The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

“Several things, Poppy. None that you need to worry
about—”
“Actually, I think I do.” I sensed his concern then, heavy
and thick. “You’re holding back because you don’t want me
to worry.”
“You shouldn’t read my emotions,” he countered. “It’s
rude.”
“Casteel,” I growled. “We are talking about the potential
of you and me becoming King and Queen, and I cannot be
Queen when my husband hides things from me because
he’s afraid I’ll be overwhelmed.
“I wouldn’t say I was hiding things—” He closed his
mouth when he saw the look on my face.
“You know what that says to me? That you don’t think I
can handle being Queen,” I told him.
“That’s not at all what I’m saying.” He leaned forward,
placing his hands on the table. “It’s not my intention to keep
you in the dark. Some of what I didn’t share was because I
didn’t have all the information, and I—” He shoved a hand
through his hair. “I’m not used to sharing these kinds of
things with anyone but Kieran. And I know that’s not an
excuse. I’m not saying that it is. To be honest, you’ve
handled everything thrown your way better than most
people would. It’s not that I truly fear you’ll freak out. It’s
just that I don’t want you to be overwhelmed. But you’re
right. If taking the Crown is something you choose, I can’t
hold things back.
Sensing his contrition, I nodded.
He shifted back in his seat. “If we didn’t take the throne,
my parents could concede, but they would only do that if
they felt the one who’d issued the challenge was fit to rule—
and they could only do that if one challenged the throne at
a time. If there’s more than one, then the Elders weigh in.
There could be trials where the challengers would have to
prove themselves.”
“Like the heartmate trials?” I asked.