Page 256 of A Dance of Water

His dragon reared his head.Mine, mine.

Protect.

Contrary to what the rest of them thought, he was not at risk of shifting and burning them all to a charred crisp. No, the only thing Vale was at risk of was ripping her from the Prima’s arms and keeping her tucked into his chest as he rode hard and fast to the castle, only one thought in mind:warm, dark, and safe.

A place where she could heal in safety and privacy, without fears of being attacked by Umbra.

Which was a duty Graves was severely slacking on, with his wide-eyed staring of their Vincire, which had left them a bit more vulnerable, as the male had not wanted to shift and leave to scout the trail ahead. The Umbra had gotten too close for comfort on one too many occasions. At least Bastian and Azgorath had the sense to deal with them swiftly before they could see Luella’s current state and report back to the Tenebrae.

She was weak, and thus, so were they.

They could notaffordweakness.

Everything he had done so far was to keep her safe, even if she hated it, even if she didn’t believe him.

He was just lucky that the Temple Mothers had not suspected anything. While Vale had been out of it—he hissed at the thought—Bastian had stayed behind, hidden, long enough to gauge the Temple Mothers’ minds regarding their quick departure. The only thing the vampire had been able to glean was a sickening realization that Luella had been gravely hurt when Vale had supposedly lain with her. At least the blood was accounted for. Though, it made his stomach roil with wrath at the notion they would think him to be so vile, that he would fuck her so roughly.

It was quiet between them, the only sound the steady thump of hooves on the rarely traveled path. They were taking the longer route—fear of being seen outweighing urgency. It made rage kindle low in his gut, a combination of his and the dragon. She needed rest, a warm place to sleep off the pain of her wings erupting from her back. Gods, he would never—ever—get the emergence of her wings out of his mind.

After battling with his dragon on the merits of staying the fuck inside his cage of flesh and bone, Vale finally felt resolved enough to decree:

"Release me."

Bastian looked away from where he had been staring at Luella, curled in Tharen’s arms. "Why?"

"I am in no danger of shifting. If you do not believe me, see foryourself." Vale stared, unwaveringly, at his Advisor, silently permitting him to see inside his mind.

The brush of Mind magic was soft like a whisper; Vale barely felt as Bastian sifted through his thoughts, ignoring the chants of possession in lieu of testing his beast.

The dragon was curled up inside him, watching with slitted green eyes.

Bastian’s Mind magic pulled away. He regarded Vale with deep red eyes. When was the last time he had blood?

The vampire was silent. Vale knew him well enough to know he was speaking in Tharen’s mind, showing him Vale’s resolve.

The bindings on Vale’s body released with a whisper of air, making blood rush back into his numb limbs. He rubbed his arms with a low hiss, cracking his neck.

Now able to grip the pommel, Vale turned in the saddle, gripped with a desperation for her.

"Bastian." Vale spoke low, hating what he was about to say, but it was the only way to keep his beast in check. "I need her."

Understanding crossed Bastian’s features.

Through the mind link established between them all, Bastian’s words echoed.Tharen, ride alongside us.

Slow down,Tharen replied.I don’t want to ride any faster and jostle her. She’s sleeping.

Bastian and Vale both pulled back on their reins at the same time, forcing their steeds to slow as they waited for Tharen to catch up. Graves led the rear.

As she drew close, the bond thrummed in his chest, tinged with pain.

Tharen made his way to them, directing his horse to walk on Vale’s other side.

The King knew the demand would not be taken well, as he said:

"Tharen, give her to me."

The mage’s ice-tinged eyes went wild, reverting to the reverent, awed male who had held her through the violent blooming of her wings. "Fuck, no," Tharen seethed lowly, careful of the sleeping Princess on his lap. "I released your bindings, but you can’t have her. She…" His words tapered off as he stared down atLuella.

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