Page 76 of A Dance of Water

She shivered, wrapping her arms around her midsection tightly.

The King had left her here, alone, adrift, and cast out.

The threads tugged against her soul, growing taut and thin from the distance between them; power swelled inside her, an ocean of feeling.

But one thought rang throughout, a startling realization that made her feel as light as a raven feather drifting in the wind: she was alone.

She could be free.

Slowly, she walked along the beach, slippers sinking into the snow, so she took them off, leaving her feet bare for traction. Her steps picked up, elation made her feel weightless. Snow dusted her hair, and she reveled in the chill, the sight of the ocean, never-ending and full of possibilities.

Luella ran.

A sound of delight fell from her lips and was stolen by the swirling flakes.

Snow and sand kicked up around her feet as she bolted along the shore, water lapping against her feet. The snowfall picked up, thick white flurries disrupting her line of sight.

That’s why she didn’t notice it at first.

Shadows yawned, growing larger. A thrum pierced the air, but all sounds escaped her save for that of her pounding heart and strained breaths.

Something hard shoved against her back, and she stumbled forward, falling on her hands and knees.

Luella looked up, hair hanging around her, only just realizing how dense the air felt, the shadows that teemed and pulsed.

Hands gripped her hair and yanked, forcing her head up.

A male stood behind her, looming over her.

She saw golden hair and gleaming golden eyes. Sparks of light danced over his arms, coupling with the thick, sludge-like shadows stuck to his clothes and skin.

"No," she nearly moaned.

Thoughts of freedom fizzled away, leaving nothing but hopeless dejection.

"Hello, Princess Luella," the Umbra whispered against her nape.

He jerked her to a stand. She felt strands of her hair rip from her scalp from his punishing grip. Spinning her around to face him, the male kept a firm hold on her hair, his other hand gripping her elbow.

Golden eyes and arched ears. He was one of her own—but no, wait. She wasn’t a Solis fae, but a Luna fae. She still felt a sense of familiarity as she stared at the male. He leered down at her, and she noticed his eyes were without the usual shadowed tint that the Umbra held…

"Please, don’t," she whispered.

The male laughed harshly. "Why shouldn’t I?" He jerked her closer to him, and his hands roved against her body. "I’ve waited for this moment for years. The moment I could teach the little heirus Princess a lesson. Tucked away in your castle, you never knew your parents were to blame for the wars. How does it feel, to be tricked?"

She didn’t correct him, that they were not her parents. She assumed it would have been obvious with her white hair and blue eyes.

"How does it feel to be a traitor to the fae?" she countered, searching his eyes for any hint of shame or disgust. "Are you even an Umbra?"

"Do I look like one of those possessed freaks? No. I’m doing this of my own accord." His spittle hit her cheeks, and the repulsiveness made her shudder.

She shied away from him. "Don’t you see what you’re doing is wrong?" pleaded Luella.

"Who’s to say what’s wrong and what’s right… We’re all just trying to survive." Something raw flashed in the male’s eyes before they hardened once more.

An idea flashed, and she grasped it. "Is the T-Tenebrae hurting someone you love? We can help you,Ican help you."

"What could you possibly do? You’re a captive yourself." The male shook his head as if to do away with hope entirely—she knew the feeling well. "I have a message," he said. "Caliban is coming foryou." The shadows around them grew thicker. Tendrils left his skin to snake up her arms, mingling with the sparks of sunlight that flickered between them. A jolt of electricity shocked her where his hands gripped her bare arms, and she gasped.

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