Page 45 of Valka

“That’s impossible. You’ll have to go out without me sometime.”

“Valka chieftain. Valka make rules.”

“I remember that part. But you can’t stay beside me all the time. When you go out, I’ll just wait here, or I’ll make sure friends are with me so I’m not alone.”

Valka nodded, but didn’t seem convinced. “Skaevin protect.”

“Is he?”

Valka nodded. “Eat all fish,” Valka grumbled.

Delia scooted down in the furs and leaned against the log behind her.

“Valka help?” he asked.

“No, I’m good. Good food, warm furs, and my head doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“Rib,” he asked, laying a hand on her right side.

“It’s sore, but it will heal,” she said.

“Valka be back.”

“Oh? Where are you going?” she asked, finding suddenly that she really didn’t want him to leave at this particular point in time.

“Fix step.”

“Step? Oh! The footholds to get up here?”

Valka nodded. “Delia fit step.”

“I’d really like that.”

Valka smiled at her. “Rest. Valka at step.”

“Okay.” Delia laid her head back and soon fell asleep with the sound of Valka’s axe carving the new steps on their cliff accompanying her dream. She smiled to herself, knowing the only reason he did it was because he wanted her to have access to their home anytime she wanted inside or outside. Valka was large, gruff, short-tempered, and some might even say brutal, but he cared for her, and wanted her to be happy, and that was all that mattered to her.

~~~

Katva looked down at his body, as he stood near the cooking fire in his cave. He’d been busy the last few days, and hadn’t taken much opportunity to wash. Granted he’d never had a female before, but he assumed they preferred it when their males didn’t carry a stench. “I must wash,” he said.

“Is there a place to wash?” Bettina asked.

“Yes. You want to come with me?”

“Please,” she said, “So much.”

He took her hand and moved toward the entrance of their cave before he grinned down at her as he made a sudden turn and walked toward the back of the cave.

“Where are you going?”

“Surprise.”

“A good surprise?” Bettina asked.

“Yes. Another reason I don’t want to leave the cave.”

“Oh, okay.”