Page 239 of A Dance of Water

Understanding snapped into place as the stardust grew near. "I never knew a place like this existed," she said.

"Most don’t. The fae have their false, demanding deities, and the others do what they wish. But the shifters? We honor our gods with our wine." Vale stepped forward and leaned down, pressing his lips to her ear as he whispered, "With our bodies."

She shivered. Under their touches and deep voices, she felt the vestiges of trepidation fizzle out, chased away by the sight of the stardust and their teasing touches.

"What—" She gasped as Vale nibbled at the tip of her ear, a hot hand trailing down the column of her throat. "What are the names of the gods you worship?"

Vale’s lips tickled her ear as he spoke. "Lux."

Light.

The name felt… right.

Vale’s hand cupped the base of her throat, while Tharen continued to hold her head still.

But something was missing. Where there was light, darkness followed.

She tried to stop her head from falling back as Vale continued to kiss along her ear.

"TheTemplesof Aedis," she managed. "P-plural. There is more—" She bit down on her lower lip as Vale’s teeth dug into the lobe of her ear, smoke wafting from him with every breath. "There is more than one g-god worshipped here."

"Look at that," Tharen crooned. "Smart, after all."

"Tell me." Vale’s words shivered over her skin. "Tell me what you think the other god is called."

Her wide eyes trailed up above to where the stardust circled, as if it, too, awaited what she would say.

The Binding mark pulsed, and on a whoosh of air, she said, "The Tenebrae."

73

THIS MEANS NOTHING

THAREN

With both hands holding Luella’s head, Tharen turned her face to the side. She moved easily, like a doll. And fuck, if it didn’t make him even harder knowing she was going to fulfill her end of their bargain.Shemade the choice—it didn’t matter to him if she felt forced into it, at least she chose.

She chose him.

In some sick, twisted, roundabout way, Luella chose Tharen.

He didn’t deserve it, but godsdammit, if he wasn’t going to revel in it while he had her.

The Stella twirled around, swirls of sentient light undulating above them, watching, as if to remind her she couldn’t escape this. If not for the gods, they would be alone here. If not for the Lux, it would be only he and Vale who watched her, saw her like this.

Just as the Tenebrae had shadows, the Lux had Stella.

Tharen had only seen the Stella in glimpses during their past journeys to the Temples. The light of the god was notorious for being elusive, impishly hiding away as if it were shy. So to see it dancing openly before him was a shock.

He tried to hide his awe, instead focusing on how soft and pliable Luella was as she sat on the stone altar. The few candles about the stone room flickered and danced, but the amber glow had nothing on the beautiful strips of rainbow light, created by the stained glass that hung like rigid banners in the room.

Luella’s head was level with his lower stomach—just a bit lower and her lips would be even with his cock where it strained against the fabric of his pants. She seemed to read his mind, as her wide blue eyes dipped to settle between his legs, before her face grew impossibly hotter, and she jerked her head to the side.

Tharen tutted, his voice low. "Now isn’t the time to be shy. Not when I plan on claiming you." His fingers spanned over her cheeks, so large against her delicate features. Gods, he could crush her. Why did that make him harder… "Let me kiss you, little lamb. Just a taste. I’ve already had your lips once, what’s one more time?"

Tharen was playing with fire—not just any fire, but dragon fire.

The dragon shifter at his side huffed smoke, the ashy tendrils thick as Tharen breathed it in.

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