Page 216 of A Dance of Water

Tharen took up the rear, practically breathing down their necks, with Bastian alternating between riding alongside Luella and circling toward the front.

As the hours continued to pass, the clouds overhead grew so dark and so thick that even the light of the sun was not able to break through, casting them all in shadows.

The broken cobblestone path had turned to a simple, beaten path of mud, cutting through the rain-soaked grass and frozen treetops. Frost clung to the tips of leaves, and flowers that broke through the ground were sagging and lifeless. Waterlogged and crestfallen with the cold.

And throughout it all, Az never faltered in his watch of her.

67

FRAYING ENDURANCE (DRINK)

LUELLA

The wintry forest enveloped them, and Luella couldn’t help her awe at the beauty.

After hours and hours of walking, her body was one large ache. Her feet hurt, her calves burned, her hands shook. She panted from exertion, tasting crisp wetness with every ragged breath.

The whole thing felt surreal.

Taken from her home—no, fromSolis. That place had never been her home.

Bound and dragged to Serpentis… she never would have imagined she would be forced to take that path again. She had retraced the steps through the city square, down the ornate roads. They had passed by a scant few villages hours ago, when most were still asleep, save for farmers, bent over in fields, heads perking up as their odd procession passed.

But that had been some time ago.

The path they now ventured on was desolate. She had seen no souls…

Except for the five males around her.

Up ahead, Vale trotted along, a lead attached between his and Graves’s steed—the raven shifter flew above, the occasional flash of black feathers as he scouted overhead.

The land was relatively flat, but in the trees, anything could hide. The darkness didn’t help. Thunder steadily shookthroughout the cloud-covered sky, beating in time with her footfalls, with her heartbeat. With each loud rumble, she tried to ignore the accusatory eyes that fell upon her.

Twigs and brittle leaves crunched underfoot.

Luella’s foot caught on a fallen branch, hidden in the shadows. She stumbled forward, too tired to right herself. Az steadied her, his touch strong, his body radiating warmth. She was so cold.

"Lu, are you okay?" Az mumbled, soothing a hand over her waist.

The horses ahead slowed, but did not stop.

She gripped his shirt, sighing against him—a tiny puff of breath, and the treetops shook with wind. "No." Her voice cracked. Her mouth was dry.

A horse chuffed at her side, blowing her frizzed hair. Bastian tugged on the reins as he stopped alongside them.

She found his eyes, her hands still gripping Az’s shirt as if it were the only thing keeping her sane. Maybe it was.

"There is no time to stop." Bastian swallowed as he peered down at her. "We’ll arrive at the Temples before dawn." And with that, he spurred his horse onward, his silky black hair framing his pale cheekbones as he inclined his head for them to follow.

Az started walking, leading her with a gentle touch on her lower back. "Almost there, Lu. Hang on for me—just a little longer. Can you do that?"

Her steps were disjointed, and her stomach was empty. She had not been offered food yet. She tipped her head back, watching the swiftly moving storm clouds that peeked through the thick cover of treetops, and she wondered if they were waiting until they stopped for the night. Evening was quickly approaching. All she wanted was to sleep. The little sleep she had gotten after her pleasure lessons did nothing to energize her. Her lids were heavy.

"Lu?" Az prodded.

She realized he was waiting for a response.

Luella wet her lips. "I don’t have a choice." Her eyes drifted to the others.

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