The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

verge of losing whatever influence he had over Atlantia with
you marrying me, and him knowing the truth of what I was. I
don’t think for one moment that his motives were purely
centered around protecting Atlantia. I think he wanted to
maintain control, and he was virtually staging a coup. I told
him I thought as much, too.”
A slow, shadowy smile crossed Casteel’s features. “Did
you?”
“Yeah.” A tiny grin pulled at my lips. “He wasn’t too
happy about that. Protested a lot.”
“Protested too much?” Kieran said.
I nodded. “I think he believed he was doing the right
thing, but I think he wanted to keep his influence, and he
wanted revenge.”
“That makes sense,” Casteel said. “My father wants
retribution, just as Alastir does. Malik wouldn’t have wanted
war, and he knew that I don’t either. Both my father and
Alastir were impressed with what was done with Spessa’s
End.”
“But Alastir didn’t believe it was enough,” I said,
recalling how Alastir had responded. “He said it wasn’t
enough for your father, either.”
“It hasn’t been,” Casteel admitted. “And Alastir wasn’t a
fan of my plan to negotiate. He wants blood from Solis. My
father wants the same. Alastir believes that my brother is a
lost cause.” He folded his arms over his chest, and I felt the
tangy spike of anguish. I started moving to him to take away
his pain. I forced myself to stop because he had asked me
once before not to do that. I clasped my hands together as
he continued. “And perhaps he thought with Gianna as my
bride, he would be able to wield his influence.”
Gianna.
I wasn’t sure what to think of the female wolven I’d
never met or seen, as far as I knew. Casteel had never
intended to marry her, and according to him, she hadn’t
shown any interest in him, either. She wasn’t to blame for