by Ruby Dixon
“I will feed you,” Taushen replies in a choked voice, and I notice my cootie’s rather loud, which means his is, too. Whoops again. I resist the urge to cross my arms over my now-pricking nipples.
“So what do you guys call this place?” Devi asks from across the fire, taking a big bite of raw meat and letting it gush down her chin.
“Well, some of us are Star Wars nerds,” Liz says proudly. “So—”
“More like just you,” Harlow retorts. “No one else knows this stuff but you.”
She shrugs, pleased. “Least I didn’t name my kid Jar Jar. Or Dooku. Anyhow, we call this place Not-Hoth because it’s like the snow planet in that movie, but not.”
Devi’s brows draw together and she frowns. “Oh, you can’t call it that.”
“Why not?” I ask, curious.
“It needs its own name. If I discovered a new species of butterfly, for example, I couldn’t call it Not-Monarch. It’d be something entirely different and it deserves its own moniker.” She shrugs her shoulders. “Otherwise we just go around calling everyone not-humans or we’re eating not-chicken.”
“We do that anyhow,” I point out, thinking of not-potatoes.
“Doesn’t seem right,” another girl chimes in. “We need a real name.”
“What would you call it?” Vektal asks, moving to stand near the fire. He watches everyone with weary eyes, and it looks to me like he’s more than ready to go home. Poor guy. I bet he misses Georgie something fierce.
“Hell,” Hannah mutters. “Frozen over.”
A few people chuckle.
Devi ignores that. “Something all its own. I don’t know. I’m not good with names.” She spreads her hands and then stares at them. Then she licks her fingers surreptitiously and grins at her neighbor.
“Something that talks about a fresh start, maybe,” another girl chimes in.
“Two Suns?” another adds. Steph, I think.
“Home?” someone else quips.
“Icehome,” Angie says in a soft voice.
“Oh, I like that.” Harlow smiles. “Same, but different.”
“I like Icehome, too,” another person chimes in.
“I like Not-Hoth,” Liz says with a shrug. “You say potato, I say not-potato.”
“It can be Icehome to us,” the young girl—Tia—says.
“It can be Icehome for everyone,” Vektal agrees, nodding with approval. “As long as it is home.”
“Well, it’s not like we have any other options,” Nadine replies, laughing. A few others chuckle. Some—like Hannah—don’t. It’s going to take time for everyone to adjust.
Heck, they have all the time in the world.
“To Icehome,” Devi says, raising a chunk of raw meat into the air.
“Ew, gross, are you seriously going to eat that?” Tia squeals.
“Why not?” Devi says with a shrug. “When in Rome and all that.”
“To Icehome,” I say, raising my waterskin into the air. I like the thought.
“Icehome,” Taushen replies, glancing back at me. His eyes are warm, and I feel my khui beginning to purr a little harder. Oh boy. I suddenly want to grab his tail again.
I suddenly want to grab more than his tail.
I must show it on my face, because Taushen turns toward me, stepping away from the fire. He kneels in front of me and offers me the skewer of barely cooked meat. “Hungry?” His voice is husky and low and oh-so-delicious.
I grab a hunk off the top and shove it into my mouth, not caring that it’s so raw it’s practically twitching. I chew fast, swallow quickly, and then eat another hunk while Taushen watches me with hungry, hungry eyes.
“Wow, you must be starving,” Harlow comments.
“Totally,” I manage between bites. “Sooo hungry.” I eat as fast as I can, and when my skewer’s empty, I jump to my feet. “I sure am beat now, though.”
Liz snorts, her eyebrows going up. “Ain’t gonna be the only thing getting beat tonight, if you know what I’m saying.”
Someone giggles.
I don’t even care. “See you guys in the morning.” I’m not even going to fake a yawn. I just grab my mate by his belt and give him a meaningful look. “Ready to go to bed?”
“More than ready.” He grabs me and, to my surprise, hauls me into his arms and then over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. His hand goes possessively to my butt, and he nods at the others. “I must take my mate away now.”
Laughter and a few waves send us off. I could swear Vektal’s lips are twitching with amusement as we leave the fire, but I have to admit I’m not paying all that much attention. I’m far more fascinated by the hand on my butt.
We leave behind the light of the fire and the low murmurs of conversation, and it’s quieter the closer we get to the water. “Our cave is set up this way,” Taushen explains, and I could swear the man’s practically racing across the sand. His steps are hurried, as if he’s just as eager as I am.
“Mmm, sounds good to me.” I wonder if I can undo the laces on my tunic while he walks.
We make it to the cave a short walk later, and then Taushen sets me down inside, ever so gently, on my feet. “Wait here and I will make you a fire,” he tells me, and then cups my face and gives me a quick kiss.
“Fuck the fire,” I breathe, grabbing at his tunic. “We’ve got furs, right? Good enough for me.”
He groans, and then we’re ripping at each other’s clothing, desperate to feel skin. I manage to pull his tunic over his head and get his pants down around his knees before he figures out my clothing, but that’s okay. I help him pull the rest of it off of me, and then we both fall into the furs, together. Our mouths are frantic, our kisses heated, and I push him onto his back.
“Let me,” I whisper, and slide a leg over his chest.
I love the way he sucks in his breath and goes still underneath me, like he doesn’t know what’s going to come next, but it’s going to be glorious. I love that about him. I love his sweet, innocent side, as well as the dirty, hair-pulling side. I love how protective and caring he is. I love how good he makes me feel. I love his smiles.
I take Taushen’s cock in my hand and guide him to my core, skipping foreplay entirely. I don’t need it, I’m wet with need and my cootie’s going a mile a minute, singing to his like there’s no tomorrow. The breath hisses between his teeth as I sink down onto him, and I can’t stop the moan that breaks from my throat. Like this, he feels so very deep inside me, and when I sink down just right, I can rub his spur against my clit in the best of ways… “We might have to do this more often,” I tell him with a gasp, rising up and then sliding down onto him again.
“Anything you want, my mate. I am yours.” His words are fervent, breathless.
I guide his big hands to my waist and as he holds on to me, I ride him. I’m not the most gentle, but he doesn’t seem to care. One big hand leaves my waist and plays with my breasts while I keep a steady, rolling rhythm with my hips. It feels so good, so powerful to move on top of him like this, and I feel like the sexiest woman in the world.
I come with a shudder, and he grabs my waist and plunges into me, raising his hips to meet mine, and then he’s coming, too, his body rigid under mine, my name on his lips. I caress his face, whispering his name while he releases. I love this moment, the sheer bliss in his face even as his expression contorts with the force of his orgasm. I slide down onto him as he relaxes, and his spur jabs me in an overly sensitive place, so I roll off of him.
He immediately pulls me against him, not caring that we’re a little sticky and sweaty from our heated lovemaking. “My mate,” he says, pressing a kiss to my shoulder. “Is this your home?”
It seems a strange thing to ask, but then I remember the conversations about Icehome, and Hannah’s unhappy look. “For a while, I wasn’t sure,” I admit honestly. “I cried a lot when we first got here. I was scared, and then I didn’t like the thought of being stranded. But I’m coming around.”
“What has chan
I chuckle. Fishing for compliments. That’s cute. “Humans have a saying, you know. Home is where the heart is. I thought it was just silly nonsense until I met you. I love everything about you, Taushen, and I’m glad I’m here with you. Icehome really does feel like a home now. My home, because my heart is here.”
I feel him nod against me, his face buried against my neck. “Even though I was born here, I feel I did not have a place until you kissed me.”
I wrap my arms around this sweet, beautiful, strong man. “Then I’m glad I’m here to bring you home.”
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Hi again!
Right now you’re probably feeling one of two ways. You’re ready to murder me right now for adding sixteen new girls, or you’re excited for the addition of sixteen new girls and are ready to murder me because there’s so much story to be uncovered.
So.
Much.
Story.
To be honest, this has all been boiling in my head for a while. I wasn’t sure how to bring it all around, but I knew it was a direction I wanted things to go in. Of course, the longer you sit on something, the more it begins to take shape in your head, and eventually when it’s ready to be a book, it pops out, fully grown, like Athena springing from Zeus’ head in Greek Mythology. That’s kind of how things are going with this series. I keep getting ideas for books and I can’t write them all fast enough!
Terrible problem, I know. You’ll just have to bear with me.
In the meantime, I wanted to let you guys know which direction things are heading.
IS THE ICE PLANET BARBARIANS SERIES OVER RUBY OMG HOW COULD YOU?
No. It is not over. Far from it! I just now got a story in my head for poor Ariana and she deserves her story. We still have Gail and Sessah (well, when he grows up a bit more) and Marlene and all the kits and even more stuff going on with the tribe that we’ve already met and yeah…they’re not going anywhere.
HOWEVER.
The new people will have their own series. Instead of being Ice Planet Barbarians, it will be called The Icehome Series (or just Icehome) and the first book will star poor unfortunate Lauren, who disappeared in this book along with Marisol. Now where could they possibly be? Hmm. Hmm…
Hmm…
The new series will be completely stand alone. I want people to be able to pick it up even if they’ve fallen behind on IPB. Like PRISON PLANET BARBARIAN, there will be callbacks to the main series, but it’ll be independent. So if you do not like the addition of the new people, you don’t have to read them! I’m trying to make it easy for everyone, but of course I hope you’ll read them. I have some exciting stuff planned for these ladies (and gents) and they’ll be interacting with our little tribe quite a bit. Expect a ton of cameos from our favorite couples, of course. Someone’s got to teach these poor kits how to survive on a darn ice planet.
You’re probably wondering how this works with my schedule. Me too, to be honest! I think we’ll bounce between the three on a regular basis. Next up in August is FIRE IN HIS EMBRACE – Emma’s book, book 3 of Fireblood Dragons. After that, we’ll head over to ICEHOME #1, which will have some super swanky title I will think of at some point. Lauren’s book. After that, it’ll probably be Ariana’s book (Ice Planet Barbarians #17) and then we’ll swing back to more dragons.
Of course, this schedule is due to change, because right now I’m sitting (mentally) on Kivian’s story (Remember him? Jutari’s brother?) and it’ll be out at some point. And I might have a slice of life story or two tucked away somewhere in there. And then I’ve got to work on a NY novel, and then there’s this shiny, pretty project I’ve also been quietly sitting on because I haven’t had time to write it yet.
(You’ll get your turn, precious book, I promise).
Long story short, the barbarians aren’t going anywhere. Please don’t worry!
In the meantime, I just want to say thank you all for being such amazing fans. I wake up every day excited to write my crazy books because I know you guys will love it as much as I do. That’s such a wonderful feeling. I cannot thank you guys enough for the enthusiasm and love you show me on a regular basis.
And speaking of love and enthusiasm, THANK YOU to Lydia Carr, who came up with the title. It’s perfect, as you said, because Brooke’s a bit of a tease and because she does hair. How can I not use that title, right?
All the love,
<3 Ruby
TRIBAL WHO’S WHO
As of the end of Barbarian’s Tease (8 years post-human arrival)
Mated Couples and their kits
________
Vektal (Vehk-tall) – The chief of the sa-khui. Mated to Georgie.
Georgie – Human woman (and unofficial leader of the human females). Has taken on a dual-leadership role with her mate. Currently pregnant with her third kit.
Talie (Tah-lee) – Their first daughter.
Vekka (Veh-kah) – Their second daughter.
_______
Maylak (May-lack) – Tribe healer. Mated to Kashrem.
Kashrem (Cash-rehm) - Her mate, also a leather-worker.
Esha (Esh-uh) – Their teenage daughter.
Makash (Muh-cash) — Their younger son.
_______
Sevvah (Sev-uh) – Tribe elder, mother to Aehako, Rokan, and Sessah
Oshen (Aw-shen) – Tribe elder, her mate
Sessah (Ses-uh) - Their youngest son
_______
Ereven (Air-uh-ven) Hunter, mated to Claire
Claire – Mated to Ereven
Erevair (Air-uh-vair) - Their first child, a son
Relvi (Rell-vee) – Their second child, a daughter
_______
Liz – Raahosh’s mate and huntress.
Raahosh (Rah-hosh) – Her mate. A hunter and brother to Rukh.
Raashel (Rah-shel) – Their daughter.
Aayla (Ay-lah) – Their second daughter
_______
Stacy – Mated to Pashov. Unofficial tribe cook.
Pashov (Pah-showv) – son of Kemli and Borran, brother to Farli, Zennek, and Salukh. Mate of Stacy.
Pacy (Pay-see) – Their first son.
Tash (Tash) – Their second son.
_______
Nora – Mate to Dagesh. Currently pregnant after a second resonance.
Dagesh (Dah-zhesh) (the g sound is swallowed) – Her mate. A hunter.
Anna & Elsa – Their twin daughters.
_______
Harlow – Mate to Rukh. Once ‘mechanic’ to the Elders’ Cave. Currently pregnant after a second resonance.
Rukh (Rookh) – Former exile and loner. Original name Maarukh. (Mah-rookh). Brother to Raahosh. Mate to Harlow. Father to Rukhar.
Rukhar (Roo-car) – Their son.
_______
Megan – Mate to Cashol. Mother to Holvek.
Cashol (Cash-awl) – Mate to Megan. Hunter. Father to Holvek.
Holvek (Haul-vehk) – their son.
_______
Marlene (Mar-lenn) – Human mate to Zennek. French.
Zennek (Zehn-eck) – Mate to Marlene. Father to Zalene. Brother to Pashov, Salukh, and Farli.
Zalene (Zah-lenn) – daughter to Marlene and Zennek.
_______
Ariana – Human female. Mate to Zolaya. Currently pregnant. Basic school ‘teacher’ to tribal kits.
Zolaya (Zoh-lay-uh) – Hunter and mate to Ariana. Father to Analay.
Analay (Ah-nuh-lay) – Their son.
_______
Tiffany – Human female. Mated to Salukh. Tribal botanist.
Salukh (Sah-luke) – Hunter. Son of Kemli and Borran, brother to Farli, Zennek, and Pashov.
Lukti (Lookh-tee) – Their son.
_______
Aehako (Eye-ha-koh) –Mate to Kira, father to Kae. Son of Sevvah and Oshen, brother to Rokan and Sessah.
Kira – Human woman, mate to Aehako, mother of Kae. Was the first to be abducted by aliens and wore an ear-translator for a long time.
Kae (Ki –rhymes with ‘fly’) – Their daughter.
_______
Kemli (Kemm-lee) – Female elder, mother to Salukh, Pashov, Zennek, and Farli. Tribe herbalist.
Borran (Bore-awn) – Her mate, elder. Tribe brewer.
_______
Josie – Human woman. Mated to Haeden. Currently pregnant for a third time.
Haeden (Hi-den) – Hunter. Previously resonated to Zalah, but she died (along with his khui) in the khui-sickness before resonance could be completed. Now mated to Josie.
Joden (Joe-den) – Their first child, a son.
Joha (Joe-hah) – Their second child, a daughter.
_______
Rokan (Row-can) – Oldest son to Sevvah and Oshen. Brother to Aehako and Sessah. Adult male hunter. Now mated to Lila. Has ‘sixth’ sense.
Lila – Maddie’s sister. Once hearing impaired, recently reacquired on The Tranquil Lady via med bay. Resonated to Rokan. Currently pregnant for a second time.
Rollan (Row-lun) – Their first child, a son.
_______
Hassen (Hass-en) – Hunter. Previously exiled. Mated to Maddie.
Maddie – Lila’s sister. Found in second crash. Mated to Hassen.
Masan (Mah-senn) – Their son.
_______
Asha (Ah-shuh) – Mate to Hemalo. Mother to Hashala (deceased) and Shema.
Hemalo (Hee-muh-low) – Mate to Asha. Father to Hashala (deceased) and Shema.
Shema (Shee-muh) – Their daughter.
_______
Farli – (Far-lee) Adult daughter to Kemli and Borran. Her brothers are Salukh, Zennek, and Pashov. She has a pet dvisti named Chompy (Chahm-pee). Mated to Mardok. Pregnant.
Mardok (Marr-dock) – Bron Mardok Vendasi, from the planet Ubeduc VII. Arrived on The Tranquil Lady. Mechanic and ex-soldier. Resonated to Farli and elected to stay behind with the tribe.
_______
Bek – (Behk) – Hunter. Brother to Maylak. Mated to Elly.
Elly – Former human slave. Kidnapped at a very young age and has spent much of life in a cage or enslaved. First to resonate amongst the former slaves brought to Not-Hoth. Mated to Bek. Pregnant.
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