The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

“That’s because you don’t know many ladies,” Raul
retorted as he reached for Storm’s reins, scratching the
horse’s neck.
Perry nodded with a laugh. “Can’t argue with that. But I
have heard about this particular lady. That is if the rumors
are true.” He paused, looking over to where the wolven
watched him. “And I’m thinking the rumors are very true.”
“This is Princess Penellaphe. My wife,” Casteel
announced, and my heart gave a happy little skip in
response to his words. “If that is the rumor you speak of,
then it is true.”
“Part of the rumor,” Perry answered.
Raul muttered, “Well, shit.”
I had no idea if their response was common or a
harbinger, but then Perry started to step forward. A fawncolored
wolven appeared in front of Storm, its ears pinned
back. Perry raised his brows. “Is that you, Vonetta?”
It was.
But the wolven gave no response, only continued
staring at the Atlantian, her body tense and still. If Vonetta
and Perry had been on familiar terms before, it no longer
appeared to matter. But if Perry was allowed to call the
Prince, “Cas,” then I knew he was trusted.
I followed the vanilla-oak of Vonetta’s imprint. It’s okay.
He is a friend of Casteel’s, right?
There was a moment of silence, and then Vonetta’s
whisper found my thoughts. Friends of Cas have betrayed
him.
Well, she had a good point there. Let’s give him a
chance, though.
Vonetta shot me a rather arch look for a wolven, but she
backed off several feet.
“Shit,” Raul repeated.
“Well, if that isn’t confirmation of the other rumor, then I
don’t know what would be.” The smile returned to Perry’s
handsome face as he looked up at me. A bubbly, fresh taste