Page 13 of Luna

Chapter Seven

LUNA

Luna realized Kole’splan too late. Once submerged, the temperatures in the cleansing pool turned frigid. Violent undercurrents of icy waters sliced the heat from skin like flesh from a bone. Loose stones and chunks of razor-sharp rocks broke away from the walls, becoming fast moving projectiles. Clod’s low frequency sound waves had agitated the fragile tectonic plates beneath the forbidden zone. Burying her head, Luna dug her nails into Kole’s shoulders, as his body absorbed the blows. Her lungs burned for a fresh breath, to help Kole, yet she instinctively knew one wrong move could distract him. A treacherous path to navigate, but their sole option lay in escaping the stony reservoir to an unaffected cavern. She forced her mind and body to relax, believing her male would get them to safety. That’s when she saw the orange glow, felt the singe of the climbing temperature. Dear Goddess, Kole’s powerful strokes drove them towards the lava stream. She could survive the added heat, but what would happen to Kole?

Her head shot up. The male’s chin jutted forward, determined, as he continued a relentless pace through increasingly murky waters. Luna could scream at the stubborn warrior that she was not worth so high a price, but he had already paid the toll for their journey. Tight lines spidered from his eyes and mouth. And that wasn’t all. Pink-tinged bubbles floated away from bloody scratches marring his forehead, his neck, his bare chest.

Kole’s plan had been brilliant, but... too dangerous for a water elemental. The male thought quickly on his feet, having calculated their success rate before she could focus her powers. In Clod’s quest to pinpoint her location, he would not risk a breach through unstable earth plates this close to Thornica’s fertile land. The resulting lava ash would make the soil too acidic, sabotaging their food supply.

Ahead, a halo’s glow filtered through the steamy pool. Relief surged in Luna when Kole kicked his muscled legs, propelling them towards the opening in the rock wall. Just when she felt the dizzying effect of decreased oxygen, Kole grasped her waist and hoisted up. Luna breached the surface, neck extended, mouth open, spewing water from her nose and mouth.

“Ugh, Ugh.” She gulped in huge swallows of air heavy with humidity. Thick plumes of steam obscured her vision. The rush of moving water filled the space, giving it a mystical quality. It didn’t matter. They were away from Clod’s reach, and Kole was safe.

Kole!

He launched out of the water, bringing with him a rushing wave. His skin crustacean red matched his angry and erratic breathing. They had emerged in a small chamber teeming with columns of hot stones, dwarfing Kole’s height.

A hand appeared in front of her face. “Are you well, Luna?” he panted.

Goddess, she realized she knew little of how to care for him. What if his breathing became more labored? What if she needed colder temperatures to regain his strength? Spinning out of control, a tide of frustration at his selfless action seized her. Luna slapped his hand away.

“Don’t ever put yourself at risk like this,” she bellowed, pounding her fist against the cauldron of hot water. “You should’ve let him take me. I would’ve found my way back to you. You knew that lava stream was there,” she accused. “You found it while exploring. You knew our lives were in danger.”

Kole frowned, his gaze piercing. “You were worried?” he said, plucking her from the water.

“Of course I was.” She sniffed, pushing at his chest. She needn’t bothered. The male stood immobile, his face reddening. She wanted to touch him, wrap him in her arms and never let go. Instead. Luna folded her trembling limbs over her chest, holding herself together. A rush of emotion slammed her—fear, relief, pride, anger, possessiveness. Kole kept placing himself between her and danger. How could he think only of her and not himself? Didn’t he realize how important he’d become to her?

Legs braced wide, Kole opened his arms. “Come here, my female.”

She hesitated for a second, but the need to be near him won. Luna launched herself into his embrace, sighing when he pressed her into his chest.

“I am well, Luna,” he whispered. “You honor me with your care, female. Worry not.”

Easy for him to say this now. His heart pounded beneath her ear. It was selfish of her, but his steady heartbeat calmed her racing thoughts. His skin was too hot. Was he in pain and hiding it from her? Very carefully, she tapped into her powers, shifting her internal water storage, cooling her skin.

“You are so lucky you lived,” she whispered, gripping his ass, holding him tighter. More warmth crept over her cells, penetrating until her muscles unclenched. “Promise me you will not risk yourself again.”

“No,” Kole rumbled. “What kind of male worthy of his mate would do differently?”

When she said nothing, Kole lifted her chin. “You are mine to protect, princess.”

She blinked away the emotion threatening to reveal the temptation he posed.