Page 221 of A Dance of Water

LUELLA

The path had grown steep, and Luella’s calves burned as Az half-pulled her up the rough ground.

Darkness enveloped her. Tall rocks stood on either side as they ventured deeper into a ravine. The path wound up into the mountains.

She knew the Temples were close.

Exhaustion weighed her down; trepidation slowed her steps.

"You’re doing so well, angel," Az praised. "We’re almost there."

Dazed, Luella gave a tired dip of her chin. She licked her lips, tasting faint traces of cedar and smoke, and shuddered.

Her steps were ungainly, boots landing clumsily on the rocks. She knew she would’ve fallen if not for Az keeping her steady.

The path grew steeper, but instead of narrowing, it opened up. She squinted, seeing tall shapes in the night, strange rocks, and was that…

"Fire?" she asked, punctuated by a shallow inhale as she tried to catch her breath.

No sooner had she spoken than Vale’s voice echoed off the walls of the ravine, sounding even deeper from the way it ricocheted around her:

"We’re here."

Luella released a low sigh, knees buckling.

A trial forced upon her, and yet she felt the smallest bits of pride well up within her.

She had done it.

Az practically carried her up the steep incline. No one said a word of rebuttal against it, and she melted into his side.

The steady clop of the horses’ hooves against the rocks threatened to lull her into sleep, and she struggled to keep her eyes open.

Flames flickering in the sconces fixed to the walls offered only slight illumination, casting dancing shadows against the greys and blacks.

Carved within the very mountains, a grand doorway. It towered far above her, and her neck ached as she peered up at it. Strange shapes protruded from the rocks, stone maws and chipped teeth. Fire burned low within the carvings, and she gasped as she realized what it was.

Dragons—carved into the mountains, so lifelike that it made her heart pound against her ribcage. Thunder boomed, reverberating through the mountains and making her teeth rattle in her skull.

"Luella." Bastian’s voice at her side made her jump. His red eyes seemed to glow as he followed her gaze. "They’re not real, pet, just carvings." He took her elbow, rubbing a hand over her side as if to generate warmth, and she looked away from the statues to find the others had all dismounted.

A strange, robed figure stood by the horses, collecting the leads and leading them inside the vast doorway.

The King walked closer; the glow of the flames and the dragon carvings behind him made his visage look sinister. Smoke curled through the air, and she did not know if it belonged to him or the flames. "There’s a bed waiting for you," Vale murmured. "The Temple Mothers will see to you."

From the dark hollow of the doorway, another robed figure appeared, clothed in deep grey that matched the stone. A hood obscured their face.

She shrank back into Az and Bastian. "W-wait," she stammered, turning to grip their hands. "Come with me. Don’t make me go alone," she begged.

Bastian’s face was shrouded in shadows. He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "Okay," he finally said.

In a fog of fear, Luella followed the so-called Temple Mother into the dark abyss, Bastian and Az crowding her on either side. Their footsteps echoed off the high ceilings. It was silent, save for their breaths and the sound of their feet on the smooth floors.

They were led deep into a tunnel. It was too dark for her to make out much, even with the glow of the flames fixed to the stone walls.

The hooded figure stopped at a small doorway, turning to the side with a wave of a hidden arm to entreat their entry.

They did not speak, waiting.

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