Free The Divine Unleashed (Book 3) by Allen J. Johnston Page A

The dirt drifted away.  The water clouded momentarily and then cleared as the underground spring continued to bubble in, cycling out the old water.
    Several spiders skittered in and dropped their newly made clothes onto the ground.  Darcienna got up from next to the queen and hefted one of the outfits.  It was surprisingly light.  She was not quite certain she wanted to wear something so fragile, though.  She tried to put a small tear in it but it held strong.  She pulled, using more of her strength, and still, it gave no sign of ripping.  Next, she gripped it in both hands and put all her might into it.  There was not even the slightest bit of damage.  She nodded her approval and turned to see Kade watching.
    “It is quite amazing,” Darcienna said as she held the clothes out for him to see. 
    “They appear to be durable,” Kade said skeptically as he shook the excess water from his hair and prepared to exit the frigid water.
    Darcienna was flipping through the clothes when she came across what passed for towels.  She brought one to the edge of the water, dropped it on the ground and turned to walk away but hesitated as a smudge of dirt on his forehead caught her attention.  She got down on her knees and motioned for Kade to move closer.
    “Almost,” Darcienna said as she reached out and scrubbed his forehead with her bare hand.  Kade enjoyed her touch and even found it a little arousing.  Her full lips were slightly parted as she focused on her task.  He could not help but to stare as she ran her tongue just behind her teeth.  He leaned closer, feeling an attraction building.  His body urged him on as his pulse quickened.  His breathing became deep as he moved even closer yet.  He looked into her eyes as the distance between them shrank little by little.  She leaned forward to inspect her work as she concentrated on removing the dirt.  He felt the soft caress of her breath on his face and inhaled.  His body started to react as thoughts of her in his arms drifted through his mind.  He ached to embrace her firmly and pull her into a kiss.  He moved closer to those lips that beckoned him, yearning to feel them against his.  She leaned down just a little more and then locked eyes with him.  Her hand stopped on his forehead as he moved slowly toward her.  Kade felt his heart pounding hard.  She closed her eyes, and her lips parted ever so slightly as she ran her tongue along them, preparing for the kiss that was just a hairs-breath away.  He felt just the lightest brush of her lips on his when a voice exploded in his mind, causing him to flinch back. 
    The king is ready for us at the royal table , Rakna thought to him.  Darcienna’s eyes flew open, and she looked at him in confusion.  Kade’s mind scrambled, trying to find the words to salvage this, but it was too late.  She quickly got to her feet and stalked away.
    “It’s not what you…,” Kade was trying to say, but she had no interest in hearing what he had to say.  “Blood and Ash!” Kade swore. 
    “You may get out anytime,” Darcienna said from next to the queen, tightness in her voice.
    Kade reached for the towel and covered himself as he exited the water.  He dried off and then wrapped the towel around his waist.  He walked over to her, put his hand on her shoulder and turned her around.  She ducked out from under his arm and smiled but the smile did not make it to her eyes.
    “Darcienna,” Kade said, but look in her eye said she was done listening.  “Your turn,” he said, thoroughly frustrated.
    Kade kept his back to Darcienna as she disrobed and stepped into the water.  He could tell that she had entered the frigid pool by the way she inhaled a hiss through her clenched teeth.  He fought the urge to turn and stood facing the queen.
    “I am going to get dressed,” Kade said over his shoulder.
    “Your clothes are the ones on the bottom,” Darcienna said through chattering teeth.
    “Thanks,” Kade called