Savage Lessons (Temple of Luna #3) (8 page)

"I assumed that Celine served warriors because it was tradition, but apparently not. And I--I don't have to take on warriors personally to make certain they're healed, Dejan." Lexa held her breath and silently willed him to understand what she was asking.

One large hand cupped her cheek and then slid into her hair. "You could be high priestess and have a mate?"

"As long as it doesn't conflict with the Temple's needs." She dared to let her hope show in her tremulous smile. "You couldn't be a trainer, that much wouldn't change. But you could be my consort, even my first guard."

His thumb swept her lips, the first hint of belief growing in him along with his own smile. "If it kept you safe and happy I'd scrub the floors and do the laundry."

"I'd rather you spent your time keeping your mate sane." She took his hand and pressed a kiss to his palm. "I meant what I said. I'd go with you and never look back."

"You'd look back, because you belong here. A man who loved you wouldn't take you away."

"A man who loved me wouldn't try to make me stay without him," she corrected.

"I won't." Dejan's fingers brushed her nape as he tilted her head back. "You stood up to the high priestess for me."

"I think that's exactly why Celine wanted me to stay, after all." Lexa leaned into his touch, giddy with relief. "Maybe it
does
mean I'm strong enough to do this."

"And maybe she wishes now that she'd made a different choice in her own life." His eyes turned serious. "The rumors are true, you know. Celine has been in love with the new King's cousin for thirty years."

The high priestess' regret and heartache had been plain. "She said something about how she had to cut out her heart to stay here at the Temple. It's... sad."

"It is," he agreed. "But her choices aren't yours. And I don't have the pride of royalty. I don't have any pride at all. I'd cut out my heart to give you what you want, but now I don't have to. We can have everything."

Sudden uncertainty intruded. "
If
I really can do it. I have six months to find out. If I'm not right for the position, we can still go."

Dejan kissed her, not the hot, desperate kiss of their frantic couplings, but a slow, deep kiss that rocked her to her core and left her clinging to him. "You'll be perfect. You'll be wonderful. And you'll be mine."

Only a few short days before, the knowledge had scared her. But that was before there had been a light at the end of the tunnel, a possible way for them to stay together without leaving their lives behind.

Now, for the first time, hearing the words brought a rush of joy. "I'll be yours," she agreed, and kissed him again.

Lexa studied the tablet one last time before handing it off to her assistant. "Everything should be set for the banquet tonight. Tomorrow, I'll need to meet with Hana. She's ready for her white bands."

"Yes, my lady. And I believe you have a visitor awaiting you in the garden." A small smile curled her assistant's lips. "I'll be leaving for lunch now, if you don't need me?"

It had to be Dejan. "Take the afternoon off and rest up for the party. I'll see you there."

"Thank you." A short bow, and the young woman hurried from the room.

The wide door to the garden glided open under Lexa's hand, but she found Celine waiting for her, not Dejan. She'd never before seen the woman in anything but the expensive robes of her station, but Celine was dressed casually now. Not the rich dresses of the nobility or the finely cut fabrics of the upper class, but an unremarkable pair of linen pants and a plain shirt, with her long hair caught in a simple braid.

Lexa caught her hands and kissed her cheeks. "Don't tell me you're leaving before the banquet."

"I'm required elsewhere," Celine replied quietly. "The woman who took me in as a child has fallen ill. I meant to leave at the end of the week, but now... Well, I'm just glad I have the freedom to go."

The last five months had given Lexa the confidence to smile, albeit sadly, at Celine's words. "Things here will be fine. I hope your friend will be, as well."

"Thank you, Lexa." Celine's fingers tightened around hers. "I'm proud of you. You learned everything I had to teach, and taught me a lesson or two of my own."

Celine had been more than a mentor -- she'd been a friend. "I owe you so much. If you need anything, ever, Dejan and I are here for you."

"I know. I need to hurry, and I believe Dejan is waiting in the copse." Celine kissed her cheek again, then pulled back with a smile. "By your leave, high priestess?"

"Lexa," she said softly. "To you, Celine, I will always gladly be headstrong little Lexa."

"Yes, you will. Luna watch over you, child."

The door had barely slid shut behind Celine when Lexa heard soft footsteps behind her. "I helped her bring her things down to the transport already, but she wouldn't let me interrupt you."

Her heart jumped at the sound of Dejan's voice. "It wouldn't have mattered. The preparations are finished, and everything is ready for tonight."

Strong arms slid around her waist, and his lips found the spot behind her ear that always melted her insides. "I know. Are you nervous?"

She turned and flashed him a rueful smile. "I was, a month ago. Now I'm too busy to be nervous." And she loved it, every second.

"Good." His lips claimed hers, and she felt the scrape of his teeth before he pulled back. "Regardless, as the first guard, I respectfully suggest the high priestess consider returning to her quarters to rest up for the night ahead."

"Rest?" she teased, her hands wandering over his back -- and lower. "Is that what I'll be doing?"

He growled and nipped at her chin. "Is that what you
want
to be doing?"

Heat bloomed, and Lexa laughed. "Perhaps a relaxing bath?"

Dejan hooked his hands under her legs and dragged her up his body. "Whatever my lady wishes."

Her breath caught. "Your lady wishes to tell you how desperately she loves you."

"I don't think I'll ever grow tired of hearing that." His mouth found her jaw as he carried her across the garden, toward the entrance to their private rooms. "You gentled me with love."

"And I don't think I'll ever grow tired of hearing
that
."

"No?" A low chuckle. "I knew you were mine the first time you knelt at my feet. I didn't know you'd make me yours. Or how much I'd love you."

"And no wonder." She bit his neck gently. "Who would have thought a novice could tame the Temple's greatest trainer?"

"Anyone who'd ever met her."

"Flatterer." She reached back to open the door. "Just think, I was only going to avail myself of your considerable talents, and become the most skilled priestess I could be."

He grinned. "And how'd that work out for you, my ambitious little kitten?"

"Not so well. While your talents are considerable indeed, I find myself unaccountably distracted by your mind."

"Then maybe it worked out very well." He lowered her to the ground and spun her around to face the luscious, gorgeously appointed suite she'd inherited along with new robes and a new title. "How does it feel to have everything?"

She turned to face him, winding her arms around his neck. Everything, and all she could see was him. "It feels like home."

• You can buy the complete Temple of Luna series in a
  convenient bundle
  . Includes the following stories:
  
  • Savage Possession
    - The king's heir finds that the girl he barely noticed has grown into the woman he longs to claim. But she won't settle for anything less than his whole heart.
    
  • Savage Need
    - A healer brutalized by war has lost himself to his beast. The only path back is the touch of the one woman he could never have, a woman with royal blood.
    
  • Savage Lessons
    - After years dedicating herself to her training, a woman stands on the edge of becoming the next High Priestess. But her love for a trainer may be her downfall.
    
  • Savage Healing
    - Half a lifetime ago, she picked duty over him, and broke both their hearts. Now he needs her skills almost as badly as she needs his forgiveness
    
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Enjoy this brief excerpt from Temple of Luna #4...

He hadn't sent ahead word for his small staff to ready the house. It was cold, with no dinner laid out and no fire in the hearth.

No matter. Karim clutched Celine tighter to his chest and bypassed the great room altogether, heading for the stone stairs. "Have you eaten?" If not, he would need to bring food to her.

"Food would be welcome, as long as you'll share it with me." Her voice held a slight edge, probably because she still hadn't forgiven him for refusing to let her walk.

"Yes." It wouldn't be fancy fare, but he could bring her food. Feed her.

Her fingers brushed along his jaw, soft and soothing. "Remember, first you must call your cousin and tell him I'm safe." She hesitate a heartbeat. "You do have a comlink out here, don't you?"

Shit, he'd forgotten. "No. There's nothing."

"Servants to send a message?"

Yes, he had those. "As soon as you're safe."

She stroked his cheek again, then slid long, strong fingers up to drag through his hair. "I am safe. Here with you, Karim."

She was
trying
too hard to soothe him, and he opened his mouth to tell her he was fine. He hadn't lost his mind like some battle-scarred warrior who'd gone bestial.

Except the words came on a harsh growl. "I'm fine, Celine."

That earned him a stern look and a tart retort that took him back decades. "Don't lie to a priestess, Karim."

He forced himself to set her down. "If I weren't fine, I'd be prowling every corner, snarling and looking for danger." As it was, he had to hold himself back from just that.

She saw through him. "You're not going to do that once you've stashed me in a bed?"

"No." Because he wasn't stashing her in a bed. He took her arm instead and dragged her down the hall. "There's a room here, with a bath chamber. You can get cleaned up."

"I would appreciate that." From the wistful tone of her voice, it was the truth and then some.

"You're hungry." If he busied himself with something else that would satisfy her, he could fight the need to bathe her himself.

"Yes, Karim." She rocked up on her toes and pressed a soft kiss to his jaw. "Thank you."

Entirely of its own volition, his hand slid into her hair and clenched tight. "Celine."

The strong beat of her heart stuttered, came back faster, though not from fear. Her eyes held no terror, just understanding and acceptance. "Yes?"

"I'll be back soon."

Blood pounded in his ears and his body protested, but he descended the stairs anyway. He had to get away before he proved her right.

Before he took her like a beast.