Page 5 of Luna

Kole scooped her up, pulling her into his bulky frame. At her ear, he whispered. “Precious female.”

Luna had never heard such reverence in a male’s voice or... his gaze. He raked over her face, lingered on her parted lips, and trailed over her pert breasts, waist, and flared hips. A growl rumbled through his chest. As if she laid in wait, her body replied, and a small whimper escaped. These feelings couldn’t be right. She had to get control of herself. Luna closed her eyes, refusing to examine what was happening between her and the Kelvinian. He was not the male for her. His kind were the enemy. His head belonged on a Thornican wall mount. Not just four moons ago, he’d used his powers against her. Yes, think on—

Kole pressed his lips to the bruise she felt, rather than saw. Luna forgot how to breathe. Goddess, this male made her dizzy with longing. She still held his hand, but his mouth. Oh my, the chill of his breath felt sublime.

“You stayed after to kill those males?”

He nodded. “I did.”

“Why?” She searched his eyes, looking for a connection her heart craved, but her homeland would condemn.

“Ask the question of yourself, female. Why did you flood the forbidden zone? You strengthened my ice.”

She raised her shoulders, shrugging. “They were rogue males. They needed to die.”

“How did you pull the water from miles away?” Kole asked with open curiosity and what Luna sensed was pride.

“I’ve never done anything of that magnitude before, ice warrior. You...” she stammered. “I mean, we were in danger. I wanted to act with honor.” She reached up, capturing his jaw. “Now, answer my question. Why did you remain when it could forfeit your life?”

“You know why.” He said, his voice breathy and filled with wonder.

Luna tried to extricate her hand from his grasp. “I do not.”

He looked down at their conjoined hand, then back at her. “You would deny our nights at that lagoon? You would deny singing your night song for my ears?”

He came to his feet. Luna tried to keep her focus on his lips thinned into a tight line. That proved to be an equal misjudgment, as was his leather clad chest and brawny arms.

“I will hear you sing again before I depart, female.”

“Wait, what? Where are you going?”

“It matters not,” he paused, not looking at her. “If you cannot speak the truth when we are alone, I expect nothing of you in the light.”

“Kole,” she whispered, not liking the disappointment she heard in his tone. This male had risked his life for her. She dishonored his sacrifice with the subterfuge. Shame swelled in her chest, threatening the pain in her head.

“Your sibling, the one called Sahara, has erected a sand barrier between the forbidden zone and Kelvinia. Guards patrol the sector. I need your help to reach home.”

“So, you want me to help you escape?”

“Escape,” he grumbled. “Of what crime am I guilty?”

She released a hiss, a flash of anger sparking. “You-you froze our land,” she railed, "and me. The peace between the sectors teeters on a diplomatic ledge. The Elemis Council and the royals must lead by example. Your actions put me in great jeopardy.”

He stilled. Dear Goddess, with his arms flexed and powerful legs lined with ropes of toned muscle, he was handsome in any century. She didn’t want to be the earth elemental to repeat humanity’s failings that led to wars of global death and destruction.

“If you believe I could harm you, we are not as I thought.”

She grabbed his hand. “What does that mean, Kole?”

“Two days I have kept watch over you. I saved your life, Luna.”

His voice deepened, bordering on rough. There was no way to miss what he felt. Kole was angry.

“Two days... I did not know,” she said, rubbing her thumb across his knuckles. “My sire expects me to return with your head. How can I disregard his instructions? My people, rightly so, consider a break with the law a weakness of character. An assault on our societal structure. Every decision must reflect well on my sire and people. You are of royal blood. You must understand the council’s duty. Our duty is to keep each elemental power undiluted—pure.”

Like his palms, Kole’s knuckles were calloused. He released a groan. Luna paused, waiting to see where he would take them. He wanted her, and Dear Goddess, it thrilled her to be the object of this male’s need.

Before she could register what happened, Kole gripped her shoulders and set her away from him.