The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

My stomach dropped so fast I almost toppled over as my
wide eyes shot to Casteel. For some reason, I hadn’t even
thought about…babies since the cavern—since I had
thought he didn’t want to have children with me. I’d been
hurt then, which had been irrationally silly, considering we
hadn’t even admitted our feelings to one another yet. He
was still taking the herb that prevented pregnancy, and as a
Maiden, I’d believed I would Ascend. Having children was
never something I’d ever considered, so it wasn’t something
that lingered in my mind. But now it was dancing at the
center. A baby. Babies. Casteel’s and my baby. Casteel
holding a small, swaddled infant. My lips parted on a thin
inhale. That was really something I did not need to think
about at the moment.
“Poppy looks faint.” Kieran smirked.
Casteel turned to look at me, his brows lowering as
concern echoed through him. “Are you all right?”
I blinked, shoving the unnecessary image out of my
head as I stepped forward. “Yes. I’m fine.” I plastered a big
smile across my face before either of them could ferret out
where my mind had gone. “We didn’t mean to interrupt. I
just wanted to thank you for allowing me to stay here, and
for the clothing.”
A ready smile appeared on Kirha’s face as she clasped
my arms. “No need to thank me. Our home has always been
open to Cas. Therefore, it will always be open to you,” she
said, and the sincerity in her words was clear. “I’m glad you
like the clothing. I must say, you look far too beautiful for
this one over here.” She jerked her chin at Cas.
“Ouch,” Casteel murmured, placing a hand over his
heart. “My feelings. They hurt.”
Kirha laughed as she pulled me into a close hug—well,
as close as I could get with the belly between us, but the
embrace was warm and unexpected and so…nice. It was the
kind of hug I hadn’t felt in ages. One I secretly hoped I’d
receive from Queen Eloana upon my arrival. This kind of