“I also find it inflated in this situation,” Vonetta continued. “He may not kill you, but he will definitely break something. Many somethings.”

  “As long as it’s not my dick—” Emil’s head snapped up as we rounded the corner. Vonetta hastily stepped back. A wide smile broke out across Emil’s face. “There you two are. We were starting to get worried.”

  “Sure, you were,” Casteel replied.

  Vonetta stared at the floor as if she might find the answers to life written in the limestone. I fixed my gaze on her, and she cast me a quick look, her lips pursing.

  “We were,” Emil insisted. “What would we tell the crowd if our Queen and King went missing?” He stepped aside, his easy grin not fading. “Everyone is waiting for you inside.”

  As we passed between them, Casteel looked at Emil. “By the way,” he said, not even trying to keep his voice down, “he is definitely going to do worse than break your dick.”

  My head snapped toward Cas as Kieran stepped out at the end of the hall. “Why are we talking about breaking dicks?” His gaze moved behind us. “In front of my sister.”

  “We aren’t,” I said before Casteel could open his mouth. “Only he is. And no one knows why.”

  Kieran frowned.

  So did Casteel. Why would I be talking about breaking dicks?

  Good question. I didn’t have to look behind me to know Emil had likely gone as pale as an Ascended. And Kieran’s not going to do that to Emil.

  Want to bet?

  I rolled my eyes. No. Because I would win. At least, I thought I would. But based on how his smirk grew, I was beginning to think I was overconfident.

  Kieran eyed his sister and Emil. “And what are you two doing out here?”

  That question didn’t help.

  “I was making use of the privy, if you must know,” Vonetta replied. “It’s that time of the—”

  “Never mind,” Kieran interrupted. Now, he appeared as sickly as a Craven. “Forget I asked. Gods.” He held the door open. “Everyone is inside.”

  As we entered the High Chamber, I glanced at Vonetta.

  She sent me a quick grin.

  Keeping my face blank because I could feel Kieran’s stare boring into me, I faced forward. The High Chamber consisted of two rooms, and people were scattered across both spaces. But my gaze was immediately drawn to a head full of tight, snow-white curls.

  My stomach twisted sharply. I still hadn’t told Tawny what I’d done. And I’d had ample time at this point. I was being a coward. As she stepped out from behind Perry and his father, I noticed she wasn’t alone.

  The only wolven who wasn’t a child and shorter than me stood beside Tawny, her golden-blond hair falling over her shoulders in loose waves.

  With her flawless golden skin, wide-set winter-blue eyes, and absurdly perfect figure, Gianna Davenwell was as beautiful as the first time I’d seen her—even more so as she smiled at something Tawny said.

  Casteel’s gaze followed mine as Hisa skirted Delano and Naill. So…do you think they have something going?

  I don’t know, I told him. Tawny had never expressed such interests before, unlike when a male caught her eye. But I didn’t think that meant there hadn’t been any, especially considering the world we came from. Such attraction wasn’t outright forbidden in Solis among the nobility, but it hadn’t exactly been something welcomed. Tawny might not have felt comfortable discussing her attraction. Or perhaps she, like me and many of the second sons and daughters, simply hadn’t gained enough experience to know what she liked.

  I wanted to ask, but I also didn’t want it to seem like a big deal. Because it wasn’t. Not to me or anyone else in this chamber.

  Well, that wasn’t exactly true.

  Tawny’s relationship with anyone was a big deal because of what I’d turned her into.

  She turned, and a smile crossed her lips. When she smiled like that, it was impossible to think of her becoming cruel and cold.

  Tawny sidled up to me, her voice low as she drawled, “Sooo, Attes?”

  Looking around, I didn’t see him, even though I felt he was nearby. Maybe he was in the other room. “He just arrived last night.”

  “He is quite…virile.”

  “Virile?” I coughed.

  Her lips were mashed together as she smiled, which was quite the expression. “Yes.”

  “I hadn’t noticed.”

  “That’s because you’re…dickmatized.” Tawny’s gaze traveled across the chamber.

  “Tawny,” I whispered, swallowing a laugh as I saw Kieran frown.

  “Twice over,” she added.

  I started to turn.

  “Meyaah Liessa,” Gianna spoke, drawing my attention as she dipped her head. She started to bow.

  I shot forward, nearly running straight into Malik as Casteel let go. “That’s not necessary,” I assured her.

  Gianna straightened, the center of her cheeks flushing. “Sorry,” she said softly. “It’s habit.”

  “It’s okay.” I glanced behind me as Malik intercepted Casteel. I faced them, smiling. “Thank you for making sure Tawny got here in one piece.”

  “No need to thank me,” Gianna replied, loosely clasping her hands in front of her lavender tunic while Tawny stared at me with raised brows. “It was an honor to do so.”

  Tawny laughed. “She is lying. It was likely more of an enormous pain, considering the amount of complaining I did.”

  “That’s not true.” Gianna’s perfectly bowed lips spread into a grin. “Entirely.”

  I kept smiling, even though Tawny was still staring at me weirdly. “I’m still shocked that Tawny slept outside of four walls and a roof.”

  Tawny snorted. “You and me both.” She turned to Gianna as she looped an arm through mine. “I’ll be right back,” she said, starting to steer me around.

  “It’s good to see you,” I said to Gianna.

  Surprised, Gianna blinked. “Same.”

  “Poppy,” Tawny whispered as she all but dragged me past Delano’s curious gaze. “Why are you smiling like that?”

  My brows knitted. “What do you mean?”

  “You’re smiling with your whole face.” Tawny stopped at the entryway to the second chamber. “Like your whole face.”

  “I don’t even know what that means.”

  “Really?” Tawny sighed. “You were smiling like this.”

  Then, she smiled, her mouth half-open and cheeks so wide they looked like they were full of cotton.

  She looked ridiculous.

  “I was not,” I hissed.

  “You were,” Kieran remarked, his shoulder brushing mine as he entered the other chamber. He looked over his shoulder. “And it was kind of disturbing.”

  My mouth dropped open as he joined Casteel and Malik, who spoke in low voices. I turned back toward Tawny. “Was I really?”

  She nodded.

  I cringed. “Even with my mouth open?”

  “Maybe not the mouth part,” she said.

  Thank the gods.

  “But it was a huge smile.”

  I sighed. “I was trying to be…friendly. You know, because I…”

  “Threatened to feed her to barrats?”

  I didn’t need to confirm that. “And because you two seem…friendly. Close.”

  Pale brows arched, creating wrinkles in her warm-brown skin. “We do?”

  Okay, perhaps both Casteel and I had misread their relationship. “Or not?”

  “I’m kidding. We are friendly.” Tawny giggled, a white curl falling against her cheek as she leaned in. “And close.”

  “Exactly how close?”

  Tawny grinned as she straightened, brushing an imaginary piece of lint from her gold-hued gown. “Well…”

  “Tawny,” I pressed when she fell silent.

  She glanced up, her pale, nearly colorless eyes dancing with…joy. Life. So much, that it was a relief to see. It also hurt. “We are—”

  “Penellaphe,” Valyn’s voice rang out from the other chamber. He stood in the entryway. “It’s close to time.”

  Damn it.

  “We’ll talk later,” Tawny said, turning to a serving table.

  We would.

  We had to.

  But not just about Gianna.

  “Here.” She all but shoved a glass of wine into my hands. “Drink this. You’ll do great.”

  “Thank you.”

  The trace of stale lilacs was barely noticeable as she hugged me and whispered, “Just don’t do that smiling thing again.”

  “I’ll try not to,” I told her, my voice dry.

  She laughed. “There are a lot of people out there, Poppy.” Her arms were slow to loosen. “If it gets to be too much, just look above them. Okay?”

  “Okay,” I told her.

  Giving me one last squeeze, she let go. I turned to where Valyn waited.

  I joined him. “This feels familiar, doesn’t it?” he asked.

  My mind flashed to Oak Ambler. “It does.”

  “You will do as amazing as you did then.” He ducked as we passed under the archway. “I have complete faith in you.”

  “Thank you.” I took a sip of the dry wine. “It will be easier with Casteel here.”

  “Perhaps,” he said with a half-smile so similar to his sons’, his gaze finding them standing with Kieran. A sweet, almost bubbly emotion rose in him as he stopped. Noticing my stare, he laughed softly. “Sorry. I’m still not used to seeing them together. Much to my shame, I had accepted…” His voice faded, taking his smile with it.

  “I understand.” I touched his arm lightly. “I’m glad what you expected didn’t come to fruition.”

  “Me, too.” He exhaled heavily. “Eloana knows Malik is alive and well. I wish I could’ve seen her face when she learned the news.” A wistful smile appeared. “She would’ve cried and then got upset with herself for crying.”

  Taking another sip of wine, I nodded. Despite the complicated history between his wife and me, I could sympathize. “I know the feeling.”

  Resting his hand on the hilt of his sword, he looked down at me. “Eloana loves both of them with every fiber of her being. More than she loves Atlantia. She…” He angled his body toward me, his voice lowering. He appeared like he wanted to say more, and I had a feeling I knew what it was. He swallowed and looked at his sons, then returned his gaze to mine. “I spoke to Malik last night.”

  “How did that go?”

  “Surprisingly well,” he said. “Come to find out, he already had his suspicions.”

  My brows rose at that. He did? I looked at Malik. Even though he was with Cas and Kieran, there was a distance between them that went beyond the physical. He was silent as he stood close enough to be included in whatever they discussed, but something about him felt absent. It made me think that his silence might be due to having nothing to say but also because his focus was elsewhere. On Millicent.

  “Where is Attes?” I asked.

  “He was here, but I think it was a bit overwhelming,” he shared. “The attention.”

  Tawny’s comment immediately came to mind.

  “He’s around. Where, though? I have no clue,” he added. “But I believe they are ready for you.” Valyn bowed slightly as Casteel stepped away from Kieran and his brother. “I will be right behind you all.”

  I started to turn but stopped. “Valyn?”

  He inclined his head.

  “I try not to hold grudges,” I told him, aware that even though I spoke low, Casteel could hear. “I’m not always good at it, but I…” I let out a long breath. “I understand why Eloana lied. It’s not something I will hold against her. I don’t think her sons will either.”

  Valyn nodded, his smile tight as he blinked rapidly. “That’s…” He cleared his throat. “Thank you.”

  When he stepped away, I didn’t stop him.

  What was that about? Casteel’s voice came through the notam.

  I met his eyes. I was just telling him something he needed to hear.

  He tilted his head as he took my hand, then pressed his imprint against mine as he brushed his lips across my forehead. Malik asked if we planned to bring up the Ascended.

  Gods, that had entirely escaped my mind.

  I told him it was something best left to the town halls so our message would be clear, and we could answer their questions.

  Good call.

  His lips pressed against my temple. He also shared that he and Helenea started speaking to the Ascended they believe will be open to living like the Unbound. He didn’t get a chance to mention that.

  I nodded as I glanced past Casteel. Malik now stood with Kieran, his features set in cool indifference. I wondered why he wore a mask among those who knew him.

  How did that go? I asked as Cas grabbed my hand and guided me forward.

  So far, so good.

  I felt a smidgen of relief, even though I knew the path forward with the Ascended wouldn’t be easy.

  “Ready?” Kieran asked as we approached.

  I nodded as Vonetta stepped in behind us and took my glass.

  “Are you sure you do not want to be announced formally?” Hisa asked.

  “We’re positive,” Casteel confirmed.

  As Hisa stepped back, Vonetta’s bright gaze met mine. “You’ve got this.”

  I took a deep breath, realizing I really didn’t need to. “I do.”

  CASTEEL

  My heart beat slow and steady, mirroring Poppy’s as we neared the balcony’s open doors. Whatever previous nerves she had regarding the address seemed to have vanished, but I kept her hand wrapped firmly in mine.

  “The curve of the balcony will help project the sound, as will the limestone and marble mixed with the gold.” Kieran’s gaze met mine. “So, keep that in mind if you’re about to say something you don’t want half the capital to hear.”

  I huffed out a dry laugh. “Noted.”

  Poppy nodded and then sent Malik a pointed look. He currently appeared as if he were attempting to disappear into the wall.

  “I’ll be right behind you.” He sighed.

  His obvious discomfort was as amusing as it was strange. The Malik I’d grown up with would’ve loved to bask in the attention of such a large audience.

  But he wasn’t that Malik anymore.

  Poppy’s small hand squeezed mine, drawing my attention forward. Hisa and my father appeared on either side of the doors, and they opened them in unison, letting in the cool breeze.

  The crowd below immediately quieted, and then silence descended on those farther out.

  Poppy and I stepped out beneath the overcast sky, followed by Kieran and Malik.

  Poppy sucked in a sharp breath when she got an eyeful of everyone staring up at us. Her heart sped up a little but quickly calmed as she scanned the city.

  With the number of mortals below, it was shocking how quiet it was, save for some scattered coughs and the cry of a babe. People crowded the courtyard, filled every street of the Garden District, and watched from open windows. There wasn’t a bare spot as far as the eye could see, and not one Primal god lurking about to stare at my wife.

  I glanced down at Poppy. Our eyes met, and her lips curved up. Fuck, if my heart didn’t skip then. Resisting the urge to kiss her, I refocused. The faster we got this over with, the sooner I could taste her lips.

  There was no better motivation.

  We walked to the center of the balcony and the gentle curve jutting out over the courtyard. Still keeping our hands joined, I placed my other on the cool railing, feeling the smoothness of the stone and the roughness of the crushed diamonds. Poppy did the same—

  A whooshing sound snapped my head to the right as Malik jerked to his left. His eyes widened as silvery-gold flames erupted from the stone torch. One by one, the others followed—igniting in a rippling line across the Sun Temple walls until the torch to Kieran’s left sparked to life, casting a silver glow on the crowd below.

  “Those torches,” Malik uttered as murmurs swept through the crowd in a wave. “I’ve never seen them lit.”

  I looked down at Poppy.

  “That wasn’t me,” she said, her head lifting.

  Following her gaze to the veil of clouds, I squinted as the faint scent of…lilacs reached me.

  “Seraphena,” Poppy whispered.

  A large, winged shape took form in the sky—no, not one. Three.

  The draken.

  They broke through the clouds. Brownish-green scales. Ash-colored ones. Purplish-black. Aurelia. Nithe. And the fucker. A pulse of unease and awe swept through the crowd as the draken’s wings stretched wide. People began to move, bumping into one another.

  “It’s okay,” Poppy called out, her voice carrying over the crowd with a distinctive throb of eather. “They are not here to harm.”

  “If you say so,” Kieran muttered.

  Poppy shot him a murderous glare, but the people…damn if they didn’t calm.

  “They’re not going to land…” Malik trailed off as Aurelia descended first, landing on a spire.

  Nithe was next, coming down on the spire to our left, his long, black tail wrapping around the stone column.

  A dark shadow fell upon us, and Kieran stiffened. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” he muttered.

  The Temple shuddered as Reaver landed on the spire directly above us, drawing Hisa and my father out.

  I watched, somewhat fascinated, as he climbed his massive ass down the spire, his claws leaving grooves in the stone as his spiked tail whipped behind him in an arc. He planted a huge talon on the flatter roof at the spire’s base and stretched until his head was close enough that I could likely smell his breath if I inhaled deeply. My gaze shifted to Kieran, whose head was only a few inches from Reaver’s.

  He stared straight ahead, arms crossed with an expression that said he couldn’t be any less impressed.

  Reaver puffed out a breath that rolled over us.

  Kieran’s nostrils flared, and eather pulsed behind his pupils.

  And that damn draken made a chuffing sound a lot like a laugh.

  “Behave,” Poppy warned. I had no idea if she was talking to Kieran or Reaver.

  It didn’t really matter because, as we faced the crowd, I saw that whatever momentary calm had held them immobile had disappeared. They began to lower to their knees in groups of tens and then hundreds. The young and the old, bending the best they could. Even the youngest lowered as voices rose, shouting about the gods and being blessed until it seemed like the entire city had bowed.