Devi's Distraction (Icehome, #6)

by Ruby Dixon

And they wonder why I focus on my work. At least when I’m focused on my research, I don’t notice that I’m lonely. That I’m the only Indian girl here, or for that matter, the only academic.

But this D’vi female told me right away. She is not afraid to hurt my feelings. I find that…refreshing. It is a nice change from everyone staring at me with pity. Something rumbles in my throat, and I realize it is laughter. It seems that I stink.

“I will tell anyone that asks that I am very cold at night, rub my stump, and they will trip over themselves to apologize.” She laughs, smacking my arm lightly. “You’re terrible. I love it.” I might be, but I like her smile too much to care.

I dislike S’bren. A lot. The big Tall Horn hunter makes sure to sit very close to D’vi and continually offers her food throughout the night. He thinks he is not being obvious, and perhaps to the humans he is not, but one hunter recognizes when another is closing in on prey.

My khui has not yet sung to B’shit’s khui. That does not mean I belong to her yet. It might be many turns of the moons before my khui wakes, if it ever does. Until then…I want Devi. And I do not care if that is wrong.

Devi is so filled with joy, with a love of life. I need that. I want that. I feel whole when I am near her.

“But I would rather have you for one day than regret it for all of them.”

Everything I do from this point forward, I do for Devi. She is my reason. I know this as surely as I know my own four hands.

I know in this moment that no matter what happens, Devi is mine. I will tear my khui from my chest if it dares to resonate to another.

It does not mean that I am weak and useless, it just means that in this moment, I need the strength of my tribe to help me. It has taken me a long time to come to that realization.

Some part of me has always known she was to be mine.

Now I know why the human females always titter and make jokes about spurs. It hits them right in the pebble.