Savage Possession (Temple of Luna #1)

by Moira Rogers

  Copyright Information

  Savage Possession

  Copyright © 2009 Moira Rogers

  http://www.moirarogers.com

  Previously published by Changeling Press.

  All rights have reverted to the author.

  Smashwords Edition

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Epilogue

  Sneak Peek

  About the Author

  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. Enjoying some time with his grandchildren now. My cousins have been quite prolific.” Magic brushed over him as she settled her hand around his arm, a softly submissive power that was gentle and eager all at the same time.

  Every dominant instinct in him suddenly took far more notice of her. “And what of you? Waiting for a soldier of your own to return from war?”

  She lifted her free arm with a put-upon sigh. “You didn’t notice? I’m a novice. Still.”

  He studied the gold bands on her sleeves with a raised eyebrow. “You must be nearly twenty-one by now, Avani. What’s holding you back?”

  Her cheeks flushed as she studied the floor. “I’m twenty-three. But twenty-two is the average age. Some women just need time to grow into their power.”

  Or they didn’t belong in the Temple, wearing Luna’s robes. “You’ve not had your first warrior, then.” He shouldn’t have been so pleased by the realization.

  “I’ve had my training,” she retorted, a hint of challenge in that soft voice. “I know how to gentle a warrior.”

  “Not one like me.” Rais was shocked to hear the challenge returned in his own words.

  She stopped in front of a door and turned, tilting her head back until her gaze met his. “Even a prince is just a man in the dark. Or do royalty have exotic tastes?”

  He backed her against the door in a surge of sudden, instinctive movement. “A lesson unlearned, novice. Warriors aren’t men, especially not in the dark.”

  As if the scent of her body wasn’t intoxicating enough, he caught the first hints of arousal as she sucked in a sharp breath. “You--you know what I meant.”

  “Do I?” He moved even closer, his hips pressing against hers. “What do they tell you about pleasing a warrior?”

  Her body melted into soft curves and submission, but her eyes sparked with the stubbornness that ran in her family. “They don’t tell us anything, Rais. Do you think they sit us down to study books and vids and then send us as a virgin sacrifice to whatever warrior is to be our first?”

  Honestly, he’d never given much thought to the training. “Then what do they

  do, Avani?”

  She moved, rocking her hips against his as her hand came up to rest against his chest. “They sit us down to study books and vids.” Slim fingers stroked down his chest and he felt the power inside her swell, hungry for his dominance. “And when we’re done studying, we go to bed with a trainer, who shows us what pleasure is and how to give it.”

  The rage that welled in him was stupid--and unacceptable. “Who’s touched you?” The words escaped in a growl.

  Avani stared up at him with too-wide brown eyes filled with a dangerous longing. “You’re touching me.”

  “No, besides--” Rais bit off the words with a groan. “You’re
impossible.” The only thing to do was kiss her, so he did, claiming her with a hard, hot fusing of mouths.

  She wasn’t untouched, that was clear. She kissed him back, open-mouthed and hungry, but it soon became painfully obvious why she still wore the robes of a novice. Everything about her was open and too trusting, especially the magic that curled around him, urging him to take, to have in any way he wanted.

  In any way he wanted.

  The warriors would eat her alive.

  Rais broke away, panting. “Shit. I have to--” He was horrified with himself and his reaction to her. But more disturbing than that was the thought that, as soon as she’d earned her white bands, someone could take advantage of that trust. “I have to go.”

  She blinked at him, her eyes dazed. “I... You’re going?”

  “Yes.” He needed to talk to the high priestess. “Have a good night, Avani.”

  “Rais.” It was barely a whisper, and her voice trembled on his name. “Don’t--don’t tell. I’ll be in so much trouble. I should have found a senior priestess and left you alone.”

  She’d gladly welcome him into her cunt where they stood. He could see it in her eyes. “No, no trouble, sweetheart. I promise.”

  Her head bobbed in a jerky nod that sent her wavy blonde hair tumbling over her face. The hand she lifted to push it back trembled, but she smiled at him. “Good night, Rais.”

  He gave her a curt nod, then turned on his heel and stalked back toward the heart of the Temple.

  Celine was the kind of woman warriors challenged just to see if they could win. Many men had tried to claim her during the years before her ascension to the coveted position of high priestess of the Temple of Luna. Rumor had it only one man had succeeded in the winning the devotion of Luna’s most dangerous servant.

  The high priestess of the Temple of Luna gave her obedience to her Goddess and King alone. Anyone else was as likely to get the sharp side of her tongue and a firm set-down if they stepped out of line.

  Even the King’s heir.

  Rais found her in her usual chair, deep within the Temple. Sharp brown eyes tracked his approach and. By the time he’d reached her, she’d set aside her computer tablet in favor of leaning back and crossing her legs. “That look in your eyes makes me nervous.”

  He didn’t waste time. “Dhaval’s niece, Avani. She’s still in gold bands, but I want her.”

  Celine actually blinked. “Are you out of your mind?”

  “Do I look crazy to you? Wait, don’t answer that.” Rais drew his hands through his hair and straightened his loose linen shirt. “I hope we can speak frankly about this. Does Avani have any hope of advancing here?”

  “Why do you...?” The woman’s nostrils flared and she narrowed her eyes. “You have her scent on you. How far did it go?”

  “I kissed her, that’s all. It was stupid, and entirely my fault.”

  Celine closed her eyes and sighed. “No. She has no real hope of advancing. I thought... She’s a strong woman. She’s got the fire and temper of the formidable warriors in her father’s family. But she’s too gentle. Trusting. If I can’t find a way to fix it without breaking her then she’s done on her twenty-fourth birthday. Five months from now.”

  “Some women just need time to grow into their power.” Avani’s words came back to him. She’d be devastated to be turned out of the Temple. “I won’t let that happen.”

  “You can’t stop it, puppy. Not unless you want to come back here in six months or a year and find she’s been traumatized by a warrior who took what she offers too readily.”

  Rais had to unclench his jaw to speak. “No one’s pride is worth what could happen. I understand that, which is why I need tonight. Give her to me.”

  Celine spoke with her usual bluntness. “To do what? Even if you can control yourself enough to keep from hurting her, what do you hope to accomplish?”

  The words were ridiculous. Insane. “I want to be sure and claim her before I go out on my last deployment.”

  “Claim her.” Flat words, spoken without a hint of emotion. “That must have been quite a kiss.”

  He met her stare with a stony one of his own. “I’ll need a mate before the year’s out. Avani’s lineage is impeccable.”

  “Which is why she doesn’t need to be rescued. She could leave here tomorrow on the arm of any of a dozen men, were she not stubbornly determined to serve Luna. You won’t be doing her any favors by snatching her up in a moment of foolish chivalry only to tire of her.”

  It was an insult, not only to his pride but to his honor. “I don’t easily give my word, Celine, and when I do I keep it.”

  “That’s what worries me.” Celine sat back in her chair and watched him with those hard brown eyes. “I suppose the future is your choice and hers. But the present is my responsibility. Can you control yourself with her? You’re overdue a visit.”

  He owed her the truth. “I may frighten her,” he allowed reluctantly, “but I have my control. I won’t harm her.”

  “Fear can be worse than pain, Rais. If you terrorize her, her uncle will thrash you and your father may let him. And if she isn’t willing, if she isn’t eager, this will terrorize her.” One slim eyebrow went up. “If I send for her, will I find her willing and eager?”

  Rais couldn’t check the laugh that burst free of him. “You think I’d trouble you to send a novice to my bed if she didn’t even want to be there? That’s preposterous.” He recalled the way she’d trembled and melted against him, on fire and sweetly aroused. “Of course she wants me.”

  Celine rolled her eyes toward the heavens and reached for her computer tablet. Her fingers flew over the screen in silence, and she glanced up at him. “You match your father for sheer ego, my boy. You’ll find an acolyte waiting outside my door. She’ll take you to a room fit for wooing a nervous novice. If Avani is willing, she’ll come to you. If not, I’ll send someone sturdy enough to quench your frustration.”

  Rais hesitated, torn. He wanted her promise that she’d send Avani, and he wasn’t even sure why. He’d done everything in his power to secure her; the final decision was hers, as well it should be. “You have my thanks, Celine. I shall look forward to seeing Avani.”

  And Goddess help me if you send anyone in her stead.

  Avani’s fingers trembled as she tried to push the tiny pearl button through its hole. Donning the ceremonial costume of a priestess preparing to gentle her first warrior was supposed to be a solemn event, one a woman had plenty of time to prepare for.

  She’d had ten minutes, and her hands hadn’t stopped shaking once the whole time. She cursed softly and lifted her gaze to her best friend. “Whose idea were these tiny little buttons? What warrior will want to wait for me to get them undone again?”

  Branwen chuckled. “I believe that’s quite the point. They’re to be ripped off, not unbuttoned.”

  A fact Avani would have remembered if her thoughts hadn’t scattered the moment Celine had handed over the dress and the location of the room where Rais waited.

  For me. Rais is waiting to rip this dress off my body. Rais is waiting to... Her cheeks flushed, and she lifted her hands to cover her face as a shiver claimed her. The worst part was not knowing if it was nerves or anticipation. “I’ve lost my mind, haven’t I?”

  Branwen shrugged one shoulder and smiled slowly. “I don’t know. He’s a strong warrior. Not a usual first, but...”

  Nothing about this was usual. She hadn’t been called before the high priestess and granted her white bands, or acknowledged at dinner with an invitation to the priestess’s table. She was still the novice she’d been an hour before when Rais had pressed her against a door with the hard wall of his body and taught her in one instant that she was nowhere near ready.

  And now he wanted her. He was the King’s son, the heir to the throne of their people. Being called to his bed was the highest honor for any priestess, especially when everyone knew he still looked for a mate.

  But when she looked at Rais
she didn’t see the all-important heir. She saw the handsome soldier her uncle had brought home for the first time just after her twelfth birthday. In her uncle’s home Rais hadn’t been royalty. He’d been one of her uncle’s men, the latest in a line of rugged soldiers who owed her uncle their obedience.

  He’d received no special treatment in her uncle’s home, and she’d been fifteen before she realized the man who took her constant teasing with such unruffled good nature was the King’s only son. The last time he’d visited, she’d been sixteen and starting to notice boys who were starting to notice her back. But Rais had been exactly the same, ruffling her hair before asking her about her studies and her class work.

  The memory of her teenage indignation at being seen as a child was almost amusing now. She had been a child then, an innocent with only the vaguest idea of what went on when a warrior took someone to his bed.

  Avani dropped her hands and stared at herself in the mirror. Not a child anymore, and certainly not an innocent. The slender, jeweled leather cuffs buckled around her wrists and ankles had been fitted to her before her first night in the bed of a trainer, and her gown was designed to taunt a man with what he couldn’t quite see.

  If it hadn’t been for the nervousness in her eyes, she would have looked like a woman ready to enjoy a lusty night in bed. She turned to Branwen and twisted her hands together to hide their shaking. “What if he changes his mind? What if I can’t please him?”

  Branwen drew the ivory-backed brush through Avani’s hair again. “Remember your training. Remember what he needs, and how to help him. Don’t panic, and don’t try to force anything. Just enjoy it.”

  Enjoying it wouldn’t be the problem. Enjoying it too much was the real danger. Letting Rais crawl under her skin until a young woman’s affection changed to a grown woman’s need.

  Nothing to be done about it now. She caught Branwen’s hand and slipped the brush from her friend’s fingers. “Thank you for helping me prepare, but I need to go. He was already tense. The longer I wait, the worse off he’ll be.”