Page 95 of A Dance of Water

The crowd of dragon and serpent shifters was quiet, all clad in black. Occasional wails pierced the hush.

Wind gusted, and she shivered.

You’re doing good, pet,Bastian whispered into her mind.

I thought I told you to stop,she replied. But she secretly enjoyed the comfort—especially now. The soft, secret words made the tension in her limbs ease infinitesimally.

The vampire was at the King’s side, Vale flanked by his inner circle. Save for her and Az, who stood, symbolically, at the furthest reaches.

Her demon had withdrawn, and her heart ached. Slowly, she reached to her side and tangled her fingers with his. There was a bit of resistance, but he finally relented, allowing her to clasp his hand.

Eyes burning, she tightened her hold on him. She wasn’t sure what had changed, but ever since her near-drowning two days prior, he could barely look at her.

Embers crackled, and her blue eyes found the pyres, seeing dragons by their sides—she hadn’t even noticed their shift. A golden-scaled dragon, much smaller than Vale, tipped his head back. Fire streaked through the snowy air, followed by a roar carrying a mournful weight.

Two other dragons, both with scales of pure white, echoed the action.

The warmth of the smoke reminded her of Vale. She looked at him, watching his side profile. His golden crown was perched atop his head, and his cape trailed over melted snow.

"Those who call this kingdom their home—call me their King—I ask for your trust. And I ask for your loyalty. Serpentis is not unfamiliar with war, but we have spent too long untouched by the horrors that have plagued our villages and allies. As your King, I must tell you, this will not be the last attack on our lands. War has come, and we must be ready to face it."

The King’s words lingered in the smoke-tinged air.

Luella exhaled, flakes swirling before her from the soft puff of breath. Az’s hand was limp in hers like he was merely tolerating her touch.

"The Winter Solstice is more than a tradition. It is our right, and it is our sacrifice?—"

She scoffed inwardly. Didn’t he meanhersacrifice?

Bastian’s eyes found hers. The red in them was lighter—he had sated his thirst. She turned her head away from him, unable to stomach thoughts ofhowhe had done so.

Snow melted on Vale’s skin and golden cloak. "But we must put the celebrations on hold."

The crowd clamored at his decree. Soft murmurs and scathing stares were thrown toward her—as if it were her fault. She shrank back.

"Silence!" the King boomed. Quiet fell upon them. "The period of mourning must be honored to show the Tenebrae we are not like him. We are strong, and we value those who have died for a greater purpose."

Graves stood motionless, covered in the thickness of his dark cloak. Unmoving and unspeaking… was the scarred, enigmatic raven shifter unfeeling, too?

The Prima stood at the King’s side with his white hair pulled back in small braids, drawing her focus to the sharp features of his face and the thick lines of blocky tattoos peeking out from under the collar of his shirt.

She wanted to roll her eyes at the spectacle of it all. The deep well within her hummed in answer to her anger, as if urging,Make them pay.

"The Tenebrae will be defeated. Solis has been conquered by our hand." Suddenly, the King turned to her, and her body locked up under the weight of his serpentine stare. Vale waved a mocking hand toward her. "We have taken their Princess captive. She bears my mark, bound to my will. Her pleasure will ensure our lands thrive."

Amid the melting snowy daylight, deep within the heart of enemy territory, Luella did not falter as she held the King’s stare.

But beneath her steady facade, her legs threatened to give out. Fear swept through her body like the wave that had dragged her under.

The Binding mark on her chest was blessedly hidden, but she felt it pulse with a reminder of his power over her.

This was not over yet. The Solstice would continue, and she would be forced to give her innocence to her enemy. Another thing taken.

The King turned back to the crowd of mourning shifters and raised his arms high before him.

The dragons by the pyres snapped their mouths, sharp teeth glinting as smoke filled the air. Scales glittered in the faint light of the sun that threatened to break through the clouds.

She had been robbed of sunlight for too long—it felt like a taste of the Above. She could almost imagine white-winged angels fluttering about in their realm of puffy, white clouds and floating land.

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