The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

Although this was the Temple, a wicked sense of deja vu
swept over me as we neared the semicircular steps, and two
guards opened the door. This time was different, though,
because I wasn’t entering as a Princess uncertain about her
future.
I was entering as one who was about to become Queen.
Emil waited for us just inside the Temple entryway,
standing under an Atlantian banner that hung from the
ceiling. My gaze locked on the closed doors beyond him,
where at least ten guards were positioned. Wariness
radiated from them, coming from what was probably a very
unexpected sight of several dozen wolven climbing the
steps beside us.
My heart tripped in my chest even as I walked forward.
My hand trembled even enclosed in Casteel’s. I knew I was
making the best choice. I was as ready as I would ever be,
but it felt like a dozen flesh-eating carrions had taken flight
in my chest. This was…this would be huge. I would enter as
Poppy and leave as a Queen—Queen to people who didn’t
know me and who may not trust me.
Casteel stopped, turning to me. His fingers touched my
cheek, just below the scars. He guided my gaze to his.
“You’ve faced Craven and vamprys, men wearing masks of
human flesh, creatures without faces, and stared down
Atlantians who wanted to harm you with the kind of strength
and bravery most lack,” he whispered. “Remember what
you are. Fearless.”
Fingers touched the other side of my cheek, and
Kieran’s pale eyes locked with mine. “You are a descendant
of the gods, Poppy. You run from no one and nothing.”