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)
“Has anyone challenged the throne?”
“As far as I know, no.”
But how would he know since he hadn’t been home in years? “Did you not think it would be a good idea to tell me?”
“Not particularly.”
“Oh, my gods,” I started.
“Mainly because I knew it would freak you out,” he added.
“Like right now,” Kieran murmured.
“No one asked for your two cents,” I snapped, and the wolven chuckled. I turned my glare back on Casteel. “Whether or not it would freak me out, I needed to know that—”
“It changes nothing,” he cut in. “Just because my parents believe it is time for me to take the throne doesn’t mean I have to or will. They cannot force me. My brother is the true heir to the Atlantian throne. Not me. And he will take his seat once I free him.”
Pressing my lips together, I glanced at Kieran to gauge his reaction to what Casteel had said, but he stared straight ahead, his expression unreadable. I doubted my senses would tell me anything more, but I knew that Casteel fully intended to save his brother. He didn’t want to be King, even if it was past the time for a new one to be crowned. With that said, becoming Queen was not something I had to worry about. I started to stand.
Casteel’s arm tightened. “Where are you going? I was so very comfortable with you in my lap.”
“I’m sure you were, but there’s no audience.”
“What about me?” Kieran asked. “I’m still here.”
“You don’t count.”
“Ouch,” he murmured.
“But we’re not in private, Princess. Wasn’t that the deal you made? In public, you wouldn’t fight me?”
My eyes narrowed. “There is no one else in this room. The doors are closed, and the deal we made didn’t include sitting in your lap.”
“I know.” He sucked his plump lower lip between his teeth, exposing the edges of his fangs. “But I really enjoy it.”
Muscles curled low in my stomach, and I really didn’t care for how my body responded to his heated stare, and the glimpse of those fangs. It answered with a heady flush that I could only hope wasn’t as visible as it felt. It also called forth a sharp, intense throbbing that settled in an area that made me want to squeeze my legs together. And I really hated the knowledge that he knew exactly how I responded to him. I let go of his wrist. “I don’t care if you enjoy it.”
“Lies,” he murmured, tucking back my hair. “You enjoyed it, too.”
“But do you know what I enjoyed more?” I leaned in, seeing the surprise flare in his eyes that quickly gave way to heat.
That lazy, half-hooded gaze returned. “I have a few ideas.”
“I enjoyed throwing the knife at you and making you bleed,” I said, jerking my head back from his touch. This time when I stood, he didn’t stop me.
Casteel laughed, lowering his hand to the arm of the chair. “That was one of my ideas.”
“You two are more convincing now than you were during the whole time with Alastir,” Kieran commented. “And if you can’t convince Alastir that you’re so in love with each other that he’s forgotten his decades-long search for his brother, and you have forgiven his plans to ransom you, then there is no way you’ll convince the King. And especially not your mother.”
Unfortunately, Kieran had a point. “Alastir doesn’t believe us. He didn’t say that outright, but I could that tell he has serious doubts. He probably thinks I’m infatuated with you, and you’re just using me.”
A slow grin spread across Casteel’s face, barely halting when he saw the look I gave him. His eyes still glimmered. “We’ll just have to try harder then, won’t we?”
I folded my arms. “How can anyone really believe us when I asked if you were out of your mind just a few nights ago?”
“A lot can happen in a few nights, Poppy. Especially with me.”
“Your arrogance never ceases to amaze me,” I muttered.
Casteel ignored that. “I think he will believe us. We have time to convince him, but now I’m sure I need to reassure him before he leaves to check the roads.” Casteel rose.
“Reassure him of what?”
“He can be…sensitive. Therefore, I need to reassure him that I won’t have him killed before we leave here,” he replied, and I couldn’t tell if he was being serious or not. “Would you like to stay in here for a while? There’s a lot of books. None as interesting as Miss Willa’s diary, though.”
That damn diary.
“I would like to stay here,” I said.
Casteel glanced at Kieran, who said, “I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“Do you all really think I’m in that much danger? Word of our engagement must have spread through the keep by now.”
“I’m not taking any chances with you.” Casteel moved forward, touching my cheek just below the scar. “Thank you.”