by Ruby Dixon
“And wash your mate. Again.” He grins and then pats my butt once more. “But for now, I should towel off quickly and go get our son. I promised I would spend the day with him.”
I nod. “And then you’ll be back? You’re not going out again for a while, are you?” It’s the nature of this tribe of hunter-gatherers that the men inevitably have to take long hunting trips. Before I was pregnant, I used to go with him, and we’ve talked about going all three of us when Masan is old enough. I guess that’s another reason to not be ready for another baby. I kinda like the thought of the three of us doing stuff. Just…not yet. “I need you home for a while before you go venturing off again.”
“I will be back,” he tells me firmly, massaging my ample butt.
I’m about to suggest we do one more round before he heads out when a horrible squawking noise makes us both jump.
“What was that?” Hassen asks, astonished.
I sigh. “That would be Millicent, the dirtbeak.”
Sure enough, a moment later there’s a scratch at the door. I barely manage to pull the furs over our nudity before I see a flash of Warrek’s long fluttering hair. Then, Masan charges in, his bird perched atop his hair. “Mama! Papa! I taught Millicent how to sit on my head!”
“Yay.” I try to sound enthusiastic, but I just remember birds that liked to shit everywhere. Millicent looks happy, though. She’s roosting, her claws curled in Masan’s thick dark hair, and she flutters her feathers and settles down between his horns.
Hassen just looks shocked. He glances down at me again. “A…dirtbeak?”
“I know it’s not ideal,” I whisper. “But he loves the damn thing. If it gets to be a problem, we’ll set it free.”
Hassen only grins and wraps one of the furs around his loins, getting to his feet. “Show me your pet, my son.” I reach up and un-stick the pelt from his butt cheek as he walks away, and then watch, brimming with pride, as my son and mate fuss over the stupid bird.
I’m so glad he’s home. It hits me now, after a night of hardcore “reuniting” just how much I’ve missed my mate, my Hassen, my other half. I love him so much. I even love that he’s thrilled with Masan and his bird. He laughs with delight as Masan shows how he’s taught Millicent to come when he snaps his fingers. Sure enough, the bird flutters from the top of his head onto his shoulder, and pecks at his cheek. He gives her a seed, then beams at his father for approval.
“Very smart,” Hassen says. “You know that K’thar of the island tribe has a pet flyer? It was a very ugly, fat little creature. Your Mill-sent is much better.”
“I know, she’s smart,” Masan beams.
“Come, my son,” Hassen says. “You and I are going to get dressed and then we are going to see about making Mill-sent a hut of her own that can sit near your furs. Would you like that?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Give Mama a kiss and then let us go.”
Hassen dresses quickly and Masan comes and showers me with kisses and tells me about his day while I lounge in bed, hiding my nudity with the furs. I smile at my sweet son, loving the excitement in his baby face as he talks. He needs his father home, too, I realize. Maybe we’ll go on that family hunting trip the moment the bitter season returns.
I like that thought a lot.
“Let us let your mother rest,” Hassen says, and winks at me as he takes Masan—and Millicent—with him.
I wave goodbye and blow kisses, and then it’s just me, lying in very sticky furs and debating whether or not to go back to sleep. Last night was amazing…but tonight should be amazing, too. I’ll definitely need some sleep, and a bath.
But first…
I get dressed quickly, trying to ignore how my clothes stick to my skin in places, and pull my hair back into a knot. Wrapping a heavy cloak around me, I head out of my hut and cross the long path that winds through the village, heading toward Josie and Haeden’s hut. The screen’s over the door, so I knock-scratch.
“Coming,” Josie calls, and a moment later she appears, wrapped up in furs. She looks sleep-tousled, but when she sees me, she smiles widely. “Hey, Maddie.”
“I’m not staying,” I tell her quickly, and I grin. “I just wanted to see how your Valentine lingerie went over.”
“He had no idea what it was about,” she confesses. “But he got the gist of it soon enough. How was your Valentine’s Day?”
“Fucking awesome.” I give her a sly look. “How was yours?”
“Equally awesome…with an equal amount of fucking.” Josie giggles.
And we share a fist bump.
Author’s Note
Ho, as the sa-khui say. Or just ‘hey!’ Or whatever. I never know how to start my author notes. Maybe I’ll take a page from General Kenobi and say “Hello there!”
(That’s a little Star Wars nerd humor for you.)
I’m asked a few things over on Facebook on a regular basis. One is usually where I’m asked to write more of the original tribe. That’s usually followed by OMG PLEASE MORE HAEDEN AND JOSIE. Which is then followed by OMG MORE MADDIE AND HASSEN.
Okay, FINE. You WIN.
(I’m giggling. Those are two of my favorite couples, so this is not a chore to do. Like, at ALL.)
In all seriousness, I loved writing this little novella. It allowed me to go back to the ‘old tribe’ and visit, and give a little insight on the daily life. There’s no big drama, mostly because I love seeing happy anecdotes more than anything else. Is it low key? Yes. Does it make me happy as fuck? Also yes.
So we have Maddie and Hassen reuniting - I really love this pair because he’s completely gaga for her, and she loves asserting her femininity. She doesn’t care that she’s a bit of a freak. She owns it. I wish I was half as confident as she is! Their part of the story was nothing but pure rompy fun.
Josie’s part is a little more ‘less’ fun and more sweet. She’s one of those people that has a lot of history and while she doesn’t let it bog her down, in weak moments, it can creep in and worry her. She needs to be reminded that she is loved and adored, but luckily Haeden is all too happy to take on that role. I love writing them, even if it’s just the kind of ‘reunion’ that most busy parents have to squeeze in every now and then.
And speaking of reunions, I almost called this story Barbarian’s Reunion because I thought it fit, but there were so many votes for Barbarian’s Valentine as the title that I couldn’t refuse. Plus, Kati made this cute cover that actually mirrors Josie and Haeden’s initial cover. It’s almost like we did that on purpose!
As for who is next — in THIS series, it will be BARBARIAN’S SEDUCTION and you bet I’m going to write Marlene and Zennek’s initial get together and how she got all slinky and sexy with our blushing, shy Zennek. That one is going to be So. Stinking. Fun.
HOWEVER. I don’t know if it’s next next? There’s a lot of lobbying on Facebook for N’dek over in the island tribe to get his heroine. And you know me, I listen to my fans! So once I get this contracted project off my desk (which will eat up the rest of my February), in March, I’ll either be writing N’dek and his mystery heroine, or man-eater Marlene.
I’ve also said that I want to write more Ice Planet Barbarians (the original tribe!) this year, and I mean it. Once Marlene’s book is written, I want to go back and write a full length story for Megan/Cashol and Nora/Dagesh, both of whom got short stories only. So definitely more barbarian goodness on the way.
Someone actually asked me today if I was sick of writing my ice planet series.
Nope. I love it. I’m constantly thinking about the characters and dreaming up new scenarios. As long as you guys are still reading, I’ll keep writing. <3
Much love <3
Ruby
PS - A small shout-out to the immersive IPB wiki run by Hannah. If you haven’t seen this, she’s done a TON of work and I love it! Thank you so much, Hannah!!!
PPS - I’m also on Instagram! I mostly post derpy stuff (and show off my lack of social media polish) and screenshots
of word count. If you like Instagram, feel free to follow me. I can’t promise EXCITING content but I’ll try to add a little flavor to your feed. :)
PPPS - I really wanted to include an updated ‘Cast of Characters’ but Amazon’s getting weird about what it considers ‘bonus’ content and this book might be too short to include something so lengthy. I’ll have it in the next full length book, I promise!
IPB Reading List
ICE PLANET BARBARIANS
Ice Planet Barbarians
Barbarian Alien
Barbarian Lover
Barbarian Mine
Ice Planet Holiday (novella)
Barbarian’s Prize
Barbarian’s Mate
Having the Barbarian’s Baby (short story)
Ice Ice Babies (short story)
Barbarian’s Touch
Calm(short story)
Barbarian’s Taming
Aftershocks (short story)
Barbarian’s Heart
Barbarian’s Hope
Barbarian’s Choice
Barbarian’s Redemption
Barbarian’s Lady
Barbarian’s Rescue
Barbarian’s Tease
The Barbarian Before Christmas (novella)
Barbarian’s Beloved
Want More?
For more information about upcoming books in the Ice Planet Barbarians, Fireblood Dragons, or any other books by Ruby Dixon, like me on Facebook or subscribe to my new release newsletter. I love sharing snippets of books in progress and fan art! Come join the fun.
As always - thanks for reading!
<3 Ruby
PS - Want to discuss my books without me staring over your shoulder? There’s a group for that, too! Ruby Dixon - Blue Barbarian Babes (over on Facebook) has all of your barbarian and dragon needs. :) Enjoy!
PPS - I’m now on Instagram!