The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

Atlantia, but my brother was more important than a gilded
crown or a kingdom.
Casteel’s parents would return to the capital, and we
would join them there once we returned from Spessa’s End.
I knew their decision to go to Evaemon meant that I would
have to make my decision then, based on what little I’d
seen of Atlantia.
I couldn’t think of any of that now.
As soon as we arrived at the Contous’ home, Kieran and
Vonetta went to their parents. Both Jasper and Kirha came
to our room, while I quickly braided my hair before shoving
a sweater and a heavier tunic into a saddlebag for both
Casteel and I, remembering how cold it could get in the
Skotos Mountains. On the way out, I stopped at the
wardrobe, grabbing an extra shirt for both of us, each in
black, and another pair of breeches for him just in case our
clothing became soiled…or bloodied.
Which seemed to happen a lot.
“The wolven will travel with you,” Kirha said as I entered
the sitting room. She sat in the chair Jasper had occupied
the night before. He now stood behind his wife. “That’s the
only way to ensure the trap fails—if this is a trap.”
“How many?” Casteel asked as he took the saddlebag
from me. His brows flew up as he glanced down at the
leather bag. “What did you pack in here? A small child?”
I frowned. “Only a change of clothing.” He looked at me
doubtfully. “Or two.”
A lopsided grin appeared.
“At least a dozen and a half can be ready to leave
immediately. Maybe a little more. Kieran is wrangling them
now,” Jasper said. “And that’s not including my children and
me.”
“You’re coming with us?” I turned to them. “And
Vonetta? She just arrived, didn’t she?”
“I told her she could stay,” Kirha said, shifting in the
seat as if she sought a more comfortable position. “That she