Page 274 of A Dance of Water

"Kneel," said Vale.

The Binding mark pulsed, and Tharen lowered her, his hand braced on her shoulder. When her knees hit the ground, she hid a grimace at the pain in her back.

"The Chosen has fulfilled her duties." The crowd cheered, their knowing laughter making her skin prickle with heat. "Her pleasure has been sacrificed to the gods as a gift to the land."

A hand adorned with glittering rings appeared before her. She stared at the King and his awaiting hand. Tharen nudged her softly, and she placed her palm in Vale’s awaiting hand, allowing him to help pull her up. She breathed raggedly at the strain.

Rumbles emitted from Vale’s chest as he tugged her carefully to sit on his lap, angling her body so her wings would not brush against his chest.

When she was settled, he said, "Now, we can make our own sacrifices." His lips turned into a prideful, possessive smile as he stared at her. "Revel!"

The courtiers cheered, the cloyingly sweet scent of Rys mingling with heady wines and sweat.

It was rapture. A commemoration of innocence and corruption.

Hers.

Herinnocence had been corrupted. In more ways than one.

With the crowd turning on each other with the promise of pleasures and celebrations, Luella was left trapped with the King.

"How do you feel?" His tone was low and smoky, making her mouth dry.

She felt like the embers that coated the room, shattered and scattered. "I’ll manage," she said instead.

"The truth, Chosen. Tell me."

At his demand, her next words were dripping with broken candor, as she nearly gasped, "Terrible. It hurts."

The rumbling in his chest grew louder, as if to soothe her. "You will sit here with me and rest."

She sighed, wings shivering with torment. Behind the King, his fake wings were white, like freshly fallen snow. "An odd choice for such a cruel King."

Burning embers tickled her senses.

"But a perfect match for the half-blooded Princess."

She stilled. She had known, somewhere, deep inside her heart, that the wings were a testament to the truth of her lineage.

She didn’t want to focus on that anymore—shoved it deep, deep down.

Thunder rumbled, so loud that she felt it reverberate throughout her bones.

Or maybe that was because itwasin her bones, etched into her marrow. Rattling inside her, as if to remind her,you cannot run from this.

After some time of rest, where the King was quiet, leaving her to simmer in her thoughts, Bastian appeared, draped in silken finery and sensual prowess. His reddened eyes were hidden behind a mask that had small ripples on the edges, as if giving it the illusion of being crafted entirely from dark silk. His silken shirt was undone to his navel, revealing his pale, toned chest, marked with delicate swirls of ink, glimmering under the blue embers.

Though his outfit was all black, his wings were pure white. She swallowed a breath as Bastian approached the throne, eyes lowered as he held out a hand.

"My King, may I steal a moment with the Chosen?"

Vale grabbed her chin, pulling her face to his. "Do you wish to go with him?"

She stared into his green eyes, then back to Bastian. "Yes," she whispered.

"Very well." The King took her hand and placed it in the vampire’s awaiting one, gently nudging her to stand. Their hands never left her, steadying her as they transferred their hold.

Eyes on me, pet,Bastian whispered into her mind.

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