Ice Planet Honeymoon (Four Novellas of HEA)

She swallows hard and shakes her head. “No. I guess that’s part of the reason why I feel so guilty.” Georgie looks over at me. “I’m happy. I should be devastated that I left Earth behind and three of my people died but all I can think about is you and our baby and the future.”

I reach out and take one of her hands in mine. I understand now. It is guilt that drives her to tears, a chief’s guilt when anyone in the tribe suffers. She feels responsible for these females. I understand. “You feel you should not be happy?”

“Sometimes I wonder.”

“Do you think that they would wish for you to be unhappy? That they do not want any of the others to have good, long lives? Do you think they would not want them to be free?”

“No, I don’t think that. It just feels strange to be so happy even after everything’s been taken away from me, you know?” She holds my hand tightly.

“There is nothing wrong with finding joy in life, my Georgie. Nothing at all. I think your friends would want that for you, as well. You gave everyone freedom. These three might have died, but they did not die as captives or slaves.”

Fresh tears spill down her cheeks. She nods. “You’re right. I know you’re right.”

“Then why do you cry?”

A watery laugh bubbles up from her throat and she squeezes my hand so hard I am surprised at her strength. “Because it’s a good cry. I think I needed to say goodbye before I moved on. And now that they’re buried, I hope they find peace.” Georgie looks at the graves again, still clinging to my hand. “We all need to move on.”

I nod. She does not get up, and I remain at her side. For as long as Georgie needs to sit here, I will be with her. Eventually, her tears dry and her hand clenches mine less tightly. She looks over at me and her expression is less troubled than it has been in many days.

“I think I’m good,” she says to me. “I needed this. They needed this.” She gestures at the graves. “And now we can all move forward.”

“Then what would you like to do now, my sweet resonance?”

“Go back to our cave?” She gives me a tired smile. “I’m suddenly exhausted.”

It is because she is free of the weight of her troubles, I think. She has been carrying them silently for so long that now they are gone, she feels lighter—and she also feels tired. But I do not say that. I just smile and touch her belly. “The kit will make you sleepy. Shall we go back to the hunter cave for the night, then?”

She looks over at the flying cave with its strange, dark walls. “Absolutely. I don’t want to spend another night in that hellhole.”

4

GEORGIE

I feel…free.

It’s a strange feeling, to wake up after crashing into a pile of furs the moment we got back to the hunter cave, and not feel the weight of obligation on my shoulders. I don’t feel the intense guilt over the deaths of the three women, or the endless worry that I made the wrong decisions and caused their deaths. I don’t feel that ache of sadness over leaving Earth behind.

I’ve left it all back in the graves up on the mountain, where Krissy, Peg, and Dominique have finally been laid to rest.

I did what I could, I saved myself and as many others as I could, and we have a new life here. It’s enough. We buried our dead, and I’ve buried my past - Earth included. I’m free to move forward with my mate.

My wonderful, wonderful mate.

As if he knows I’m thinking about him, Vektal’s arms tighten around me and he holds me closer. He’s all warmth, entirely naked under the furs, and I love curling up against him. “It is early,” he murmurs, stroking my arm. “Go back to sleep.”

“I will,” I promise, but I’m rather awake. My thoughts are buzzing and I feel free. I’m excited about what the day holds, what the month holds, what the future holds.

I touch my lower belly, wondering how long before I start showing. Before it puffs out with the baby inside and my breasts grow and everything changes. Is it weird that I’m looking forward to morning sickness? I want a sign that the baby inside me exists. I want some sort of proof, more than just a missed period or a change in the sound our khuis make when we come together

“Georgie?” Vektal murmurs, moving his fingers through my hair. “Are you all right?”

“I’m great,” I answer him, and it’s the truth. I feel like a wound has been lanced - a wound I didn’t even know I had until recently. Now the bad things have been forced out and I’m ready for the healing to begin…actually, I already feel pretty healed. “I’m just thinking.”