Page 132 of A Dance of Water

"I’ll try to muster up an apology when I’m buried inside her."

Make him pay.

His dragon begged to be free.

Rain poured from thick clouds, drenching Vale and quelling the heat that rose from his skin. He gave in to the beast.

Bones cracked as his skin stretched. Vale forced out one last thing, garbled and hissed: "Untouched or not, she’ll find pleasure in the Temples. And I’ll be watching."

Wings burst free as scales replaced his skin. Tharen stood his ground, bloodied and bruised as he stared up at Vale.

Fire raced up his throat, and he huffed, smoke filling the rain-chilled air. He tried to choke it down, but couldn’t.

His dragon wanted revenge.

But Vale couldn’t give it.

His green eyes glinted as he flashed his fangs, embers popping from his snout as a promise of what he could do. Then, Vale flew away into the rain-soaked night.

44

HUNTER AND PREY

LUELLA

The horse’s coat prickled against Luella’s palms.

"Shh, settle," Luella soothed as she stroked her hand over the side of the steed. She heard him whinny, a soft stirring of air, rustling her hair against her temples.

She was in the stables, seeking shelter from the storm as she waited for the others to arrive. The rain beat on the roof, wind gusting through from somewhere, forcing a shiver deep into her bones. It smelled of dust and faintly of manure. Her nose wrinkled. But underneath the odor was the dry warmth of fresh hay.

Osa—Luella presumed because her silken blankets had been ripped away—had awoken her early. Luella had forgone a bath. Az hadn’t been there, and she couldn’t handle going in the water alone. Could barely stomach it with the demon there. She couldn’t imagine what would happen if she attempted it by herself again. Her heart picked up at the thought of deep water—salty and violent, with reaching hands and aching lungs.

Her eyes were tired under the blindfold. Sleep tugged her down, but she resisted. It would be a long day of training. She didn’t want to go through what had happened yesterday again. Her body was sore, and everything felt strange, like her insides had been turned out, only to be forced back inside all…wrong.

The horse whinnied lowly, hooves stomping on the hay-covered ground.

Luella clicked her tongue. "It’s okay."

Another whinny, and a voice from behind her:

"Hello, I-I’m sorry to interrupt. Master Tharen didn’t tell me anyone would be in here."

It was a male’s voice, one unfamiliar to her. Hesitant and young.

Her hands stilled against the horse. "Oh," she managed softly.

She turned her head, searching for the source of the voice.

The young male gasped. "You’re blind."

Her brows furrowed at the rude observation. "I suppose I am. Temporarily, at least."

"I didn’t mean to offend." A pause. "What’s your name?"

There was no use lying. And for some reason, Luella was compelled to be honest. This young male did not seem to be a threat. His voice was tinged with a soft playfulness. It had been so long since she had been in the presence of true kindness.

"Luella," she replied.

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