Page 46 of Yasmin and the Yeti
Talvi returned in the afternoon, settling by the fire pit nearest Yasmin’s bed. She watched Yasmin’s hands as they carefully shaped a small, intricate bead.
“Your work is very fine,” she said after a while. “You have a carver’s touch.”
She smiled, pleased by the compliment. “On my world, I made jewelry. Small things, but I loved the detailed work.”
Talvi leaned closer, examining the completed beads arranged on a small tray beside Yasmin. “These would look beautiful strung together. Perhaps…” She hesitated. “Perhaps when you are stronger, you might make a bracelet for me?”
The request, so simple and yet so meaningful, brought unexpected tears to her eyes. “I’d like that,” she managed. “I’d like that very much.”
Talvi smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Good. Then you must get well quickly.”
As night fell, Cera returned to administer another dose of sothiti and she drank it without hesitation, feeling the now-familiar warmth spread through her body.
The healer then knelt beside Yasmin’s bed and began to chant in a low, melodic voice. Although Yasmin couldn’t understand allthe words, she recognized her name, Rhaal’s name, and the word for “cub” woven into the ancient prayer.
After Cera finished her prayers, she dimmed the fires for the night. “Sleep now,” she instructed her. “Your body needs rest to heal.”
The cave was quiet except for the soft crackle of the fires. The air smelled of herbs and smoke and the unique, musky scent of the Hothians who had once seemed so alien. The females who had visited throughout the day had treated her with a fierce, protective kindness that made her feel accepted, as if she were truly part of the clan.
But despite the comfort of that knowledge, she missed Rhaal with a steady persistent ache. It had been easier to ignore during the day with her stream of visitors and the bustle of activity in the caverns, but as silence descended and she lay alone in her bed, the loneliness grew sharper.
He was out there, somewhere deep underground, facing dangers she could only imagine. She sent a silent prayer to any gods who might be listening, imploring them to keep him safe, to bring him back to her and their unborn cub. They had come too far, survived too much, to lose each other now.
A sudden bustle of activity in the outer caverns made her sit up, her heart pounding. She tried to make out the distant conversations, but they were too far away. Frustrated, she was considering climbing out of bed when the healer reappeared.
“Don’t even think about it,” Cera ordered. “He had to report to the Elders about what he found, but he’ll come to you as soon as he can.”
“He’s back? And safe?”
A smile creased Cera’s weathered face. “Yes and yes.”
“Oh thank God.”
A relieved ear slid down her cheek, and Cera shook her finger at her.
“None of that. He’ll only worry if he finds you crying.”
She sniffed and managed a watery smile. “I’ll do my best,” she promised.
Time seemed to drag interminably as she waited for him, but several of the other females returned to keep her company.
“Rhaal tracked the poison to its source when our best hunters failed,” one female said with obvious pride. “They say he moved through the mountain like a ghost.”
“Of course he did,” another replied. “He has always been the best tracker. Even before…”
The female trailed off, but Yasmin understood. Even before Ayla’s death. Even before his exile. Even before the grief that had shaped him into the solitary, wounded male she had first encountered.
“He’s very skilled,” she agreed.
“Thank you, my mate,” a deep voice said from the entrance and then he was there, tall and handsome and safe, his eyes glowing with the familiar blue fire.
Despite her promise to Cera, she immediately burst into tears. He was across the room and lifting her into his arms before the first choked sob ended. She was dimly aware of her visitors leaving but all that really mattered was the big male holding her so tightly.
“I am here,” he rumbled, his hand stroking soothingly over her hair. “No need for tears.”
“You were gone so long,” she cried. “I was so worried.”
“I know, but I returned as soon as I could once I found out what was happening.”
