Page 31 of The Alien Noble's Little Human

“Maybe, but how? Even if I could dig through that much snow, the storm will pile more snow on faster than I can remove it.”

“Who said anything about making you dig?” Taurek flashes me a smile and steps out into the storm.

Sure, Kiphians are stronger and faster than humans, but he can’t expect to be able to find my bag in all that snow, can he?

I charge out into the storm after him. I’m not getting separated from anyone else today. I grip the back of Taurek’s coat as he drags me through the snow and storms toward our chordatas. The chordata sees us approach and scampers over to us. There goes our chance to just look at its feet and check where I fell. We’ll never find it now.

“What’s the plan?” I have to yell over the wind. I’m not even sure if Taurek heard me.

“Easy!”

Taurek pulls a bell root, something I’ve recently learned is a preferred treat of the chordatas, out of his pocket. As soon as the chordata sees the root, its tail starts wagging. It creates a sweeping motion that tosses the snow aside, exposing the layer of ice and stone below.

Taurek begins to lead the chordata around the area with the promise of the treat. The tail doesn’t slow down for even a moment, snow gets tossed everywhere. But it’s not doing enough, even like this, snow isn’t being cleared fast enough.

That is, until Taurek tosses the root. The chordata sprints through the snow towards it, plowing all the snow out of its way. Both of us can’t help but laugh at the sight. Taurek pulls out another root and throws it for the chordata to chase, and another big area gets cleared of snow.

I haven’t seen Taurek laugh this much before. It’s nice to see this side of him. I can’t imagine anyone would be able to keep a straight face watching a chordata chase after a bell root.

After about six or seven roots, the very happy chordata cleared almost the whole area that we stopped at. While the storm is replacing the cleared snow quickly, we’re still able to scan the ground for my bag.

“Found it!” Taurek calls out over the wind.

I race to him and the chordata, who is now sniffing Taurek looking for more treats. They both stand over my bag, which in the storm has gathered a thick layer of ice, encasing the pack underneath.

“No! Why? When the tools are just there?” I try to tug on the bag but it won’t budge. Against all odds, we found it, but we still can’t catch a break.

“Step aside.” Taurek stands over the bag. He extends the crampon talon on his left foot and starts chipping away at the ice. I always forget that adaptation of Mountain Kingdom Kiphians.

In a moment, the bag is completely free. Taurek picks it up and holds it out to me.

I can’t hold it in anymore. The urge overtakes my full body. I’m so grateful and impressed with how he solved the problem that a simple thank you won’t do. I rush him.

My arms reach up to his shoulders, and I pull him down to me. Before I can second guess my decision, our lips meet. In an instant, I forget all about the blizzard, the snow, and the cold. All I can feel is the warmth flowing through my body from his lips on mine.

15

TAUREK

Her kiss cuts through me like molten lead, flowing through my veins. I pull her back in for another. My spines turn red hot. I’m shocked the snow around us isn’t melting. My hands hold her body close against mine. I need more.

I can’t indulge myself now, only because if I continue, I’ll take her here on the ice, and we’ll die from hypothermia.

“Let’s get out of the storm.” With one hand I hold Zaya’s while the other holds the reins of the chordata.

Although the snow is piled up, I have a fairly good sense of our surroundings. Mountain Kiphians are born knowing how to survive in the mountains, an instinct that’s only honed as we receive mandatory training. As a Prince, my training was far more extensive, and I always had a gift even beyond what my tutors expected. I know how to find shelter.

We in the Mountain Kingdom have something similar to echolocation but for finding refuge. I know how to survive, and I know that we’re nearing a place for keeping away from the elements.

Quickly I find the opening to an underground cave. Zaya, the chordata, and I slip into the cave. It’s not huge, but it will do for now. The chordata slumps down at the mouth of the cave as Zaya and I go a bit deeper in.

“Let’s make camp for the night,” I suggest.

“Good idea. Maybe by the morning, the storm will have died down.”

I waste no time in setting up the tent, and then the barrier separating the entrance of the cavern from the rest of the elements. Before I’m even completely done, Zaya climbs inside the bedding area, shivering the whole time.

After tying up the chordatas in the antechamber of the cavern, I follow her inside the tent, like a closed bubble of our own. She’s already wrapped up in all of the blankets we have. Underneath it all, I can still see her shivering, searching out my arms for more warmth.

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