New Stories: Temple of Luna

Donna and I wrote two new short stories for Changeling Press that are coming out in July & September, and they’re both a little different. Even though the second one takes place after the first one, we wrote them at the same time.  Obviously they can be read out of order without too much difficulty then.

Savage Possession – July 2009

As a novice in the Temple of Luna, Avani is training for the day she’ll become a revered priestess, with the skills and magic needed to soothe the feral warriors fighting a brutal war against the world’s remaining human colonies. Though forbidden contact with the warriors who have come to the temple for relief, Avani can’t keep her distance from Rais, her uncle’s protégé and one of the most dangerous fighters the wolves have ever known.

As the royal heir, Rais is destined to take a mate and ascend the throne, but first he must complete his service as a warrior. The Savage Temple’s priestesses offer him relief in the meantime, though there’s one he’s vowed never to touch. He remembers Avani as the innocent girl she was when they met, but the intervening years have made her a woman. A woman the wolf burns to claim…

Savage Need – September 2009

Zahra has devoted her life to serving Luna.  The savage needs of the werewolf warriors can take their toll, and she serves as a healer, treating not only her fellow priestesses but anyone in need.  Still, she’s never seen anyone so wounded as Jarek, an old friend who’s been through hell–and doesn’t seem to remember her.

Jarek was always considered the most civilized wolf in his unit, a rare healer trained in werewolf magic as well as the medicine of their human enemies.  When an injury shatters his self-control the beast inside him takes over, leaving nothing civilized or reasonable.  Just the wolf, who remembers the scent of the mate he always needed and is determined to claim her at any cost.

I’m putting together an ARC contest now for a copy of Savage Possession, but in the meantime how about an excerpt?

Excerpt from Savage Possession

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.