Page 165 of A Dance of Water

She fervently shook her head. "Az.No. It’s not that. Never." She couldn’t have him believe, even for a moment, that his love was not returned. Not when she felt so deeply for him that her eyes burned with joyous tears. "I do. I feel that way f-for… you."

It was a fumbling and sweet admission—perfectly fit for them.

His rumbling grew louder; his lips were warm against her brow. "My sweet angel. I don’t deserve such goodness."

It was she who did not deserve him.

Never had she had anyone to love.

"You were covered in blood and bruises, but even then, you were so captivating to me. I saw you, your fear, the smallest bits of hope in your eyes…Salvation or destruction," she repeated the words of the Fate, etched into her heart from how often she replayed them. "I wasthere that day. I don’t know how, but Isawyou, in the Fate’s lair in the Silva Noctis."

"Lu, you were there?" Astonishment colored his tone. "When? How?"

"While I slept, before my glamor disappeared, I fell into some strange place. It was beautiful." She smiled at the memories—the playful warmth of stardust against her fingertips. "Stardust and darkness, like moonlight. It touched my hand and took me somewhere. I stumbled into the Silva Noctis, and I…"

She trailed off, fear gripping her at thoughts of skeleton hands and endless pits for eyes.

Az’s hands tightened, silently reassuring her.

"I saw the Fate. And it saw me. I know it did. Even without eyes, it looked right toward me…"

There was silence in the wake of her words. She pressed her face into his chest, burrowing into him.

Finally, Az spoke. In a few words, he quelled the anxiety inside her. "I think I knew somehow, that even then, you were there."

"Are you mad that I didn’t tell you s-sooner?"

"No, Lu." His breath tickled her lips, and unbidden, she parted them, feeling his breaths seep inside her open mouth. Their faces were a mere whisper apart, but they didn’t bridge the distance, not yet. "I could never be mad at you. Never."

Relief flooded her.

"What do you think this means? First, I dream of some starry place and have a vision of the past. And now I dream of the Tenebrae and see his past."

"I don’t know, but I think you are much more important and much more powerful than we ever thought," Az whispered.

Then, he pressed his lips to hers, warm and sweet. She let him take the lead—always. Her magic was too worn to react to the desire that kindled low inside her.

Soon, she found herself on her back with Az on top of her, a strong leg notched between her parted thighs.

His hands were gentle as he lavished kisses over her face and nipped at her lips.

Soft words broke through their lovelorn haze.

"My angel… Love you…"

He stole the breath from her lungs.

"Can’t believe you’re mine."

When she felt as though she could no longer breathe, he pulled away. She gasped for breath, tasting him—burnt sugar, the bitter undertone barely present, clouded with chocolate-like sweetness.

Beneath her hands, Az’s chest was slick with sweat.

"We should stop," he rumbled. "You’ll disappear."

She tilted her head up, searching for his lips. "Let it happen," she breathed. "I want to show Tharen what I will never give him."

His large hand moved from her cheek down to her chest, fingertips brushing over her flushed skin. "You’re sure?"

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