The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

Telling her that I hoped so probably wouldn’t come
across as very reassuring. “If any Ascended hope to live,
they will.”
“Including the Queen and King?” she questioned. “Will
they live and retain power?”
“No. They will not, no matter if they agree,” I said,
studying her profile. I didn’t know if she knew of my past
with the Queen of Solis. “Ileana raised me for many years. It
was she who changed my bandages and held me when I
had nightmares. She was the closest thing I had to a mother
then, and I cared for her very much,” I shared, forcing my
hands to relax. “It has been hard to reconcile the Queen I
knew and the monster she obviously is. I don’t know if I ever
will, but I don’t need to reconcile who she was to me with
who she truly is to know that she nor King Jalara can live.
Not after what they did to Casteel—to Malik, my brother,
and everyone else.”
“And to you?”
I nodded.
Queen Eloana watched me quietly for several
heartbeats. “You mean that.”
What she said wasn’t a question, but I answered
anyway. “I do.”
Her gaze swept over my face, touching briefly on the
scars. “My son said you were brave and strong. I see that is
no exaggeration.”
Hearing that from Casteel’s mother meant a lot, but
knowing how much strength and grit were inside her made
it mean even more. There was a good chance that I might
do something silly like run around the garden…or hug her.
I managed to remain seated and keep my arms to
myself.
“What my son failed to mention though, is that you’re
also incredibly logical,” she added.
A laugh burst from me. I couldn’t help it, and it was loud
enough that Kieran looked over his shoulder at us with a