Page 6 of Luna

“What do you say regarding matters of the heart, female?”

Instantly, she missed how his cold had raised her temperature. Yeah, his chill made her burn to explore every inch of this male.

“It is folly to weigh a female’s private thoughts against the purity of our species and the continuity of all earth elementals.”

Kole stiffened, his muscles solid as the frozen lakes.

“You speak of purity. My claiming you is not a contaminant to be manipulated for the sake of diplomacy. Taking my head as a trophy is not an option, female. Accept my claim or honor your debt. What is your choice?”

Luna was speechless. Instead of giving in to the arc of passion between them, Kole wanted her to choose duty to her people or her desire—for him.

Chapter Four

KOLE

He wanted to mate Luna, not cause her pain. Upon finding his female, Kole expected she would be as ravenous for him as he was for her. Twenty-six winters and none had prepared him for the female’s hand in his. Luna’s touch was exquisite, but she had not only refused to acknowledge their connection, but she’d also accused him of trying to kill her. He wondered if his brother and Cindra had faced a similar challenge. Nevertheless, he would explain his actions on that night at the lagoon. But first, he needed to seek his calm. A task he did best when alone. If he were back in Kelvinia, he’d challenge the males under his command. Swinging his sword brought him peace. Kole ducked. The ceilings were lower in this part of their temporary shelter. He needed to see to her nourishment first. Caring for her would give him a chance to calm down.

He heard her approach from the scratch of fine-crafted boots across the slick surface.

“Hey, don’t walk away from me,” she said, grabbing his wrist. “Let's talk.”

Kole pivoted. He looked down into the female’s upturned face. “I am not one of your subjects to command, princess. Who is Hey?”

“You misunderstood. I—I...” She looked away from him.

Goddess, she really did suck the partial oxygen from the room. Her skin was as flawless as wild ice berries at first snow. He would forfeit his life to protect her. Violate the forbidden law to pull her beneath him, spread her thighs, and fill her with his seed. His cock hung heavy in his leathers, pulsing with the need to release inside his female. Everything in him wanted to take her home, never let her go. Now, uncertainty flooded him. Shouldn’t the female made for him view their mating with longing? What if she continued to deny his claim? Alone had been his constant companion, like many males who’d been born after the Toxic War. Kole was blessed to be among those who survived into adulthood.

Alongside his brothers, his father, King Burr, had taught them to hunt in the giant ice caps, swim against the punishing waves of the great channel, and to defend his kin. His mother, the queen, had dressed their battle wounds, welcomed them on return from the hunts, and defended the castle in their absence. His sire was not perfect. The kingdom’s whispers of the king’s former mistress distressed his mother. Kole resented his father. Few males won the hearts of their females. His sire had been careless with the queen’s love for him. A mistake Kole vowed to avoid. But then the healers learned that the ice warriors generate too much cold for their females. He cursed the fates, railed against a creator who would rob him of a female of his own. Then he’d heard Luna.

Kole could not bear to waste a moment of their time together. Trapping her chin between his thumb and forefinger, he raised her head. Their eyes locked.

“Explain, female.”

“I want to hear your side of what happened.”

“There is no side.” He stared deep into her eyes. “Only the truth.”