Page 214 of A Dance of Water

Should Az fault him for protecting her the way he saw fit?

Bastian’s lips quirked up.No, he said, you shouldn’t.

Inclining his head to the looming gates, Bastian hurried his pace, leading the forefront with Luella in the middle and Az trailing behind, his hand still wrapped tightly around hers.

A low murmur of voices greeted them.

"Where is everyone?" Luella asked, her voice soft.

Guards stood at the gates, archers lining the top of the wall, poised to defend the palace.

But no audience. It was quiet. And still.

Graves was atop his steed, gloved hands gripping the reins, his usual cloak and cowl covering him. Tharen and Vale talked lowly, the former rummaging through his saddlebag.

Their boots crunched over gravel as they stopped. Luella shivered, burrowing deeper into Az’s side. His heart clenched. He hated this.

Keep her safe, keep her safe, keep her safe—the only thoughts in his head, the only thing keeping him sane, keeping him from ripping everything apart.

Vale turned to Luella, one hand stroking over the muscled rump of his horse. "Princess Luella," he greeted. "Are you ready?"

"I—" She shook her head. "Yes?"

He felt the small tremors that wracked her frame from how tightly she was pressed into his side. Bastian met his eyes and gave a soft nod before going to one of the horses. He ran his hand over the horse’s muzzle and took the reins.

She looked at the horses, the closed gates, and finally back to Vale. "Who will I be riding with?" she asked.

Az held his breath. It would be okay. He would be with her. Always.

"No one," said Vale.

"N-no one?" she repeated, her brows furrowing in confusion. "Are the Temples close, then?"

The King stepped away from his steed, shoulders proud as his green eyes bore into hers. Az rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand.

"You will walk," Vale said simply. "As is custom for all the Chosen. You will endure the journey on foot."

She gasped. Silence stretched on, broken only by a low rumble of thunder. Az stared up at the sky. Would it rain? A journey done on foot in the cold would be hard, but in freezing rain…

She had to calm down. Or this would only be harder for her to endure.

Az gripped her hand. "Lu," he murmured, "remember what I told you." She turned to look up at him, the sun peeking through the fast-moving clouds and leaving flashes of light on her pale skin. Her eyes were wide. Scared.

Az knew the others were watching, but they already thought him weak. What’s the worst they could do?

He released her hand, and her chin trembled, but before she could question him, he took her face between his large hands. Her skin was so soft under his palms. Precious. Cradling her cheeks, Az leaned his head down, so careful to keep the points of his horns away from her. Due to their height difference, he had to stoop low. He always felt like a monster—but never with her, even as he towered over her.

Az searched her wide blue eyes, free of kohl and lined with shadows from lack of sleep; it would only grow worse in the coming days.

"I willalwaysprotect you."

She licked her lips, eyes drifting to the side, finding Vale and the others watching.

"It is nearly a day’s journey to the Temples," Vale shared. "A test of strength. Of fortitude."

Stunned, she could only look back at Az. "That’s absurd," she whispered. "I-I can’t walk that far."

"You must," Vale asserted. The scent of burning wood filled the air, and Az found thin streams of grey wafting from his nostrils with every breath.