Page 230 of A Dance of Water

Protect.

Luella shivered next to him, shifting in her sleep to press her chilled nose against his bare arm, seeking warmth.

"Godsdamn it all to the Below," Vale hissed.

And he wrapped his arms around her entirely, tugging her against his chest. She let out a soft sigh of contentment, the tiny crease between her brows smoothing out.

His dragon rumbled low in his chest, misplaced pleasure filling him at the notion of the rumbling vibrations doing something to soothe her. But the tension in his limbs eased, and for the first time since she had shown up on the steps of his castle, bound and bloodied and so, so enticing, Vale slept soundly with herin his arms.

He was the first to awaken.

Luella was still in his arms.

Inside the mountain, there were no windows, but he sensed it must be late afternoon. He must leave her. The Temple Mothers were loyal to the gods, first and foremost. Though unable to speak, they could still impart what transpired here upon those who would not handle the information with care. He couldn’t risk anything getting out about him treating Luella differently.

So he would have to leave. And soon.

She would be prepared for the next part of the Solstice traditions, then led to the altar where he would be waiting for her. But what she did not know was that the Prima would also be there. They had been trying to find a way to circumvent his bargain with her—Vale thought the string would have helped, but it seemed like no matter the mage’s proximity to her, if she was aroused, she would land on his lap.

His dragon rumbled with covetousness. But the beast was strangely quiet after hours of rest, subdued by her.

What no one but the five of them knew, Vale would not force her to lie with him.

He ran a hand over the crown of her hair, tangling his fingers in the soft, silky strands. Behind her closed lids, her eyes moved as she dreamed. Gods, she was resplendent.

The Princess of Luna slumbered in Vale’s arms. He would have to tell her. When they returned to the castle and the Solstice celebrations were complete, he planned on sending Tharen and Graves to search for Merath and Emarelia again. The wily Ignis fae had disappeared after they had cornered her in Medius. Vale knew she most likely ran to her lover… but that only made it easier for them to track down Tharen’s predecessor for answers.

A touch against his chest made him look down.

Luella’s tiny hands spanned out over his pectorals, the pads of her fingers brushing the contours of his muscles. The tip of her nose was pressed against his skin, her mouth slightly parted, blowing air on him with every breath. He grew acutely aware of her small body nestled against him, the way he ached for her.

He held her slumbering body with possessiveness, trying to ignore how desperately he wanted to wake her with his mouth between her thighs. Rouse her from sleep with a slow, soft gasp of pleasure forced from her lips. He licked his lips, tasting ash on his tongue.

Her lashes tickled his chest as she stirred, sighing softly. She tensed against him, growing aware of whom she slept next to.

Luella pulled away, and Vale tightened his arm around her, forcing her head at an odd angle as she peered up at him with sleepy eyes.

"Vale?" she mumbled, voice husky with sleep. Her palms spanned out on his chest, not to bring him closer, but to push him away.

His dragon prowled beneath his skin, satisfaction rolling off him at the sight of her in his arms. A million thoughts flickered behind her blue eyes, shimmering like the universe—like stardust, like wonder itself. She was an open book, unable to hide her thoughts and feelings from him.

Vale read it all, waiting to see what would win out.

Her pink lips parted. "You… spoke in my mind."

Pretty, the dragon purred.Taste her.

The words were not said in her head, Vale knew, for she did not blush. The claim was just for him and his dragon.

His heart felt strange. Burdened, in a way. Heavy with possessiveness for her and…guilt?

Vale swallowed. Guilt was an emotion he rarely felt. He found he loathed the feeling.

Mine.

The King ran his fingertips down her back, enjoying the way she shivered from his touch. "My dragon has taken it upon himself to"—his features tightened—"imprint on you."

Luella’s hands grew firm as she tried to push him away again. "Imprint?" Fear made her once sleepy eyes widen. "What does that mean?"

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