Legend of the Fourth Moon/The Mark of Goren Excerpt

“Don’t tell me you’re still mad?” Silence. “Come on. All I wanted was a ride to the planet where you were already heading." Xandra sighed. "Jeez. Whoever it was that claimed women are moody obviously never met you.”

A string of curses assaulted her ears before Darius’ fist pounded a switch. Cold shackles clamped her wrists and ankles and held her immobile to the seat.

“What are you doing?” Heart slamming into her throat, she yanked the restraints and stifled a yelp as hard steel bit into her skin.

Grim-faced, her captor flicked the auto-pilot button, unstrapped himself then stood. Fear—sudden and sharp—stiffened her spine and hiccupped her pulse. Now what? Sense of survival kicking in, she inched her fingers toward the knives sheathed under her sleeves. Drat. The shackles prevented access. Should I use my magic? She chewed her lip and eyed the approaching stranger. Powerful, dangerous, her mind registered him as such while her body heated in response to his strong masculinity. Very dangerous. Forcing her fingers to relax, she drew in a steadying breath, and bless the heavens, logic returned. Magic would only render him unconscious and she’d still be stuck in this chair.

“Give it up, Princess.”

Deep and menacing, his voice echoed through the craft and tripped her heart—along with his next words.

“It’s no use. You’re at my mercy now.”

Large hands curled around her wrists and restraints, sending a shockwave of shivers up her arms. Eyes, no longer frosty, blazed with desire and ravaged her face as he leaned in. She stopped breathing.

He was going to kiss her. And she wanted him to.