The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

pivoted, prowling back toward the bedchamber. “He has a
message from the Blood Crown. We are going to see him.
And if you’re trying to stop me now, after we came all this
way, you’re going to be very disappointed.”
“I’m not trying to stop you.”
“Then what are you getting at?” I demanded.
“Are you going to look at me and listen?”
My head shot in his direction. “I’m looking at you right
now. What?”
His eyes burned a fiery gold. “But are you listening?”
“Unfortunately,” I retorted.
“That was rude, but I’m going to ignore that.” A muscle
ticked along his jaw as he tilted his head. “You know that
what we’re doing is a risk.”
“Of course, I know that. I’m not foolish.”
His brows rose “You’re not?”
My eyes narrowed. “I understand the risks, Casteel. Just
like you understood them when you decided to masquerade
as a mortal guard.”
“That’s different.”
“Really? Seriously? At any moment, you could’ve been
discovered and captured. Then what?” I shot back. “But you
did it nonetheless because you were doing it for your
brother.”
“Okay. You’re right.” He stepped into me, eyes churning
with flecks of heated amber. “I was willing to take those
risks with my life—”
“I swear to the gods if you say you’re not willing to allow
me to take those same risks, I’m going to hurt you,” I
warned.
One side of his lips kicked up. “If that’s a threat, it’s my
favorite kind.”
“It will not be in a way you like.” I glanced pointedly
below his waist. “Trust me.” I turned from him and took a
step. Without warning, he was suddenly in front of me. I
jerked back. “Damn it. I hate when you do that!”