The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

He didn’t answer for a long moment. “I believe in things
that make sense, Poppy. Him telling you to wake Nyktos
because his guards can defeat the Blood Crown only makes
sense if he was trying to help us. I cannot think of how that
would help the Blood Crown. Like I said in there, they have
not indicated that they want you dead. I do think he’s trying
to help you—help us—at great risk to himself. For him to be
willing to do that to help his sister has to mean that he’s still
in there. A normal Ascended would be looking out for only
themselves. He’s not like them.”
I briefly closed my eyes, nodding. Hearing that Casteel
believed that Ian was still in there erased the tiny doubts I
still had and made what we needed to talk about easier.
“And that could mean that some Ascended, young ones like
Ian, who might not have had years and years to control their
bloodlust, aren’t a lost cause.”
“It could.”
“And Atlantia is preparing for war—to kill all the
Ascended. Your mother told me it wouldn’t matter if Ian
wasn’t like the others. They wouldn’t take that risk.” I
moved to what was left of a pier, sitting on a stone post. “I
can’t let that happen. We can’t let that happen.”
Casteel turned to me, remaining quiet.
I took a deep breath as I looked up at him. “It’s not just
about my brother. Yes, he’s a big reason. I know your
mother wants me to choose the Crown because I love
Atlantia, but there isn’t enough time for me to feel that way.
I…I don’t know if I need to right now. Because I am already
protective of Atlantia and her people. I don’t want to see
them used by the Ascended or harmed during a war. I also
don’t want to see Solis ravaged. I know you don’t either.”
“I don’t.”
My hands started to tremble, so I folded them between
my knees. “I have no idea how to rule a kingdom, but I know
that can be learned. You said so. Your mother said so. I don’t
know if I’m ready for that, or if I would ultimately make a