Page 166 of A Dance of Water

Unable to speak, she nodded, trusting him with herself. When he didn’t move, she took his hand and held it. Naive, she couldn’t go further. Even if she wanted more, she wasn’t sure what that would entail, scared to mess up this lustful reverie.

"I want you to," she uttered.

Hesitantly, Az’s hot palm cupped her breast, and a soft sound escaped her slick, kiss-swollen lips.

The silk of her nightgown was thin between them, and his thumb brushed over her hardening nipple with just the right amount of pressure. It was too much and not enough.

A noise welled up inside her, a pleased sound, high and breathy. He was all around her, over her, on her; she wanted him inside her, too—whatever that looked like. The sinfully decadent thoughts made her flush a deeper scarlet.

A surreal haze fell upon her.

She gripped at his chest as if searching for salvation. Even though it was not the first time, she was scared and confused.

Az’s warm lips pressed softly against hers—just once. "I’ll find you," he uttered against her mouth.

Just as the shimmery air tickled against her and she was stolen away, she realized she had never truly said those three words.

This time, she was prepared. However, that didn’t mean it wasn’t disorienting to suddenly find yourself in another place, only made worse by lack of sight.

She scrambled, feeling strong thighs under hers, a chest behind her back. Hands settled upon her waist, keeping her steady. Her heart was beating fast from Az’s touch. She resisted the urge to straighten her bed-rumpled hair and clothes.

Masculine voices filled the room.

"…find the prior Prima." The words cut off harshly.

Exhaling, she settled back against the male behind her—Tharen. His crisp scent blanketed her like snow. She reached before her, feeling the familiar surface of a smooth table, and tapped a finger against it, the sound deafeningly loud in the quiet room.

Four scents wrapped around her as if to welcome her with open arms—she would not be so easily fooled. They did not want her. She was an inconvenience, only here to help the King defeat his half-brother and have his rule unhindered.

But a small part of her issued a rebuttal… thinking of Bastian’s lips on her chest; Graves’s deft, gloved fingers under her chin as he tasted her mouth.

Maybe some of them wanted her.

"Did I interrupt?" she inquired softly. She was breathless, knew she looked a sight with her slick, swollen lips.

Tharen yanked her further into him with his hands on her waist. "Having fun without me, little lamb? I thought you would have learned by now."

"I learned. B-but I also learned how pleasing it can be to just… show up?—"

The soft taunt was cut off by Tharen’s barking laugh, vibrating through her from how close they were.

Bastian’s voice pierced the laughter. "I think she has you figured out."

The strongest thread inside her grew shorter—Az was coming. It filled her with relief to know her protector was on his way.

Her mind snagged on the words she had heard when she popped into the room. "The Prima? What do you mean,find the Prima?"

Taunting joviality was snuffed out like a flame.

Footsteps thumped against the floors. The doors banged open. A cool rush of air from the drafty halls let in hints of burning sugar, the bitter edges growing stronger by the moment.

"Again with the demon? If you have a thing for large brutes, you should try Tharen instead." Bastian’s tone was filled with teasing sensuality.

"She will betryingno one," said Vale. "It’s good you’re both here; though, the circumstances leave something to be desired."

Tharen snorted. She resisted the urge to ram her elbow into him, knowing it would do far more harm than good.

She felt Graves in the room, but as usual, he was quiet, content to watch. His eyes seared her skin. The sudden memory of his lips on hers made her flush.

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