by Ruby Dixon
“Or both, like Nor-ah.”
“Okay, slow it down there, big guy,” I warn. “Let’s not count our chickens before they hatch.”
“Mmm, I do not know what you just said, but it is arousing.” He leans down and traces his tongue along my earlobe. “Shall I take our son to Asha, then, so we can get to work making our next son?”
I cling to him, because his tongue is doing magical things to my ear, and I might just collapse into a puddle of overheated goo if he continues. Not that I ever want him to stop. “Ask her to keep him overnight. If she can’t, then your mother.”
His eyes gleam as our gazes meet. “You think it will take all night?”
“Well, we just want to be sure,” I say coyly, and give his cock another stroke. He’s rigid under my grip, but he can throw on his winter leathers and no one will notice the stiffness under the layers. “Hurry, though.”
I have never seen a man move so fast as he scoops up our son and the small pack we keep full of his loincloth changes and toys, and flings his leather wraps on before hurrying out the door. I giggle, watching him head down the cobbled, icy street, and then I touch my belly.
Another baby.
Another kit.
My perfect little family is growing, and I’m excited. No, ecstatic. I think of the pleased look on my Pashov’s face and pull the tie free from my braid, humming happily to myself.
Memories aren’t a problem, I’ve been realizing over time. We can always make new ones. And as long as we’re together, every day is a new opportunity to love and be happy.
Sometimes, that’s all you need.
Author’s Note
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Not all books are created equal. I’m just going to say that right now. It’s not that they don’t hold a special place in my heart (they all do) but some fight you more than others.
After all the exciting stuff in the last book, I really wanted this one to be crazy, over-the-top adventurous fun. That…did not happen. It did not even remotely come close to happening. For one, I wanted to write about Stacy and Pashov and ease their suffering. And Stacy is not the most adventurous of heroines. We all know someone like her - perfectly happy being at home and taking care of people. She’s a nurturer and a mom and she loves being that. So how am I going to force a stressed-out mom into wild adventures?
Answer: You don’t. You let her tell the story how it should be told.
After trying to fit this square peg into a round hole for a few weeks, I gave up and let it flow. It’s a quieter book, but I like those. I like showing the intimate moments between characters, and sometimes we need a break from the bang-boom-pow of some of the more exciting books. At any rate, I loved writing Stacy and Pashov and how they figured out their relationship again. I hope you enjoyed it, too. :)
You’re probably wondering what - and who - is next. I’m thinking it’ll be Asha. I don’t know if it’ll be a full length novel, but Asha has a story that needs to be told and it needs to happen soonish. So watch my Facebook for more updates!
Oh! And thank you to Jan Nessa who reminded me that Marlene and Zennek’s kit still wasn’t named. Here you go! <3
The People Of Ice Planet Barbarians
As of the end of Barbarian’s Heart
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.
Talie (Tah-lee) – Their baby daughter.
_______
Maylak (May-lack) – Tribe Healer. Mated to Kashrem. Mother of Esha and Makash.
Kashrem (Cash-rehm) - Her mate, also a leather-worker.
Esha (Esh-uh) – Their young daughter.
Makash (Muh-cash) — Their newborn 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, currently pregnant
_______
Liz – Raahosh’s mate and huntress. Currently pregnant for a second time.
Raahosh (Rah-hosh) – Her mate. A hunter and brother to Rukh.
Raashel (Rah-shel) – Their daughter.
_______
Stacy – Mated to Pashov. Mother to Pacy, a baby boy.
Pashov (Pah-showv) – son of Kemli and Borran, brother to Farli and Salukh. Mate of Stacy, father to Pacy.
Pacy – Their infant son.
_______
Nora – Mate to Dagesh, mother to twins Anna and Elsa.
Dagesh (Dah-zzhesh) (the g sound is swallowed) – Her mate. A hunter.
Anna & Elsa – Their infant twin daughters.
_______
Harlow – Mate to Rukh. Once ‘Mechanic’ to the Elders’ Cave.
Rukh (Rookh) – Former exile and loner. Original name Maarukh. (Mah-rookh). Brother to Raahosh. Mate to Harlow.
Rukhar (Roo-car) – Their infant son.
_______
Megan – Mate to Cashol. Mother to newborn Holvek.
Cashol – (Cash-awl) – Mate to Megan. Hunter. Father to newborn Holvek.
Holvek – (Haul-vehk) – their infant son.
_______
Marlene (Mar-lenn) – Human mate to Zennek. Mother to Zalene. French.
Zennek – (Zehn-eck) – Mate to Marlene. Father to Zalene.
Zalene – (Zah-lenn) – Baby daughter to Marlene and Zennek.
_______
Ariana – Human female. Mate to Zolaya. Mother to Analay.
Zolaya (Zoh-lay-uh) – Hunter and mate to Ariana. Father to Analay.
Analay – (Ah-nuh-lay) – Their infant son.
_______
Tiffany – Human female. Mated to Salukh and newly pregnant.
Salukh - Salukh (Sah-luke) – Hunter. Son of Kemli and Borran, brother to Farli and Pashov.
_______
Aehako – (Eye-ha-koh) – Acting leader of the South cave. 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 newborn daughter.
_______
Kemli – (Kemm-lee) Female elder, mother to Salukh, Pashov and Farli
Borran – (Bore-awn) Her mate, elder
_______
Josie – Human woman. Mated to Haeden and newly pregnant.
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.
_______
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. Hearing impaired. Resonated to Rokan.
_______
Hassen (Hass-en) – Hunter. Previously exiled. Newly mated to Maddie.
Maddie – Lila’s sister. Found in second crash. Newly mated to Hassen.
Unmated Elders
_______
Drayan (Dry-ann) – Elder.
Drenol (Dree-nowl) – Elder.
Vadren (Vaw-dren) – Elder.
Vaza (Vaw-zhuh) – Widower and elder. Loves to creep on the ladies.
Unmated Females
_______
Asha (Ah-shuh) – Separated from Hemalo. No living child.
Farli – (Far-lee) Their teenage daughter. Her brothers are Salukh and Pashov. She has a pet dvisti named Chahm-pee (Chompy).
Unmated Hunters
_______
Bek – (BEHK) – Hunter.
Harrec (Hair-ek) – Hunter.
Taushen (Tow –rh
ymes with cow- shen) – Hunter.
Warrek (War-ehk) – Tribal hunter and teacher. Son to Eklan (now deceased).
Hemalo (Hee-mah-lo) – Separated from Asha.
Ice Planet Barbarians Reading List!
Are you all caught up on Ice Planet Barbarians? Need a refresher? Click through to borrow or buy and get caught up (or add to your keeper shelf)!
Ice Planet Barbarians – Georgie’s Story
Barbarian Alien – Liz’s Story
Barbarian Lover – Kira’s Story
Barbarian Mine – Harlow’s Story
Ice Planet Holiday – Claire’s Story (novella)
Barbarian’s Prize – Tiffany’s Story
Barbarian’s Mate – Josie’s Story
Having the Barbarian’s Baby – Megan’s Story (short story)
Ice Ice Babies – Nora’s Story (short story)
Barbarian’s Touch – Lila’s Story
Calm - Maylak’s Story
Barbarian’s Taming – Maddie’s Story
Aftershocks
Barbarian’s Heart – This book!
Next up…???
Ruby Rec - Savage Mafia Prince!
Savage Mafia Prince
This one’s a little different than my normal recommendations because it’s a steamy, sexy contemporary bad boy. BUT! I think you will love it and love Annika Martin’s writing (I know I do). Check it out! It’s got a feral hero, a fantastic heroine, and lots of steam.
(It’s not on Kindle Unlimited but give the sample a try!)
Where is Kiro?
He’s the lost Dragusha brother, heir to a vast mafia empire—brilliant, violent, and utterly savage…and he’s been missing for years.
Ann
I'm supposed to be doing simple undercover research at the Fancher Institute for the Mentally Ill & Dangerous, but I can’t keep my mind off Patient 34. He’s startlingly young and gorgeous, but it’s not just that. He’s strapped way too tightly to that bed. And there’s no name or criminal history on his chart. What are these people hiding? My reporter’s instincts are screaming.
Here's the other thing: the staffers here believe he’s so sedated that there’s not a thought in his head, but I catch him watching me when nobody’s looking. Our connection sizzles when I enter the room. When our eyes meet, I know he understands me in a way nobody else ever has.
I’m supposed to follow my editor’s orders—I have secrets, too—but everything about Patient 34 is suspicious. How can I not investigate?
Ruby Rec - A very special barbarian story coming soon!
This book isn’t out yet, but I want you to be on the lookout for it. I think you’re going to LOVE it. Stay tuned, because I’m going to be talking about this one a lot! It’s fantasy romance and a brutal, delicious barbarian hero. You know I’m on board!!
Milla Vane’s VENGEANCE
Want More?
For more information about upcoming books in the Ice Planet Barbarians, Bear Bites, or any other books by Ruby Dixon, like me on Facebook or subscribe to my new release newsletter.
Thanks for reading!
<3 Ruby
Boring Copyright Stuff
Copyright © 2016 by Ruby Dixon
This book is a work of fiction. I know, I know. Imagine that a book about big blue aliens is fiction, but it is. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental and would be pretty darn nifty.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical articles and reviews.