Page 10 of A Dance of Water

"I know," Graves replied. "But we worry. After what happened—" He cleared his throat. "It’s been a week. We still do not know much about your powers or the glamor that was put on you. We want to ensure you continue to be healthy."

She bit her lip to stop herself from saying what she truly wanted, but the thought was loud and clear in her mind, regardless.You do not want me to die, so you can use me as you planned.

"I’m not going to suddenly drop dead…" Her words trailed off as she spotted a platter on her bedside table.

The oak surface of the table held a chamberstick with an unlit flame, an empty cup of tea, the rim still stained with her rouge, and a tiny white plate, topped with dark, sweet chocolate bark. Her brows drew low over her eyes as she stared, forlorn.

She knew where the treats had come from.

"Bastian," mumbled Graves. "He brought them while you were asleep."

Luella did not look at him, still staring at the gift. "I know. He’s been leaving gifts for me nearly every morning."

The raven shifter sighed in response, a sentiment echoed by her.

The vampire wanted her forgiveness—Luella was not sure if she would ever give it. That would not stop her from enjoying the gifts, however. She was never one to turn down sweets or books, both of which the vampire left for her, silent offerings, buttering her up and making her soft until she had no choice but to give him what he so desperately sought…

"I shall call for your maids." Graves’s words broke her out of her thoughts, and she turned to him, trying to forget the simple sight of the chocolate on her bedside table.

She hummed, pulling the sheet around her tighter as she went to her wardrobe and pulled out a thick robe from within. Graves’s eyesfollowed her like he was tracking prey. She disappeared behind the partition in the corner of her room, dropping the silken sheet to the floor in a pool of rumpled paleness, her nightgown following shortly after.

She was bare save for the thin material clad around her hips, and they were alone.

Luella quickly fit her arms into the robe, tying the sash around her waist and stepping back out into the room. She left the silk sheet and her gown on the floor for later. She could barely stand to look at it, knowing what he had done, what he knewshehad done.

She paused by the doorway to her bathing chambers, a hand notched against the frame. The inside was cool and dim. Her maids usually arrived to prepare it for her before she awoke. But not this morning, it seemed.

Graves tapped a finger against his thigh. If she didn’t know any better, she would say he was on edge, but that wasn’t so, was it? He was not the type to be ruffled so easily, especially not by the likes of her.

His mouth popped open, then closed, as if he were thinking of ways to tell her something. Finally, he grew resolved, a finger gesturing animatedly between them as he stated, "We’re Vincire."

And a frown fell upon her features, turning her soft morning of languorous melancholy and desire into a cool drip of water against her frozen skin.

"Do not remind me," she said.

He took silent steps forward until he was standing right before her, and she had no choice but to tilt her head up to stare into his eyes. Her neck craned, and her breaths were short and shallow from his proximity. The call crackled between them like tiny bolts of lightning. She wondered if she reached up to touch him, if his skin would shock her like his presence does.

"You should not be shy." His gloved hand hovered in the air between them.

She looked away from him, finding her attention snagging on his amulet again. "We may be Vincire, but I will never accept you." She took a step back, into the coolness of the dark bathing chambers. "Any of you."

Graves gave a soft nod, hand falling back against his thigh. He looked down at it like he was offended it had even begun to reach for her in the first place.

Honey swept through the air between them, interlaced with notes of cloves and spice. She blew a breath out between her teeth and entered the bathing chamber, shutting the door with a resounding click.

3

BLUE LIKE THE RAIN

GRAVES

Graves watched as the little heirus shut the door behind her.

She smelled like sin. Strawberries and cream with freshly cut roses.

He wanted to grab a fork and dig into her.

The memory of her hair between his gloved fingers made his chest grow tight. That white hair, those blue eyes. He had thought her to be beautifulbefore, but now? She was the most magnificent creature he had ever seen.

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