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 hope not, for your sake,” Cas replied coolly. “But that didn’t answer my question.”
A moment passed. “I suppose not.” Attes stretched his neck to one side and then to the other. “I was arriving, as expected. I stopped to see Setti. Figured it was a good idea to make sure he wasn’t left to roam the realm by himself.”
I swallowed a scream.
“Then, I felt the Primal essence,” Attes continued. “I followed it. That’s all.”
“That’s all?” Casteel murmured, and I saw the doubt I felt etched into his features. “And why the fuck did you think Setti would be roaming the realm by himself?”
Attes tilted his head, and…gods, while the two may not look identical, they were clearly of the same damn bloodline when it came to temperaments.
“Yes. That’s all. And do I really need to answer that question about Setti, considering where we are right now?”
The smirk returned to Casteel’s face, and I hit my breaking point with him—both of them. “You know what?” I unfolded my arms. “If you two want to stay out here and continue trying to out-threaten each other, go ahead. I’m going back.” I pivoted and glanced at Reaver. “Have fun.”
Then, without waiting, I shadowstepped back to the Solar.
CHAPTER 49
CASTEEL
“We will be holding the public address tomorrow—or in a few hours, actually,” Kieran was saying. He had shown up seconds after I arrived, having sensed Attes’s presence. Neither the Primal nor I had lingered long after Poppy left. “We felt it was important to assure the people we were doing everything we could to keep them safe.”
“And then?” Attes demanded, his silver gaze darting to the Solar’s archway.
My eyes narrowed on him. “Then we proceed with our plans.”
Attes leaned back in his chair. “Exactly what are those plans?”
“We go to Pensdurth,” I said, figuring there was no point in bringing up what Poppy and I had discussed earlier since, with Attes’s arrival, it was now moot.
“I figured as much,” Attes replied, his attention shifting again to the doorway. My fingers started tapping the arm of the chair. “But I was hoping for more detail.”
“We will lay siege to the city,” I stated.
Attes’s gaze returned to mine, and his brows rose.
I smiled tightly at him.
He’s here to help. Kieran’s voice reached me through the link.
My grip on the glass tumbler tightened. I know.
Then maybe stop staring at him like you want to murder him.
I don’t want to murder him. Lifting my glass, I drank some whiskey. Yet.
And that yet depended on one factor.
Poppy.
My mother and father had taught Malik and me to respect our elders, but I was having a tough time honoring that as I sat across from Attes.
Kieran sent me a look of warning as the Primal god said, “I assume laying siege involves some level of detailed planning.” His gaze flicked to mine just as I felt a draken nearing. “Or at least I would hope so. You are of my blood, after all. Strategy should be an innate skill set.”
“The planning is as detailed as it can be,” Kieran interjected. His posture was much more relaxed than mine. Then again, it could be because it was the middle of the night, and he looked exhausted. “We were able to gain little information about what exists beyond Pensdurth’s walls, but we know they have spears large and powerful enough to wound a draken.”
Attes’s head turned to Kieran. “Was one wounded?”
“Thad,” I answered.
His nostrils flared. “How badly?”
“He was hit in the shoulder. He’ll heal.”
A muscle ticked in his temple. “Thad is one of mine—or he was.”
Surprise flickered across Kieran’s face as a heavy thud came from above, and the entire wing of Wayfair shuddered. The sound of talons scraping stone followed as the chandelier swayed.
I lowered my gaze. “What do you mean yours—or was once yours? I was under the impression they served Seraphena and Poppy.”
“It’s a bit convoluted.” He idly scratched his jaw. “The draken serve as protectors of each Court and can choose to bond themselves to the Primal of that Court.”
“Like the wolven and Elementals?” Kieran murmured.
“I guess so,” Attes said as the balcony doors swung open, and Reaver strolled in. Beside me, Kieran groaned under his breath. “However, the true Primal of Life can supersede any bond a draken may have with another Primal god. I’m guessing it’s the same for,”—his gaze shot to the doorway—“her.”
My jaw clenched.
“It is.” Reaver crossed the chamber, his dick swinging. “Unless Sera asserts her authority.”
“She wouldn’t do that,” Attes remarked as Reaver stepped onto the dais.
“Where’s Poppy?” the draken asked.
Likely convincing herself she didn’t want to throttle us. When I returned to the Solar and immediately checked on her, she still wanted to. The look she had given me before slamming the bathing chamber door in my face almost had me cupping my private parts.