Page 118 of A Dance of Water

"Ignore him," said Bastian. "He likes to pretend he does not have a heart."

She arched a brow, toying with the delicate chain.

Pretend?She projected the thought to the vampire.

"If you all are done playing…" Vale urged. "We’ll stay here for now, under the trees. If the rain lets up, we’ll go to the lake."

At the mention of a lake, her heart stuttered. "A… lake?"

"Yes. There’s a large lake outside the treeline. This place is hidden. You do not have to worry about anyone being around," the King replied.

Thatonly made her heart rate quicken.

The thought of a body of water nearby… She felt dizzy.

The rustle of leaves worked to calm her, and she was led by Graves a few steps forward, feeling a shift in the air and an openness in her surroundings.

"What does it look like?" She turned her head, hoping someone would hear her and answer.

Warm, rich sugar and a happy song in her soul. "We’re in a clearing," mumbled Az as he stood by her side. She reached out for him, fingers tangling in his cloak. "Lots of tall, thick trees around us. The treeline is"—he gently took her cold hand and stretched it out—"right over there. That’s where the lake is."

Now she’d know where to stay away from.

"Water droplets cling to the leaves. The treetops are thick, and the sky is covered." Graves nipped the point of her arched ear as he mumbled, "It’s quiet."

She shuddered, caught between the two of them.

"Enough!" Tharen barked. "Bring her here." He must have pointed at a spot, for Az took her wrist, Graves still behind her, as they both led her a few paces to the right.

"Let her go." She heard Vale say.

The King was close, and the air crackled with burning embers.

Graves stroked a hand over her side before leaving.

Soft lips against her misted cheek, and Az mumbled against her skin, "I’m right here, angel. I won’t let them hurt you."

"Thank you," she shakily replied.

I won’t, either,Bastian crooned.

She gasped softly, startled by the sudden presence in her mind.

"But I must do this," she said—not only to Az, but to Bastian, too.

And with those words lingering in the wet forest air, Luella took a deep breath.

"Feel your magic." Tharen’s hot palm pressed on her lower stomach. She had dropped her cloak, and his hands burned through her corset. "Ground yourself to the elements. Just because you cannot see, doesn’t mean you’re blind." The mage’s words were sharp, holding confident authority.

She felt him before her, felt his hand on her body, his breath stirring her damp hair, smelled his snow-like scent. He was all she could sense, all she could feel. She wondered what his skin would taste like, damp with the rain and salty with his sweat.

Hazily, she licked her lips.

"You’re not focusing," Tharen snapped, tugging on her arm until she fell into his chest.

He spun her, her back pressing against him. She felt small next to him, exaggerated by her lack of sight.

Her chest heaved, her arm held behind her, trapped between their two bodies, as his forearm banded over her chest—leaving her at his mercy.

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