The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

quickly. “I should’ve said this as soon as you walked into the
room, but I…” She trailed off, shaking her head. “I am
deeply sorry, Penellaphe.”
I watched Casteel’s father dip his chin to kiss his
mother’s temple, an act that tugged at my heart, reminding
me of Casteel. The breath I took no longer scalded my
throat, even if my skin still pricked with pent-up frustration.
But Casteel’s parents had been dealt a shock. I couldn’t
forget that she likely knew I shared the same blood as her
first husband. I was a painful reminder of a past she
probably wished never to think of.
And while the part of me that existed in the center of
the hum in my chest wanted me to turn around and leave, I
knew that would be as pointless as lecturing Casteel.
Besides, I was capable of compassion, and I did feel
empathy for his mother—for both of his parents. I was not
what they expected. Ever.
“It’s okay. You haven’t had a chance to really see
Casteel, let alone speak to him. And I can understand why
you’d be shocked to see me as I am and not as one should
be after an Ascension,” I said. There was no missing the
twin bursts of surprise from both his parents.
Queen Eloana blinked rapidly while her husband stared
at me as if I’d sprouted a third arm. His mother recovered
first. “Thank you for being so understanding, especially
when we are the ones who have much to atone for.
Please,”—she extended an arm to identical settees that sat
across from the one she had been seated upon—“have a
seat.”
Casteel glanced back at me, the question clear in his
eyes. He was leaving it up to me, whether we stayed or left.
I reached out to him, welcoming the weight and feel of his
fingers around mine. I nodded.
Relief was evident from both his parents. “Would either
of you like something to drink? Kieran?” she asked.