Page 172 of A Dance of Water

The Prima had come to them all with his suspicions, saying that he had been digging around on who could have been powerfulenough to place such a glamor on Luella. He had kept circling back to the prior Prima…

They had been discussing it when Luella had dropped onto Tharen’s lap, flushed and needy. Perfect timing, because they had just discussed what they were to do if she showed up at Tharen’s feet when they were gone.

Bastian gritted his jaw at the thought of the King’s command. He hated forcing her, but this time, it was for her own good.

Under his careful touches, she stirred. He felt it before he saw it—the hitch in her breath, the way her brow furrowed then relaxed, until finally, her pink lips parted, and she mumbled, "Bastian? Az?" Her head shifted on the pillow. "Did I fall asleep?"

"Yes, pet, while I was reading to you. You looked so comfortable, we didn’t want to wake you." Bastian skimmed the tip of his finger over her blindfold.

"You’re both h-here?" Luella felt around the bed.

Her fidgeting made Bastian grit his teeth as she brushed up against his thighs.

He wanted to ruin her.

She reached up and touched her damp hair, and then patted along Azgorath’s bare chest. A pretty flush overtook her. "It wasn’t a dream… you bathed me."

"You were sleepy, but I asked, and you told me it was okay so long as I didn’t leave you alone, Lu. I didn’t remove all your clothes, or mine. I thought it would be good for you to relax. You’re still burning up," Azgorath murmured.

"Oh, okay," she replied breathily. "Are you…"

Her teeth dug into her plush bottom lip. Bastian couldn’t stop himself from chasing after it with a soft brush of his thumb.

"None of that, pet. Speak your mind. It’s just the three of us here."

"I was going to say, are you both planning on s-sleeping here… with me?"

He looked away from her to find Azgorath staring at him with a strange look in his amber eyes. Bastian arched a brow, and slowly, he reached out with his Mind magic, finding the demon’s thoughts as lovelorn as he had assumed.

So safe. I want this for her forever.

Between us, tucked away, unable to be harmed.

We’ll keep her safe. I will keep her safe.

Bastian dug a little deeper.

There it was.

Sin.

The demon’s vices were wicked and tempting. That was something Bastian could get behind… Thoughts of her, between them, underneath him.

Softly, the vampire let his voice echo:Can’t you see it? Her, undone.

Azgorath’s eyes narrowed. Untrained in mind speak, he simply mouthed the words, "Get out."

Bastian’s red eyes flashed.I don’t think I will. Who knew for a virgin, you’d be so creative, beast?

"Why are you both quiet?" Luella’s hands curled in each of their chests as if to bring them together.

He wondered what shade her face would turn if she knew of the nature of their thoughts.

"No reason," Bastian quipped.

Azgorath grumbled and tore his gaze away. His tan skin was alight with an amber glow from the dim flames in the room, but Bastian swore he saw the faintest blush on the demon’s cheeks.

How about we put Vale’s order to a little test?Bastian let the words drift through the demon’s mind like smoke.

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