Page 24 of A Dance of Water

"I don’t like chocolate," she lied.

A soft laugh rang out through the air between them. "You don’t like chocolate?" he asked.

She started to nod but felt the tiniest brush of invisible fingertips against her mind. "Stop that!"

His palm moved to cradle the back of her head. "Stop what? I’m not doing anything."

She glowered up at him. The vampire’s Mind magic sweptthrough her, only the slightest sense of strangeness alerting her to his presence. His fingers dug into her skull comfortingly.

And then his magic left her.

Those half-lidded eyes only grew heavier as Bastian leaned down, still cupping the back of her head. He pulled her further into him, and amid the swaths of blue, his pale skin almost seemed to reflect it, turning him into an untouchable, sculptural thing. She glanced down at her arms, the barest hint of skin revealed by the cut of her gown. Her skin was just as pale as his, the blue veins on the underside of her wrists almost the same shade as the blue ornaments decorating the halls.

Bastian lifted her face with a finger under her chin. "Liar," he whispered against the slowly flushing skin of her cheeks.

Her blush grew deeper.

"You love chocolate. Not because you have a knack for sweet things"—a sensual smirk broke free upon his lips—"but because it reminds you of a certain demon."

"I d-don’t know what you’re talking about." Luella tried to get away from him, but he was caging her in almost completely, a hand keeping her head still and his other on her waist, pulling her body snugly against his.

He tapped the back of her head. "I see your mind, and I know your secrets." With that, he pulled away from her but kept a hand on her wrist so she could not flee. "It is a good thing because then you will enjoy your next gift."

All the blood inside her body pooled in her feet, leaving her head light. "Not him. Please not him." She couldn’t bear to see him. Not yet.

An understanding look fell over his face. "Orders of the King." For the briefest of moments, Bastian turned into the Advisor, diplomatic and loyal. "Azgorath’s violence needs to be quelled, and you are the only one who can do so."

She rolled her bottom lip between her teeth, and he stared at her mouth as if he desired to use his fangs to free her tender flesh from the abuse of her teeth.

"Do I have a choice?" Her tone was resigned.

A silky black lock of hair fell over his forehead as he shook hishead. The jewels in his ears caught the soft blue light, making the silver appear incandescent. "No."

"Then take me," she whispered.

So, he did.

Bastian led Luella down the halls, and she found herself not caring for the pretty sights any longer. The blue silks and ribbons and enchanted flames only made her stomach sink.

They came to a stop outside a familiar door in a familiar hallway: the library.

The call tugged and tugged, and she dug her heels into the floor to stop herself from moving forward, from placing a shaking hand on the knob and entering.

Bastian was a cold, constant presence at her back. "He’s inside."

Luella nodded, unable to form words. She would be forced to see Az again—the first time since yesterday when she visited him in the dungeons, and only the second time since her awakening.

"Luella," he uttered. She turned to him at the sound of her name, unused to it on his lips. "Tell me now, what do you wish me to do? Do you want me to stay or go?" His hands settled above her hips, forcing her nervous fidgeting to stop.

She didn’t have to think hard to figure out what she wanted. The answer was clear to her. "Stay."

The vampire would be the perfect buffer. She hoped, at least.

"After you." Bastian reached around her for the handle and pushed the door open.

And they entered the library.

Her steps were hesitant, and her neck ached from the force with which her head swiveled, searching for the one she knew to be at the end of that tug on her soul.

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