Barbarian's Hope (Ice Planet Barbarians, #10)

by Ruby Dixon

“This fat man falls into your fire with your gifts? How is that a reward?”

And I think of Hemalo and how he needs to feel needed. How I have not given that to him. How strained things are between us. I get up out of bed, move to the wall, where the teepee top is tightly lashed down, and begin to pick the seams apart.

And because I love her, I will not be here when she finally comes to seek me.

Will he want a male or a female? Will he think of Hashala as my stomach grows? Or will the new kit replace all the aching love I have for her? I worry that I will forget her. That if a new kit fills my arms and my heart, I will have nothing left for the kit I have lost. But maybe…maybe Hemalo can help me remember.

“And even if you did not come back to me, if you were happy, I could live with that. It is your sadness that tears me apart.”

“I am a mother. My kit is dead.” I sob. “I still miss her.”

“Because I will be at your side every moment of every day. When you frown, I will give you mouth-matings until you smile again. When you are sad, I will hold you close until you are happy again. When we sleep, it will be together, under the same furs.”

“My mate,” Hemalo murmurs as he kisses me. “My sweet Asha. I would wait forever for you.”

I tilt my head. “A below jab?” It sounds painful and not erotic. “Where ‘below’ would I jab him?”