The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

Unsettled, I stared at him. “What has the Queen
created, Ian?”
“Let’s hope you never need to find out.”
“I want to find out,” I insisted.
“Do you speak of more knights?” Casteel cast a sneer in
the direction of those standing behind him. “Because if so,
we’re not worried.”
“No.” Ian continued to smile, while the knights showed
no reaction to Casteel’s taunt. “The Revenants are not
knights. They are not Ascended, mortal, nor Atlantian. They
are something far more…unique than that.”
Revenant? I had no idea what that could even be.
“I must take my leave now. It is a long journey back to
the capital. I look forward to seeing you in Oak Ambler.” His
gaze shifted to me. “I wish to hug you, Poppy. I hope you
can look past our differences and grant this favor.”
I locked up as the weight of the wolven dagger
reminded me of the oath I’d made to myself and what I’d
promised Casteel. Ian was…he was no longer my brother.
There were moments when I saw him, but those seconds
truly meant nothing. He was no longer in there.
My gaze snapped to the knights. They were shifting
uneasily, obviously not excited about Ian’s request or how
far away he was now standing from them, and I could feel
the wariness coming from all those around me, especially
Casteel.
This…this could be my chance. I would be more than
close enough to use the dagger. I didn’t think he’d expect it.
I could do it. And in my heart, I knew that to be true. But at
what risk? Casteel and the others could easily take the four
knights. I didn’t doubt that for one second, but what if the
Blood Crown took that as an act of war and Ian had spoken
the truth about these Revenants? What if my one act
spawned the war that Casteel and I were trying to prevent?
I…I didn’t want that.