The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

“And then you two can retire…or do whatever you please.”
“A bed would be nice,” Casteel said, and I really hoped
he didn’t elaborate on that thought.
“Will you two remain in the palace?” I asked. “I hope
you will.”
“As do I,” Casteel agreed.
Valyn looked at Eloana before nodding. “We plan to stay
—at least until you have returned from Iliseeum and your
meeting with the Blood Crown. We figured you would want
us as your surrogates until then.”
“They will handle minor issues that arise during the time
we’re absent,” Casteel explained quickly. “Usually, the
advisor, or in rare cases the Council, steps in.”
I nodded.
Eloana’s gaze moved between us, and I knew it was
time. Hisa and another guard stepped forward, each
grasping the handle of a door. Kieran’s gaze met mine and
then Casteel’s. He grinned as he joined Emil and Naill.
My heart started pounding as the doors began to inch
open. The sound of the crowd grew louder as the last of the
sunlight shone through the ceiling and seeped through the
opening in the doors.
The balcony was rounded and long enough that each of
the Elders stood to the left and right, against the black,
stone railing. Willa had been waiting toward the back of the
balcony, but now she walked forward, her curls a blue-black
in the faint sunlight. She spoke, and a hush traveled
throughout the crowd. I couldn’t be sure what she said
because my blood thumped in my ears, and my chest
hummed. All I was aware of was that Casteel’s parents had
moved to stand on either side of us, and the utter
surrealness of Miss Willa—the Miss Willa—about to introduce
us to the kingdom as King and Queen.
Never in a thousand years could I have ever dreamt up
this moment.