Page 76 of A Dance of Water (Moon Song #2)

THE TRUTH OF WISHES

LUELLA

S oft and slow, Luella stirred, feeling the cool sheets under her body, the warmth of the demon at her side wrapping around her like ivy.

It was quiet—so still and soft. She wanted to linger in this peace. Memories warred inside her.

Caliban and Enora, sweet and kind. Something to envy as they lavished upon each other kisses, feeding pastries with sugar-coated fingers, and pressing glasses filled with wine against each other’s lips, letting the cool liquid cascade into their mouths.

They had been glorious. Until that glory had turned into shadowed rage.

Luella didn’t know what the truth was

She was missing something vital. Just out of reach, niggling at her subconscious, taunting her. She didn’t understand how or why, but knew that Caliban and the Tenebrae were the same. Vale’s half-brother was the darkness she had been prophesied to defeat—and they had known all along.

What had made Caliban turn from gentle lover to evil entity? That was what Luella was missing. If only her dreams would impart that one piece of knowledge upon her…

Carefully, she touched the warm amulet nestled between her breasts, feeling comforting heat against her palm.

With how closely Luella and Az were entwined, she felt his rumble seep through her like slow thunder .

"Good morning," Az mumbled against the top of her head.

She was lying on her side, her chest close to his. His heavy arm banded over her waist, nestled in the dip of her curves. Hotter than fire, his heat burned her skin, reminding her of licking flames and trembling limbs as fever took her.

"Good morning." Her lips brushed against his bare chest.

A pleased rumble emanated from him. His arms tightened around her, pulling her even closer to him.

Everything felt hazy, as if she were still dreaming. This sweetness, this softness… a feeling only Az could offer.

Chilled air tickled against her exposed arms. Her ears strained; she heard rain pounding as it fell in droves atop the castle.

She sighed.

Her fingers curled against him, and she pulled her legs up, knees bumping into his thighs as she made herself even smaller.

Az’s fingers stroked over her waist. "How do you feel?"

"Tired," she whispered. "Truthfully, Az, I feel… I feel for the first time, like I have purpose."

His scent of melted sugar, warm and slightly bitter, filled her lungs with every shallow breath. She couldn’t get enough of this, of him.

They had been right—her body had been punishing her for neglecting their bond. Now that she was here, wrapped up in him, the pounding in her head had slowed to an occasional throb, and the ache in her limbs was a distant memory.

Sleepily content, just like the threads inside her.

But something deeper roared to life—an interest in power, the way she had used her magic.

It called to her. Just as everything else did.

The rain beat upon the walls of the castle, and she swore it felt as though it was misting her skin.

Lightning crashed, and she felt electricity sizzle in the air as it struck a tree, turning the bark into dark ash and leaving scorch marks on the earth.

She was everywhere, in everything.

But for now? She was in Az’s arms.

His voice brought her back to herself: "Where did you go?"

"Somewhere else. Though, not as good as this." She smiled against his chest. "Why didn’t you tell me? "

At the sudden shift in topic, Az’s hand stilled. He kissed her temple. "Because I lo?—"

This time, it was her turn to freeze.

The darkness made her bold. She clutched the amulet in her fist. Softly, she uttered, "You love me?"

Az pressed his face into her hair. "I have loved you since the moment I first knew you were promised to me"—his hand moved from her waist to her cheek, and the tip of his nose brushed hers—"and I was promised to you."

Words were stolen from her. She had never heard anything so sweet. Especially not directed toward her.

She wanted to tell him that she knew , because she had been there.

She had seen it, seen the way his amber eyes had grown alight with joy as the skeletal Fate had held their futures between bony fingers.

The timeless pages of the Compendium of Fates being flipped, every turn a new era.

And every turn, her future, laid bare for their eyes.

How could she say those three words with so many secrets lingering between them?

Luella swallowed. "I have… something to tell you."

Az shushed her. "If you don’t love me, it’s okay, Lu. You don’t have to lie. I am satisfied with this. It’s more than I ever thought I would get."

She fervently shook her head. "Az. No . It’s not that. Never." She couldn’t have him believe, even for a moment, that his love was not returned. Not when she felt so deeply for him that her eyes burned with joyous tears. "I do. I feel that way f-for… you."

It was a fumbling and sweet admission—perfectly fit for them.

His rumbling grew louder; his lips were warm against her brow. "My sweet angel. I don’t deserve such goodness."

It was she who did not deserve him.

Never had she had anyone to love.

"You were covered in blood and bruises, but even then, you were so captivating to me.

I saw you, your fear, the smallest bits of hope in your eyes…

Salvation or destruction ," she repeated the words of the Fate, etched into her heart from how often she replayed them. "I was there that day. I don’t know how, but I saw you, in the Fate’s lair in the Silva Noctis. "

"Lu, you were there?" Astonishment colored his tone. "When? How?"

"While I slept, before my glamor disappeared, I fell into some strange place.

It was beautiful." She smiled at the memories—the playful warmth of stardust against her fingertips.

"Stardust and darkness, like moonlight. It touched my hand and took me somewhere.

I stumbled into the Silva Noctis, and I… "

She trailed off, fear gripping her at thoughts of skeleton hands and endless pits for eyes.

Az’s hands tightened, silently reassuring her.

"I saw the Fate. And it saw me. I know it did. Even without eyes, it looked right toward me…"

There was silence in the wake of her words. She pressed her face into his chest, burrowing into him.

Finally, Az spoke. In a few words, he quelled the anxiety inside her. "I think I knew somehow, that even then, you were there."

"Are you mad that I didn’t tell you s-sooner?"

"No, Lu." His breath tickled her lips, and unbidden, she parted them, feeling his breaths seep inside her open mouth. Their faces were a mere whisper apart, but they didn’t bridge the distance, not yet. "I could never be mad at you. Never."

Relief flooded her.

"What do you think this means? First, I dream of some starry place and have a vision of the past. And now I dream of the Tenebrae and see his past."

"I don’t know, but I think you are much more important and much more powerful than we ever thought," Az whispered.

Then, he pressed his lips to hers, warm and sweet. She let him take the lead—always. Her magic was too worn to react to the desire that kindled low inside her.

Soon, she found herself on her back with Az on top of her, a strong leg notched between her parted thighs.

His hands were gentle as he lavished kisses over her face and nipped at her lips .

Soft words broke through their lovelorn haze.

"My angel… Love you…"

He stole the breath from her lungs.

"Can’t believe you’re mine."

When she felt as though she could no longer breathe, he pulled away. She gasped for breath, tasting him—burnt sugar, the bitter undertone barely present, clouded with chocolate-like sweetness.

Beneath her hands, Az’s chest was slick with sweat.

"We should stop," he rumbled. "You’ll disappear."

She tilted her head up, searching for his lips. "Let it happen," she breathed. "I want to show Tharen what I will never give him."

His large hand moved from her cheek down to her chest, fingertips brushing over her flushed skin. "You’re sure?"

Unable to speak, she nodded, trusting him with herself. When he didn’t move, she took his hand and held it. Naive, she couldn’t go further. Even if she wanted more, she wasn’t sure what that would entail, scared to mess up this lustful reverie.

"I want you to," she uttered.

Hesitantly, Az’s hot palm cupped her breast, and a soft sound escaped her slick, kiss-swollen lips.

The silk of her nightgown was thin between them, and his thumb brushed over her hardening nipple with just the right amount of pressure. It was too much and not enough.

A noise welled up inside her, a pleased sound, high and breathy. He was all around her, over her, on her; she wanted him inside her, too—whatever that looked like. The sinfully decadent thoughts made her flush a deeper scarlet.

A surreal haze fell upon her.

She gripped at his chest as if searching for salvation. Even though it was not the first time, she was scared and confused.

Az’s warm lips pressed softly against hers—just once. "I’ll find you," he uttered against her mouth.

Just as the shimmery air tickled against her and she was stolen away, she realized she had never truly said those three words.

This time, she was prepared. However, that didn’t mean it wasn’t disorienting to suddenly find yourself in another place, only made worse by lack of sight.

She scrambled, feeling strong thighs under hers, a chest behind her back. Hands settled upon her waist, keeping her steady. Her heart was beating fast from Az’s touch. She resisted the urge to straighten her bed-rumpled hair and clothes.

Masculine voices filled the room.

"…find the prior Prima." The words cut off harshly.

Exhaling, she settled back against the male behind her—Tharen. His crisp scent blanketed her like snow. She reached before her, feeling the familiar surface of a smooth table, and tapped a finger against it, the sound deafeningly loud in the quiet room.