Free Savage Possession (Temple of Luna #1) by Moira Rogers

Chapter One

     
    “ You’re overdue,
Rais.”
    How his cousin managed to pack so much
admonition into three words, he’d never know. “Not so terribly,
Zahra.”
    “ Three moons.” Her
white robes swished softly as she walked, a familiar sound in
the Temple. “Almost four. Dangerous.”
    “ I know danger, cousin.”
The far door of the hall opened, admitting the noises and scents of
the bathing pools and lush flora in the courtyard. Rais kept his
eyes closed and relished the gentle sounds. On the battlefield,
nothing blocked out the violence and destruction, the bodies of
dead men and wolves alike. Shutting one’s eyes might eclipse the
blood and rent, burned flesh for a few moments, but it left behind
either pained screams or dead silence to assault the
senses.
    Here, at least, peace reigned in the
quiet.
    Zahra’s cuffs jingled as she laid a hand on
his arm. “This could well be your last visit. Has your father
spoken with you?”
    “ Yes.” Rais gritted his
teeth. “He feels my birthday feast would be even more festive if we
were to celebrate my coronation as well.”
    “ And is he wrong?” Zahra’s
bright green eyes glimmered with amusement. “You are nearing the end age,
after all.”
    “ End age, my ass.” Not yet
forty years old, and put out to graze like an elderly cow. “I have
plenty of fighting years left in me.”
    “ But your responsibilities
are different now. Choose a mate, settle down, start a family...”
The humor in her gaze faded. “And rule, Rais. That is who you
are.”
    “ Perhaps.” Even if it felt
like abandoning the soldiers under his command. Rais changed the
subject. “So who am I to see? Lilavati was pleasant.”
    “ Mmm, and she spent a month
after your last visit telling the other priestesses you were sure
to mate her when the time came to choose your queen.”
    “ Damn.” She hadn’t
been that pleasant. “Not her, then.”
    “ Siobhan?”
    Rais called to mind the short, curvy redhead
and decided she would do nicely. Before he could answer, the door
opened behind them and soft footsteps crossed the floor. It had to
be a priestess--he could hear her robes, for one thing, but more
telling was the call of her magic. Unlike his own clan’s, unlike
enough to awaken the sleeping beast with a flare of lust.
      His cock stirred, and
he scrubbed his hands over his face with a groan. “Just get me
anyone. And hurry.”
    The woman behind them cleared her throat.
“Zahra, they need you in the infirmary. There was an accident with
one of the generators. No one’s dead, but at least three workers
were injured.”
    He had a voice now to go with the magic.
“Avani.” He turned and almost stumbled. She’d been a child the last
time he’d visited her uncle’s home, no more than sixteen. Now, she
was beautiful, fully grown into her lithe limbs and strong
features.
    And she was nervous. Her gaze touched on his
and jerked away, and Rais crossed his arms over his chest. “Do they
need me?”
    “ Arrogant ass.” Zahra waved
a hand at him as she hurried toward the door. “Avani can help
you.”
    Avani smiled, slow and shy but with a bit of
the teasing edge he remembered. “Rais. If you’d like, I could find
a room for you to wait in. I’m afraid you’re going to find yourself
stalked by most of my fellow novices if you don’t get out of sight.
They’ve been gossiping all morning.”
    The edge in her smile coupled with her magic
made him even harder, and he tried not to look grumpy. “Let me
guess. They all aspire to be my mate.”
    Her full lips pursed, as if she was trying
to hold back a smile. “Of course. Who wouldn’t want to sit at your
feet and bask in your glory?”
    Rais didn’t bother to hide his own grin.
“Only you, Avani.” He offered her his arm and ignored the rush of
heat that overtook him. Having her wasn’t an option. Even if she’d
finished with her training, she was off-limits. “Walk with me. How
is your uncle?”
    “ He’s well.