The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

Chapter 17
Upon his return, I figured Casteel was relieved to learn
that I hadn’t needed to stab anyone.
Or maybe not.
I think he liked it when I stabbed people.
Especially him.
He’d returned with a bottle of wine and a platter of
sliced meats and cubed cheeses. There were also small
blocks of milk chocolate, and I might’ve shoved three
chunks into my mouth all at once. I’d changed into one of
Casteel’s old cream-colored tunic shirts, much like the one
he wore now. He’d helped me roll up the too-long sleeves.
The tunic covered more than a slip would or that indecent
nightgown had. Even though there was much to discuss, the
full stomach, wine, and what he’d done in that shower all
worked against that. I ended up falling asleep as Casteel
took the platter into the sitting room, and was only halfaware
when he rejoined me in bed, curling his long body
around mine and gathering me close.
I slept the kind of deep sleep where even dreams didn’t
follow. I woke at some point, the gray light of dawn
beginning to find its way into the room, and sleepily made
use of the bathing chamber. When I returned to the bed,
Casteel immediately wrapped his body around mine. I didn’t
know how long I slept that time before I woke again, my
eyes fluttering open to soft lamplight. Shifting under the
light blanket, I brushed up against a leg.
“Good evening,” Casteel drawled.
I rolled onto my back and looked up.