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)
“What?” Kieran exclaimed, obviously as shocked as I was to hear Casteel’s demand. “There is a damn army of Solis heading this way, and you’re sending me to Atlantia?”
“I am. You’re fast. You’re strong. And you will not weaken or falter if something happens to Alastir.” Casteel met the wolven’s astonished stare. “You will not fail us.”
My heart started thumping hard because I knew. I knew in my bones why Casteel was sending Kieran away.
“My Prince,” Nova spoke up. “I know you feel that it is your duty to remain here, but it is you who should travel beyond the Skotos. You should leave immediately and head for safety.”
“I have to agree with her,” Alastir chimed in. “The Ascended may think you’re the Dark One, but they may know who you really are—the living heir to the Kingdom of Atlantia. You are the last person who should be here.”
I tensed at Alastir’s words, but Casteel showed no reaction to him being referred to as the living heir to the kingdom. “I value both of your thoughts and opinions, but you all know I will not leave Spessa’s End to defend itself. Not when I helped to convince those here to come and make their homes in this place.”
“Everyone who came here knew the risks involved,” Alastir argued. “Your life cannot be put at risk for Spessa’s End.”
Casteel inclined his head. “If I’m not willing to risk my life for Spessa’s End, how dare I ask the people here to do so? That is not what a Prince does—at least not a good one.”
A wealth of respect for Casteel rose so swiftly in me, it took my breath. I didn’t understand how he couldn’t see it practically radiating from me. He wasn’t willing to ask those to risk what he would not, and no one could argue that. Not even Alastir.
He exhaled heavily and then nodded.
“I should be here with you.” Kieran stepped closer to Casteel. “My duty is to defend your life with mine. That is what I’m bonded to do, the oath I took. How can I do that running away from the battle?” His voice lowered. “Don’t do this, Cas.”
My heart twisted as I stared at them. Casteel was sending his bonded wolven away. One look at Kieran told me that he knew it, too. Casteel was removing any chance that Kieran would risk his life to save his.
Just as he’d done when he left to kill the Queen and King of Solis.
And that meant that Casteel truly understood the likelihood that Spessa’s End wouldn’t hold until or if reinforcements arrived.
“You took an oath to protect me, and you will,” Casteel said. “You’re not running away from the battle. You will be keeping safe what is most important to me, and that is Poppy.”
I jolted. “Wait. What?”
“You will leave with them. It will be hard,” he said, still holding Kieran’s gaze. “There will be no breaks, and you will need to listen to everything Kieran tells you, especially when it’s night in the mountains, but—”
“I’m not leaving,” I cut him off.
“You can’t be here,” Casteel replied. “Not when they come. This is not up for discussion.”
I shot to my feet. “Let me make one thing clear. I don’t know if you realize this or not, Casteel, but I’m not duty-bound to obey a single thing you say.”
Casteel stiffened.
“And maybe you should actually look at me when you try to order me to do things,” I tacked on.
He turned to me, his head cocked. “I’m looking at you now.”
“But are you listening?”
“Oh, man,” Delano murmured under his breath as the rest of the room went dead silent. “Someone is getting stabbed again.”
Someone, I think it was Jasper, snorted.
“Oh, I’m listening,” Casteel replied. “Maybe you should try that. Along with this thing called common sense.”
“Definitely getting stabbed,” Kieran confirmed.
I stepped around the table, aware that Delano appeared to be sinking into his chair. “Are you serious?”
“Are you armed?” Casteel asked with a smirk. “You are, aren’t you?”
“I’m so confused by what is happening here,” Nova whispered with a slight frown.
“Apparently, she already stabbed him once,” Jasper informed the Guardian. “In the heart.”
Nova looked at me.
“And she cut me earlier tonight. Threw a knife right at my face another time,” Casteel ticked off his fingers. “Then this one time, in the woods, she—”
“No one wants to hear about how many times I’ve made you bleed,” I snapped.
“I do,” Jasper remarked.
Emil raised his hand. “So do I.”
“Look, not only is it not wise for the one thing they want to be here within their grasp, I don’t want to worry about you handing yourself over,” Casteel stated. “You know…like before.”
“That is not a mistake I will make again,” I stated.
“But you were just thinking about it, weren’t you?” He stepped to the side so Delano was no longer seated between us.