book #3 DARK KNIGHT ***COMPLETE***

#9 a kiss to remember

the fire was roaring and keeping them warm. the caves provided a much needed protection. they had caught a warvoc. it was an ugly beast. fur lined it like a bear but it's snarling teeth and face reminded Zara of a nightmare. the warvoc slowly roasted over the fire while Vlad and Finn sat turning it. Michael and Avery deep in conversation in a world of their own soaking up every bit of information they gave each other. Zara couldn't help but smile at the new couple. she couldn't help but hope trusting Michael was the right thing to do. one born of fire and the other ice. the perfect yin and yang. "I want to see what is in this cave." Leif looked at Zara.

"you can't go alone." Leif looked her dead in the eyes. her emerald green eyes sparkled and danced with the flames in the fire.

"then I won't. you shall come with me but I am interested in what is further down so I am going. besides we have a while before dinner is ready." she stood up waiting for Leif.

he let out a grunt knowing she was not giving up. "fine. but no unnecessary moves. we don't need to add any danger than we already have following us." she smirked at him as they began walking down the long cave hall.

"this looks like it used to be someone's dwelling." Zara was amazed by the set up. it was as though someone just got up and left leaving everything behind. pottery lined the walls. a natural waterfall was made into a make shift shower and there were bottles of hand made soaps. " oh my Goddess is that a shower?" Zaras voice was higher than normal as she felt the water spraying down. she started pulling off her shoes as Leif stood their stunned.

"what are you doing?"

"I'm getting clean turn around." his eyes were wide as she began pulling off her shirt. immediately turning around.

Zara let out a loud moan as she stepped into the warm water. "oh my Goddess this is so warm." Zara opened some of the bottles smelling them to see which one she liked. "oh it smells so amazing! you will have to try this when I'm done. why is it warm?"

running his hand down his face Leif was trying to keep his self control. "these used to be lava tubes. the people who used to live here moved into the town. it was higher up away from soldiers who came attacking them. most just left everything and ran for safety." he hadn't even realized that Zara was right behind him. she reached out touching his arm as he spoke. turning abruptly at the sensation. she stood there her hair wet and cascading down her back. a make shift towel wrapped around her body and those green eyes staring straight into his soul. "sorry..." he turned away from her quickly."you startled me."

"Leif," she let out a small laugh. "I'm covered up you can turn around." he watched as she found a bottle of lotion and started rubbing her legs. "it feels like it has been years since I have been able to put lotion on. So no mate?"

he followed her every move trying to hide his lust. "I had one."

"what happened? I'm sorry that's none of my business."

"no its fine. she and our pup died during birth. they tried saving our pup but they couldn't. " Zara saw a flash of sadness cross his features.

she stood there as a tear slipped out of her eye. "I'm so sorry Leif. I had no clue."

he shook his head. "don't be sorry. life teaches us to be stronger in many different ways."

"will you ever find a chosen mate?"

"I don't know. a warriors life isn't a family kind of life. not many mates want to be away from each other for long periods of time and it seems selfish to ask that of anyone."

"I wouldn't know what a fated mate is like."

"you haven't found him?"

"no the moon Goddess didn't give me one." Liam looked at Zara confused and shocked at her revelation.

"why wouldn't she give you a fated mate?"

"I am only meant to guard the princess. that is my destiny. I can chose to take a chosen mate but I couldn't do that to someone who was fated to the one I chose. it seems selfish." she had found some clothes that she had pulled on. she hadn't even realized he had moved closer to her. before she could say anything more his lips had crashed on hers. Zara pulled him closer tangling her fingers in his hair. he nipped at the bottom of her lip and she parted them allowing him access with his tongue. his kiss was full of need and passion she never felt before. all too quickly he came to his senses and pulled away.

stepping away from Zara he looked down. "I'm sorry princess. that will not happen again."

"why? I'm not some delicate flower. I'd like to think I'm pretty kissable. if I hadn't wanted that kiss then it wouldn't have happened. I'll go get Avaly so she can shower up. pull yourself together. " Zara left clearly disappointed and frustrated with him pulling back.

"Please wait..." she let his voice trail along without acknowledging his pleas. she refused to believe that kiss was a mistake and refused to let him make her feel guilty for wanting it as much as she knew he did too. making it back to the main entrance of the cave Zara saw avaly sitting with Michael.

kneeling down to her Zara was smiling. "there is a shower back there. it is warmed and soaps too! it was amazing. go take a shower and freshen up. who knows when we will get that again. " avaly got up excitedly as her and Michael made their way deeper into the cave. Zara sat by the fire just as Leif came walking back. sitting next to Zara his eyes still locked on hers. "you sure you can be this close to me without it being a mistake?" Leif grunted in disapproval. there was clearly tension between them causing an awkward silence with the rest of the group.

"I didn't say it was a mistake."

Zara could feel herself getting irritated by his close proximity. "are you sure? because I have never had a man swear to never kiss me again."

Finn and vlad looked down unsure of what to do or say at the train wreck that was happening in front of them. "it's not that I don't want too!" Leif let out a frustrated groan then reached out pulling Zara to his lips. when he finally let her go he rested his forehead on hers closing his eyes before he spoke again. "I have to try to be professional and how am I supposed to do that if I am thinking of you?"

Zara was coming down from the high he gave her. his lips were soft and silky against hers. grinning wide her eyes fluttered to his. "I'm pretty sure everyone knows you think of me now." it was the first time Leif looked around to his men who sat there staring at them awkwardly mouths dropped open. "don't ever try to make me a mistake again." Leif glanced at the two warriors that sat there. they shook their heads standing up and moving towards the front of the cave pretending to guard it.

"Zara my wolf is going crazy every time you are close. I don't know what to make of it since you aren't my mate and I'm not yours. the only other time I have ever felt him go crazy like this was when we met our mate."

"it's because our wolves have accepted each other as chosen mates. I'm not exactly sure when she chose you but somehow along this journey she has. if it's not what you want I understand. you already lost your fated mate and this may be too much but I trust her. she has always been there for me. there has never been a time when relying on her was wrong." Zara looked down. "but if you are going to reject us please do it now before I feel more for you. I think it would be easier that way."

she felt his hand on her cheek. Tracing his fingers down to her jaw and pushing her head up to him. his voice was low as he spoke. she could barely hear him. "why would I reject you? my wolf has accepted you too."

Zara let out a breath she had no clue she was even holding onto. "so what now? obviously the cat is out of the bag to everyone around us but what do we do now?"

"I say we see where this goes. it's different this time. I feel like this could be so much more and I know I need to keep my head on our mission."

"yes, the mission. of course. " Zara cleared her throat."but since you're not rejecting us, I expect it to be exclusive."

"I fully agree." he glanced over at his warriors trying to pretend like they weren't listening in. "should we let them out of their misery." Zara quickly kissed his lips.

"I suppose we should."