The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

good Queen, but I want to make things better for the people
in Solis and in Atlantia. I keep thinking about how the
Ascended need to be stopped. I know that needs to happen,
and that has to mean something, right? And I have to
believe that being able to possibly prevent war is worth
figuring that out. People’s lives are worth that, including my
brother’s. You’d be by my side. We’d rule together, and we’d
have your parents to help us.” And maybe I would come to
love Atlantia as deeply as he and his parents did. It already
felt like home to me, so it was possible. But there was also a
little guilt. I wanted his mother to approve of why I decided
to take the Crown. I swallowed, but a knot remained in my
throat. “That is if you want this. If you can be happy with
this. I don’t want you to feel forced into it,” I said as he took
a quiet step toward me. “I know you said that part of you
knew it would happen eventually, but I want you to know for
sure that this is what you want and not…not do it just
because I’m choosing this,” I finished, watching him and
waiting for a response. When he stopped before me, saying
nothing, the knot expanded in my throat. “Are you going to
say something?”
Casteel knelt in front of me, resting a knee in the sand.
“I told you before that if you wanted the Crown, I would
support it. I would be right there with you. That hasn’t
changed.”
“But what do you want?” I insisted.
He placed his hands on my knees. “This isn’t about me
or what I want.”
“Bullshit,” I exclaimed.
Casteel laughed. “I’m sorry.” He dipped his chin,
grinning. “You’re just adorable when you curse.”
“That’s weird, but whatever. It’s not just about me.”
“It’s about you because I know what ruling a kingdom
entails. I grew up with a Queen as a mother and a King as a
father. I also grew up knowing that I could ascend to the
throne.” Golden eyes met mine. “Even though I’ve held off