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)
If they did, they would have me to contend with. And right now, I doubted they wanted to test how that would pan out. “I think they know better.”
Valyn frowned.
I quickly moved on. “I kept thinking there had to be something up with your bloodline—why the essence seemed to be…stronger in you than in Kieran,” I told Casteel as I glanced somewhat apologetically toward Kieran, who returned my look with the enthusiasm of a rock. “Like how you can shift already.”
Valyn’s brows went up as Casteel cut his stare to me.
“And then there is Setti.” I stopped to look at Valyn.
He leaned back on the bench, reminding me of Malik when he’d taken the paperweight.
“You do know what Setti is, right?” I asked.
“I do—and no, I don’t know how or when he ended up on my father’s estate. Or why.”
Casteel said nothing to that as he crossed his arms once more.
Something occurred to me. “Can other gods sense you?”
“I think they may sense something. Like I feel different than other Elementals. But not that I’m a demigod,” he said, glancing back at Cas and then me. “Why couldn’t he sense it?” Then his gaze snapped to the trees. “Or Kieran, for that matter?”
“Good question.” Casteel’s expectant gaze turned to me. “And don’t say it’s because you’re special.”
I snapped my mouth shut. Damn it. “I don’t know why neither you nor Kieran felt it. It probably has to do with me being a Primal of Life and Death.” Another thing occurred to me. “And I guess the draken never sensed it either…or just failed to mention they sensed all that essence in you.”
Casteel snorted. “How likely is it that it’s option two?”
Highly.
My thoughts jumped from one thing to the next, landing on what I’d thought when I held the Ancient bone I’d found in the chest.
What Casteel had been stabbed with.
That had…killed him.
I took a step back and glanced toward the castle. Oh, gods… My chest squeezed painfully. A Revenant wielding a bone dagger couldn’t kill a Primal, but used against a fledgling Primal, a god, demigod, or anything else in between? Yes, it could, but I…I had brought him back, even while in stasis. That was the power of the Joining and… The nape of my neck tingled faintly. It was also the power of the essence in him. His bloodline.
“Who is your grandmother?” I asked.
“I don’t know. I never met her.”
Frustration burned through me. “And you’re sure she was an Elemental?”
“She has to be. I’m not a full-blooded god or deity.”
He was right, but…
I resisted the urge to turn and kick the statue as I felt Casteel’s stare on me. “I wonder how forthcoming Attes will be.”
Valyn didn’t respond.
“You need to tell Malik. And you should do it soon,” Casteel stated. “Preferably before Attes gets here.”
“I will.” Valyn met Casteel’s gaze. “I know this probably seems like another lie to you, but—”
“It is a lie,” he cut in. I stiffened before wedging my arm between his and the side he had it tightly pressed against. Turning my head, I kissed his biceps. “But,” he added with a heavy breath, “I get it.”
Surprise widened Valyn’s eyes, and he seemed about to speak but didn’t.
Casteel cleared his throat and turned to me. Our eyes met, but I couldn’t read a thing in them as I felt his presence brush against my thoughts. I’ll meet you back in the Solar.
I nodded and reluctantly slipped my arm free. He lowered his head and softly brushed his mouth against mine. I drew my still-tingling lip between my teeth as I watched him stiffly turn and leave the way we’d come, silently brushing past Kieran.
My eyes met Kieran’s, and without having to say a word, he gave me a curt nod and pivoted, following Casteel. Folding my arms across my waist, I stared at the empty pathway while worry for him settled in.
“He says he gets it,” Valyn said, drawing my gaze back to him. “But if I hadn’t destroyed our relationship by keeping the truth about Isbeth from him, I fear I have done so now.”
“I…think he just needs some time to process everything.” After all, that was what I needed after learning about Sotoria. It was why I hadn’t followed him despite badly wanting to.
“You really think so?” he asked. “Like he said, it is another lie, Penellaphe.”
“It’s a lie I believe he understands. And I think Malik will, too.”
Valyn was quiet for a moment. “I can only hope you are right and Eloana will also understand.”
The mention of his wife reminded me of what Seraphena had said once again. Unfolding my arms, I glanced at the empty path and swallowed a curse. Casteel had forgotten, too. I turned back to Valyn. “Seraphena was here.”
He frowned.
“The true Primal of Life,” I elaborated as I opened my senses. His confusion felt genuine. “That is Seraphena. She is the Queen of the Gods.”