Page 15 of A Kiss of Frost

“He’ll show up,” she said firmly. “One way or another, he’ll show up.”

She hoped it wasn’t an empty promise, but she’d had a lot of experience in making the holiday special for Merry. It had taken a lot of ingenuity – and a lot of hiding things from her father – but she’d always managed. She had less to work with this year, but she also didn’t have her father to worry about. She tilted her head, listening to the wind howling around their shelter.

No, he wouldn’t be out in this. In fact, given the strength of the storm, the traders were undoubtedly demanding that the caravan return to their winter quarters. Even her father would have a hard time refusing to move given the current conditions. She smiled as she returned to her pots, already considering presents.

The building had apparently once been used as both workshop and residence. The area beneath the loft was cluttered with material, including stacks of faded fabric and assorted odds and ends. She was sure she could come up with something.

Once breakfast was prepared, she left Merry and Johnny to look after the younger children while she took a plate into Jack. He was awake again, his blue eyes gleaming in the dim room with an attractive and entirely inhuman light. The pika was curled at his side, and his long fingers gently stroked the soft fur.

“Are you hungry? I brought you some food.”

“Food would be acceptable,” he said after a brief pause.

“But do you want something to eat?” she asked, wondering why he seemed to have difficulty admitting to his preferences.

“I do not require your sustenance, but it would be… welcome.”

She shook her head. Apparently that was as close as he was going to get to admitting that he wanted food.

“Can you sit up? It would be much easier to eat that way.”

“You do not wish to raise my head?”

The question was innocent enough. The look on his face was not. A quick rush of heat swept over her as she remembered his tongue exploring her. Ignoring it, she raised an eyebrow.

“Do you need help?”

As she had anticipated, he frowned. “I do not require assistance.”

He immediately tried to sit up, but she could see how much pain it caused him. Putting the plate down, she bent over to help him. His face pressed against her chest again but this time he did not take advantage of the fact and simply allowed her to help him upright. Telling herself that she was not disappointed, she took a step back and studied him.

“You look a little better.”

“The Tandroki heal swiftly.”

“Who are the Tandroki? Where do you come from?”

“From Tandrok,” he said, and she huffed in frustration.

“And where is Tandrok?”

“It is forbidden to discuss such matters with primitive –” he broke off, but it was too late.

“With primitive species? We may be primitive, but at least we have the good sense not to knock ourselves out or insult someone who is trying to help us.”

He actually looked abashed, dipping his head in an obviously formal and equally obviously painful gesture.

“Please forgive me. I meant no offense.” He sighed. “And perhaps it is not significant in this case.”

“You mean because we know we are not alone in the universe?”

It was his turn to study her.

“I have heard tales of your origins,” he said cautiously.

“Yes, I’m familiar with them. I know that we came from another planet. And I rather suspect that you did as well. Where is your ship?”

An odd look crossed his face. “It crashed.”

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