The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

I grinned. “Is it possible for us to obtain another horse?”
I asked as we neared where Emil and Naill were readying
their mounts. Two saddled horses traveled with us, but they
belonged to Kieran and Delano, who had shifted into their
mortal forms and were now astride the two steeds. “I
would…I would like to ride my own horse into the capital. I
remember what you taught me,” I added when Casteel
looked down at me. Vonetta had stopped, and even in her
wolven form, she sent a look in Casteel’s direction as if she
were warning him not to argue. “I think I am ready—that I
can control a rather calm one.”
His eyes warmed in the fading afternoon sun. “I think
you’re ready, too,” he said, and I beamed up at him.
“Although, I will miss having you in front of me.”
“I will miss that, too,” I admitted, feeling my cheeks
warm. “But I…”
“I know,” he said quietly, and I think he really did
understand why I wanted to ride into the capital on my own
horse. What it meant for me. He pressed a kiss to my
forehead and then looked over his shoulder.
“Already on it,” Emil said, bowing with a flourish. “I will
find you a steed worthy of your beauty and strength, Your
Highness,” he added with a wink and a smile.
I grinned.
“Every time he smiles at you, I want to rip his lips from
his face.”
My brows lifted as I looked at Casteel. “That’s
excessive.”
“Not nearly excessive enough,” he grumbled, eyeing
where the Atlantian had disappeared into the nearby stable.
“Sometimes,” Naill began as he hoisted himself onto his
horse, “I do believe Emil has a death wish.”
“Same,” Casteel muttered, and I rolled my eyes.
Emil returned with a very beautiful gray mare that he’d
been assured was even-tempered. Setti gave his approval