The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

“You’ll get used to it,” Kieran stated as he climbed the
steps.
I wasn’t so sure about that.
“More like you’re sort of forced to,” Casteel said as
Kieran walked in through the open doors. “Wolven tend to
find clothing cumbersome.”
I thought about all the breeches and shirts they seemed
to go through, and I could sort of understand why they felt
that way.
A warm breeze stirred gauzy curtains as Kieran led us
past several large sitting rooms full of oversized chairs in
vibrant hues. The air carried a hint of cinnamon that
lingered as we followed him into a canopied breezeway. I
didn’t see any sign of Kieran’s mother or anyone else, and I
wondered if she was among the wolven who had been
outside.
We ended up back inside, in a different wing of the
house, walking down another long, seemingly never-ending
hall. My steps slowed, and I sighed as we passed yet
another door. “How many people live here?”
“Depends on the time of year,” Kieran answered. “At
times, every room is filled, and we have a lot who come and
go, those in need of temporary housing.”
“Oh,” I answered, internally sobbing when we passed
two more doors. “How long is this hallway?”
“Not much longer,” he said, and Casteel’s hand moved
in a slow, comforting circle on my back. A moment later, the
hall curved, and I saw the end—thank the gods. Kieran
stopped in front of cream-colored double doors. “I figured
you’d want to stay in your old rooms.”
“You’ve stayed here a lot?” I asked as Casteel’s hand
slipped from my back. I missed the weight of it immediately.
He nodded, opening one side of the doors. “My parents
don’t come here a lot, and especially not after everything
happened with Malik,” he answered, and I thought that
made sense. “I’d rather be here than in an empty estate.”