The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

“Because when you learned he was an Ascended, you
got so upset, you lost control of your emotions. You began to
glow and call the wolven to you,” he said, lowering his chin
so we were at eye-level. “They felt your anger, and I don’t
know if you noticed or not, but I’m pretty sure if you had
commanded them to attack, they would’ve done so without
hesitation.”
I had noticed that.
“And while I have to admit that is a rather impressive
ability, I also fear what will happen when you see Ian, and
you no longer recognize him,” he said, and my heart seized.
“And I don’t fear your anger or what you do with that wealth
of power in you. I don’t fear that at all. I fear what it will do
to you—the knowledge that your brother is truly gone.”
I sucked in a shuddering breath as I briefly squeezed my
eyes shut. His concern warmed me. It came from such a
beautiful place.
“Are you truly ready for that?” he asked, moving his
hands to my cheeks. “Are you really ready to do what you
believe is necessary if you find that he has become
something unrecognizable?”
The air I breathed continued to hurt as I placed my
hands on his chest, feeling his heart beat strongly under my
palm. I looked up at him, seeing the flecks of amber. “You
know I hope to find a part of him still inside there, but I
know I have to be ready for what I find. I have to be ready if
nothing of Ian remains.”
Casteel smoothed his thumbs over my skin. “And if
you’re not ready when it comes to releasing him from this
curse?”
“I am willing to shoulder whatever pain comes from
giving my brother peace,” I told him.
A fine tremor coursed through him. “I have to see my
brother.”
“I know, and I swear, I’m not going to hold you back.
That isn’t what this is about. Yes, I am worried about this