The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

My mind was…well, it couldn’t even comprehend living
that long. How did one not grow tired of everything after
that many years? I thought about the subject matter in
Willa’s book, and figured that probably explained a lot.
I shook my head, hoping it would clear. “Can she do
what Jansen could? Take on others’ images?”
Jasper shook his head. “No. Jansen was…gods, he had to
be the last of the changelings that could do that.”
As terrible as it sounded, I felt relief. “Who are the Elders
of Atlantia?”
“They are a type of Council who helps to rule alongside
the King and Queen when needed,” Casteel explained,
tugging gently on my braid. “Normally, they are never
called on unless a major decision needs to be made. The
last time they came together was when Malik was taken, I
believe.” A sharp swirl of anguish pulsed through him. “I
wasn’t in Evaemon when that happened. I was here.”
He’d been here recovering, trying to piece himself back
together. My chest ached for him.
“You better believe they’ve been called now,” Jasper’s
tone was dry, and my stomach tumbled. “You just might get
to ask Willa about the book you were talking about.”
Oh, gods.
While I did have a lot of questions for her, I wasn’t sure I
could hold a conversation because I would be thinking about
wicked kisses and foursomes.
But I really didn’t need to focus on that. Because if a
Council had been convened, I knew why—my arrival and
everything that had happened.
“As much as I want to hear more about Miss Willa, we
have more pressing things to deal with,” Casteel stated,
surprising me. “How does one enter Iliseeum if they cannot
do so by land or sea?”
Jasper didn’t answer for a long moment. “You know, you
would’ve learned about it when you took the throne.” His
gaze touched mine for a brief moment, and I knew what he