Ice Planet Honeymoon (Four Novellas of HEA)

“Breakfast in bed? This honeymoon’s just getting better and better,” Liz says, sitting up and taking the bowl. “Oooh, and you crisped my meat. You are so getting laid again.”

I snort, amused at her words. “There is a thick snowstorm today. You cannot see past your hand.”

She nibbles on a chunk of meat with her small teeth. “So…does that mean no travel for you and me today?”

I reach over and touch a lock of her soft yellow mane. “We stay here this day. Perhaps we will stay in the furs by the fire and you can tell me all about a Star War.”

Liz giggles. “Oh my god, you are so cute.”

The base of my horns grows hot. “I am a hunter. We are not cute. We are strong. Brave. Fearless. We—” I pause as she lifts her small foot into the air. “What are you doing?”

“Can you rub my foot? It’s cold and your hands are warm.”

I take her foot and begin to rub it, caressing the small whitish-pink toes and kneading the sole. “As I was saying—”

She closes her eyes and shakes her head. “This is awesome. Just like this. You can rub my feet, I’ll eat in bed, and it’ll be the best honeymoon ever.”

“It is already the best of honeymoon ever because I am here with you,” I admit to her. “I am thankful you are my mate and no one else’s.”

Liz grins at me, wiggling her other foot into the air and I hold them both, massaging as she pops another piece of meat into her mouth. “I was going to give you bow lessons, though. I guess we can’t do that while it’s a blizzard outside. Are you disappointed? You’re not getting much out of this honeymoon and here I’m getting a massage and breakfast in bed.” She props her arm behind her head and looks up at me. “Is there something you want to do?”

Other than drag her into the furs and rut into her like a wild beast? But Liz is always as eager for playing in the furs as I am. She means something else. I think in silence as I rub her feet, considering. “Are there certain things that are done while honeymoon?”

Her lips twitch as if she wants to laugh again. “Most people go on a trip and do sightseeing. They look at old places, visit ruins, or just hang out at the beach and swim.”

I consider this. “I guess we can go to the beach, but I do not think you will like it. It is on the far side of the mountains, in the opposite direction of where we are headed and you cannot swim. These pink toes will freeze.” And I nip at one, because I like seeing her eyes light up.

“I will pass on the frozen beach, thank you.” Liz eats another piece of meat and gives me a hot look that tells me she is not thinking about beaches much at all. “It’s bonding time. What do you want to do? What would make this special for you? Something you wouldn’t want to do with anyone else?”

Immediately, an idea springs to mind. I almost discard it, because it feels too open, too vulnerable. But she is looking at me with eager eyes, and I can refuse her nothing. “I would,” I say carefully, “like to go fishing.”

“Fishing?” She gives me a look of confusion. “We’ve fished before, Raahosh.”

I shake my head. “There is a place my father used to take me, back when he was alive. I remember that spot, and I would sit on the banks of the shore with him and we would wait for the fish to creep close. And we would just talk. It is my best memory I have with my father.”

Her expression grows soft. “Then of course we’ll do that. I’d love to. Do you know how to get to the place?”

“I do.” I have passed it many times since my father’s death, but I never approached. I never wanted to, because I wanted to keep those memories as they were. I wanted to see the place in my mind’s eye as a kit holding my father’s hand as we headed toward the lake with nets and fishing poles.

But I want to share this with Liz. I want to make new memories with her. I am tired of living in the past.

“I can’t wait,” she says, and puts her bowl aside, licking her lips. I offer her the cup but she shakes her head. “Not thirsty. Ok, so we’ll go fishing once the weather clears up, yes?”

“Not today,” I agree. “Today is a day for staying in the furs.”

“I’m glad you said that,” my mate tells me, breathless. “Because I’m totally thinking about sex right now. Raw, raunchy sex with you on top of me and my ankles on your shoulders.”