Page 43 of Lunar Bound
The helicopter might have nothing to do with Milano. It could be a medical flight or a desert tour. The thought didn’t make her feel better.
Poppy took a deep breath and stepped back from the window as the helicopter flew away from their location. Hiding in fear sucked. But what came next would be even worse. Galaxy Brides would extract Lunar in less than two weeks. And when that time came, would she be strong enough to let him go?
The day crawled on, each second marked by Poppy's footsteps as she paced. She kept mentally calculating how far Rowan might have gotten, what routes she might have taken.
"You should eat something," Lunar suggested.
"Not hungry." She knew she was being difficult, but she couldn't help it. The inaction was driving her crazy.
A helicopter passed particularly close overhead. Poppy froze, holding her breath until the sound faded.
"I hate this," she whispered. “I know why she did it, but I just feel so useless."
Lunar's shadow form moved closer, cool tendrils of darkness brushing her arm in what she'd come to recognize as a comforting gesture. "Your presence here is not useless. You provide shelter. Safety."
"Great. I'm a really good hideout." She immediately regretted the sarcasm when his darkness pulled back slightly. "I didn't mean... I know we need to stay hidden. I know you being seen would only make things worse.”
“My energy levels are now optimal. Come against me,” he said, reaching to pull her closer. “I feel as if I need to hold you.”
Poppy instantly went into his embrace. His touch calmed her, and she felt as if she could breathe easier. His energy hummed over her, realigning her tension so her thoughts became less frantic. Is this how he managed to remain so steady and calm?
She leaned into his embrace, and time seemed to stand still. Her mind drifted as if carried into a dream. They didn't move, but she felt the electricity of his touch thrumming through her like a current. Her nerves tingled as if they absorbed him into her body.
"I will take your tension from you," he said.
She inhaled sharply. Part of him flowed inside of her like invisible smoke. He filled her lungs and curled lower until the sensation tickled her sex. Pure desire unfolded in the stillness. He moved beneath her clothes without undressing her. His body fluctuated between ethereal and solid forms. His kiss moved along her cheek like a fine mist before exploding all over her body at once.
Then his essence crept between her legs and expanded up to fill her even as she remained clothed. His coolness warmed as he swirled inside her. The pressure tingled, and she rocked against him as he held her upright. Her knees weakened as she climaxed, trying to grab hold of his changing form.
As the tremors eased, she realized her feet were no longer touching the floor. She looked down to see that they hovered over the ground. Lunar slowly lowered her.
"I carry the feelings for you," he said when he released her.
Poppy wasn't sure what he meant by that, but assumed he referred to the anxiety he took from her with his contact. "Thanks."
She had no concept of time when he held her, but now she saw the sun had begun to set, casting the canyon in deep shadows.
"Do you think Rowan found him?" Poppy asked quietly.
"If Eclipse communicated through the stone, then yes," Lunar replied. "He would not risk contact unless he had a way to guide her."
Poppy nodded, trying to take comfort in that logic. "I just hope they're both okay."
She settled onto the cot, exhausted from worry and tension. Lunar's shadow essence swirled around her like a protective cloak.
"Rest," he suggested, running a ghost of a hand over her eyes. "I will maintain watch."
A soft whirring sound broke the silence. Another mechanical dragonfly hovered outside their window, this one slightly less battered than the previous messenger. It flew against the window, bouncing on the glass as it tried to get inside.
"Another one?" Poppy moved toward the window, but Lunar's shadow essence held her back. "They might have information about Rowan."
"Allow me to verify," he said, extending tendrils of darkness to examine the drone. "It appears to be from Galaxy Brides."
He opened the door to let it inside.
The drone projected Bob and Gary's disembodied heads into the cabin. Their fake skin looked even worse than before, hanging off their yellow flesh and rolling away from their eyes. The disguises wouldn't fool a toddler.
"Emergency extraction protocols initiated," Bob announced without preamble. "Maintain position at current coordinates. Extraction team will come to you."
