Savage Lessons (Temple of Luna #3) Page 6

  "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."

  Want more?

  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

  Want to know when new Moira Rogers books are available? Subscribe to the newsletter!

  Want more frequent updates? Keep up with news, contests & chatter on Facebook, or by following the authors on twitter: @mostlybree & @donnajherren

  An Excerpt from Savage Healing

  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.

  Want to read Karim & Celine's story? Find out more on MoiraRogers.com

  About the Author

  How do you make a Moira Rogers? Take a form
er forensic science and nursing student obsessed with paranormal romance and add a computer programmer with a passion for gritty urban fantasy. Toss in a dash of whimsy and a lot of caffeine, and enjoy with a side of chocolate by the light of the full moon.

  By day, Bree and Donna are mild-mannered ladies who reside in the Deep South. At night, when their husbands and children are asleep, they combine forces to unleash the product of their fevered imaginations upon the page. To learn more about this romance writing, crime fighting duo, visit their webpage at http://www.moirarogers.com. (Disclaimer: crime fighting abilities may appear only in the aforementioned fevered imaginations.)

  Other Select Titles by Moira Rogers

  The Bloodhounds Series

  Category-length paranormal/wild west romance.

  Wilder's Mate, Hunter's Prey, Archer's Lady, Diana's Hound

  Southern Arcana Series

  Novel-length paranormal romance.

  Crux, Crossroads, Deadlock, Cipher, Impulse

  Red Rock Pass Series

  Category-length werewolf romance.

  Cry Sanctuary, Sanctuary Lost, Sanctuary's Price, Sanctuary Unbound