The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

Chapter 32
“There’s just the one carriage and four guards,” Vonetta
told us as we walked across the courtyard, passing the spot
where Casteel and I had knelt and exchanged vows. She had
her braids swept up in a tight bun, and her hand rested on
the golden short sword at her hip. “The remaining Ascended
have stayed back.”
“Are they Royal Knights?” Casteel asked.
Vonetta nodded as the lit torches along the wall rippled
from the breeze.
Spying the Guardians on the wall, I spotted the thick,
blonde braid in the moonlight. Nova stood there, two swords
in hand. Beside her, another Guardian held a bow at her
side. “My brother?”
“He hasn’t been seen, but we believe he remains in the
carriage.”
The endless roiling of my stomach threatened to return,
but I forced myself to stay calm. The last thing I needed was
to start glowing.
As we neared the gates, I saw several men armed with
swords and crossbows. I recognized a few as those I’d aided
after the siege. They bowed as we approached. Kieran and
Delano prowled out of the shadows in their wolven forms.
“Did you all rest?” I asked Vonetta.
She nodded as we caught sight of her father and several
other wolven. “We did. I hope you two did.”
There was a ghost of a smile on Casteel’s face, one I
hoped Vonetta didn’t notice. “I’m sorry about this,” I said to