The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

“I wouldn’t.” Casteel came to stand behind me, folding
his arms around my waist. “Not only can she defend
herself,” he repeated, “she needs to be able to defend
herself. And that is why she will be allowed to do so,
whether she is our Queen or our Princess.”
My heart swelled so fast it was a wonder it didn’t lift me
right to the ceiling. Casteel…he just understood me.
Understood my need to never be helpless.
“You’re the only person I truly trust Poppy with. Only
you,” Casteel continued, and my breath halted a little in my
chest. “I know your concern comes from a good place, and
Poppy knows that, too.”
My lips remained sealed.
Casteel squeezed me. “Don’t you, Poppy?”
I swallowed a curse. “Yes, I do know that.” And I did, but
I was irritated and confused about those things that had
been outside—bewildered and unsettled about everything
the one on the wall had said. “I know it comes from a good
place.”
Kieran rubbed his jaw as his stare drifted to the terrace
doors. “I know you’re capable of defending yourself.
Stopping you had nothing to do with that. But it’s just that
you’re in danger here, and you shouldn’t be. This is the one
place you should be safe.” He dropped his hand and faced
me. “I know none of that means I should’ve told you to
stand down. I’m sorry.”
The sincerity in his apology was clear in his voice. It
tasted of warm vanilla, but I could also taste a hint of
something sour, just like I had with Casteel, which caused
an ache in my chest. Neither of them was responsible for
what had happened here. “It’s okay,” I said, looking up at
him. “I will make sure it’s safe for me. We will make sure of
that.”
Kieran nodded, smiling faintly. “Damn right, we will.”
I grinned at that.