The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

they send had better be fit to receive a Queen. That I will
only speak to her or to the King.”
The corners of the commander’s lips curved up as she
bowed at the waist. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“A message?” Eloana asked. “What are you planning?”
“First, I brought my friend back from Solis. The one I
believed to have Ascended. She hasn’t, but she was
wounded with what I believe was shadowstone, and my
abilities aren’t working on her.” I dragged my palms over my
knees. “Delano took Tawny to one of the rooms and
summoned a Healer. I would ask that you look after her. She
is…” I inhaled deeply. “She was my first friend.”
Eloana nodded. “Of course. I will do all that I can to help
her.”
“Thank you.” I cleared my throat. “I’m going to take a
bath.” A shower was… I couldn’t do that and not think of
Casteel, and the only way I was surviving currently was by
not thinking of him. “I’m going to Iliseeum. Once I return, I
will send the Blood Queen the kind of message only Casteel
would be proud of.”
“Knowing what my son would be proud of,” she said,
voice thickening, “I can only imagine what kind of message
that will be.”
I felt my lips curve up in a tight, savage smile. “And then
I’m going to finish what you started centuries ago. I will
return these lands to Atlantia, and I will return with my King
at my side.”
Golden eyes locked with mine. “And if you fail?”
“I won’t.”