to learn some basics so they can talk to you. I’ve been teaching them the easy stuff but there’s a lot to cover. I have to blink back sudden tears. That’s so sweet and unexpected. They have? They’re learning sign language to talk to me? She nods. They’re very excited to meet you.

Awe

I think of quiet, gentle Hemalo. He is not a hunter, and once, many turns of the seasons ago, he loved Asha. “I am sad for him.”

Me too

It is time, he signs as he comes to my side. And before I can ask exactly what he means - though I have my suspicions - he picks me up and tosses me over his shoulder like I’m a girl in one of those caveman movies. And okay, it’s hot as hell. I’m so aroused at that quick, decisive action that I’m practically squirming.

🥰