Page 21 of Luna
Kole ran as if the wind itself powered his feet. The sun poured down on his head, zapping his energy. He rounded the corner to find a vision he never expected to see.
His brothers, Celso and Aspen, in full battle gear stood guard between the edge of the forbidden zone and the forests of Luna’s homeland.
The firstborn son called in a loud voice. "Brother of mine, there is a bounty for your capture. You cannot go for the female—”
“Who’s going to stop me?” Kole interjected, pounding a fist against his beating heart. This was Luna’s home, the very thump of the muscle against his ribcage. He would return her onto her rightful place, the safety of his arms.
His sister-through-mating, Cindra, stepped from behind her mate’s back. When she moved to close in on him, his brother Celso, ever the protector, blocked her advance.
“You should lead, dear mate, with the words, we will not let you go alone, Kole.” Cindra smiled, throwing her arms wide. "It is good to see you well, brother of mine.”
Kole hugged his oldest brother’s mate. Their relationship had evolved from one of distrust to one of familial love and acceptance.
“How did you know of my great loss?” Kole pondered aloud, the ache for his mate piercing his voice with pain.
“Did you think I missed your ground recon for moon cycles because I was navigating from the sky?” Aspen chuckled and pointed to the Kelvinian patrol ship hidden amongst the trees. “Or that you were visiting the Princess Luna, or needed our help?”
“We told them.” Two females with a striking resemblance appeared from the forest.
“I’m Sahara,” a lean earth elemental offered, her face pensive. This is Palma. We are Luna’s siblings.”
Kole narrowed his eyes on his two would be allies. “Why are you assisting me?”
Palma, the shorter of the siblings breezed forward. "Ambassador Clod has rallied the Elemis Council against us, the royal family. He has bombarded our people with propaganda that all elementals not of our kind are enemies. We may be different, but that does not make us foes.”
“Well said, female,” Aspen rasped, wiping his brow, his shrewd eyes fixed on the small female. Huh, Kole had not taken notice of the sun’s heat until then. Luna’s blood had somehow increased his tolerance.
“Thank you, ice warrior,” Palma mouthed, with a subtle bow in Aspen’s direction. That little concession spoke volumes to the female’s appreciative gaze. Kole wasn’t the only one to note his interest. Celso cleared his throat, disrupting the charged air.
“Where is Luna? Where is my mate?”
“Ambassador Clod has our parents convinced that you have manipulated our sister,” Sahara began. “They will not listen to reason. Even as she bares your scent,
they deny your mated bond.”
“And you?” Kole demanded, wanting to understand how far his now relatives go in support of his claim to Luna.
Palma gestured to the ring on his finger. “We know. She shared her love with you.”
Kole paused, staring at the band of light encircling his scarred digit, binding him to Luna. “I leave now.”
Aspen frowned. “The grounds are heavily guarded.”
“So, you would have me let a male who plotted to harm my mate by conspiring with rogue wind elementals, take what is mine?”
Sahara's reserved poise vanished. “I knew something was wrong the night that Luna went searching for you. She sensed it too.”
“The danger to me is of no importance,” Kole rasped. “Which is the best way into the throne room?”
Sahara smiled. “If we can get you into our homeland. We have a plan.”
“Which is?” Kole released an audible growl, impatient to lay eyes upon his mate. He could not be sure that Clod would not hurt her to secure her compliance.
The female called Palma threaded her arm through Kole’s. “You will accompany us to our sister’s mating ceremony,” she mused.
Aspen emitted a low growl, drawing the female’s attention. Some silent communication passed between Palma and his brother. His brother’s muscles released their tension, and Kole relaxed.
“Brilliant and unexpected.” Cindra beamed, pivoting on her heel towards Thornican lands. “Leave the path ahead to me.”
