The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

marry your great-niece or another family member you can
drag out before him. All you’re doing is causing him to risk
his life and the future of Atlantia. Because he will come for
me.”
Pale eyes met mine. “I don’t think it will come to that.”
“You’re delusional if you believe that.”
“It’s not that I believe he’ll give up on you,” he said. “I
just don’t think he’ll get the chance to stage a rescue
attempt.”
My entire body locked up. “If you hurt him—”
“You will do nothing, Penellaphe. You’re not in a position
to do anything,” he pointed out, and I swallowed a scream
of rage and frustration. “But I have no plans to harm the
Prince. And I pray to the gods that it doesn’t come to that.”
“Then what…?” It occurred to me then. “You think the
Ascended will kill me?”
Alastir said nothing.
“You are delusional.” I tipped my head back against the
wall. “The Ascended need me. They need Atlantian blood.”
“Tell me, Penellaphe, what will you do when you’re in
their hands? The moment you are free of the bones. You’ll
attack them, won’t you? You’ll kill as many of them as you
can to get free and return to our Prince.”
He was right.
I would kill any and all who stood between Casteel and
me because we deserved to be together. We deserved a
future, a chance to explore each other’s secrets. To love one
another. We deserved to simply…live. I would do anything to
ensure that.
Alastir continued watching me. “And what do you think
is the only thing the Ascended value above power? Survival.
They will not have these bones to hold you. And if they
believe they can’t control you, think that you’re too much of
a risk, they will end you. But before that happens, I imagine
you will take many down with you.”