The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

Inherently, I knew what they were for, having a wispy
memory of spotting something similar in Wayfair Castle.
Reaching up, I lifted the crown from my head. The gilded
bone was smooth and cool to the touch, reminding me of
the wolven bone in my dagger. Carefully, I placed it on the
podium, letting it rest on the ledge.
The Queen of Flesh and Fire.
Flesh and Fire. I had heard that phrase twice before.
Casteel’s mother had said it when she first saw me, and it
had been mentioned in the prophecy that Alastir had
recited.
But I wasn’t the great conspirator.
And the title…well, it sounded badass.
Grinning, I turned from the crown and wandered over to
the nightstand. I found a wooden toy horse. I picked it up,
marveling at the intricacy. No detail had been spared. I
turned it over, surprised to see Malik’s name carved
underneath. I ran my thumb over the strokes in the wood.
“Malik made that,” Casteel said from the doorway. I
turned, watching him remove the crown and place it on the
pedestal next to mine. “It was for my birthday. My sixth, I
believe. Gods, that was forever ago.” He paused. “Which
reminds me, I don’t think we know each other’s birthdays,
do we?”
“I’m sure we—” I laughed as I realized that he was
correct. I placed the horse back where I found it. There was
so much we knew about each other, and yet so many things
we didn’t. “When is your birthday?”
He grinned as he leaned against the wall. “I was born on
the first day of the sixth month. You?”
My smile started to fade. “I was born in the fourth
month.”
“And?” An eyebrow rose.
I drifted forward. “I…I don’t know. I mean, I don’t
remember. I have these vague memories of celebrating a
birthday when I was younger, but after my parents died,