The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash 4)

“Which means we still need to bring her Malec.” My gaze lifted to Kieran’s.

He nodded. “I know you don’t want to wait and see,” he said, and he was correct. “But I think it means we have to continue as planned.”

“Just to be sure.” I bit down on my lower lip as I laid my head back on Casteel’s chest. I knew the Joining had worked. We’d all seen the silver cords. The mark was gone on Kieran’s skin, but no one knew if a Joining could counteract the power of a Primal curse. “Do either of you feel different?”

Casteel cleared his throat. “I did feel…tingly.”

My brows knitted. “I’m not sure if that’s a serious answer or you just being indecent.”

“When am I not being indecent?” Casteel asked with a chuckle.

“That’s a good point,” Kieran said, resting his hand on my shoulder. “But I think this is a rare time when he was only being slightly indecent. Because I know what he’s talking about. I felt…tingly, too. All over.”

“When the cords were wrapped around us,” Casteel added, turning his head toward mine. “I felt it inside me. Warm.” He paused. “Tingly.”

I grinned. “And how about now?”

“Normal,” Kieran answered.

Casteel’s thumb swept over the top of my hand. “Indecent.”

“So, no different?” I surmised.

“Nope.”

Kieran’s hand slipped from my shoulder as he sat up farther, stopping to drop a kiss where his hand had been before rising. The sweetness of the act tugged at my heart. I lifted my cheek just enough to see him walking toward the river. “What’s he doing?”

Casteel’s arm lifted, curling around my shoulders, replacing the lack of heat I felt due to Kieran’s absence. “I think he’s going for a swim.”

My eyes widened as Kieran did just that. Walked straight out into the rushing water and dove under, resurfacing a few seconds later. “That water has to be so cold.”

“It’s not that bad.” Kieran looked over his shoulder at us as glistening water coursed down his neck and spine. “You two should try it.”

I shook my head.

“Thanks, but I really don’t need all my fun bits freezing off,” Casteel replied as he trailed little circles over my shoulder and upper arm.

“Cowards,” Kieran taunted as he waded out farther.

Casteel chuckled. “Poppy will get upset if her favorite part of me becomes damaged.”

I rolled my eyes as Kieran laughed. “You’re ridiculous,” I muttered.

“But you love me.” Casteel rolled, shifting me onto my back as half his body came down over mine. “And especially all my ridiculousness.”

I placed my hand on the center of his chest. “I do.”

The dimple on his right cheek appeared as he caught a lock of my hair and tucked it back from my face. “How are you feeling? And I’m not asking if you’re tingly inside.”

“I feel…normal.” I reached up, curling my fingers into the soft strands of his hair.

“Could use a little more detail, my Queen. What does normal mean for you?”

“It means I feel okay. Not regretful.” I trailed my fingers across his face to the small indent in his right cheek. “I don’t feel ashamed. I’m relieved we did the Joining. I pray that it worked, and I…I enjoyed all of it.”

Casteel’s eyes searched mine intently. “I’m so fucking glad to hear that.”

“Did you think I’d regret it?”

“I didn’t think you would—or at least I hoped not,” he told me, his voice quiet as he traced the line of my jaw. “Thinking about something, and then doing it, and then feeling it afterward are three very different things.”

He was right. “And you?”

“How do I feel about it all?” Lowering his head, he kissed the bridge of my nose. “You’re asking when you already know?”

I mushed my lips together.

Casteel chuckled. “I feel honored, meyaah Liessa. Humbled.” His lips brushed the corner of mine. “Awed. Relieved. Chosen. Yes, I feel chosen. Loved.” He nipped at my lower lip, sending a bolt of heat through me. “Intrigued.” Lifting his head, I saw that the other dimple had taken form. “But back to that tingly part.” He drew his hand down my arm, grazing the curve of my breast with the tips of his fingers. “Are you feeling that?”

“I’m always feeling that when it comes to you.”

“Knew it,” he murmured, kissing me once more. This one was longer, deeper, and languid. “I’m thinking about tempting fate with freezing my interesting bits and joining Kieran. Come with?”

I shook my head. “I think I’ll stay right here.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.” When he hesitated, I gave him a little shove. “Go.”

Dipping his head, I opened for him and got lost enough in his parting kiss that taking a dip in the frigid waters didn’t sound like a bad idea. Casteel rose, stopping to pick up one of the discarded cloaks. He knelt, motioning for me to sit up. As I did, he draped it over my shoulders, pulling the halves closed around me.