Page 80 of A Dance of Water

His face was so soft, but as he turned his attention away from her and looked toward the others, she saw, imperceptibly, how he changed—the softness in his amber eyes growing dim, the way the candlelight made his horns cast menacing shadows over his face…

But the demon was still her sweet protector, no matter how fearsome he appeared.

Tharen rolled his eyes with a long sigh, taking one of her cold hands, pressing the cup into her palms, and wrapping her fingers around it. "For the—" Tharen cut off as Vale gave a soft rumble, smoke wafting from his nostrils. The mage shook his head and continued, "For the bruising on your throat. It will help soothe, but you still shouldn’t talk. Until morning, at least, while the potion has time to take effect."

She nodded sleepily and lifted the glass to her lips, too tired to care if he was going to drug her again or poison her. If the glint in his eye and the tension in his shoulders were anything to go by, she thought her attacker should be worried about ingesting poison before she would have to.

Honey-like liquid filled her mouth. The potion was thicker, coating the inside of her throat. As she swallowed it down, each sip went easier and easier. Her lungs no longer ached fiercely, and she didn’t feel the intense desire to cough, but she held her tongue.

Not to aid in healing, but in fear of what she might be asked if she were to speak. What she might say.

"We all know she’s not the average fae. She’s powerful, and we’re Vincire. That has to account for something." Bastian held her ankle over the blankets. "Try again," he said to her. "Send me a thought."

She looked at him over the rim of her glass, sipping slower now that the pain had lessened.

The potion was making her loopy with sleep. Robbed of speech, she felt emboldened as she spoke only to the vampire.

Why should I do as you say?Luella held back a smile as she took another sip of tea.

Bastian huffed a laugh.Because obedience will be rewarded. And I so wish to give you a reward. Remember our kiss? How would you like to feel my mouth somewhere else?

Dazedly, she gasped around the tea, a droplet of the thick, honey-like substance dribbling from her mouth as she held the glass away from her. Wide-eyed, she found Vale’s gaze. The King was already looking at her, of course. She wondered if he ever took his attention away from her when they were in the same room.

"What did the fucker say to you? I know that look. Embarrassment is pretty on you, lamb, but bliss is better. I’d know," Tharen said. He sat heavily at the foot of her bed, Vale standing behind him.

He had called her… pretty.

She averted her eyes to the glass on her lap. Tharen had been the one to find her after Bastian left her bereft and wanting.

Bastian’s voice was the softest of murmurs in her head…I would know better, though.

"Leave her alone. She’s not in any state to be teased," Az warned. She tucked her face against his chest.

"One day," Tharen grumbled. "One day, you’ll come to me and ask me to show you what you’ve been missing, and I’ll revel in being the one to teach you."

"Enough!" yelled the King.

All the sound of the room was snuffed out.

"Luella," Vale said, bracing his hands on the edge of the bed as he stared at her. Strands of golden hair fell into his eyes. He looked like he had lived a thousand different lives since the night began. "The name you said, before everything went to shit… Where did you hear it?"

"She can’t speak." Az’s jaw hardened, hands tightening around her to keepher safe.

"She can use me," Bastian said. A white fang peeked out as he ran his tongue along his lower lip—could he still taste her there?

Tharen snorted, his tools faintly clattering as he packed them away. She watched the muscles in his back ripple under his shirt as he moved.

"I’m sure she will," the mage mumbled.

"Fuck you, Prima. Shut up before I take out my anger on you," Az growled.

Her head whipped as she watched them all; they were wound up, needed a release of some sort.

Bastian’s brows rose as he regarded her, listening in on her thoughts.

"There’s a perfectly good male in the dungeons to take your anger out on, don’t risk yourself by trying to fight me, beast," Tharen spat.

Worry made her bite her lower lip.

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