Page 201 of A Dance of Water

"So good for me," Bastian murmured.

Luella’s lashes fluttered at the praise, and he raised a hand, allowing his fingertips to trace the air before her. Her scent was already thick with desire—not one hint of the bitterly sick undertone that had plagued her not too long ago.

"Why are w-we here?" Her voice shook.

Bastian lowered his head, mouth grazing her ear as he whispered, "We’re waiting for a solution to a little problem." He smiled against her skin, allowing his fangs to brush her lobe. "You see, these lips"—he traced the pad of his thumb over the outline of her mouth—"lie, and I so detest liars."

A soft sound escaped her, her warm breath tickling his thumb. "What do you mean?" She pulled away slightly. "A solution for—for lies?"

He grinned, unable to help himself. Her confusion was endearing.

Besides, she would find out. Right now.

A shadow slid across the alcove’s entrance.

"I did not think you would accost her in the hallway," Vale announced, voice low in case any stragglers happened by their hiding spot.

Bastian turned his head only slightly, still leaning over Luella, pinning her against the wall with his body, an arm braced by her head. At the sound of the dragon shifter’s voice, her breath hitched,pulse thundering. He heard her blood rush through her veins, and his mouth watered.

He stared down at her, taking in how her eyes darted from his, back to Vale, fingers by her side gripping the stone wall at her back.

"It’s so hard to wait, Vale. Can you blame me?" Bastian’s thumb was gentle as he traced the shape of her mouth. And oh, look at that. His thumbaccidentallydipped inside, pressing apart the seam of her lips as the pad of his thumb brushed her blunt teeth. Dipping further, he felt the wetness of her tongue. "She’s so beautiful."

Her scent, already tinged with desire, only burned hotter, grew deeper. But even though her whole body screamed that she wanted him, her brows lowered in soft determination as her teeth dug into his thumb. It didn’t hurt. At all. But godsdamn it all, he wanted her to keep biting.

"Pet, if it makes you happy, bite me whenever you desire," he purred.

Luella jerked her head away, teeth grazing over his flesh as his thumb popped from her mouth. "It does not make me happy," she said softly.

But Bastian let himself drift into her mind—a stream that he kept open almost constantly; it was as easy as walking or talking, the way her mind opened so beautifully for him. He felt her lies, how her thoughts were a whirl of curiosity and shame—shame that she felt such shame, and shame that she felt such curiosity.

"Those lies, pet." Bastian tsked and pulled away from her, allowing Vale to step as close as he could in the small alcove. "I am sorry for this. I will make it up to you, I promise," the vampire murmured.

Luella tried to take a step back but couldn’t. "Make what up?"

"Princess Luella," the King said, "for tonight, you will not lie or hide. Tell the truth of your feelings and desires."

And just like that, it was so.

She clutched her chest, chin quivering. "I cannot believe this," she all but snapped—still low, still sweet, but a novel sort of fire. "Actually, I can."

Bastian met Vale’s eyes.

Is this what she’s like in her mind?Vale’s thoughts drifted to him.

"You—if you are trying to earn my forgiveness, this is not the way," Luella said, staring at Bastian. "I was beginning to trust you but now—" She clapped a hand over her mouth.

Bastian grinned. Privy to her thoughts like he was, these feelings were not new to him.

You have no idea, he whispered to Vale.

Taking her hand from where it was held over her mouth, Bastian laced their fingers and began to tug her from the dark shadows of the alcove.

Smoke curled in the air as the King watched on. He would have to leave. And soon. They could explain away last night’s disappearance and say it was because she needed punishment for her insolence, but tonight, he had no such excuse.

"I’m so… so angry," she muttered by Bastian’s side. He had a hard time hiding the smile on his lips, so eventually, he stopped trying at all. "Don’t smile at me! This is not amusing. I’ll give you something to be amused by."

"I am very certain you could, pet," he said, feet stalling. She was forced to stop, too, and he took her falter as an opportunity to warn, "But quiet yourself."

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