The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

explain it, but it was like his unique imprint. His mark. I’ve
never felt that before. I know it sounds unreal—”
“I don’t think it sounds unreal,” Casteel said, his brows
knitting. “I think anything is possible. We should definitely
ask Kieran if he heard you or if he even knows if it’s
possible. I know it wasn’t for us when we were bonded.”
Pressing my lips together, I nodded.
Casteel stared down at me for a moment. “You’re utterly
unique, Poppy. You know that, right?”
I gave another lazy, one-shouldered shrug.
A faint smile appeared and then disappeared. “You’re
safe here,” he told me as he placed the dagger beside my
hand. “But just in case, if anyone comes in here, stab first
and ask questions later. You should be familiar with that
mentality.”
“Why does everyone act like I run around stabbing
people?”
Casteel stared back at me and then looked pointedly at
his chest.
“Whatever,” I muttered. “You deserved it.”
“I did.” He grinned as he placed a knee on the bed and
lowered the upper half of his body over mine. “I’ll be right
back.”
“I’ll be here.” I picked up the dagger. “Hopefully, not
stabbing anyone.”
The dimple in his right cheek appeared, and he dipped
his head, kissing just above my brow and then lower, over
the scar. “Princess?”
My lips curved up. What had started as a nickname had
become a reality. “Yes?”
His mouth moved over mine. “I love you.”
The smile on my face grew as my heart did a little skip
in my chest. “I love you.”
He made that rough, rumbling sound. “I will never get
tired of hearing that. Say it over and over, a hundred