The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

Other than his mother, as unlikely as that may be, only
one other person may know.
Queen Ileana.
Casteel turned to Kieran. “I think there’s an old robe in
there. Can you grab it for me?”
Kieran handed him a long piece of black clothing as he
said, “There’s something I need to do real quick. I’ll be right
back.”
Watching me, Casteel nodded curtly as he hung the
robe from a hook by the door. “We’ll be here.” He waited
until Kieran disappeared. “Let’s get you out of that shirt so I
can burn it.”
A wry grin tugged at my lips. “I guess this shirt isn’t
salvageable?”
“Unlikely.” He came to me, curling his fingers around the
hem. “You know the drill.”
I did.
I lifted my arms. “I think you like taking my clothes off.”
“I do.” Casteel tugged the shirt up and over my head.
Cool air washed over all the newly exposed skin. He
dropped the tunic to the floor as he stared down at me, his
lips parting just enough that I could see a hint of his fangs
as his gaze swept over me in a slow, lingering perusal.
Muscles tightened low in my stomach. He placed his hand
on the side of my ribs and under my breast. The contact
sent a sharp pulse through me. His other hand did the same
on the other side of my body. “However, I do not like
undressing you, only to cover you immediately.”
I looked down, my toes curling even more against the
tile floor at what I saw beyond the puckered, rosy-pink tips
of my breasts. His golden-bronze skin was such a striking
contrast to mine, and his hands were so large and strong.
“What Kieran asked of you tonight? Don’t hold it against
him. He cares for you. And his concern?” he said. “I have to
fight my instincts when it comes to you rushing out there to
battle everything and anything, too. It’s not because I don’t