Page 16 of Yasmin and the Yeti
He was halfway to the bed platform when she heard a sharp intake of breath from the cave entrance. She jerked back from the kiss, her eyes flying open to see another of Rhaal’s kind standing in the doorway—smaller, female, with pale gray markings in her white fur and a leather pouch at her hip. Her expression was one of shocked disapproval.
He put her back on her feet and placed himself between her and the newcomer so quickly that she felt dizzy, but she scrambled for one of the furs, pulling it around her naked body as Rhaal snarled at the intruder.
The female snarled back before launching into a furious tirade, her voice rising and falling in sharp, angry bursts. Rhaal responded with defensive irritation, his big arms crossed over his chest. She clutched the fur tighter around herself, frustrated at not understanding their exchange. It was clearly an argument, with the female repeatedly gesturing toward her with a disapproving scowl.
Finally, the female sniffed, a sound of pure disdain, and strode over to her. She gestured imperiously for Yasmin to sit, but she hesitated, looking over at Rhaal. Even though he was clearly reluctant, he nodded, his expression tight with what might have been embarrassment.
She sat gingerly on the edge of the sleeping platform, the fur still wrapped around her shoulders. The female knelt and examinedher feet with professional detachment, turning them this way and that, pressing on the still-healing skin with firm fingers. Yasmin decided she must be a healer of some kind, but where had she come from, and why now?
The healer produced a small clay pot from her pouch and opened it to reveal a pale green salve that smelled of mint and something earthy. She applied it to Yasmin’s feet with brusque efficiency, the cooling sensation immediately soothing her still sore feet. Next the female examined her hands, then peered into her eyes and her mouth. She started to protest, then changed her mind. Her doctor had done the same thing during her last checkup.
When the healer was finished, she packed away her supplies and rose, delivering what was clearly a final rebuke to Rhaal. He stood with his arms crossed, his expression grim, but he didn’t respond.
The healer departed with a last disapproving glance at both of them, leaving an awkward silence in her wake.
She looked over at Rhaal, but he wouldn’t meet her eyes. His massive shoulders were hunched, his expression a mixture of frustration and sorrow and what might have been shame. Whatever the healer had said had affected him deeply.
She wished she could ask what the healer had said, but she didn’t have the words to ask, or even to understand the answer. Instead, she rose and went to join him, placing a gentle hand on his arm.
He looked down when she touched him, his glowing eyes finally meeting hers. The vulnerability she saw there made her heart ache. She smiled up at him, trying to convey that she wasn’t upset, that she didn’t regret what had happened between them.Not even the interruption, although she would have preferred to finish what they’d started.
Some of her thoughts must have come through because his expression finally relaxed. He covered her hand with his own, his eyes still locked on hers, and she felt the connection between them deepen.
“Who?” she asked, gesturing at the door.
“Cera,” he said.
Was that a name or a title? She pointed at herself, then at him, then at the door.
“Yasmin. Rhaal. Cera?”
He nodded. “Yasmin, Rhaal, Cera,” he repeated.
The repetition of her name in his deep, growly voice sent an unexpected thrill through her and she had to resist the temptation to step closer, to feel the warmth of his body against hers once again. Instead, she tried another question, hoping he understood the intent if not the actual words.
“Why did Cera come?”
He hesitated, then took a step back, his eyes darting away from hers. A pang of regret shot through her as he put more distance between them. Whatever the healer had said had obviously disturbed him.
Instead of answering her, he gestured to the basin, now cool, and mimed finishing her bath.
“I think I’m clean enough. What’s going on, Rhaal?” she asked, but he shook his head.
“Food,” he said, turning back to the fire. She knew it was an excuse, but she also knew she wouldn’t be able to persuade him to tell her. She sighed and returned to the bed platform.
As she pulled her fur tunic back on, the material brushed against her still swollen nipples, and a spark of excitement shot through her as she remembered the feel of his fur against them. If the healer hadn’t interrupted…
She wanted him, wanted more than the brief, heated moment they’d shared. But the memory of Cera’s disapproving face made her hesitate. She didn’t want to cause him any more pain. She could only hope that whatever the healer had said to Rhaal wouldn’t result in him retreating again.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The fire crackled softly, sending dancing shadows across the cave walls. Rhaal sat cross-legged near the flames, watching Yasmin from beneath lowered brows. His mind churned with conflicting emotions.
Cera’s words still rang in his ears. “You cannot just decide to take someone, especially an offworlder. You dishonor yourself and your clan by keeping her.” The old female had been right, of course. His honor demanded he take Yasmin to the spaceport, to find someone to help her.
But who? Not for the first time he wondered why she’d been on the trading ship. What had been bad enough to send her out into a blizzard so woefully unprepared?.
Cera had told him to take Yasmin to Baralt, the Hothian leader of law enforcement in Port Eyeja, but the thought of letting her go clawed at his insides like a physical pain.
