The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

“You can’t tell me that having your bond with Kieran
broken hasn’t affected you,” I cut in. “You guys were ready
to tear each other apart at the Temple. That didn’t feel
right.” A knot of emotion choked me. “I didn’t like it.”
“If you knew us when we were younger, you probably
would’ve thought we hated each other.” Casteel gently
squeezed my shoulder. “We’ve come to blows over far less
important things than you.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” I asked.
“Because you’re doing a really terrible job at that right
now.”
“I guess not.” Casteel touched my cheek, tipping my
head back so our eyes met. “Look, knowing the bond isn’t
there is weird. I’m not going to lie. But knowing that the
bond has shifted to you—that not just Kieran, but all the
wolven will protect you, is a relief. That is part of how we
tracked you to the crypts in the Skotos Mountains and to the
Wastelands. They felt you. If they hadn’t been able to, we
wouldn’t have gotten to you in time,” he said, and all of it
made my stomach twist. “I can’t be mad about that or
upset. Not when I know the limits Kieran will go to to ensure
that you remain safe.”
My lower lip trembled. “But he’s your best friend. He’s
like a brother to you.”
“And I still am. Bonds are strange things, Poppy.” Kieran
placed his hand over the top of where Casteel’s remained
on my shoulder. I shuddered. “But my loyalty to Cas has
never been about a bond created when neither of us was
old enough to walk. It never will be. You have nothing to
worry about when it comes to us. And I doubt that you have
much to worry about when it comes to any of the other
bonded wolven. Most of us have fostered friendships that
can’t break. So, we just…we just made room for you.”
Made room for me.
“I…I like the sound of that,” I whispered hoarsely.