Page 235 of A Dance of Water

LUELLA

Practiced, methodical hands massaged fragrant oils into Luella’s thighs.

She stood in a gossamer-thin gown, the diaphanous white material clinging to her oil-glistening curves. The hem stopped at her upper thigh, so high that with every step, it revealed the small birthmark on her right thigh. The Temple Mother’s hands worked the oil into her skin, clinical and unobtrusive.

Strangely enough, she had not been forced into another bath after Vale had stormed out and two Temple Mothers had quickly entered.

The dragon shifter’s actions never failed to confuse her. He was a dichotomy. Calling herdarlingone moment, then ripping himself away from her the next as if her scent was putrid. The threads of their bond inside her tugged harshly, and she dug her teeth into her lower lip, desperate for anything to distract her from the feeling.

Careful what you wish for,Bastian’s words filled her head, and she gasped aloud.

The Temple Mother paused, the hood of her cloak shifting to reveal the gruesome sight of her sewn lips, before she finished working the oil into Luella’s skin.

Bastian?Luella thought, but the vampire did not answer. She was on her own for now.

The Temple Mothers stepped back. Chills raced down her spine as they surveyed her.

Finally, they waved a hand to the side, beckoning her.

Luella was led out of the stone room. Instead of winding deeper into the mountain, the path ventured up. They arrived at their destination. She would have known this place was her destiny, if not for the grandiose appearance, then the way a chill swept over her, lighting her nerves on fire as if electricity simmered inside her veins. A feeling of rightness clung to her like smoke as she entered the room.

High ceilings with walls carved into the rocks, jagged edges perfectly placed to give the whole room the feel of being inside a geode, almost. Lights refracted through the stained glass pieces that hung about the cavern, casting strips of rainbows against the grey ground. Her eyes must be playing tricks on her, shadows mingling with the flames and various sources of dim light within the room, but she swore stardust danced among the strips of rainbow-like light cast along the ground.

But she blinked, and it dissolved like an illusion.

Arched hollows were cut into the walls, filled with glass, but instead of looking out into the world, she saw herself reflected back to her. Mirrors, not windows.

Her white hair was simple as it fell around her shoulders, the points of her ears peeking through the tangled mass. The sheer material of her gown hid nothing. She blushed, looking away.

Her eyes fell to the far side of the room, where a stone altar loomed. Candles were scattered around it, held up by long, thin stands. Its grey bareness was a presence she could not ignore.

Heart in her throat, Luella looked away, only to find that the Temple Mothers had left—replaced by a silent King Vale.

The dragon shifter stood near one of the hanging pieces of stained glass, violet and blue hues rippling across his tanned skin.

All at once, the realization hit her: she could not get out of this. Her whole body started to tremble, and she backed away, her knees hitting the edge of the stone altar.

Vale took a step forward.

"P-please don’t… don’t make m-me do this," she begged, holding her hands before her to ward him off.

His footsteps against the stone echoed as he came closer. She flinched away with a strangled sob as the King gripped her wrists.

"Calm down." The order washed over her like ocean waves, forcing her to settle.

Her breathing evened out, but nothing could stop the force of her heartbeats.

She found his eyes; the green was vivid in the shifting colors of the dimly lit room. "Please," she whispered. "If you have a heart, if there is any one thing you would ever grant me, have it be this. Give me a choice." The plea was barely audible.

His eyes flicked between hers as he seemed to search her soul. "Do you think so lowly of me that you believe I would force myself upon you?"

Her lips parted. What did he want her to say? Lie? She closed her mouth, shaking her head slightly.

"Of course." Vale gave a sardonic laugh. "Of course, you do."

Her brow furrowed. "How could I not?" she whispered. The King had proven himself to be as wicked as his reputation decreed.

He released her wrist but did not step back. Draconic heat radiated from him, burning her from their proximity. "I deserve your distrust, but I hope that in this, you will see some of my intentions are honorable."

---