Page 21 of Betrothed to the Yeti

…Unless he knows what he’s doing. Was his relationship with the first Seer a physical one? Is it bad I don’t want to be his first human mate? He would know my body’s limits before I felt discomfort. I doubt he would intentionally hurt me or push me further than my body would accommodate. What if I’m his first…ever? He said he was an outcast among Yetis. Was he always? Did he have a chance to mate before being cast out, or is he a virgin like me? My heart aches for his loneliness—all to keep the human villages safe. In his request for a companion, did he ask for a virgin to ease any performance anxiety?

With wrinkly fingertips and an anxious heart, I exit the pool to dry off. Pabu’s towels are as soft as his bed linens. My body awakens under the smooth strokes. How can there be baby Yetis if mating kills the mothers? That’s ridiculous. Immaturity. That’s all my worries are. If I’m surrendering to my fate as Pabu’s bride, then I surrender in all ways. Yes, we will forge a physical bond, but why couldn’t he imprint with me first? If he’s in my thoughts as he takes my virginity, he would feel my pain before he went too far.

Can I seduce him into imprinting?

Seduce!Who am I kidding? He’s halfway there without my intervention.

The stone floor in the treasure hoard is half as warm as the bathing pool. I clutch my towel to my chest as I tiptoe around the piles of metal nuggets, jewelry, and various pottery. This room is as messy as the rest of Pabu’s dwelling, but at least there is nothing to rot in here. The ledge furthest from the door has fabric stacked to the ceiling. Green like summer grasses, pink like Saturn’s rings, and blue as the bathing pool, the dress colors are dazzling. I would blend in with the treasure if I chose the gold one, but it weighs more than I do. I love the white puffy dress. I bet I could hide as a snowdrift if I were attacked. Never mind, the bodice is large enough to fit me and Ku Huang.

From the pile of silver dresses, I select the smallest one. The shimmery skirt falls to the floor but doesn’t drag along the stones. Hopefully, with regular meals, I will fill out the white bodice. My elbows are the perfect diameter for the white lace sleeves, but loose folds hang from my skinny arms. At least I will be able to push them up without worrying about snagging the lace. I shudder with revulsion at doing chores in such an ornate dress, but my regular ‘house dress’ is ruined. Should I be grateful to wear this lavish dress or barter for a plain one for the lambs?

No.

If I barter Ku Huang’s lambs, I can’t be selfish and purchase something for myself. Her sacrifice deserves more honor than a plain dress. Must I barter all three kids? If I wean them early, I could barter cheese for a dress—especially if I don’t need the money for scraps or the cheese for my own consumption. What if I traded for the two bigger lambs? My spirits soar. Ku Huang could keep the little runt. Nawang wouldn’t harvest enough meat from him to be worthwhile, anyway.

With a swish of sparkly fabric, I climb the stairs with a spring in my step. All my troubles will be resolved, and I have Pabu to thank for everything. With our flourishing garden and his hunting, we eat every day. Ku Huang will raise her runt. Our little family will survive as a foursome.

I can’t wait to tell him—mind to mind.

Chapter 13

Pabu

I’ll never be lonely again.

I breathe the scent of goat’s blood around my house. Ku Huang gave birth while I was away. How many little, fluffy friends await me on the other side of the door? Blasted Jaya for venturing outside while carrying bloody straw, easy bait for every predator for miles. The mother and baby are as comfortable as possible, thanks to her…but at what risk? I bet she loves the little critter as much as Ku Huang and would tell me the risk was worth it. Better not ask and save us the argument.

My hand freezes on the knob as a vision of Jaya holding a Yeti baby captures my attention. As lovingly as she cares for Ku Huang, I bet she would be as fierce as a tigress and as nurturing as a wolven mother. Would she want children with me? I wasn’t in my prime during my relationship with the first Seer, so children weren’t a possibility…but with Jaya… Would a hybrid child help her find happiness at my side?

Inside my home, the trio of fuzzes against their mother is a blessed sight for my weary eyes. Two large lumps and a lamb too small to be real, rise and fall with steady sleep. My head drops to the side as I release a sigh of contentment. I use both hands to secure the door with minimal noise, so I don’t disturb my newest family members. It’s useless. My footsteps thunder in the silent room.

Ku Huang lifts her head, and her lambs follow suit.

I freeze like a snow dune. She licks her lips and then the heads of each offspring to settle them. When the last lamb drops it’s chin against her, she bleats at me. I get the message not to come closer, for she’s too tired to deal with Yeti introductions tonight. After running to Delta, fighting seven wolves from their walls, and returning, I’m happy to leave them sleeping by the hearth.

Where is Jaya if not with them?

Could she be waiting to spend time with me?

My feet slap the stairs as I run up them. I can’t contain my excitement. We were on the brink of a breakthrough when I was called away, but did Jaya tumble into acceptance? Did she find the possibilities through her fog of dour memories?

Not in the paintings room where I left her…

My breath leaves my lungs in awhooshas I skid to a halt at my bedroom door.

She’s a star, fallen from the Gods, with her arms and legs extended to the edges of my bed.

She claims the space with her pose as if ready to defend the bed. Is this the first time she has slept on pillows? She claimed she slept in Ku Huang’s straw because she was used to sleeping on straw in her family’s hut. I highly doubt they had the fabric for pillows if they didn’t have the fabric for warmer dresses. My heart squeezes. Of all the dresses in the treasure hoard, I never thought she would choose the wedding dress I asked the Seer to make…for her. The stark white lace almost glows in the darkness, but the silver skirt blends in with the gray blankets. Jaya could have chosen a blushing pink like her human wedding dress, or green like the celery she loves, but wears the colors of a Yeti. Her species may not be a native of Enceladus, but she’s the queen of my world.

One toe, then four before dropping my heel with agonizing slowness. I lengthen my stride so I don’t have to plant my feet as often and risk waking her. Times like this, I wish my fur were black instead of white to blend into the shadows. My fingers itch to weave themselves in her unbound hair. I’ll trace her hairline and map her dainty features, made softer with sleep. The corners of her lips curl upward even as the bottom one hangs open.

Does she smile because she dreams of me?

I lean on the edge of the bed, and her eyes fly open. Her mouth slams shut. A lock of hair brushes her forehead as her head snaps in my direction. “Pabu?” She asks in a breathy voice, rough from slumber. Poor Jaya has lived her life on alert to the point where I doubt she’s able to sleep soundly.

“It’s only me,” I whisper. “Everything is fine. I’ve returned from Delta to find my bride blissfully asleep in my bed. I’m the happiest male on Enceladus.”

She arches her back before sitting up in an innocent stretch, which pulls my blood southward. Her fists rub the sleep from her eyes, and I take advantage of her curled form to scoot next to her. When she doesn’t stir, I recline and raise the covers to swing my legs beneath them. The dress is not as soft as the blankets. I can’t help the thrill that dances through my bloodstream when my legs tangle with the scratchy fabric.

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