The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

“It’s a damn shame if you really believe that,” Casteel
replied, looking over his shoulder at his father. “Because to
me, attending to each other’s needs ensures that the
kingdom’s needs can be met. One cannot happen without
the other.”
I stared at Casteel. He…gods, there were times I
couldn’t believe I’d actually stabbed him in the heart.
This was one of them.
“Spoken like a man in love and not someone who has
ever ruled a kingdom,” his father retorted. “Who has very
little experience—”
“None of that matters,” his mother interrupted, her
irritation nearly as strong as her grief. “This is likely a trap
designed to lure not only one but both of you out.”
“It very well could be, but my brother is just beyond the
Skotos Mountains with a message from the Blood Crown. I
cannot think of anything else until I see him.” My gaze
sought out Casteel’s. “We need to go,” I told him. “I need to
go.”
A muscle along Casteel’s jaw ticked. I couldn’t pick up
any emotion from him, but he nodded curtly. “We will leave
for Spessa’s End,” he announced, and his father cursed. He
sent the King a look that brooked no room for argument.
“Immediately.”
Casteel’s parents protested—loudly and strongly—but
neither of us would be swayed. They weren’t even remotely
thrilled when we left the estate, and I didn’t blame them for
that. My arrival had pushed the Crown to the edge of chaos,
and we would lose vital time by going to Spessa’s End. But
there was no way I could have done what the Queen had
asked of me if I remained. I wanted to see all I could of