Chapter 38
STILL AIR
LUELLA
"What do you mean?"
Each word Tharen said was punctuated with a low growl.
Luella couldn’t even look at him. Her heart was in her throat, hands fisted in her skirts, and eyes trained on the low table set between her and Emarelia, where the female regarded them all with unwavering interest, curiosity, and above all, power.
"I mean what I just said, Prima. I glamored Luella’s wings to unlock once she experienced pleasure with someone she cared for," said Emarelia.
"It is a cruel world, dear Luella. Males take what does not belong to them.
Your body… your wings… they were at risk.
I wanted to ensure you would be cared for.
I made it so your wings would emerge only when you were in the presence of someone you felt safe with. "
Shame beat against her. Oh.
Oh no.
Luella couldn’t wrap her mind around it.
What Emarelia was saying… did it mean Luella felt safe with Tharen?
The most volatile and ill-tempered of her five Vincire.
She didn’t think she would ever forget what it had felt like in the Temples, upon the altar.
When he had goaded her, each word like the snap of a whip, building her up, making her shred her reservations—until she came undone with the mere touch of his hand.
He had been brutish and rude, positively angry. And yet, she had felt safe with him? The same male who had first awoken her in her bed, held a dagger to her throat, and ripped her away from everything she had ever known.
But… Luella recalled the feel of his hand between her thighs, covered by the thin fabric of her gown.
He hadn’t forced her when she told him she wished to keep her clothes on.
She remembered how he had pushed and pushed, desperate to touch his lips to hers—but as soon as she had said no, he had backed off.
Her body tingled like electricity simmered under her flesh.
The swirl of stardust, warm and playful as it danced in her hand and caressed her skin, guiding his touch.
Ina, Osa, Nyxila, Ori, Ven, and his trio of wolves…
All evidence of the Prima’s soft heart—buried deep behind a wall of thick, unyielding stone.
Luella looked up—she was caught in Emarelia’s gaze.
A low growl filled the air, and the seat of the lounge shifted as Tharen roughly stood, stalking away from the room without a word. The swish of the curtain alerted Luella to the fact that he had left.
She didn’t look away from the female before her.
Still air hung heavy.
And a hand settled on her thigh, breaking her from her trance to stare at Vale.
His green eyes held her captive, more pressing than anyone else could ever hope to replicate.
Questions were within. Was it strange, for Luella to know this male so well that she could understand the words he didn’t say?
She dipped her chin, raising a shoulder at the same time. As if to convey, I’m not okay, but I am okay.
She was splayed open, put on display for everyone in this room. Emarelia may not know the truth of what her words had revealed, but the others did.
Vale’s palm was hot on her thigh. "Can you aid Luella in better understanding her powers?" the King asked.
"No more than Tharen could," the female replied. The Prima’s name was a bolt of lightning racing under Luella’s skin.
"Prima mages control only the four elemental magics.
We do not control the powers of Solis or Luna.
That is entirely up to her. Though, there are no more glamors, and no outside sources to affect her powers.
" Once more, she met Luella’s eyes. "So long as you train and truly want to master your power, you can and will. I have faith in you."
Bastian sighed, and the sound drew Luella’s attention.
The vampire passed a hand over his lower face.
Luella had the sense this was not the information they’d been hoping for; though, Luella would not fault Emarelia for it.
She seemed kind, she had known her mother, and she had tried to keep Luella safe in the best way she could—that alone was enough for Luella.
They continued to talk. Mostly Vale and Emarelia, but every once in a while, Bastian chimed in. Az and Graves stayed utterly silent, like Luella.
Vale was cryptic when the nature of Luella’s powers was brought up, merely sharing that the Fates were involved and there was a prophecy, to which Emarelia replied, "The Fates are fickle. Better not to test them."
And that was that. No more questions, no more prodding. Just understanding and curiosity.
Luella had never felt ashamed of her Vincire before.
The female’s unwavering attention on her and how Az kept a firm grip on her ankle, Vale a hand on her thigh, Bastian giving a sensual smile and wink when Luella met his gaze—even though the vampire seemed wary—and Graves always watching.
She could not help but shrink back. This wasn’t normal, was it?
Who was she to know what normal was? She had known nothing forever, trapped in her tower.
"Where is Merath?" Graves asked, and Luella could not help but flinch from the sound of his rasping voice. He stood close by, arms crossed, wings outstretched.
"I did not want her to come." Emarelia smiled. "Can you blame me, seeing as you ambushed me as soon as I arrived?"
"We wouldn’t hurt her," Graves said plainly.
"I know. But would you risk it for her?" Emarelia inclined her head toward Luella. When Graves tensed, she laughed darkly. "I thought so. I will let her come next time. I think she’d like to meet you, dear Luella."
Luella nodded. "Okay." She was unable to dredge up any more words. All she could think of was where Tharen had gone off to.
As they conversed more, Luella found her eyelids slipping shut with drowsiness.
Az’s gentle strokes on her ankle only made her body sag more.
It was comforting. Vale’s hand on her thigh never left her, his thumb gently rubbing in a soothing back and forth motion, making the thin fabric of her skirt rustle faintly.
Her jaw threatened to crack with a yawn, and she raised a hand to press it over her mouth.
Vale was so warm, and even in the heat of the Isles, the night made the air cool. She shivered, leaning closer to the dragon shifter to seek his warmth. Through the billowing curtains leading outside, the drone of insects buzzed.
Luella jerked when she found her head falling against Vale’s shoulder. He stilled mid-sentence with Emarelia, squeezing Luella’s thigh as he said, "Rest, darling. You are safe here."
She grew tense. She would not lean on him.
"I can see you are tired." Emarelia stood, smoothing over the fabric of her gown. "I will take my leave. It is late." Her dark hair swished around her chin as her roving head paused on Luella, nestled close to Vale. "I will return to you, however, dear Luella. I believe we have much to discuss."
After Emarelia left, Vale had urged Luella to stand, and Az had quickly taken her hand, looming over her as he’d helped her to her room.
But not before Bastian had found her and pressed a gentle kiss to her brow, the subtle prick of his fangs against her temple like a warning, murmuring, "Sleep well, pet. I believe I have a vow to hold you to. Soon."
So, now, she was wound up, and rest seemed a far-off thing.
Az lounged on the bed, the white sheets pooling around his waist, his chest bare, muscles gleaming and tempting in the little candlelight.
"Come to bed, angel," her demon beckoned with an outstretched hand.
Her bare feet traced a restless path on the stone, leaving only invisible footprints. Back and forth. Back and forth. Hand against her mouth, teeth digging into lower lip. Mind wandering, and feet unsteady.
Luella did not stop pacing as she said, "I cannot sleep." Her wings fluttered behind her, the soft rustling noises barely able to be heard over the crashing waves beyond the curtains or the thick breeze gusting against them.
She felt the sudden, pressing urge to be out there. Right in the midst of it.
Her feet took her to the curtains, and she pulled them aside, the heavy wind immediately assaulting her and making her nearly tumble back from the force of it.
She breathed in, drawing it deep inside her, feeling her chest expand.
"Lu," Az called gently, "what can I do to help?"
She turned, shaken from her trance of staring at the seafoam curling against the rocks. Each crashing wave sent spray upwards. It was too far away to feel, but she imagined it would tickle her skin.
Az had a palm braced on the bed behind him, half sitting up as he watched her with brows drawn low in concern.
"I didn’t mean to make you w-worry," said Luella. She drifted off, staring back outside. "I just feel like I need to be there. And not here." She punctuated her words with the wave of her hand, gesturing wildly out toward the dark sky and night air.
What was it? This feeling. She felt like she might crawl out of her skin if she didn’t go. A million things plagued her. What Emarelia had shared with them, Tharen’s leaving, Graves’s secrets, the watchful eyes of the Fallen, and at the very heart of it, her magic.
It was all too much.
"Can I go?" she asked suddenly.
Az stood, the golden firelight making his tanned chest even deeper. "Go where?"
She tipped her head back to meet his amber eyes. "Out there. Can I? Please?"
The demon’s soft, plush lips tipped in a gentle smile. "You never have to plead with me, my angel." He tucked a curl behind her ear, fingers lingering. She sighed. "I can’t let you go alone. We’ve already agreed upon it. Someone is to be with you at all times."
"I understand. I won’t leave your sight, then. Just right outside. You can watch me." She took small steps closer outside as she spoke.
The demon relented with soft words of acquiescence and made her promise not to go where he couldn’t see her.