Page 222 of A Dance of Water

Luella didn’t want to go first.

Bastian,she thought, fingers tangling in his shirt.

I’m here,the vampire whispered inside her mind.

She tugged on his hand.You first.

Bastian huffed slightly but stepped ahead of her, passing by the hooded figure.

From behind her, Az urged her forward, his lips pressing to her ear as he whispered, "I’m right behind you, Lu."

As she entered the room, she couldn’t help but peek at the figure.

She stumbled back with a startled gasp.

Thick zigzags of stitching crossed over the Temple Mother’s sewn-shut lips.

The Temple Mother’s eyes were covered, but she seemed to understand what made Luella suddenly anxious, for she angled her face away and slipped back into the cave halls.

Luella looked to Bastian, finding the vampire at a low stone table in the corner. Cushions were on the floor next to it, but that sight was not nearly as enticing as the bed in the middle of the room. The sheets were simple grey, patchwork, as if sewn by hand, and many tasseled rugs were thrown over the stone floors, offering comfort from the cool ground.

"Her lips were… sewn shut." Luella’s voice shook at the grotesque image.

Az touched her back and pushed her gently to the bed. In the low candlelight, the demon knelt before her, his horns curving abovehis curly hair as he started to undo the laces of her boots. She hissed, her sore feet aching as the stiff boot was pulled off her foot.

The sound of trickling liquid drew her attention. Bastian poured a golden-colored liquid into a short, stone cup. The low table was topped with stone platters filled with food—cheeses and grapes, hard breads and strips of dried meat. She wrinkled her nose.

Bastian padded across the rugs. She noted he had already removed his boots, feet bare, and his shirt open at the front. "The Temple Mothers take a vow of silence," said Bastian. As Az finished tugging off her boots and began to unlace her corset, Bastian pressed the rim of the stone cup to her chapped lips. "You need to drink before you rest, pet. You’re dehydrated."

She let her lips part as Bastian poured the light, sweet juice into her mouth.

"No more." He pulled the cup away. "You’ll upset your stomach."

His eyes flashed as he put his mouth to the lip of the cup and quickly drank the rest of the juice.

The vise on her ribs released as Az tugged free her corset, allowing her to feel like she could take a full breath once more.

The demon stood, large hands trailing up her thighs and settling on her waist. He hooked his finger in the snug waistband. "Take these off?" he asked, voice low and rough.

She swallowed. Bastian placed the cup down, his reddened eyes never leaving her. He ran a finger under her chin, cool from the stone cup of chilled juice. "Let him, pet. You need rest."

"I—okay." Luella nodded, too tired to care.

When she stood in only her thin panties and billowy blouse, they both led her to the bed. She fell into it, practically asleep before her head hit the pillow.

She was barely aware of something salty pressing against her mouth. She didn’t even crack an eye as she parted her lips, tasting a salt-crusted chunk of bread against her tongue. It melted in her mouth. She only chewed a few times before she waved a tired hand, mumbling, "No more."

A laugh. Lips on her brow.

"Sleep, Lu. You’ll need it."

She hummed, barely lucid. Someone tucked sheets around her. A hand smoothed over her hair.

"She did better than I anticipated." Bastian’s voice was a gentle whisper.

The hand on her hair stilled. "The true test starts now," Az said.

"Her strength is surprising," said Bastian. "I’m sure she will do better than the King."

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