Chapter 1: The First Lesson in the Clearing 2

“Khiri… stop staring. You’re being a pervert.”

“I… uh, sorry.” Khiri cleared his throat, barking a few more stern words at Jao Jun before softening his tone. “Next time… don’t get close to him alone. I’ll be with you. Always.”

Nuna couldn’t help but giggle. “Are you actually jealous of an elephant?”

Khiri stiffened, a flush creeping up his rugged neck. “Well… if he’s going to be this hands-on with you, then yeah, I’m worried.”

The stream bubbled over the rocks, the scent of last night’s rain lingering in the humid air. Nuna stood there, wrapped in nothing but Khiri’s cloth, the fabric smelling of him. He stood so close she could feel the heat radiating from his chest.

“Sorry about the shirt…” his voice was a low, velvet whisper. He wasn't afraid she was mad; he was fighting a war within himself. His hand reached out, slowly adjusting the cloth on her shoulder, his fingers grazing the edge of her silky skin.

His eyes searched hers, as if the rest of the world had faded into a blur.

“Khiri…”

Her voice was soft, trembling with a mix of fear and longing. Before she could find her breath, his lips descended onto hers.

“Ah…” It was a sweet, stolen second, like a cool breeze in the dead of summer.

The kiss wasn't ravaging at first; it was careful, a gentle tasting of her lips as if he feared she might push him away. But as her scent filled his lungs, it deepened, turning into a profound, soul-searching ache. Nuna could feel the frantic thrum of his heart against her own. Her hands found the hard planes of his chest, responding to his heat with a silent surrender.

Suddenly—SPLASH!!

A jet of ice-cold water hit them like a high-pressure hose, drenching them both to the bone.

“Ahhh!” Nuna shrieked with laughter, looking up to see Jao Jun standing in the middle of the stream, looking incredibly proud of himself. Khiri wiped the water from his face, shaking his head at the mischievous calf.

“You… your timing is impeccable, aren’t you?”

“Is he protective of you, Khiri?” Nuna asked, clutching the wet cloth. She looked at him—a magnificent, powerful man with bronzed, muscular limbs and a face that was devastatingly handsome.

“Or maybe he’s protective of you…” Khiri muttered, his ears turning bright red. Nuna smiled.

“You’re blushing, Khiri.” She reached up, her small hand brushing his cheek. His stoic face was now a deep, burning crimson, hotter than the sun above.

“The sun is just strong today…” he grunted, refusing to meet her eyes, his hand scratching the back of his neck in a desperate attempt to hide his embarrassment.

Nuna couldn’t help but tease him. “You’re such a pervert. Why did you kiss me, then?” Her voice was sultry, her eyes dancing with mischief. Khiri blinked, his brain seemingly short-circuiting.

“I… I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to… I mean, the atmosphere just… it took over…”

“The atmosphere?” Nuna arched a brow, stifling a giggle. “And how many more times is the atmosphere going to make you kiss me?”

Khiri was cornered. The stoic forest predator had turned into a shy kitten in an instant.

Nuna let out a soft laugh and stepped closer, pressing a delicate fingertip to his lips. “I didn't say I hated it, Khiri.”

The words were a mere whisper, but they hit him like a physical blow. His heart hammered like an elephant’s stampede.

“Do you want to kiss me again?” She gave him a wicked wink before spinning around and walking toward the shade of a large tree. She didn't look back, leaving Khiri to swallow hard as he stared at the tantalizing sway of her rounded, perfect ass. His ears were flaming as he watched her, unable to look away.

He quickly handed Jao Jun over to another mahout and strode after her into the shadows.