The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash 4)

“Of course,” Kieran lied so smoothly, I almost believed him.

Poppy watched Kieran for a moment and then looked up at me. “How are you feeling?”

“Divine,” I told her, rubbing my thumb along the curve of her collarbone.

She studied me closely and then sat up, the thin blanket pooling at her hips, and the riot of waves and curls going in every direction. “Is Malik still here?”

I ignored the sudden lurch in my chest as I curled an arm around her waist, figuring she was mere seconds from climbing out of bed. “He is.”

“Just saw him.” Kieran’s gaze flicked to me. “Still sleeping.”

“And Reaver?” she asked as I pulled her between my legs so she was pressed to my chest. She allowed it, relaxing into me in a way that almost made it hard to believe she’d used to sit so stiffly near me. “Is he—?”

“He’s fine,” Kieran said. “Hasn’t burned anyone alive.” He paused. “Recently.”

I arched a brow.

“Reaver,” Poppy murmured with a sigh, resting a hand on my arm, “has this obsession with burning people. Guess it’s a draken thing.”

“I think it’s just a Reaver thing,” Kieran stated dryly.

“True.” A small grin appeared as she lifted my left hand to her mouth, pressing a kiss to the top. “What about the mist? Did any Craven get into the city? How will we—?”

“So many questions—” Kieran laughed as he reached over, tucking that particularly rebellious strand of hair back from her face, the one that kept slipping forward. “That need to wait.”

Her eyes narrowed on him. “I don’t think any of them need to wait.”

“They do,” I said, and that glare flipped to me. I smiled.

“Don’t smile at me,” she snapped.

My smile grew. “So feisty.”

Her stare warmed even as her chin jutted. “Stupid dimples,” she muttered.

Laughing, I lowered my mouth to hers, kissing her. “You love my dimples,” I told her, straightening. “And you need to feed.”

She opened her mouth, then closed it.

“I volunteered without even being asked,” Kieran assured her. “With all the eather you’ve used, and the blood you’ve given Cas, it’s a necessity.”

Poppy was quiet for a moment. “I know, but I…”

Curling my fingers under her chin, I tipped her gaze back to mine. “Your hesitation can’t be because of me.”

“It’s not.” She turned her head down, kissing the tip of my finger. Her eyes fixed on Kieran. “It’s just that I don’t like using you as a—as a snack.”

His brows flew up. “Well, first off, I don’t like to think of myself as a snack. More like a whole damn meal.”

Dropping my face to the top of Poppy’s head, it took everything in me not to laugh.

“Okay, Mr. Whole Damn Meal, I don’t like using you in general, and you know that.” Moving suddenly, she shoved her elbow into my stomach, causing me to grunt. “And you? It’s not funny.”

“Of course, not, my Queen,” I replied, grinning into her hair.

She moved to jab me with her elbow again, but I curled my other arm around her, stopping her as I laughed. Tilting my head, I kissed her cheek. “You’re not using him. It’s a mutually beneficial act.”

Poppy twisted her neck to look at me. “How is that a mutually beneficial act?”

Kieran opened his mouth and then wisely closed it when his gaze met mine. “Because,” I said, loosening my hold on her, “it makes him feel useful.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Poppy.” Kieran leaned forward, placing his fingers under her chin and turning her attention to him. “You know I’m happy to be of aid to you in this way. You’re not using me. You’re allowing me to help you. There’s a world of difference between those two things.”

Quietly, she stared at him, and I had a feeling she was reading him. Whatever she felt, I’d have to thank Kieran for later, because she nodded with a sigh. “Okay.”

A bolt of relief shot through me. I gave her another quick kiss on the corner of her lips and then lifted a hand. I didn’t need to say anything. Kieran offered his, and Poppy tensed against me as I lowered my mouth to his wrist. Her grip returned to my arm as she turned, giving me room. I hesitated over Kieran’s skin, raising my eyes to hers. Tiny nails dug into the flesh of my arm as she watched me pierce Kieran’s skin. An earthy taste touched my tongue. I didn’t drink, and I didn’t go too deeply. Kieran didn’t even move, but Poppy’s worried gaze shot to the wolven.

“I’m fine,” he assured.

Lifting my head, my hand was still around Kieran’s when he brought the welling blood to her mouth. There was a moment when Poppy didn’t move, but then she lowered her head, closing her mouth around the marks.

Kieran moved then.

Just a small jerk. One I didn’t think Poppy noticed as I gathered the strands of her hair that had fallen forward, brushing them over one shoulder.