Page 220 of A Dance of Water

It tasted faintly of him—burning embers and rich cedar.

The water was all gone, and as if without her permission, her tongue peeked out, lapping up every last droplet that clung to his skin.

Vale groaned. His fingers curled in the air before he pulled his hand away. "That’s enough, darling. No more." A low hiss coated his words, as if his dragon lurked right under the surface of his skin.

She shook her head, unable to articulate what had just come over her. "I?—"

Thank youlingered on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed it down just in time. She would not thank him.

Smoke curled from his nostrils, filling the narrow space between them. His throat worked as he stared down at her. "Go back to your demon. You will not drink again until we arrive at the Temples."Disappointment radiated from him. Or was it something different—somethingmore—that sparked behind his green eyes?

68

FORGED PATHS

GRAVES

Graves silenced the Umbra’s screams with a clean swipe of his dagger across the male’s throat.

The body fell in a heap on the ground, blood pooling on the dark earth. He wiped the blood off his dagger. Behind his cowl and hood, his face was blank, practiced.

He felt the tug of Luella through their bond, a thread of urgency woven into his soul, guiding him to where she was forced to walk.

Is that the last one?Vale’s voice filtered through Graves’s mind, courtesy of Bastian, who linked them all together with his Mind magic.

Graves sheathed his dagger at his hip.For now,he sent back.

Make sure no more come this way. We cannot risk them seeing her,Vale ordered.

Graves nodded silently, even though his King could not see—he was leading Luella, while Graves did the dirty work. He didn’t mind.What should I do with the bodies?

Vale’s hum echoed in his mind as he thought.

Dispose of them,Tharen said.In case more are nearby and are alerted to our whereabouts.

And so Luella will not stumble upon one. She’s scared enough,Bastian interjected.

Smart. Their procession could stumble over a body—better they’re hidden, far from the curious, wanderingPrincess.

Az’s gruff voice joined in:I don’t want her to see. She doesn’t need that burden.

Like you’d even allow her out of your sight long enough,Tharen scoffed.

Even in his head, the mage’s tone was mocking.

Graves,Vale addressed,hide the bodies.

Quietly, Graves dragged the dead Umbra away from the path and behind a thick collection of rocks, kicking brush over the corpse. Now, Luella would not be able to see—not be able to know just how closely they were being watched.

He clasped a hand around his amulet, feeling the warmth even through his gloves. The shift overtook him.

Black feathered wings flapped in the night as he flew back to her, making large circles overhead as he watched the surrounding areas. His keen eyes scoured hidden places, searching for any stragglers or Umbra who dared to threaten them. If anything moved, he would descend like shadowed death.

Anything to keep her protected. Anything to keep her safe. Even if she never knew what he did to forge the path before her.

69

THE TEMPLES OF AEDIS

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