The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

“That’s because I’m smart.” Casteel dipped his head,
kissing my brow. “I love your compassion, Poppy,” he
whispered. “I really do. But we must continue.”
Heart sinking, I nodded as I stared at the creature.
“We’ll be back,” I promised him, unsure if he could
understand what I said or if he was even aware that we
were still there.
It took everything in me to leave the room, the man’s
intense stare taking up space in my mind. I didn’t think he
was a wivern or a changeling, because why would the bones
of a deity be needed to cage one of them?
Surely that couldn’t be… “Could Malec change forms?” I
asked as we entered a narrow stairwell.
“No,” Casteel answered from in front of me. “I know
what you’re thinking. That’s not him. He was not the kind of
deity that could shift forms.”
Somehow, that didn’t relieve me as it should. We
rounded a bend in the stairs, and Casteel opened the door
slowly. “Clear,” he murmured.
We stepped out into the first floor of the castle, in a
back hall. Based on the bare walls and minimal lighting, I’d
bet only the servants ever used it. Quietly, we made our
way toward the end of the hall where a crimson banner
hung with the Royal Crest in gold. We were a few feet from
the opening when Casteel cursed low and grasped my hand,
hauling me behind him as he stepped forward, withdrawing
a sword.
A figure stepped into the opening, coming to stand in
front of the banner—a young woman with midnight hair
combed back from her face and into one thick braid. Lacy
black material covered her arms, upper chest, and neck, the
cloth transparent except for the thicker material that ran
through the lace like vines. Her tunic was fitted to her chest
and stomach and flared out at her rounded hips. There were
slits on either side, revealing black pants and boots that
laced up to her knees.