The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

—”
“Poppy looks so different,” Ian interrupted, having come
up behind us. “Doesn’t she?”
I pulled back, my eyes searching Tawny’s as she
nodded. I spared a quick look at Ian and saw that the
Handmaiden was eyeing us as she moved slowly behind
Casteel and Kieran. Both of them had crept closer. Tawny…
she knew the truth about the Queen and the Ascended, and
Ian was trying to protect her.
“I know,” I said, meeting Tawny’s gaze. “I do look
different without the veil.”
Tawny’s lips trembled, but she forced a smile as she
looked between Ian and me. “You look beautiful without the
veil.”
I slid my hands to her arms. “I’m so happy to see you.
I’ve missed you so much. And I’ve been so worried.”
“As I’ve missed you,” Tawny replied, aware of the guards
circling the room. “But there is no reason to worry.” She
swallowed as she looked up at where Casteel had come to
stand at my side. “Hello.” She paused, eyes narrowing
slightly. “Hawke.”
How she said his name and the look she gave him was
so Tawny, I almost started crying.
“Hello, Tawny.” Casteel bowed his head. “I am relieved
to see that you are well. Although I wish we were confirming
that under different circumstances.”
“As do we all,” Ian murmured under his breath.
The young woman drifted closer, her still gaze seeming
to miss nothing. Tawny started to glance back at her, but
then the Handmaiden’s gaze flicked to the entrance of the
Great Hall.
Awareness pressed against the nape of my neck and my
back, erupting in icy shivers. Ian stepped back, using his
arm to guide Tawny to do the same. I knew before I turned
what I would find, but I still moved as if I were caught in