The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

mortal form. If things went the way I hoped, there would be
no risk to most of the wolven. The crunch of dried leaves
alerted me to the progress Kieran made and the rattle of
branches above told me that Reaver had taken flight.
Traces of moonlight cut through the bent trees as I
glanced down at my left palm. The marriage imprint glowed
softly. Closing my hand, I lifted the hood on the cloak just
enough that the crown was hidden. I slid my right hand
inside my cloak as I saw a row of torches through the bowed
limbs.
“I see them,” Delano said quietly. “There’s about a
dozen.”
Less than I thought there would be, which was kind of
offensive.
Kieran hung back as Delano and I neared the edges of
the trees. I could see a line of guards, their mantles
blending into the night, even in the moonlight. Knights. My
opened senses confirmed as much, but there was another—
one who stood off to the side, dressed in black. A younger
male with dark hair. I sensed…nothing from him, but it
wasn’t the utter emptiness of an Ascended. The one with his
arms crossed was not a vampry, and I was willing to bet it
was a Revenant.
The knights moved in unison before Delano and I
stepped out of the trees, lifting shields with the Royal Crest
carved into the metal. Swords were held at their sides. I
stared at the crest—a circle with an arrow piercing the
center. It symbolized infinity and power, but I realized that I
was the arrow on the Atlantian Crest. Not the sword. I now
saw the Royal Crest in a whole new light. I smiled.
“I don’t know why you’re smiling,” the Revenant spoke.
“I don’t believe things went well for you the last time you
were here.”
I flicked a brief glance in his direction. “I truly hope it is
not you that they sent to speak with me. If so, I can assure
you that tonight will not end well for you.”