Page 187 of A Dance of Water

Vale stood, posture rigid, as he walked into the midst of the room. The revelers parted with grace, momentarily broken from their haze of lust and celebration as they gave words of murmured praise and bows. The blue embers made everything seem surreal, a dream.

He wished it could be a dream. He hated having to make herbelieve. It was for her safety. His dragon hissed at the thought of her in danger. They would do anything to keep her safe.

She was frozen where Graves had left her, eyes filled with a mix of wonder and disgust as she took in the room.

A few paces away, Vale stopped. He swallowed hard at the sight of her, small and almost angelic.

Her gown was simple, but it highlighted her natural beauty perfectly. A white, soft fabric that floated around her like clouds. The neckline was just shy of indecent, hugging the soft curve of her breasts. The sleeves were mesh, flowing down her arms and tickling her fingertips. Two cuts were inlaid into the waist, revealing just enough of her pale skin to make him mad with desire.

No—

Hewas the epitome of control.

It was his dragon who roared at the sight of her.

Take her. Too much.

They don’t deserve to see.

Steal her away.

Mine, mine.

Ours…

That godsdamned word rang out louder than the rest, and Vale shoved it far down inside himself, ignoring the implications.

Luella’s wide blue eyes brimmed with emotions too numerous for him to untangle.

He noticed the exact moment she felt his presence. Her dark red lips parted—it was not merely him, but his dragon who conjured thoughts of her on her knees, rouge smudged as her lips were wrapped around him—and her head cocked to the side, chin jutting out as those blue eyes grew charged with thick tension. She searched for him in the crowd, and finally, her eyes rested upon him.

"Vale." Her tone was hushed, but even over the revelry of the crowd, he could identify the exact cadence.

He found himself walking forward, toward her. Her throat bobbed with a swallow, but she didn’t move away, even as he took her elbow, his bare fingers enclosing around it as he pulled her into him. From this close, he could make out the dark line of kohl around her eyes, black particles elongating her lashes, and the bow of her lips, outlined by rouge.

Her white hair fell in waves around her shoulders, and he flexed his fingers by his side, imagining how it would feel in his fist.

The Princess of Luna—and gods, did she ever look like it.

It should have been obvious, even before Tharen and Graves returned from Medius. The truth had been staring at them all along—her ethereal, moonlit beauty, her grace and kindness. When Graves had called for a meeting in the advisory room, Vale had not even doubted his words for a moment.

The true King and Queen of Luna were known for their privacy but also their kindness. Ostracized amongst fae, and yet, they lent their resources to any in need. Even raised by the vile King and Queen of Solis, kindness was etched into her marrow.

Both sets of her parents were dead… he wouldn’t dare tell her yet—about any of it. She was too volatile.

Too soft. Too untarnished. Vale knew his hands would leave scarlet stains on her, but that didn’t stop him from reaching out. Hewantedto taint her.

"Princess Luella," Vale addressed.

His jaw clenched at the thought of what she must do tonight. Her lessons with his Advisor. Tradition. As all Chosen were pure,they must be taught how to give pleasure by the reigning King’s Advisor.

His gaze dipped to the Binding mark on her chest, Tharen’s amulet rested just above the three interconnected circles. He wanted to lay his own jewels on her skin, bathe her in glittering diamonds.

Mine,hissed the dragon.

Her eyes sparkled like jewels. She would look pretty tucked away with his hoard.

"We must dance for them, and then you may rest for the remainder of the evening." But Vale did not tell her why she would be afforded a period of rest…

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