The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

Liking the old, somewhat crotchety man, my lips curved
into a smile.
“Are you seriously smiling at him after he just suggested
that I don’t have a brain?” Casteel demanded in mockoffense.
“I am under the impression he suggested you don’t use
your brain often,” I told him. “Not that you don’t have one.
And, yes, I am smiling at him. I like him.”
“Her Highness has good taste.” Raul nodded in my
direction. “Not counting the taste that got you standing next
to that one.”
I laughed again. “Trust me, I have questioned that.”
Perry laughed, and then came a rough chuckle from the
old man. “I like her, Cas,” said the Atlantian.
“Of course, you do,” muttered Casteel. “Can you give
Setti and Storm some extra sugar cubes? They deserve it.”
“Will do.”
We parted ways then, walking across the courtyard,
followed by the wolven. I opened my mouth—
“Let me guess,” Kieran cut in. “You have questions.”
I ignored him. “Does Perry live here? At the palace?”
“He has quarters here, but he has his own home with his
family in Evaemon.” Casteel brushed the hair out of his eyes
with his free hand. “We basically grew up together.”
“Why does he have quarters here if he has his own
home?”
“Because he is a Lord, much like his father, Sven,” he
advised, “who is an Elder. All the Elders have rooms here.”
Considering that the palace appeared large enough to
house a small village, I wasn’t surprised to hear that.
“I’m also betting that the Council has been called and
are awaiting our arrival,” Casteel continued.
My heart tripped over itself a little. Although the wolven
we’d sent ahead wouldn’t have told Casteel’s parents of our
decision, nor did I think Emil would, I imagined his parents
sensed that we’d made a decision.