Savage Lessons (Temple of Luna #3) Read Online Free Page B

and groaned her name, his release evidencing itself in a hot, satisfied rush of dominant magic.
    Warmth spread through her, and her muscles wouldn't hold her anymore. She went lax in Dejan's arms, the chains binding her wrists clinking. "Oh."
    "Mmm." He eased her back to the bed, and she felt the brush of his fingers as he freed her from her bindings. His hand stroked over her arm, down her back and along her side. "Rest."
    "Rest." Lexa tucked her cheek against one of the plush pillows and sighed. Her brain had gone fuzzy, and she could barely move. "That's a good idea."
    He moved off the bed, but she didn't stir. Surely he'd come back, and she could curl up in his arms and sleep.

Chapter Two
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    He didn't even have the courage to report to Celine in person.
    Dejan sent a message -- text instead of video -- and fled to the wing of the Temple devoted to the trainers' living space. Forty minutes under the pounding spray of the shower and another twenty spent pacing the confines of the trainers' garden gave Celine plenty of time to send a message if she chose.
    She didn't, which could mean Lexa was in worse shape than he'd feared -- terrified or injured or --
    "Thought you'd be tied up all night." Hektor, one of the other trainers, sat down on a bench nearby. "Kweku said you'd been tapped to take over with Lexa."
    Dejan considered snarling, but Hektor wouldn't be intimidated. "Are you gossiping like a novice now?"
    Hektor raised both eyebrows and stared at him. "Just making conversation. What's eating you?"
    "She's a novice . Celine has lost her mind, sending me a novice."
    The older man shrugged. "She's not just any novice. She's going straight to the silver robes. Everyone knows it."
    No one went straight to silver robes, not even Celine. "That's absurd. She's too young for that."
    "Don't think age figures into it. Not this time."
    If Celine shoved Lexa into silver robes, it would be a disaster. His loss of control was his own responsibility, but Lexa had wormed her way under his skin, prodded him with the perfect mix of challenge and submission.
    Wouldn't that make Hektor's words true? a tiny, reasonable voice asked. She'd wrenched away his control with singular skill. If anyone deserved a silver robe, it was Lexa.
    Assuming he hadn't hurt her when he'd taken her.
    Dejan closed his eyes and sank to the ground. "I let her push more than she should have."
    Hektor said nothing for a moment. "Good Goddess, Dej, what happened?"
    He'd lost his head. Lost control. Taken her like a man crazed for touch instead of a teacher testing a student. "I don't know. Celine is with her now."
    "I don't understand."
    Of course he wouldn't. Dejan scrubbed a hand across his face and wondered how many showers he'd have to take before the scent of her skin faded completely. "I don't know ."
    "Shit." Hektor rose, his boots thumping on the walk. "Do -- Do you want me to go check?"
    "No. Celine will summon me when she's good and ready." And probably make him wait in misery as punishment.
    His colleague looked skeptical. "Can I do anything?"
    "No."
    Hektor backed away at his surly response. "Then I'll be on my way."
    It meant brooding on his own, but Dejan preferred that. He didn't bother to apologize as Hektor took his leave, too intent on the tablet he'd dumped on the grass next to him. It would chime soon, indicating a message from Celine. It would.
    It had to, because he wouldn't survive if his carelessness had damaged the brilliant power in Lexa's body.

    When Lexa woke, the room was dark. She could barely make out the outline of someone sitting in a chair by the bed, but her senses told her it was Celine, not Dejan.
    She sat up, clutching the sheets to her chest. "What are you doing here?"
    Celine glanced up from the tablet in her hands, her expression guarded. "How do you feel?"
    Her muscles were a little sore, but she mostly felt tired. "I'm fine, Celine. Is this part of my test?" There had to be a reason Dejan had left without a word.
    The