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)
I could hear my heart pounding. “No, it’s not.”
“It is.” Casteel pulled me toward him until our faces were only inches apart as he said, “Because I will never be at peace if you’re not.”
The breath I took scorched my throat. “You’re sacrificing your peace for mine,” I whispered. “It’s entirely one-sided.”
“It’s not.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “Because if I had my way, it would be you sacrificing your peace. And you’d have to live with my actions. That is what you’re giving up.”
“And you aren’t giving up anything?”
“All I’m giving up is vengeance. And that isn’t worth your peace.” He paused. “Or that of my incredibly self-absorbed brother—”
Malik’s huff was a reminder we were not, in fact, alone.
“My experiences with the Ascended cloud my judgment,” Cas admitted. “Not acknowledging that wouldn’t just make me a shit King. It would also make me a selfish bastard unworthy of you.”
My throat tightened as a jumble of emotions swirled in my chest, making tears well up in my eyes. “Why do you have to be so…perfect?”
From the chair beside me, Kieran groaned. “As if his ego needed stroking.”
Casteel’s lips curved into a smile as they brushed mine. “Because I am.”
“Case in point,” a gravelly voice muttered.
Reaver.
Gods, he’d been so quiet, I’d forgotten he was here.
I had no idea how Reaver had even turned up here. I’d gone to the bathing chamber, and he was at the table when I returned. I guessed neither Casteel nor Kieran had the heart to bar him entry after everything with Jadis.
Sending a look that promised violence over my head, Casteel lowered his gaze to mine. He kissed me, and I found his unique mark. I love you so very much, Cas.
A shudder went through him as he kissed my forehead, the warmth of his lips lingering when he straightened.
“So sweet,” Tawny whispered. I was beginning to think she needed to slow down on the wine.
“In case you’re wondering, I second Casteel’s thoughts.” Kieran’s gaze met mine. “And I didn’t expect anything less of you.”
I reached for my glass with trembling fingers. “I’m not sure that’s a good thing.”
Kieran smiled faintly. “It’s what is needed.”
Taking a shaky breath, I looked at the others. “What do you all think?”
“You know how I feel,” Emil said. “They should get a choice.”
My gaze shifted to Naill. “It won’t be easy,” he said after a few moments. “And it will be difficult for people to wrap their heads around, but I agree.”
Prodding at a fang, I shifted my gaze to Delano and Perry.
“It will be difficult to convince the entirety of Atlantia to get behind this,” Perry said. “There’s a lot of history to overcome. But it is the right thing to do.”
“Delano?” I whispered.
He was quiet for several moments, and I struggled not to let myself read him. “Those we met today? They aren’t like the Ascended I’ve met.” His bright-blue gaze lifted to mine. “But my…my sister once said something.”
Malik stiffened.
“It was when we were younger and during a time when things between the Atlantians and wolven weren’t great,” he said. I saw Perry’s hand move under the table. A smile briefly crossed Delano’s face as he glanced at the Atlantian and then continued. “It was something like, ‘if we judge all Atlantians by the worst among them, then we are no better than the worst ourselves.’”
“Sounds like something she’d say,” Malik said quietly.
Delano looked at him and then sighed. “So, yeah.” He cleared his throat. “I agree.”
I blinked rapidly against the sudden burn of tears.
“I agree,” Tawny announced. “Even though my opinion doesn’t matter.”
My laugh was shaky. “It does matter.”
“I know.” She grinned around the rim of her glass. “I was just attempting to be humble.”
My gaze lifted to Reaver.
“I honestly do not care,” he remarked.
All right, then.
He looked at us. “What I do care about is that Thad has not returned.”
That changed the mood at the table.
I exchanged looks with Cas and Kieran.
Kieran’s features momentarily pinched as if he were about to throw himself on his sword. “I hoped they would arrive tonight, but something must be decided if we don’t hear anything by the morning.”
“I can go,” Malik offered.
I paused, pushing some grilled fish around on my plate.
Casteel lowered his wineglass and cast his brother a long look. He wasn’t the only one staring at Malik. Everyone was.
Except for Reaver.
He was eating.
“What?” Malik asked, looking around the table. “Someone should go. And until we know what has happened, we shouldn’t send another regiment.”
Kieran dropped his elbow to the table and ran a hand down his face. “Here we go again.”
“You’re not going,” Casteel stated, lowering his glass.
Malik arched a brow and met his brother’s stare. “And why not? I know how to get to Pensdurth and remain unseen in the process.”
“I’m sure you do.” Casteel leaned back and eyed my plate. “But that doesn’t change what I said.”