Barbarian's Bride (Ice Planet Barbarians)

We just need to figure out how to meet in the middle. He doesn't have to beat me bloody to get me off, but he also doesn't have to treat me like I'm glass.

Dagesh studies my face for a moment, then nods. "We will leave in the morning."

I'm excited. "Where are we going to go?"

"I will think of something," he says. "For now, let me concentrate." He lowers his head between my thighs again, and I'm all too happy to let him work his magic with his tongue.

16

DAGESH

No-rah does not seem upset about how last night went. I could not mate with her in the way she wanted—it felt wrong to me—and yet she is not upset. She kissed me and kissed my cock and made me come with her mouth, and after I did the same for her, she curled up in my arms and we slept.

It was good. I woke up this morning happy, and my mate full of smiles. We pack a few things for our “honey-moon”—mostly warm clothes for my mate and some extra food. I will check my traps along the way, and the hills and streams will provide the rest. I am not yet entirely sure where we are going, but I have an idea. There is a pretty cave a little higher into the mountains, full of purple rock. It is not the most convenient of caves, as there is not much game nearby, but I do not think my No-rah is much interested in hunting.

So…the pretty cave it is.

After the morning meal, I shoulder our small pack and we head out. My mate is bright-eyed, her nose pink with cold, and she is wrapped so thickly in furs that only her head pokes out. She looks at me eagerly, and when I hold my hand out, she takes it and we head along the trails. I slow my steps so she can keep pace with me, and we do not make good time. No-rah is not a hunter, and she has no sense of urgency. We stop to admire the landscape, and we stop near a stream for a rest. We stop to visit one of the nearby hunter caves so No-rah can see what one is like. We check my traps. We pause to collect leaves from a particular bush because No-rah likes the taste in tea.

When I point out that we are not making good time, my mate giggles at me. "This isn't a race, babe. We're supposed to be enjoying ourselves."

"I am enjoying myself," I declare. "But I would enjoy myself more if we arrived at a safe place for the night."

"We have a few more hours before dark, right?" My mate squints up at the suns, shielding her eyes as she does. "Plenty of time to get somewhere."

"Yes," I agree patiently. "If we move faster."

"Oh yeah?" She puts her hands on her hips and arches a brow at me. "Make me."

Make…her? I stare at my mate, dumbfounded. I cannot force her to walk faster. Especially not in the snow. Human legs are short and tend to stumble through the snow instead of plow through it like strong sa-khui legs. "Why would I make you?"

No-rah sighs, her shoulders slumping. "Never mind." She glances around. "Well, if we can't get to where you want tonight, is there another cave nearby? Or should we turn around and go back to the one we passed a while ago?"

I consider the trails and No-rah's speed. "It is probably best to turn around, unless you are fond of sleeping under the stars."

"Nope," she says cheerily. "I am not. I like a warm fire and warm blankets, thank you."

I grunt, turning around on the trail. "Then we will go back."

"You're so grumpy," No-rah teases. She moves to my side and pokes me with her cold finger. "Are you mad we're not getting there today?"

"I am not mad."

She pokes me again. "You're acting mad."

My tail swishes with irritation. "It is fine."

"Is it?" She acts as if she is going to poke me again, and I lightly swat her hand away. Her eyes widen and she giggles, the sound full of mischief. "Are you…are you ticklish, Dagesh?"

"No."

Her fingers slither all over my side. "Are you sure?" Her voice singsongs. "Are you sure you're not ticklish?"

Is she trying to annoy me? I grab her wrist before she can tease me again, and her eyes widen. Immediately, her arousal-scent perfumes the air, thick and heavy. Her khui sings and I realize the small act of me holding her wrist has aroused her. No-rah's lips part and she gazes up at me.

She twists her hand in my grip, but I do not let her go. I feel as if I am on the verge of understanding something very important.

"Dagesh," she pants, and twists her wrist in my grasp again. I loosen my hold so she does not hurt herself, but I keep her trapped at my side. I take a step closer to her, looming over her smaller form. Her scent flares thicker, and the look on her face is one she wears when she is in our furs, underneath me.