Page 18 of A Kiss of Frost

The little girl launched herself at Jack, fortunately landing across his chest as he quickly threw a fur over his lower half. She wasn’t sure how he would react, but he looked as surprised and delighted as he had when he tasted the food she brought him. He put his arm around Lorna as she tucked her face against his neck, and her chest ached with an old longing. Her father had never welcomed hugs, or any sign of affection, and she had been a lot younger than Lorna when she learned that lesson.

Fighting back a sudden urge to cry, she picked up the abandoned plate, wiped completely clean, and headed for the door.

“I’m just going to check on our supplies,” she said, and fled.

CHAPTER10

Jackasarian watched his female flee, his head spinning with a confusing mix of emotions. Emotions that any true Tandroki warrior would have rejected. He had made so many mistakes. He had called her his beloved mate – a term that belonged to the primitive times before Moroz taught them discipline and serenity. He had succumbed to the sensual allure of alien food, not to mention the even more sensual allure of her body pressed against his. He had revealed far more about himself than he should have done, and he had capped it all with a foolishly arrogant display.

And yet, although she had properly chastised him, she didn’t seem disgusted either by his display, or the resulting weakness. Any Tandroki female would have been appalled. In the midst of his confusion, the warm body tucked against his side and the small arms around his neck felt strangely comforting. He gently put his arm around the fragile shoulders.

“Thank you for the hug,” he said gravely. “I am already feeling much better.”

And it was true. The food Katerina had prepared might not have been as perfectly balanced as the Tandroki supplements, but it had given him strength. He moved cautiously into a sitting position, although he didn’t have the heart to dislodge the little girl still clinging to him.

The twins appeared in the doorway and Cecelia, obviously the bolder one, gave him an uncertain look.

“Miss Cat said Lorna was hugging you to make you feel better.”

“Yeth I am,” Lorna said defiantly. “And he thaid ith working.”

The twins exchanged a look, then to his shock, they crossed the room and climbed up on the bed as well. Fortunately his erection had vanished as soon as his female left since Cecil dug a sharp little knee into his groin in the process. He hid his reaction as stoically as he had his reaction to the arrow that had pierced his shoulder during one of his junior training bouts. The twins settled down next to him, then gave him an expectant look. What did they want from him?

“Do you know any thorieth?” Lorna asked in her sweet whispering voice.

“I do not,” he began, but then he remembered that his mother had told him stories once - long ago, before his father’s efforts to turn her into a proper Tandroki female had succeeded. “Or perhaps I do,” he added slowly.

Their faces grew even more expectant as he did his best to recall one of her stories.

“Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away,” he finally began.

It was an improbable tale about a lost heir and magical powers and the bonds formed when a small group fought against overwhelming odds, but as he spoke he remembered more and more. He could almost hear his mother’s voice whispering in his ear.

Merry wandered into the room and climbed up on the end of the bed. Johnny immediately followed her, leaning against the wall in his usual defiant pose. Even Katerina appeared before he had finished the story, smiling at all of them as she listened.

“And they all lived happily ever after,” he finished, just as his mother had always finished.

“That wath a great thory,” Lorna said.

“Yes it was. Tell us another one,” Merry said eagerly.

“I am not sure that I know another one,” he admitted.

Celia’s small hand tucked on his arm. “You can tell that one again.”

He gave his female what he was sure was a helpless look, and she laughed.

“Not now, kids. Jack still needs to rest.”

“But we hugged him loth,” Lorna protested.

“And I’m sure it was very helpful. But he still needs time to get strong again. Come on now, time for lunch.”

He was sure his face was far too eager, because she looked at him and laughed again.

“Yes, you too. I’ll be back in a moment.”

Everyone filed out of the room, leaving him feeling oddly bereft. He wanted to demand that they return, or even to follow them, but even if his dignity had permitted it, he was not entirely sure that his legs would obey. His attempt to impress his female had drained him. He despised the foolish weakness, and began a series of exercises to strengthen his muscles by tightening and contracting the individual muscles.

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