The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

A tremor coursed through me. I reached over, and
within a heartbeat, Casteel’s hand folded over mine. “So,
what happens now?”
“It’s fairly simple,” his father answered. “In front of the
Council of Elders, we will relinquish the crowns and the
control to you and my son. And then we announce to the
citizens the changing of the Crown.”
My heart skipped a beat as I glanced at the shadowy
alcoves. “Does that happen now since the Council is already
present?”
Valyn smiled faintly. “It can.”
Casteel eyed the alcoves. “And do any of them stand in
opposition?”
There was silence, and then to our left, a tall man
stepped out from the shadows. His eyes were a bright
yellow, and his dark hair was turning silver at the temples,
meaning he was a very, very old Atlantian.
“Lord Gregori.” Casteel inclined his head, apparently
recognizing the man. “You have something to say?”
“I do, Your Highness.” The man bowed while Eloana sent
her husband a wry look. “I know there is nothing we can say
to suspend what is about to occur, but as one of the oldest
Elders on the Council, I feel that I must speak for myself and
others who are concerned about this development.”
If he was one of the oldest members of the Council, then
I suspected he was a changeling. My gifts pressed against
my skin, and I let my senses open just enough to get a read
on him. The stringent taste of distrust dried my mouth but
wasn’t at all surprising considering his words.
“Your concerns are noted,” Casteel observed. “But as
you suspected, they will not delay this.”
The acidic burst of irritation rose from Lord Gregori. He
started to step back.
“What are your concerns?” I asked, genuinely curious.
Lord Gregori’s gaze skipped to me. His features showed
none of the wariness he felt. “We are on the brink of war,