The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

been there before. “What does Atlantia truly hope to gain by
taking my sister?”
A wave of awareness curled down my spine as the
knight to Ian’s left turned his head toward him. I was
surprised that he didn’t refer to me as all the Ascended did.
As the Maiden. A tiny spark of hope returned.
“Atlantia has many things to gain from it,” Casteel
responded. “But I have gained everything from the union.”
Ian stared at him, his brows knitted. He then looked at
me, tentatively taking several steps forward. The wolven
allowed it. “Am I supposed to believe you willingly married
the monster responsible for our parents’ deaths?”
“I happily married the Prince, who you and I both know
had nothing to do with our parents’ deaths.”
Ian shook his head, his brows raised. “I can only imagine
what you have been told that led you to stand beside the
enemy—those responsible for such terror and pain. I will not
hold it against you,” he said. “Neither will the Crown. The
Queen and King are so very worried about you, and we had
so much hope that we would free you in the Wastelands.”
“I do not need to be freed.” Wrapping myself around the
anger I felt, I smirked. “I’m sure they’re very concerned to
have lost their blood bag.”
“Poppy, that’s not—”
“Don’t,” I interrupted him, sliding my hand free from
Casteel’s. “I know the truth about the Ascended. I know how
the Craven are made, and I know why they are holding
Prince Malik and what they planned to use me for. So, let’s
not pretend that I don’t know the truth. That you don’t. The
Blood Crown is the root of the evil plaguing the people of
Solis. They are the oppressors, not the heroes.”
A heartbeat passed. “The villain is always the hero in
their story, aren’t they?”
“Not in this one,” I retorted.
He didn’t speak for a long moment and then said, “I
would like to speak with you.” His dark eyes flicked to the