The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

alike. They didn’t snarl or snap, but their bodies were clearly
tense.
My skin prickled with awareness as gazes moved from
Casteel to the wolven and then to me. I stiffened, feeling
their stares on my bloodied and dirtied clothing and the
bruises surely visible. The scars.
“I would’ve taken a different route to Jasper’s home if it
was possible,” Casteel told me, his voice low as we turned
onto a road where the buildings reached for the clouds, and
the crystal-clear waters of the Seas of Saion began to peek
out from behind structures. I’d forgotten the offer Jasper had
made at the Chambers. It was telling that Casteel rode there
and not to his family’s holdings. “But this is the least
populated way.”
This was the least populated area? There had to be…
gods, there had to be thousands on the streets now,
appearing in windows, and coming to stand out on ivysmothered
balconies and terraces.
“I know this is a lot,” he continued. “And I’m sorry we
couldn’t delay this.”
I reached down to where his hand rested lightly on my
hip. This time, I didn’t stop myself. I folded my hand over his
and squeezed.
Casteel turned his hand over, returning the gesture. We
didn’t let go of each other’s hands.
Part of me wanted to look away, to not allow myself to
sense what the people were feeling, but that would make
me a coward. I let my senses remain open, to stretch out
just enough to get the briefest glimpse of their emotions in
case I lost control of…whatever I was truly capable of. My
pounding heart and wild thoughts made it difficult to
concentrate, but after a few moments, I tasted…the
tartness of confusion, and the lighter, springy flavor of
curiosity coming from the people of Atlantia.
There was no fear.
No hatred.