The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

“I’m sure you are,” I muttered, taking the berry. “Want
to know what I’m imagining now? I’m currently entertaining
myself with images of kicking both of you in the throats.”
Kieran’s gaze swept over me, and still only in Casteel’s
shirt, I was sure I appeared as threatening as a sleepy
kitten. “Now I’m also intrigued,” he commented.
I rolled my eyes as I shoved a piece of melon into my
mouth. “Whatever,” I muttered around the fruit as Kieran
dipped out of the room.
“I won’t be gone long. Kieran will be here—and I know
you don’t need a guard,” he added before I could say
anything. “But he insisted, and it makes me feel better to
know that someone else will be here. You should try to get
some more rest. I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt.”
I swallowed the urge to tell him that I didn’t need a
bodyguard. “Okay.”
His eyes narrowed on me. “That was a surprisingly
quick submission.”
“Submission?” I arched a brow as I took a drink of the
wine. “I wouldn’t call it that.”
“You wouldn’t?”
I shook my head. “I hate the idea of having a babysitter,
but a group of people did try to kill me earlier, and we have
no idea if there are more of like mind. So I would call my
quick agreement common sense.”
The dimple appeared in his right cheek. “Common
sense. That must be a new thing for you.”
“I’m really imagining kicking you in the face now.”
He chuckled, kissing me quickly once more. “I won’t be
gone long.”
“Take as long as you need.”
Casteel touched my cheek and then left. I exhaled
heavily as my gaze flicked to my half-full glass. I leaned over
the platter of food, placing the glass on the nightstand. As I
ate a few cold strips of grilled chicken breast, nothing but
silence came from the living area. What was Kieran even