The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

Chapter 47
Time slowed, and I couldn’t make sense of what I was
seeing. That Ian was no longer whole. That there was so
much red everywhere—on the ground, on me. That it was
his body falling, and it was his head rolling across the floor.
It didn’t make sense.
Neither did the way I saw the Handmaiden lift her hand,
her lips parted on a shocked gasp. Or how Prince Malik
jerked back a step, the smug impassivity slipping from his
handsome face as the wall around his emotions cracked just
enough for me to feel the pulse of disbelief echoing through
him. I didn’t understand Tawny’s screams as she backed
away, why Emil’s eyes were so wide, or how quickly the
blood drained from Kieran’s face, and the silent scream that
etched itself onto Vonetta’s features. I didn’t get why Naill
had closed his eyes or why Casteel was wrapping his arm
around my waist, trying to turn me away, but I couldn’t be
moved. I wouldn’t be moved. Agony ripped into my heart
and chewed its way through my skull. Images of Ian and I
flashed over and over in my mind, every single memory of
him rapidly taking form.
“I loved him. I loved him as if he were my own flesh and
blood!” Isbeth screamed, and then she calmed. “Look at
what you made me do.”
Everything stopped as the entirety of the kingdom
seemed to close in on me. I lifted my gaze from Ian.
Casteel’s arms tightened around me. “You vindictive
bitch,” he snarled.