Page 8 of Luna

“Yes, my Luna.” He grinned, kneading the muscles of her lower back. He stopped short of caressing her firm apple of a bottom.

“Kole,” Luna rasped.

A note of anxiety entered her voice. He’d held her long enough to register when the tension entered her once pliable limbs. What had he said that gave her concerns about their mating?

“I am a male who will listen. Give me your words, female.” He cupped her cheek. Caressing her was his new addiction. As a royal, he had the privilege of observing many males interact with their mates. The happiest of pairings included much verbal communication and touch. While males preferred physical connection over talk, Kole valued both.

Luna's gaze sought a landing other than his face. Seconds ticked by, stretching for what felt like a season.

“Thornica is very traditional, you know this.”

He nodded. For generations, his people had been the same. Celso and Cindra’s nurturing of each other’s differences had given a new hope to the Kelvinian males who doubted the wisdom of inter-elemental unions.

“Change will come, Luna. More elementals will accept the change.”

Wide eyes softened with pleading. “My mate has to be worthy of—”

“Warriors in every sector know of my skill. I am the second son of King Burr, the defender of all elementals. Not just my kind.”

Luna stiffened, but Kole needed to tear down this boundary if they were to establish a healthy mating. Love between the races should not be deemed a crime.

“Honestly,” she swallowed, “I believe you’re right, but—the laws are what are written. The males in my homeland will not understand if I were to choose another.”

Kole narrowed his eyes. Luna was never one to riddle out a response, yet she had. He trusted her, but not her explanation.

“Of what male do you speak,” he growled.

Luna stared up at him. “I know of your royal sisters, Icelyn and Laska.”

Kole squeezed her nape. “What of them?”

“Like them, my duty must be fulfilled.” Luna stilled, not fighting his hold. “Sectors are decided through bonds.”

Though she spoke no more, Kole understood that alliances were forged through the mating bond. But Luna would not be on the negotiation table.

He tightened his grip even more. “Now that the goddess has brought us together, Luna, none shall separate you from me,” he warned.

She tried to pull away. Emotion, raw and pained, poured from her. Against his beating heart, an arrow of dread pierced and spread.

“Kole, let go.” She tugged away from him. “I’m vowed to another.”

“This will not be,” he commanded, closing in on her. “You say this because I am the second son,” he spat, disgust evident in the harshness of his tone.

Luna recoiled at the insult. Never would she deem him less than just because she was the first-born, and he was not. There were those who felt birth order added more value to one offspring over another. Her parents had never entertained such utter nonsense.

“Your birthright has no bearing on my duty. It will happen regardless of who holds my heart,” she breathed out. “My mating to Ambassador Clod has been arranged since my twelfth season.”

“Clod,” he repeated. "Is he a commander of the moon too?”

“No.” She shook her head. “He is a true earth elemental from a pure bloodline. A mover of great mass and earth. Eventually, he will come for me, Kole.”

“Let him come,” he snarled.

“I can never be yours, warrior. Please, live the life we cannot with another of your choosing. I cannot bear to see you injured for my sake.”

The space separating them vanished. Kole stood toe to toe with the little female speaking against his claim. Luna didn’t say she didn’t want to be his, only that she could not break a vow she never made. In a low voice he repeated a phrase from the old world.

“He will die trying,” he rasped. Luna’s mouth popped open at his cursed language. "And it is too late to undo what has been done.”