East

"You do not believe battle to be honorable."

"I do not believe killing to be honorable."

"Ever?"

"No."

He studied me. "You believe me to hold no honor."

"No," I said quickly. "I don't believe that at all. I believe our worlds are very different, and I am trying to understand yours. You are very honorable in this world, but where I come from, it's … not like this. At all."

"You were raised to believe one way and now must adapt."

"Exactly."

"It is good you seek to adapt and not reject where you are."

"Thanks." I think. "I am trying to let go of where I came from, who I was there. It is a challenge."

When I looked up, he was smiling.

"What?" I demanded, exasperated. "Why are you laughing at me now?"

"I do not laugh at you, Moonbeam," he said and approached, dropping into the wide bed beside me. He rested on his back. "You are so grave about so many things."

"This is a very grave concern. How should I be?" I asked, confused. I shifted back to give him some room. My gaze instinctively went down his body, from the thick chest to his flat abs and narrow hips.

"You should trust you are where you should be."

"You have everything figured out," I said somewhat enviously. "How do you do it?" I stretched out on my side, head propped up and gaze on his features.

"See, hear, smell, feel."

I sighed. "I know. You don't dwell in your mind like I do. It's not that easy to turn off."

"It is."

"For you, maybe! I'm not some warrior brute who -"

He cupped his hand at the back of my neck and brought my face to his. His warm lips pressed to mine, and at once, my senses were flooded by the scent of his skin, the pressure of his mouth, the heat of his skin and solidness of the chest I braced myself against.

My thoughts vanished, sizzled away and replaced by my senses.

His kiss was gentle. At first, I was too surprised to move away, but shock melted into the tension between us, and I had no urge to leave his body.

I started to respond, felt what I did, and pulled away to stare at him.

He released me and returned the long look.

"You're right. It worked," I said, embarrassed by the lowered timbre of my voice. "Good night, Batu." Twisting, I lay down on my side, my back to him. I felt like running but had the sense he'd pursue if I did.

My pulse was roaring, the warmth at the base of my belly blazing.