Page 18 of Barbarian's Treat

"Yes!"

"Good, because I do not much feel like fighting resonance," he tells me, and then glances around the village. His gaze lands on the hut I've been steering us toward. "Is that one yours?"

"Yes—"

He hauls me into his arms and carries me into our new love nest, and I wonder if it's possible to overflow with too much joy.

CHAPTER

FIFTEEN

KATE

"Hopper!"I bellow as my son races past, naked as a jaybird. "Put your costume back on!"

Hopper, of course, ignores me. He trots after the others, clutching his bag of goodies as his tail swishes merrily. "I'm invisible! You can't see me!"

"We can seeallof him," Brooke jokes at my side.

Trick or treating is in full swing right now, and the village is bustling after dark. There are a few fires lit on the main “street” of our village, and Brooke and I sit in front of my house with candles at our sides, our “treats” spread out in front of us as we hand out the gifts and watch the children enjoy themselves.

And in true Hopper form, my high-strung son wants to enjoy himself to the fullest...without clothes.

I just sigh. "I guess I should be glad his father doesn't share the same predilection for stripping." I glance down the long canyon, where one of the football games is still going. It's dark now, which means the humans and smaller children are done playing. Now the dads have taken the field and are playing far more roughly than they did with the kids. I hear the crack of twoheadbutting each other and then laughter. I hope Harrec stays away from that, because if there's blood, my poor mate's going to be on the floor.

The trick or treating is a hit with the children, and I watch as Zalene storms past with her treats satchel in hand. The kits are so excited that none of them are moving at regular speed. Everyone's stampeding between houses, as if we're going to run out of the goodies we've created for them. There's a huge cluster of kits at Stacy's front door as she passes out candied caramel bits and Pashov makes more of them inside to keep up with demand. Aehako and Kira's house is nearly as busy, as Aehako has outdone himself with carving. He's spent the last few weeks making little bone cups on a stick, and in the center is a string and ball. It's a toy I would have sniffed at as a kid because I'd been more into things like my Easy-Bake Oven. But for these children who have more simple pleasures, it's an absolute joy. I can see the sheer delight on Zoari's face as she tries to swing the leather ball into the cup.

I glance down at the trinkets I made. They're leather strips, meant to be worn as bracelets, and each one has been (rather painstakingly) stamped with stars and moons. I'd remembered stamping leather in art class once and had tried to do it myself with carved bits of bone and a rock to use as a hammer. I'd thought they'd turned out rather neat, but the kids don't seem to be that interested. "I think I'm a Halloween failure, Brooke."

At my side, Brooke organizes the beaded thongs she's made in varying colors. They've been marginally more successful than my bracelets. "Don't be so hard on yourself. They're kids. Of course they're going for candy and toys. Hell, I'm tempted to go ask Stacy for her leftovers. Hazel might have to let Mommy sample hers."

I snort at that, amused. "Have you tried Nora's popped seed balls? She gave me one and I didn't get more than a bite before Hopper wanted the rest of mine."

"Mmm, those were so good. Kinda like candied sunflower seeds, which I never thought I'd enjoy, but now I want an entire bucket." Brooke makes a “chef's kiss” gesture. "Perfection."

"Maybe she'll have leftovers."

"Already asked, and she's out." Brooke gives me a sympathetic smile when I groan. "I'm going to send Taushen out looking for seeds on the next nice weather day so I can try and make my own. You should make Harrec go with him."

I nod thoughtfully. Normally I'd suggest that I'd go with my mate on our own, because I like to go hunting and exploring, but during the brutal season, when the ice and snow are relentless, the humans stay close to the village. Our legs are too short to plow through the thick drifts and we're not as good at regulating our temperature as the sa-khui. My seed balls might have to wait until spring. Boo.

"Mom!" Hopper races back over to me, his little tackle bouncing as he runs to my side.

"Pants, baby! Pants!"

"Invisible man wears no pants!" he says quickly and holds his hand out. "I got this for you!"

It's a sticky, manhandled piece of Stacy's caramel hraku candy. Half eaten, but it's still a sweet gesture. "Aw, thanks, baby."

Hopper throws his arms around my neck and gives me a sticky kiss and then speeds away again. My neck and cheek are now as sticky as my hand, and I'm not entirely sure I want to eat the mangled candy without washing it first, but I'm touched by my thoughtful son's gesture. "He's a good kid," I tell Brooke happily. "Even if he does like to show the world his balls."

Brooke giggles. "It's a guy thing."

I get up and head inside. After I rinse off the candy, I put the goopy leftovers on a little dish on the counter. It really was thoughtful, and I'm smiling as I head back out to join Brooke. Analay and Anna are leaving, admiring their beads and the leather bracelets, and to my surprise, Kashrem is kneeling by the leftovers.

He picks up one bracelet and runs his fingers over the design, then gives me a delighted look. "Did you make this design?"

"I did. I used a leather stamp."

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