Page 10 of Luna

“Kole, please.” She reached for him again. An animalistic growl erupted. Luna startled, jumping back. The male in front of her seemed to wrestle with a force she could not see.

“Back away, female.”

“I will not,” she insisted. “Don’t do this to us, Kole. I’m here with you. My sire expects me to lead all the earth elementals into a prosperous future. My childhood, my life, it’s been for others. But...” She sighed, knowing she had to tell him how she felt. “You are...” she trailed off.

“Finish it, female.”

Cautious, she touched his chest, pressing her palm over the rhythmic thump. This boldness with a male felt right. With her soon-to-be mate, she loathed his touch, recoiled when he cornered her in dark passageways. She never knew a female could rage with fire from the inside for a male. Belonging to this ice warrior felt like more of a reward, than a duty. Luna gazed up at the warrior male. She wouldn’t allow trepidation to steal her voice on this matter.

“You, Kole of Kelvinia, I feel the very breath of you in my heart.”

“Yet, you will not give yours to me.” Hard eyes looked back at her.

She let out a frustrated grunt. “What would you have me do...betray my people more than I have? I am heir to the throne. It’s not fair that you confuse my thoughts and make me do what I should not. For the sake of what... the fleeing desire of a male. I would demand commitment from my mate.”

The last part squeezed her heart with sadness. Her beloved sire had many offspring from a harem of females. Luna tried to comprehend how her father could take to another’s bed. The queen has beauty, intelligence, strength of character, yet her mated strayed often. Her family often said Luna mirrored her mother in every way. She took great joy in the comparison. But she couldn’t smile while another female shared Kole’s bed.

The lines framing Kole’s eyes softened. “For seasons, I called to the goddess for a mate of my own. When I heard your song, I thought you would be mine. Alas, you cannot be if your heart belongs to another. Even knowing that you are another male’s, I fight not to take you. I would have this torture stop. Like you, I demand all you have to give, female.”

Excitement leapt in Luna’s heart. She could give herself to him now. They could be as they willed in this place.

“What if we surrendered to—”

Kole cut her off.

“Do not,” he bellowed, before quieting, “speak of dishonoring yourself or me. For the goddess to entrust a male with a mate of his own is a sacred gift. I will not touch what is not mine.”

Kole didn’t wait for her to argue. It was futile to try and corrupt this male of worth with her shameful desire. They could not be. But he was wrong about one thing. Luna was his. Though she’d never felt the love other females waned old world poetic about, she understood the passion that blazed in her for the ice warrior belonged to him alone. No other male made her burn for his touch. No other male made her reckless to the point of abandoning the sacred law credited with bringing peace to all sectors.

“Your scent layers my coverings. You eat while I cleanse. When I return, we leave this place, never to return.”

He left her standing alone. The hiss of cold water splashing on hot stones sounded in the air. She imagined him undressing. In this place, she was free of duty and demands of her station. Desire reigned inside her. And, with Kole she could surrender to the calling thrumming in her veins. She found Kole after rounding many corners. He swam nude through the water. It was cooler in this part of the cave where the lava stream didn’t reach. Quickly, she removed her tunic, leg coverings, and boots. She lowered her bare curves in the water. Her heart thundered against her ribs. No male had ever viewed her nudity. When Kole broke through the plane, his head and shoulders above the water. He spun in a defensive posture to face her. Under his heated gaze, her nipples beaded. Her core softened and her lips parted.

“Female,” he whispered. “You have decided?”

“Yes,” she nodded, allowing the water to buoy up her breasts and lift her arms. “I accept your claim.”

Kole gave a wicked grin, radiant happiness poured from him, burning brighter than her supernatural glow. Then he lunged for her. “Yes, my mate.”

Belated Luna added, “I am yours for this night.”

He stilled, and then slowly started to back away.

Inside, she felt her senses clamoring for Kole’s touch. His scent has intensified in the water. She breathed him in with each inhale. Right now, her body demanded more of his touch, and she would use everything at her disposal to get him closer. Luna jacked up her powers, commanding the water to her. Turbulence stirred the now swirling pool, her power driving the current in her direction.

Kole started to fight, his huge arms disappearing under the water before reemerging.

“What is this magic, Luna?” Kole demanded, his breaths quick and labored as he tried to add distance between them. He fought her.

Fought like a mad male, arms and legs thrashing the water, waves exceeding the pools edges to splash against the ground. Goddess, he was strong. Gritting her teeth, Luna shot another burst of her power in the blue pool, and another, until the air buzzed with a tingling pulse. Each wave brought him closer until his naked body was within reach. Without delay, Luna wrapped her legs around his narrow hips. He gripped her thighs, holding a second too long. Luna’s heart rate ramped up. She had him, and she wasn’t letting go. Kole’s nostrils flared. Between them, his shaft lengthened, resting like a heated log on her abdomen. Kole’s eyes dropped to her mouth. Luna pressed her breasts to his chest.

“What are you doing to me, female?”

His voice was low and raspy. She liked it. The way he watched her with the eyes of a hunter who’d found his prey excited her. Her sex quivered.

Luna snaked her arms over his broad shoulders, locked him in her embrace. His forearms were like bands of steel. When she breathed, her breasts flattened against his chest. Relaxing, she let her hips settle against his groin. The tip of his member brushed her bottom. Kole released a groan, the low grumble filled with male hunger. Luna lowered her head, bringing her mouth close to his ear.

“I told you once before, don’t walk away for me, warrior.” Then she angled her head and claimed his mouth.