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“Whydo you call me that?”Celiaasked, looking up at him.Inthe darkness, she could see his eyes glowing faintly. “Imean, it sounds like something from theRenaissanceFair.”
“It’sa term of respect,”Holdsaid gravely. “Doyou dislike it?”
“No,Ithink it’s sweet.”Celiasmiled up at him, knowing he could see her even in the dark. “ButIstill want to know what ‘lelka’means.”
“Thatwill be forFierceto tell you, since he chose it as your second name,”Holdsaid.
Atthat moment there was a rustling at the front of the tent and then the flap was thrown back andFiercecrawled in, shivering.
“Goddessdamned cold out there!” he growled as he shut the flap. “DidIhear the two of you taking my name in vain?”
“Celiawas asking again what ‘lelka’means,”Holdexplained. “Doyou want to tell her?”
“Oh, what the hell…”Fierceshrugged. “A‘lelk’is actually an animal onTwinMoons—one of the rare single animals with no double nature or second face or twin.”
“It’svery independent but also sweet and cuddly, when it chooses you as its person,”Holdwent on, continuing the explanation. “Infact, it’s rather like yourEarthanimal, the cat, ifI’mnot mistaken.”
“Andwhen alelkis small, we call it alelka—the ‘ah’ sound on the end just means ‘sweet’ or ‘tiny’ or ‘adorable,’”Fiercesaid, picking up the narrative again. “Soin a way, it’s a little like calling you ‘my sweet little kitten.’”
Celiastared at him.
“That’sthe nickname you chose for me?Cute, cuddly kitten?”
Fierceshrugged again.
“Youjust seemed so tiny and delicate in my dreams.Besides, kittens have claws, don’t they?Iknew you had some sharp points—Iwas just hopingI’dget to see the cuddly side of you, too.”
Celiadidn’t know whether to be offended or charmed by theDarkTwin’sassessment of her.
“Idon’t know howIfeel about that,” she said at last. “I’llhave to think about it.”
“Whatwas the noise outside, anyway?”Holdasked, changing the subject.
“Oh, one of the little portable dryers you put on the wet clothes was clanking against a pebble.Imoved it and checked the perimeter—as far asIcan tell we’re the only living things in this grotto.”Fierceshivered. “Also, it’s damn cold out there.Ineed to lie down again and get warm.”
“Comeback to bed,Brother,”Holdtold him. “Weall should try to get some sleep—we have an early start to get back to theMotherShipduring the few daylight hours tomorrow.”
“Wellnow thatIknow we’re not being stalked by some horrible monster,IthinkIcan sleep.”Celiasighed and lay back down besideHold, who was already getting comfortable on her left side.
“Wouldn’tmind some more sleep myself.”Fiercelay on her right butCeliagasped and jumped away when his muscular arm came into contact with her side.
“MadredeDios—you’re freezing!”
“Sorryabout that, sweetheart,” he growled sarcastically. “Huntingaround in the dark to make sure anotherV’rannaisn’t sneaking up on your luscious ass is chilly work.Don’tworry—I’llstick to my own side.”
“No, wait…”Celiasuddenly felt guilty. “Comehere,” she said and motioned toFierce.
“Why?”TheDarkKindredhung back, though he was turned towards her.
“Dios!”Celiablew out an impatient breath. “SoIcan help you get warm, of course!”Determinedto do as she said, she scooted over and pressed herself against him, making sure they were chest-to-chest.Hisskin was extremely cold and her nipples went tight immediately, but she hung on grimly, pressing her body firmly against the bigKindred’s.
“Mmm…Youknow, you don’t have to do this,lelka,”Fiercemurmured, but he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her even closer as he spoke.
“Yes…yesIdo,”Celiasaid, trying not to let her teeth chatter—he really wasfreezing. “Youtwo warmed me up whenIwas nearly frozen to death andI’msure that couldn’t have been fun because you did it without your shirts on.”
“That’sbecause body heat travels best when it’s spread by skin-to-skin contact,”Holdmurmured. “Withoutanything in the way.”
“Oh, really?”Celiafrowned. “Thatmakes senseIguess.”Shewas still pressed againstFierce, but she could feel a shiver running through his big body.Hereally needed to get warm and since he andHoldhad warmed her earlier, she wanted to repay the favor.Infact, she wasdeterminedto repay it, by any means necessary.
