Total pages in book: 401
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
Sven’s mouth moved with no sound as he leaned back.
“Exactly what,” Casteel drawled, and I stiffly turned my neck to look at him, seeing the glow of eather in his eyes burning brightly, “are you suggesting, Poppy?”
I knew both he and Kieran could feel my heart pounding, but I couldn’t calm it. “That I should go to Pensdurth. Alone.”
“Out,” Casteel ordered in a voice barely above a whisper. Still, it landed like a punch to the chest. “Everyone out. Now.”
His stare held mine, and chairs scraped against stone as everyone made a hasty exit.
Well, almost everyone.
“Leave, Reaver,” Casteel ordered.
The draken huffed out a hot breath we felt on the other side of the chamber and lowered his head, his curled upper lip revealing massive, sharp teeth.
“He’s not going to leave,” I whispered.
“Nor will I,” Kieran said.
“Fine.” Casteel smiled tightly. “We will have an audience then.”
“I don’t think—”
“Correct. You don’t think. That, we agree on.”
My head jerked back. “That’s not what I meant.”
“But it is true.” He leaned in, his chin lowering until we were at eye level with each other. “Because that is the only thing that explains why you would think, for one fucking second, Poppy, that Kieran or I would ever agree to you going to Pensdurth alone.”
“He’s right,” Kieran said.
“No one asked you,” I snapped. “Or you, Casteel. I am an adult. A Queen and a Primal god. I do not need to ask permission of either of you.”
The sharp edges of Reaver’s frills skimmed the ceiling as he tilted his head.
“All of what you said is true,” Kieran began.
“The only thing I agree with is that you are a Queen and a Primal god.” Casteel’s unflinching gaze remained locked on me. “However, you are not behaving like an adult.”
“Here we go,” Kieran muttered.
Frustration exploded. I pushed back my chair and stood. “That’s hilarious coming from you, who just ordered everyone from the chamber because you could not behave like one.”
His head tipped back to look up at me. “I ordered everyone from the chamber because I didn’t think anyone needed to witness this.” His lips curved up. “As an adult would. It’s…hilarious that you don’t understand that.”
Slowly, I lifted a hand and extended my middle finger. “Is this also hilarious?”
“It’s real…adult-like,” he replied, his lashes lowering.
I opened my mouth.
“Poppy.” Kieran grabbed my arm and tugged me until I sat. “Look at me.”
Crossing my arms, I turned my head half an inch in his direction. “Looking.”
“So mature,” purred Casteel.
My head swung toward him. “You want to see—?”
Kieran slammed his hand down, rattling the table. I jumped, but both Casteel and Reaver simply looked at him.
“You need to shut up.” The aura of essence in Kieran’s eyes pulsed as his glare slid from Casteel to me. “And listen.”
A low growl of irritation rumbled from him. “You just said we cannot approach Kolis as we would the Blood Crown. One of us running off is doing exactly that.”
I started to speak.
“Listen,” he pressed. “Not only that, you would throw a bigger hissy fit than him—” He pointed at Casteel.
“Hissy fit?” Casteel spat.
Reaver chuffed out a laugh.
“Sounds about right,” I muttered.
“—if we suggested what you did,” Kieran continued, a muscle ticking in his temple.
“That’s because it’s not the same.”
“And what makes you think that?” Casteel demanded.
“He’s not being quiet,” I told Kieran.
He shot Casteel a look of warning I knew would be ignored. “Casteel killed a Revenant. Something believed impossible. I’m betting I can do the same. So, why do you believe only you can kill Kolis?”
“Because the Fates said so,” I said.
“Why?”
I opened my mouth. I had no answer.
“Exactly,” Kieran stated.
“No, it’s not exactly. You’re missing the point. Kolis needs me alive—”
“He needs you alive until he doesn’t,” Casteel interrupted. “Which isn’t all that different from us.”
I narrowed my eyes on him. “Aren’t you supposed to be quiet?”
“Aren’t you supposed to be listening?” Casteel shot back.
“Neither of you is doing what I said,” Kieran retorted.
Blowing out an aggravated breath, I looked away. “What do you expect me to do then? Sit by and do nothing, hoping Kolis doesn’t decide to randomly kill more innocent people? People we’re supposed to protect? Just like the Arae demanded that I sit by and do nothing for the Continents—holding me back when there is something I can do?”
Casteel stilled, and then his head tilted. He drew in a deep breath. “No, Poppy,” he said, his voice gentler but not softer. “You know I’ve never held you back. Do you think I’m doing that now?”
I closed my eyes, feeling the back of my throat sting. I shook my head.
“Do you know why I’m against this?” he asked, his hand folding over mine. “Why Kieran is? I know it’s the same thing you’d feel if we suggested what you are.”
“Because…because you’re worried,” I whispered.
“Worried?” Kieran laughed, but there was no humor in it. “I don’t think that encapsulates what we feel when we think about you running off to face Kolis.”