Page 18 of Yasmin and the Yeti
“Rhaal,” she said firmly, setting down the comb and turning to face him. “I need proper clothes. And real boots that fit. I want to go to Port Eyeja.”
His entire body immediately went rigid, his expression shutting down completely.
“No,” he growled, the word harsh and final.
“Why not?”
“Not safe.”
She rose to her feet and went to join him.
“I know you’ll keep me safe,” she said quietly. “But I can’t stay hidden in here forever. I need to be able to walk outside without you carrying me.”
He shook his head, refusing to meet her eyes.
“Rhaal, please.” She reached out, touching his arm lightly. “I want to be your partner, not your burden.”
His glowing eyes finally met hers, conflicted and wary.
“I need this,” she said simply.
For a long moment, he stood immobile, like a statue carved from ice. Then his big shoulders slumped slightly, and he gave the low, reluctant growl that she had come to recognize as resignation.
“Tomorrow,” he rumbled.
“Thank you!” In her excitement, she gave him a quick kiss, but when she pulled back she found him staring at her. Her cheeks flamed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean…”
“What?” he asked, tapping his lips.
“We call it a kiss. What do you call it?”
He shook his head. “No name. No kiss.”
“What do you mean you don’t kiss?”
He tapped his fangs and she suddenly understood. The two sets of fangs would make it difficult. No wonder he’d seemed so shocked when she’d kissed him after her bath. Her cheeks heated again.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I should have realized you might not like it?—”
“Like it.” He smiled at her as he interrupted the rapid flow of words. “Like very much.”
“Oh.” She looked at him and her heart fluttered in her chest. The vulnerability she glimpsed in his eyes was like a magnet, drawing her in. She leaned in, slowly, deliberately this time, giving him plenty of time to pull away. Their lips touched in the lightest of kisses, but then he pulled away,
“After,” he growled. “After Port Eyeja.”
She was disappointed but perhaps he was right. She wanted to come to him as an equal.
The journey to the spaceport the next day was tense and silent. Rhaal insisted on carrying her, cradling her against his chest like precious cargo. She didn’t argue. He’d wrapped fur strips around her feet and legs but the snow was still too deep for her to navigate without proper footwear. He’d also pulled out the thermal cloak she’d worn on her escape and wrapped that around her as well.
His anxiety about the trip was evident in the tightness of his muscles, the alertness of his posture. He was like a coiled spring, constantly scanning their surroundings, his head turning at the slightest sound. Twice, he froze completely, holding her so still she could feel his heartbeat against her cheek, before continuing cautiously.
As they approached the outpost, the landscape changed. The pristine white wilderness gave way to packed snow paths, then to cleared streets. Buildings rose from the snow—a motley collection of utilitarian metal structures interspersed with stone buildings designed to withstand the harsh climate.
The spaceport was larger than she’d expected, and the place bustled with activity. Various aliens moved purposefully between shops and warehouses, their breath clouding in thefrigid air. Under other circumstances she might have been nervous, but with Rhaal at her side, she wasn’t afraid to indulge her curiosity.
Four-armed beings with rough, leathery skin haggled with tall, slender creatures whose skin seemed to shimmer with an internal light. Small, furry aliens with multiple eyes scurried between the larger beings, carrying packages and messages. She caught a glimpse of two large males with red skin and horns in the distance before Rhaal ducked down a side alley.
At the edge of the market square he reluctantly set her down, and pulled the cloak tightly around her before locking one massive arm around her waist. His body language screamed protectiveness, his glowing eyes constantly scanning for threats.
