Page 224 of A Dance of Water

But finally, they arrived at their destination.

The Temple Mothers turned and bowed their heads, standing on either side of a small doorway carved into rock. Luella’s teeth clacked together from trepidation. What awaited her?

The stone-quiet air wrapped around her as she entered the room.

Smooth walls arched toward a high ceiling. Breeze filtered through, coming from seemingly nowhere and everywhere as it rustled through her wet hair and made her shiver.

"Oh," she breathed, craning her neck and peering up at the endless expanse above.

A heavy door slammed shut, and Luella whipped her headaround, hair stinging against her cheeks as she found the doorway sealed.

"No—wait!" She slammed her palms on the stone. "Don’t trap me in here. P-please."

She pressed her ear against the stone, trying to hear if the Temple Mothers were still on the other side. The only sound was her heartbeat reflecting back to her.

She spun back around, eyes falling on the center of the room. A large pillar made entirely of stone loomed.

Her bare feet padded along the floors as she stepped closer, hands shaking as she touched the stone, her fingertips tracing over the symbols carved into it. She leaned closer, wishing there were more than two measly candles within the room. Tiny dots and swirling lines scattered around etchings of stars, making them look like they were dancing amidst a galaxy of grey.

"Is that…" She trailed off as she traced the lines.

Swirling, playful stardust, warm in her hand?—

"Luella."

With a gasp, she turned, heart racing, as she found a cloaked figure standing in the middle of the room. A single, black feather floated to the ground, landing by his boot.

"Graves," she whispered, "what…"

The raven shifter walked closer, tugging his cowl under his chin and revealing the pale scar cut into the side of his face. The sight of him made her knees weak.

Gloved hands held her face, and he tilted her head up to meet his eyes. "I do not have much time," he murmured. "I couldn’t stand the thought of you scared like this."

Her pale hands came up to grip his wrists as he held her. A soft breeze made her tremble, and she curled her body toward him, seeking his warmth.

"Graves, what’s happening. Why am I h-here?"

His thick lashes fluttered. "I shouldn’t be here, but you called to me. I couldn’t ignore it." He leaned down, the hood of his cloak brushing against her temples as his breath whispered over her face. "We all felt it."

"I called to you?" Luella asked softly.

His rough voice rumbled through her. "Our bond. I felt your fear." He pressed his forehead to hers, and her lips parted with a soft sigh at his closeness. "I didn’t want you to face this, feeling alone." His voice was so, so low, just for the two of them.

She breathed in his scent as the shadows of his cloak enveloped her. "Face what?"

He groaned, bringing her face closer to his. Her neck twinged with a faint ache as he tipped her face up to the perfect angle and pressed his lips to hers. Even tired and scared, she melted into him. His stubble scratched against her cheeks. The slick sound of his lips against hers filled the cavern.

Graves’s teeth dug into her bottom lip as he bit down on her tender flesh, pulling away and making her lip sting as he released her with reluctance. Her lips were slick from his kiss.

"Trust us," he rasped, nose brushing hers.

She shook her head. "How can you expect me to trust you after all you’ve done?"

He pulled away, still holding her face between his hands, the leather of his gloves warm against her skin. "Try."

His lips pressed against her ear as he murmured, "The King will come to you, and you must survive the night while Vale is in his dragon form. To prove you’re worthy to lie with him." He kissed her ear, the closeness making her shudder. "But know this, you’re always worthy, sweetheart."

Survive the night…

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