8. Chapter 8

With the arrival of Tygra, Bengali, and Galina the rescue

began in earnest. Using Tygra’s whip,

Rangerkitty repelled down and climbed the tree securing Crystalandra while the

three he-cats and Galina broke branches and then carefully lifted the

leopardess down from her perch. Crys’

cheeks were flushed in absolute embarrassment; Argo collected her in his strong

arms and Bengali worked on releasing her boots from the clips on her skis. Once

free, she buried her face into the tiglon’s shoulder wishing the very earth

would open and bury her. I was dangling from that tree like some kind

of ornament--how humiliating!

My love, you are among

friends. Perhaps one day we will all laugh about this, but only when you do

first. The important thing is that you are okay. Argo held Crys close grateful she hadn’t

been seriously injured. So let’s go again--the mountain calls!

Raising her head, she scrutinized the tiglon through

narrowed eyes and growled quietly as he gave her a rough smooch on the

lips. What do you say my love?

Put me down! Struggling, she fought Argo until he

set her down on her feet. “I am NOT going back up there!” The she-cat protested aloud. “You can’t make me go through that again!”

Argo pouted

slightly. “Aw, Crys, come on it’s so much fun! I was having such a good time!

Are you sure? Maybe your second run will be better!”

“No, no, and

no. I officially give up on this.” The she-cat announced. “Stupid sport—I hate

skiing!” She grumbled, “Stupid cold, stupid snow, stupid skis and stupid

poles! I hate snow!”

Rangerkitty

approached them both visibly upset over the she-cat’s outburst. “Crys, I’m

sorry. We should have started out on a much easier hill. I do feel terrible

that this happened to you…I wanted you to enjoy the experience; I didn’t want

to make you miserable.”

Crystalandra opened her mouth prepared to contradict tigress

but the tiglon intervened placing an arm around RK who looked like she was

about to burst into tears. “It’s okay Ranger; Crys made it out safe and

sound…Please, don’t blame yourself.” He

comforted hugging her.

Crys not liking their close proximity took a deep breath

calming breath, walked over and grabbed Argo’s arm pulling it away from the

tigress thus relinquishing his hold on her.

She regarded Rangerkitty. “I do not blame you, Ranger—let’s face it, I’m

a terrible skier. You were only trying to help and since I don’t take

instruction very well, the skis got away from me.” Crys told her quietly.

Rangerkitty nodded in appreciation and pulled the Sh’iar

warrior in for a hug. “I understand if you don’t want to continue doing this

anymore. We can all return to the lodge with you.”

“No!” Crystalandra exclaimed, pulling back from the embrace.

“It wouldn’t be fair! You all should enjoy yourselves and not quit on the

account of me. I’ll head back and warm up; we can meet up later.”

Tygra watched the interaction between the leopardess and the

tigress and was concerned noticing how Crys was a tad unsteady on her feet.

Realizing that letting her go back alone was a bad idea, he volunteered to be

her escort to the lodge.

“Listen, I think I have had enough skiing for the day—I’ll

take Crystalandra.”

Startled and surprised, Crys looked at Tygra as if he had

lost his mind. Out of all her companions, he was the last person she had ever

expected to offer his services. What was he up to? It would have

been better if Argo had volunteered but he was more interested in continuing

his snowboarding activity.

Rangerkitty approached her mate and gave him a kiss on the

cheek. “Are you sure? I mean, I’d love to ski some more but I can come with

you…”

He grinned out of the right side of his mouth. “Nah, you

stay and have fun. I’ll make sure she gets back safely and warms up. I’ll see

you later for dinner.”

She smiled and softly brushed his lips with her own. “That’s why I love you, Tygra, you are quite

the gentleman.”

Argo scooped Crystalandra up in his arms and placed her on

the snowmobile. “I’ll see you later, Marozi. Don’t worry; you’re in good hands with my cousin--he’ll keep you

safe.”

She scowled

tugging on his collar. “Tygra can keep his hands to himself. The only hands I

want are yours.”

“You’ll have

them tonight, my queen, I promise…” The

tiglon whispered, his pale blue eyes fixed steadily on hers making her heart

leap.

For the first

time since her crash landing, Crys managed a smile. Her tiglon was so

very endearing; she had no defences against his magical charms which he had

used to successfully conquer her. Argo

stepped back upon hearing Tygra’s approach.

“Take good care of her, cousin.” The tiglon said gruffly. “I hold you responsible for her safety.”

“Don’t worry; Crys will be fine once I get her out of the

cold.”

The tiger regarded Crys before he lifted a leg and straddled

the snowmobile. Wordlessly, she embraced him around the waist while he started

the engine. Revving it several times, Tygra nodded to their friends. “Have fun

you lot. See you later for dinner.”

They all waved watching as Tygra advanced the vehicle,

turned it around, and descended the mountain. Crys was glad he kept it at a slower speed--the snow

that blew at them remained mostly at their feet and lower legs. The she-cat

hated to admit this but her head was developing a dull ache from the accident.

Relaxing, knowing that soon she would be warm and sitting by the fire, Crys moved

closer and rested her head against the tiger’s back while holding him. Tygra

stiffened a moment, and then settled; glad the Sh’iar warrior was

comfortable. She hadn’t complained about his driving yet, so he figured that it

was a safe speed and gently steered around the trees, trying to keep the trip

as smooth as possible. They pulled up to the front of the lodge, and he stopped

the snowmobile as he saw a staff member hurry out to valet the vehicle away. He

stepped off it and offered his hands to Crystalandra who gladly took them,

still feeling slightly unsteady from her time upside down in the white spruce

tree.

Together, they walked inside and Tygra steered her toward

the sitting area in the den by the fireplace that was burning brightly. Crys

collapsed in the comfortable seating and Tygra knelt at her feet, un-strapping

and removing both of her boots. She tolerated him doing this, and was exhausted

by the time he took both of her hands pulling her up to a standing position

before him. Unsure of Tygra’s actions, Crys watched him undo the snaps on the

lavender snowsuit under her neck and pulled the zipper slowly down, her chest,

abdomen, and below. Finished, the tiger assisted pulling the suit off,

discarding it to the side.

“Tygra, I wanted to keep it on.” Crys protested. “I’m chilled to the bone.”

He regarded her. “Believe me, you’ll warm up faster once

it’s removed.--trust me.”

“All right, whatever you say.”

Tygra assisted her back into a seated position. “Rest a few minutes; I’ll go return these and

come back with warm drinks. How does that sound?”

“Like heaven.”

Crys whispered and resting her aching head against the soft couch she

turned her gaze to the burning flames.

Savouring the blessed warmth, the she-cat closed her eyes, crossed her

heels, and exhaled relaxing. “This is

truly wonderful…”