Guardian of the Storm by Kaitlyn O'Connor Read Free Book Online

survival. She had not been able to think beyond surviving since that time, had spared little thought to a possible future when it was difficult even to get through each day. She had had no opportunity to begin to understand better.
    His comments brought to mind something her best friend, Georgia, had once told her, however. She’d said boys rarely had another thought in their heads beyond sex, but was that only young males? Or all males? And would that include males of other species? And if it was true, then how was a female to know if a male was particularly interested in her?
    She blushed, embarrassed to realize she had been ignorant enough to think that Kiran’s reaction must mean he was interested in her as a woman. In spite of all that he’d said to contradict it, she’d been certain he must think she was attractive or he wouldn’t have reacted in such a way. She should have known better, considering his comment about her bones.
    She didn’t know why it hurt. She ought to be glad. She was glad. At least now she knew, without a doubt, that she didn’t have to worry about him sweating and grunting and slobbering all over her.
    Not that it looked like that would be anything she’d have to worry about anyway, considering he’d made it clear she wasn’t welcome. She didn’t believe for a moment that he had any intention of coming back for her, or ever had. He’d just said it to make her feel better.
    She shrugged. “Just so long as he doesn’t take it into his head to wander around my.... Uh.” She felt a blush brighten her cheeks and stumbled to a halt, horrified by what she’d almost said. “I never did like the idea of all the grunting and sweating and slobbering that ....” That made it better! She looked away, unable for the moment to think of anything to say to redirect the conversation to something a little less uncomfortable.
    Kiran closed his eyes, willing the images she’d conjured to leave his mind, fighting the urge to offer to teach her the joys of the flesh. His instincts had been right. He was going to have a hell of a time purifying mind, body, and spirit if Tempest remained so temptingly close. He would have with most any female companion, but he found that, against all reason, he was drawn to Tempest far more powerfully than he could recall being attracted to any female of his own kind.
    It was not something he wanted to explore … not now, certainly, perhaps not ever, for she was not of his kind and it seemed doubtful that two who were so different could find harmony.
    He did not want to leave her here, however, and she was just strong willed enough to follow him back if he did take the time to return her to the other place.
    “You may come with me … if that is what you wish. I will have no peace if I leave you here.” He would have no peace in taking her, but at least he would know he had not left her in danger.
    Tempest looked at him sharply, but she wasn’t about to question the invitation, or spurn it only to save face. She would’ve preferred to stay at the oasis than return to the place where she had spent nearly two years of her life, but she far preferred being with him, however reluctant his invitation. After a moment, she nodded and they returned to their campsite of the night before, gathered Kiran’s belongings and set out just as the great red sun of Niah crested the horizon.
    They had been walking for several hours when Tempest cast a glance back, wondering if she could find her way back to the last oasis if she ever found herself in need. To her surprise and dismay, she saw an undulating movement and realized the grat, crouched low to the ground, was following at a cautious distance. She glanced at Kiran to see if he’d noticed, but he hadn’t even stopped. Finally, she dismissed it, certain the grat wouldn’t follow them long before it realized she wouldn’t be tossing out more food to it.
    When the sun reached its peak, they stopped to rest, relieve themselves