My laughter can be heard across the room as he bites and tickles me until I can barely breathe, and I realize this is what it’s allabout. This is the answer I have been seeking all my life.This is love.
CHAPTER 16
BRIAR
The sudden lightening of the room and someone banging on the outer door jerks me out of a deep sleep. “UGHH, someone turn the lights back off and hang a ‘do not disturb’ sign on the door.”
BuK jumps up, and I pull the covers over my head. Before I can even move, I hear footsteps, and the blankets are being yanked back. “Damnit, Briar, I was worried out of my mind this entire time and here you are, laying around naked like you’re on vacation.”
Pulling the covers back up over my head, I mumble out, “Good morning to you too, Lacie.” Only for her to tug them back down, and that’s when I see the tears in her eyes. Naked or not, I open my arms, and she falls into them. “Hey, I’m alright. You know a little thing like sub-zero temperatures would not be tough enough to take me out.”
“When MeK told me you guys were stuck here with no heat, I just knew I was going to find your corpse. My honeymoon has been nothing but tears and worrying. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I’d lost you.”
“I won’t lie and say that it wasn’t close because it was, but it all worked out. Look at this … you’re not the only one with a new tattoo.”
Wiping the tears off her cheeks, Lacie runs her fingers over the marks on my throat. “Oh my God, it’s stunning, and it looks like a beautiful collar. Hmmm, so let me guess, you and BuK did the dirty?”
“Why do you think I’m naked, laying here in shame as my best friend and I’m sure her other half barged through the door unannounced? I feel like I just got caught necking by my mother.”
“Ummm, sorry about that. I kinda encouraged MeK into breaking the outer lock when you didn’t answer right away.”
“I talked to him earlier when he commed BuK, so you knew I was okay then.”
“I had to see you for myself. This storm scared me to death; so many of us were unprepared, and I never want to live through that again.”
“Now I thoroughly agree with that statement. We knew it would get cold at some point, but I never dreamed it would be so intense. Now mind you, I don’t regret a moment of it because of the things that occurred once our lives were no longer in danger. But damn, I think we need to take off on MeK’s fancy ship when we know the next one’s coming and head for a sunny beach somewhere.”
I no sooner finish speaking when four paws suddenly land on top of me, and I get a rough lick on the cheek. “Kiki, damn, you must’ve gained ten pounds … get off me, chunky butt!” Instead of leaving, he settles completely on top of me. “Comfortable?”He gives one of his cute little twerps and I can’t help but laugh. “I need to get dressed, fur ball.”
Lacie pulls him into her arms, and I gather the blankets around me as I gather up my discarded clothes from all over the floor. “Let me get dressed, and I’ll be right back. We gotta talk about the Abominable Snowman.”
I can hear MeK and BuK talking as I pull on my pants. Grabbing the brush Lacie had sent me, I take a second to make myself presentable before heading back out. I’ve not made it two steps when BuK gently catches my arm, pulling me into his side.
“MeK, what do you mean he still is not answering?”
“The tic this mass cleared our airspace, ANDI sent out a signal to every comm unit, but KyT’s is still unresponsive. We know he has a shuttle in the area, but because of its unique way of blending into the Timbers, we do not have an exact location due to its unique cloaking device. We have probably walked past it several times without realizing it. Because of the depth of the snow right now, we really have no way of looking for him.”
“Is the snow melting?”
“Not really, but thankfully, the maintenance bots were able to start clearing paths a few tics ago. That is how we were able to get here so quickly.
BuK, I am going to need you to help me lift that cargo bot onto a hover sled. I believe the hydraulics in it broke from the cold, and that is something I will have to reinforce on all the bots here since I did not account for such extreme temperature drops. On a lighter note, I see congratulations are in order. The rune mark of your mating is quite lovely, Briar.”
“Thank you MeK, I’m quite happy with it myself. The big pink guy that comes with it isn’t so bad either.” BuK squeezes me affectionately.
“MeK, is father answering?”
“From my understanding, he is and I believe he will be here early next rising. Destiny is also heading back to rendezvous with ANDI in the next few rotations with more survivors, but the mass is still blocking her direct signal, so we are not sure of the number yet.”
BuK kisses the top of my head, “Briar, if you and Lacie gather up our mess, I will go to comm father and help MeK.”
“Yeah, I guess our little bubble of alone-time has busted and life has returned.” I watch him walk away, noticing how serious he’s suddenly gotten.
Lacie’s voice startles me. “You alright?”
“Yeah, life has just changed pretty quickly once again, and I’m running to catch up.”
“You know he’s perfect for you, right?”
