Total pages in book: 241
Estimated words: 229266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1146(@200wpm)___ 917(@250wpm)___ 764(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 229266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1146(@200wpm)___ 917(@250wpm)___ 764(@300wpm)
There was less opportunity for me to mess up that way.
“You have,” he said.
Aware of how close Delano and Naill were, riding only a few paces behind us, I said, “I’ve been…caught up in the scenery.”
“The scenery?” he repeated. “You’ve been engrossed in staring at…trees?”
My brow creased as I nodded. Tall pines crowded the road to Spessa’s End, growing so close to one another, their branches stretched from tree to tree. Very little could be seen beyond them.
“I had no idea you were so invested in the common evergreen.”
The corners of my lips turned down as I stiffened, pulling away from where I’d been leaning into Casteel. “I would think you’d be grateful that I’m quiet.”
“Why in the world would you think I’d be grateful for that?”
I sent him an arched brow over my shoulder. “Really?” I drawled in a low voice.
His eyes narrowed, and as I returned to staring at the snow-tipped pines, he nudged Setti forward. The large horse responded at once, drawing ahead of the group. “What’s really going on with you?” he asked, his voice low.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I lifted my head at the flutter of wings. A bird, larger than I’d ever seen, took flight from the top of one of the pines, soaring gracefully into the sky. The wingspan was enormous, at least several feet. “Good gods, what kind of bird is that?”
“I do believe it’s a silver hawk. They’re known to snatch small animals and even children if they’re hungry enough.”
My eyes widened. “I’d heard stories about birds that could pick up children, but I thought they were just tales.”
“I’m sure many things in these woods are the subject of such tales, but there is only one tale I’m interested in hearing.” Using his arm around my waist to tug me back against him, his voice was just above my ear as he added, “And that is why you’re suddenly as quiet as a ghost.”
“Do you need to hold me this tightly to ask that question?” I snapped.
He chuckled. “There she is—my Princess.”
“I’ve been here this whole time, and I’m not your Princess.”
“Technically, you are my Princess, and no, you haven’t been here the whole time,” he replied. “The Poppy I know isn’t quiet and meek. At least not the one without the veil.”
I stared ahead mutinously as his observation struck too close to home for comfort.
“And this Poppy, the one who says nothing, only showed up this morning,” he went on. “You say it’s not because you chose to be the one who ended that bastard Ascended’s life. I know you well enough to believe that.”
“I don’t know why you think you know me so well,” I retorted, even though he did know more about me than anyone, including Vikter, Tawny, and my brother.
“I know that you did what you felt was right and that is the end of that. You’re not one to wallow in your choices,” he said, and he was right. Ugh. “You said it wasn’t because of last night, and I’m inclined to believe that to be the truth.”
“If I said I didn’t care what you believe, would it make a difference and force you to be quiet?”
“No.”
I sighed.
“I’m a wagering sort of man, so I’m willing to bet it has everything to do with our understanding.”
Irritation flared hotly. Why did he have to be so observant? It was annoying.
“So, instead of telling me nothing is wrong, I’m hoping you’ll be honest with me.”
“I’m hoping that hawk returns, and instead of snatching up poor helpless animals and children, it grabs you.”
Casteel laughed, the sound rumbling through me. I knew if I turned around, I would see the hint of fangs and those damn dimples. “I fear that your hopes will go unanswered.”
“As per usual,” I muttered.
He ignored that. “I’m not going to let this go, and you of all people should know that I’m persistent when I want something.”
A shiver curled down my spine, and the hand that had ended up between the folds of my cloak at some point during the journey, slid from my hip to my stomach. Swallowing hard, I ordered myself to think of anything that didn’t involve his hand and how low it sat on my belly.
“Talk to me, Poppy,” he whispered near my ear as his fingers began to move. Every cell in my body seemed to focus on those digits. “Please?”
Please.
The soft request caught me off guard. It was so rare to hear that word pass his lips, even before his identity had been revealed. I gave a small shake of my head. “I…I don’t know how to act.”
He angled his head so he could look at me. “What do you mean?”
His fingers were still moving, tracing circles that swept above my navel and then below. My face felt hot, and I wasn’t sure if it was due to embarrassment or the slow, lazy pace of his movements, which reminded me too much of those dark, early morning hours. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to behave in a way that will convince others that we’re…together.”