Barbarian's Bride (Ice Planet Barbarians)

"And you think it is mating related?" Pashov asks. "You are certain you touch her correctly?"

"It is not mating related," I snap, fighting back annoyance. "It is something else. She will not speak of it to me, but I wonder if she has said something to the other humans. I feel as if there is something I am missing to make her happy."

Pashov rubs his chin, thinking. "We can ask my mate. She has not said anything, but perhaps it is a human thing that they only share with other females. Remember how strange Jo-see and Meh-gann acted when Vaza said he could not take them hunting because he could smell their monthly bleeding."

"This could be it." The human females are very shy about certain aspects of their bodies. I remember the indignant and horrified sounds that the unmated females made when the elder brought up their moon time. It is a natural body function, just like matings, but some of the females are shy about that, too.

This makes me feel better. I exhale with relief. It must be some human custom I am overlooking and No-rah does not wish to hurt my feelings. "Stay-see will know the answer, then." Pashov gestures that I should follow him. "I am heading back. My traps are as empty as Harrec's skull this morning. I would rather spend the time with my pretty mate than chasing my tail here in the snows."

I hesitate for a moment and then nod. My traps can wait another day. If I can find out what is bothering my No-rah, it will be worth anything. "Very well."

We hike back to the home cave, Pashov full of conversation. He has always been an easy one, full of stories of his brothers Zennek and Salukh, and always teases his youngest sibling, Farli. He talks of his parents and how they are trying to teach Stay-see many skills in the cave—tanning and sewing, preserving food and gathering plants. How Stay-see is not interested in hunting, but loves to try new flavors for food and new combinations of roots with meat. This is another thing that makes me feel guilty. Stay-see and Pashov have a large family. Both of Pashov's parents are alive. His brothers and sister are all alive and Zennek now has a mate. Stay-see has many faces she can call family, many hands that will help her out if she is troubled.

Perhaps that is the problem with my No-rah. She wishes for a large family and all she has is…me. The thought hangs heavy on my heart. I would give my No-rah anything…but I cannot make my family return to life.

As we head toward the home cave, Pashov tilts his head and then gestures in the distance. "I smell my mate on the breeze. Stay-see must be gathering tea leaves with my mother. Come. We need not go all the way back to the caves."

We find the two females a short distance away from the cave, woven baskets in hand. Stay-see is indeed with Kemli, the older female showing the younger how to strip the leaves from liidi without harming the vines that crawl between the rocks. Stay-see looks up with delight as we approach. "Pashov! Back so early?"

Stay-see's eyes are bright as she gazes on her mate, and I am not at all surprised when he moves forward and gives her a big, hearty kiss in greeting. His mother just shakes her head with amusement, as if she is used to such antics from her son. When Pashov finally releases his mate, Stay-see looks dazed, her mouth red and swollen from Pashov's enthusiastic kisses. "Dagesh has a question for you, my mate," my friend says. "If you have a moment."

"Oh, of course." She looks over at Kemli.

The elder waves a hand at us. "Go on, go on. I can pluck leaves on my own."

Pashov pulls his mate away from Kemli, and I follow them. I feel a bit foolish. Kemli has been mated for more seasons than I have been alive. Surely she will have answers to what makes my mate unhappy as much as newly mated Stay-see does? But Stay-see is human, as is No-rah. They are…different.

I am learning that many of the differences go just beyond smooth brows and an extra finger.

Stay-see and Pashov turn to me when we are a short distance away, and Pashov indicates I should speak. I clear my throat, shifting my feet. "I worry that…No-rah has a secret that makes her unhappy."

"A secret?" Stay-see's brows furrow together. "Why are you asking me?"

"It is not necessarily a secret," I continue. "But perhaps a human thing I do not understand. It is difficult to explain, because I do not know what I am missing."

"Missing?" She glances over at Pashov. "Is she not happy? Every time I talk to Nora, she seems happy to me." Stay-see reaches out and touches my arm. "If you're worried, the only things she's ever said to me about you are very positive. She's happy here, and she's happy with you."