Barbarian's Bride (Ice Planet Barbarians)

It looks like everyone's here. I see the brothers Pashov and Zennek with their father, Borran. Pashov's got their youngest, Tash, in a carrier strapped to his chest. Vadren sits with them, and Marlene's little Zalene is in the elder's lap as Marlene chatters excitedly to Ariana. Zolaya has Analay next to him and their newborn Zoari in his arms, giving his mate a break.

I look to Analay's side and sure enough, there's my Anna, her face painted with bright swirls. She looms over the seated boy, talking a mile a minute while her sister gets her face painted by Tiffany. Salukh and Lukti look like they're painting cranky old Drenol's face, and the elder has a surprisingly tolerant expression. I'm not surprised—he adores quiet, thoughtful little Lukti.

A person moves, and then I have a glimpse of my handsome mate, Esther bundled in his arms. He's in a group, talking to Hemalo as Asha feeds Shema and talks with the healer, Maylak. Kashrem holds their littlest and seems content to listen in.

"I saved you a seat. Come on." Claire appears next to me and steers me through the group.

I laugh, pleased. "It's so crowded in here. Every time I see everyone gathered together, I can't believe how big the tribe has gotten." I let her lead me through the jumble of furs and stretched out legs, toward a spot that's not too close to the fire, but just close enough. The awnings on the longhouse have been rolled back to let the smoke out, and overhead, the stars glitter. It's a clear, perfect night. Inside the longhouse, it's toasty warm, and I take off my top layer of furs and set it on the rock that Claire saved for me. It's big enough for Dagesh to squeeze in next to me, or for the girls to pile on once they get tired, and I shoot her a smile of appreciation. Her mate Ereven hands her their little girl Relvi the moment she sits down, and I catch sight of Georgie and Vektal nearby, even as Talie, Vekka, and Erevair race past, nearly knocking a bowl out of Vektal's hands. The chief sighs heavily and gets to his feet, chasing after them.

I sit down on the rock, and the moment I do, fatigue hits me. I give Claire another grateful look. "Thank you. I forgot how exhausting it is to have a new baby."

"No worries." Claire adjusts Relvi in her arms, the little one sucking her thumb and staring up at me with big eyes. "Your girls did a great job on their tunics. They look adorable."

They do. I can pick their bright hair out of the group, and I'm not entirely surprised to see that Anna's still with Analay, though she looks to be the instigator of that particular conversation. I watch as my daughter says something to him and he gives her the shyest, sweetest smile. For a moment, he looks just like Ariana, who is an absolute sweetheart, and I feel guilty for worrying over his “seeing” so much. I want Anna to be her own person, but Analay's just a kid. I can't be mad at him spouting off things he thinks he sees.

As if he can sense my thoughts, Analay looks over at me. I give him a bright smile, and he returns it, his round little face happy as my daughter paints a bright yellow streak on his nose.

Even if he's right about his senses, I suppose it's not the end of the world. I just want Anna happy, and it's clear she adores him.

A hungry wail crests over the hum of conversation, and my breasts immediately leak. Dagesh cuts through the crowd, heading toward me with Esther, and he settles her in my arms so I can feed her. Once she's nursing, my mate kneels in front of me. "Can I get you anything, my pretty one?"

"A couple of the latkes once this one finishes eating?" I ask. I'm starving, and nursing just seems to whet my appetite.

"I will get some now and feed you," Dagesh insists, then cuts his way across to the fire and talks with Kemli and Stacy. He's such a good mate. I beam at his backside, utterly content.

Claire leans over and gazes at my nursing daughter. "Look at those big, bright eyes. She's a beauty. And so plump, too!"

"She's definitely a chunk," I say proudly. I suspect Esther's going to be big like her daddy, whereas Anna and Elsa are more delicately built. "A good addition to the tribe."

"Every addition is a good one," Claire says cheerily. We talk about nothing in particular for a while, mostly how to season the sa-kohtsk meat that was cached for the brutal season. It tastes bitter and stringy, but it's a waste of so much meat that we're determined to figure out a way to make it tasty. Claire wants to try marinades. She had Ereven bring back a chunk of haunch and has been experimenting with soaking the meat in fat drippings and a ton of herbs. "The longer the better," she tells me with a wink. "Everything improves with time—food, friends, mates…everything."