Barbarian's Prize(47)
Taushen voices a protest, but I ignore him.
“You can carry me if you want to carry someone,” Josie offers. “I’m freaking tired.”
“Caring for Ti-fa-ni is to be my prize,” Taushen states again, and he sounds like a petulant child. “Aehako will hear of this and he will not be pleased.”
He will not be, no. But he can be angry with me later. “Let us get to the Elders’ Cave and we can argue when the women are safe.”
“I guess this means no one wants to carry me, huh?” Josie says, and laughs at her own joke. “Figures.”
• • •
Even with Josie’s brave attempts to keep pace with us, it takes many hours for us to get to the Elders’ Cave. The suns are low in the sky and both humans are exhausted by the time the smooth oval mountain comes into view.
“Finally,” exclaims Josie, and I inwardly echo her sentiment. Tee-fah-nee is shivering against my chest, and her face is tight with pain. I want to get her to safety and care for her. She needs a warm fire and blankets and warm, comforting food. She needs the healer, too, but that will have to wait.
As we enter the strange cave-system that is the Elders’ Cave, I see more of the ice has been removed from the interior, revealing strange rock walls that are too smooth and more flashing lights. Tiny spurs of rock stick out everywhere, and there are lights flashing on a flat surface set into the cave wall.
“You can set me down anywhere,” Tee-fah-nee murmurs. “I’m sure I’m heavy by now.”
“You are not heavy to me,” I state staunchly. I would carry her across the mountains if I had to. It is no pain to hold her.
“Over there,” she murmurs, and there is a strange stool with a back by the remains of what looks to be a fire pit. I set her gently down on the stool and she relaxes. I begin to unwrap her leg but she pushes my hands away. “I’m fine. I can get it.”
I frown but do as she asks.
“Harlow?” Josie calls out, disappearing into one of the side-tunnels. “Harlow, are you here? Rukh? Harlow? Anyone?” She returns a few moments later, disappointment on her round face. “They’re not here.”
“They must be back at the main cave,” Tee-fah-nee says. “They split their time between here and there.”
“Well damn!” Josie looks upset. “I wanted to see their kit.”
Taushen steps forward. “The suns are going down soon and it will grow colder. If Tee-fah-nee’s leg is hurt, we will be here for several days. We will need more food, and firewood.”
Both Josie and Tee-fah-nee look at me.
I straighten and get to my feet. “You are right.” I gesture at the females. “You stay here. Taushen and I will get supplies. We will be back soon.” I don’t miss the irritated look that Taushen sends in my direction. If it were me in his place, I would be mad, too. I have taken over, and the women look to me for assurance, not him.
“Oh, but if the computer’s working, it can fix Tiff’s leg,” Josie says, her face eager.
My nostrils flare. I don’t like the thought of a come-pew-turr mending my woman. It is too strange for me to understand, and I do not trust it, but I will allow it if Tee-fah-nee is in that much pain. I touch my mate’s cheek. “Do not do anything until we return. I will bring back some faa-shesh root. It is good for pain.”
She nods and shifts in the chair. “Be careful.” Her gaze flicks to Taushen, and I realize she is thinking of the competition, where Vaza and Bek attacked me. Taushen is not like them. He is all words and little action, and he is young. He will be angry, but he will not use his fists.
I nod and head out of the Elders’ Cave, down the strange dark ramp that has been uncovered. It only has a light layer of snow on it, which tells me Rukh and his mate with the orange mane were likely here just a day or two ago.
Taushen follows me out, and the moment we are away from the cave mouth, he shoves my back. “Salukh,” he hisses. “What do you do here? She is my prize.”
I grit my teeth and ignore his anger. Were I in the same position, I would feel the same helpless rage. “I am here because she is my mate.”
He sucks in a breath. “You do not resonate.”
“It does not matter, my friend.” I close a hand over my fist. “I feel it, here. It is simply a matter of time.” Time, and convincing my silent khui that there is none for us but Tee-fah-nee and her dark curls and soft skin.
His eyes narrow as if he does not believe me. Then, a disappointed sigh escapes him. He hangs his head. “There is nothing I want more than a mate, but it is clear she does not care for me. I have tried to impress her and she does not notice. I offer to carry her and she is offended. Yet the moment you arrive, she puts her arms around your neck.”