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)
Essence flashed behind his pupils, and his jaw flexed. There was a moment—a very quick second—where I sensed his anger and something else beneath it. But it was gone too quickly. His walls went right back up.
“There are very few things I haven’t been forthcoming with you about, Poppy,” he said, the eather dimming in his eyes. “I hope you can say the same.”
My mouth opened, and I took a step back. “I don’t even know what I’m supposed to say to that. Only a few things you haven’t been honest with me about?”
“I said forthcoming.” When I started to speak, he said, “And, yes. There is a difference.”
The look I gave him should’ve set him on fire. “Do you think I can’t say that?”
The tendons of his neck stood out as he swallowed. “I think—”
A knock echoed through the Solar, drawing his gaze. A moment later, Delano called out, “Cas? Poppy?”
I spun toward Casteel. “Don’t—”
He stepped around me. “Yes?” he said.
“Bastard,” I hissed.
His head swung toward me, his eyes glinting. “Naughty.”
“Don’t act cute.”
“It’s not an act.” Turning away, he walked toward the sitting chamber. “I am cute.”
I stalked behind him. “You are an infuriating, egotistical—”
Delano appeared in the doorway as Casteel stopped in front of me. I bounced off his back with a curse.
He caught my arm before I fell into the chair. “Yes, Delano?” he said.
“There’s—” The wolven’s gaze darted between us. “Are you two…fighting?”
“No.” I yanked my arm free of Casteel’s grasp.
Delano blinked slowly. “You sure?”
“Yes,” I snapped.
Delano glanced at Casteel. “Do I need to hide the weapons?”
My mouth dropped open again.
“Not yet,” Casteel replied smoothly.
“Why would you need to hide the weapons?” I demanded.
Delano’s brows climbed up his forehead. “Is that a trick question?”
“What did you need, Delano?” Casteel cut in before I could make yet another demand.
“You have a visitor.” His gaze returned to mine. “Actually, Poppy does. It’s Tawny.”
My stomach plummeted, taking my anger at Casteel with it. Unease rose in its place. “She’s…here?”
“Yes.” Delano shifted his weight. “As in, she’s waiting in the hallway.”
Casteel stepped forward, partially blocking me. “I’m not sure if now is a good time.”
“I’d have to agree,” Delano murmured. “I’ll tell her—”
“No,” I said, my spine stiffening. “It’s okay.”
Casteel turned, and his pine-and-spice mark brushed against my thoughts. You don’t seem okay.
I took a deep breath. I am. I need to see her. I’m just… I didn’t know. I had no idea why seeing Tawny filled me with such dread, but I needed to get over it. “Let her in, Delano.”
He hesitated for a beat. “Okay.”
“Can you delay her for a couple of minutes?” Casteel asked.
“Sure.” Delano pivoted, strolling off as he said, “I’m sure she would like more time to list all the ways she plans to cut off my balls if I don’t let her in.”
I blinked.
“Poppy.”
Shaking my head, I closed my eyes. “I’m ready to see her. I’m just… I don’t know why I feel this way, but I need to see her. She’s my friend. I need to see my friends.” I let out a little laugh when my stomach dipped again. “It still feels strange to say that word and know it…”
“It, what?”
“That it means something.” Warmth crept into my cheeks. “I know that sounds silly.”
“It doesn’t.” His jaw tightened. “Not when you spent most of your life not allowed to have friendships.”
And when I didn’t know if what felt like friendship was real.
I had been so scared that the kindness and interest Tawny showed me was nothing more than her duty as a Lady in Wait.
But it was real.
“Want to rethink that drink?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I breathed.
“Good.” Casteel went to the credenza and picked up a slender decanter. “You’re nervous.”
“Is it that obvious?” I asked as he poured.
Replacing the decanter, he picked up the chalice. “You’re about to twist the ends of your hair off.”
Frowning, I glanced down and realized I was twisting the end of my braid. A wry grin tugged at my lips. “Holland told me Seraphena does things with her hands when she’s nervous, too.”
He handed me the chalice. “Did he tell you anything else you have in common?”
I thought about it. “Well, I apparently reminded him of her when I got angry.” My lips pursed. “Not sure that’s a good thing.”
He chuckled and returned to pick up his glass. “Perhaps you get your…feistiness from her.”
“If so, it’s better than getting it from Isbeth.”
“Nothing about you is from Isbeth.”
Except for the shape of my face, my nose, and my lips. How I’d never seen how much I looked like her was beyond me, but I appreciated the sentiment in his partial truth. Beyond shared physical similarities, I was nothing like her.
Casteel eyed me over the rim of his glass. “Want to tell me why you’re so nervous?”
I started to say that I didn’t know but then shook my head. That wasn’t entirely true. “I guess I’m worried she won’t look at me the same.”