Page 98 of A Dance of Water (Moon Song #2)

THE TEMPLES OF AEDIS

LUELLA

T he path had grown steep, and Luella’s calves burned as Az half-pulled her up the rough ground.

Darkness enveloped her. Tall rocks stood on either side as they ventured deeper into a ravine. The path wound up into the mountains.

She knew the Temples were close.

Exhaustion weighed her down; trepidation slowed her steps.

"You’re doing so well, angel," Az praised. "We’re almost there."

Dazed, Luella gave a tired dip of her chin. She licked her lips, tasting faint traces of cedar and smoke, and shuddered.

Her steps were ungainly, boots landing clumsily on the rocks. She knew she would’ve fallen if not for Az keeping her steady.

The path grew steeper, but instead of narrowing, it opened up. She squinted, seeing tall shapes in the night, strange rocks, and was that…

"Fire?" she asked, punctuated by a shallow inhale as she tried to catch her breath.

No sooner had she spoken than Vale’s voice echoed off the walls of the ravine, sounding even deeper from the way it ricocheted around her:

"We’re here."

Luella released a low sigh, knees buckling .

A trial forced upon her, and yet she felt the smallest bits of pride well up within her.

She had done it.

Az practically carried her up the steep incline. No one said a word of rebuttal against it, and she melted into his side.

The steady clop of the horses’ hooves against the rocks threatened to lull her into sleep, and she struggled to keep her eyes open.

Flames flickering in the sconces fixed to the walls offered only slight illumination, casting dancing shadows against the greys and blacks.

Carved within the very mountains, a grand doorway. It towered far above her, and her neck ached as she peered up at it. Strange shapes protruded from the rocks, stone maws and chipped teeth. Fire burned low within the carvings, and she gasped as she realized what it was.

Dragons—carved into the mountains, so lifelike that it made her heart pound against her ribcage. Thunder boomed, reverberating through the mountains and making her teeth rattle in her skull.

"Luella." Bastian’s voice at her side made her jump. His red eyes seemed to glow as he followed her gaze. "They’re not real, pet, just carvings." He took her elbow, rubbing a hand over her side as if to generate warmth, and she looked away from the statues to find the others had all dismounted.

A strange, robed figure stood by the horses, collecting the leads and leading them inside the vast doorway.

The King walked closer; the glow of the flames and the dragon carvings behind him made his visage look sinister. Smoke curled through the air, and she did not know if it belonged to him or the flames. "There’s a bed waiting for you," Vale murmured. "The Temple Mothers will see to you."

From the dark hollow of the doorway, another robed figure appeared, clothed in deep grey that matched the stone. A hood obscured their face.

She shrank back into Az and Bastian. "W-wait," she stammered, turning to grip their hands. "Come with me. Don’t make me go alone," she begged .

Bastian’s face was shrouded in shadows. He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "Okay," he finally said.

In a fog of fear, Luella followed the so-called Temple Mother into the dark abyss, Bastian and Az crowding her on either side. Their footsteps echoed off the high ceilings. It was silent, save for their breaths and the sound of their feet on the smooth floors.

They were led deep into a tunnel. It was too dark for her to make out much, even with the glow of the flames fixed to the stone walls.

The hooded figure stopped at a small doorway, turning to the side with a wave of a hidden arm to entreat their entry.

They did not speak, waiting.

Luella didn’t want to go first.

Bastian, she thought, fingers tangling in his shirt.

I’m here, the vampire whispered inside her mind.

She tugged on his hand. You first.

Bastian huffed slightly but stepped ahead of her, passing by the hooded figure.

From behind her, Az urged her forward, his lips pressing to her ear as he whispered, "I’m right behind you, Lu."

As she entered the room, she couldn’t help but peek at the figure.

She stumbled back with a startled gasp.

Thick zigzags of stitching crossed over the Temple Mother’s sewn-shut lips.

The Temple Mother’s eyes were covered, but she seemed to understand what made Luella suddenly anxious, for she angled her face away and slipped back into the cave halls.

Luella looked to Bastian, finding the vampire at a low stone table in the corner.

Cushions were on the floor next to it, but that sight was not nearly as enticing as the bed in the middle of the room.

The sheets were simple grey, patchwork, as if sewn by hand, and many tasseled rugs were thrown over the stone floors, offering comfort from the cool ground.

"Her lips were… sewn shut." Luella’s voice shook at the grotesque image.

Az touched her back and pushed her gently to the bed. In the low candlelight, the demon knelt before her, his horns curving above his curly hair as he started to undo the laces of her boots. She hissed, her sore feet aching as the stiff boot was pulled off her foot.

The sound of trickling liquid drew her attention. Bastian poured a golden-colored liquid into a short, stone cup. The low table was topped with stone platters filled with food—cheeses and grapes, hard breads and strips of dried meat. She wrinkled her nose.

Bastian padded across the rugs. She noted he had already removed his boots, feet bare, and his shirt open at the front.

"The Temple Mothers take a vow of silence," said Bastian.

As Az finished tugging off her boots and began to unlace her corset, Bastian pressed the rim of the stone cup to her chapped lips.

"You need to drink before you rest, pet. You’re dehydrated. "

She let her lips part as Bastian poured the light, sweet juice into her mouth.

"No more." He pulled the cup away. "You’ll upset your stomach."

His eyes flashed as he put his mouth to the lip of the cup and quickly drank the rest of the juice.

The vise on her ribs released as Az tugged free her corset, allowing her to feel like she could take a full breath once more.

The demon stood, large hands trailing up her thighs and settling on her waist. He hooked his finger in the snug waistband. "Take these off?" he asked, voice low and rough.

She swallowed. Bastian placed the cup down, his reddened eyes never leaving her. He ran a finger under her chin, cool from the stone cup of chilled juice. "Let him, pet. You need rest."

"I—okay." Luella nodded, too tired to care.

When she stood in only her thin panties and billowy blouse, they both led her to the bed. She fell into it, practically asleep before her head hit the pillow.

She was barely aware of something salty pressing against her mouth. She didn’t even crack an eye as she parted her lips, tasting a salt-crusted chunk of bread against her tongue. It melted in her mouth. She only chewed a few times before she waved a tired hand, mumbling, "No more."

A laugh. Lips on her brow.

"Sleep, Lu. You’ll need it. "

She hummed, barely lucid. Someone tucked sheets around her. A hand smoothed over her hair.

"She did better than I anticipated." Bastian’s voice was a gentle whisper.

The hand on her hair stilled. "The true test starts now," Az said.

"Her strength is surprising," said Bastian. "I’m sure she will do better than the King."

Luella felt the vampire nudge against her mind. Go to sleep.

Warm lips kissed the bow of her mouth, and she sighed sleepily against Az. "I love you," the demon mumbled against her skin. "This is to keep you safe. Please, angel, remember that."

Sleep stole her. She was too tired to dream.

When she woke up, she was alone, and two hooded figures stood over her.

Luella gasped and bundled the sheets up to her chin, looking around. "W-where’s Az? Bastian?" Her voice was thick with sleep.

The deep shadows of the Temple Mothers’ grey hoods shifted, revealing the sight of their sewn lips. No malice radiated from them; they were calm. Waiting.

One of the Temple Mothers took the sheets from her and folded them down, while the other waved a hand for her to stand.

Luella did, wrapping her arms around her waist to ward off the chill in the stone room.

Her toes curled into the rugs on the floor as she was led to a small hole in the corner of the room—another doorway.

The Temple Mothers crowded behind her, forcing her in.

Steam curled in the cavernous air, humid and thick.

A pool was set into the stone ground. Small bubbles popped on the surface as if there was a natural heat source underground.

It would’ve been inviting to her sore, dirty body, if not for the utter terror that gripped her at the sight of the water in the dim light.

The ripples appeared even more foreboding amidst the backdrop of the stone caves.

As if it were endless, stretching down, down, down and?—

A hand touched her back .

"No!" Her voice cracked. She dug her sore heels into the stone, chest heaving with shallow gasps.

Not the water—not alone.

Please .

The hand grew firmer, forcing her to stumble forward as the other Temple Mother methodically began to remove Luella’s sweat-soaked blouse. Their movements were detached, but she still felt her cheeks burn from being exposed.

Luella stood nude and shivering, her pleas unable to be answered due to their sewn lips—she would receive no help here.

She was forced into the water. Steam curled against her flesh, loosening her sore, overused muscles.

Invisible splinters radiated out from her soul as her magic swelled, weak and spluttering from exhaustion.

The water did nothing more than bubble a bit faster—she was spent.

The previous chill that had filled her bones turned fiery, liquid heat scorching through her veins as she was forced to sit in the pool.