A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood and Ash 2)

Alastir faced Casteel. “I know this.”

“Glad to hear that, because for a moment there, I thought you might have forgotten who commands whom here.”

A shiver tiptoed down my spine, a reminder of whose lap I sat in. This was not Hawke. He was the Prince of a kingdom, and he would not be disobeyed.

“I haven’t, Casteel. You know me better than that. Which is why I must speak openly.”

“Then speak,” Casteel replied quietly, and visions of him slamming his hand through Landell’s chest danced before me.

“You wish for me to do so right now?” Alastir’s gaze flicked to me briefly. “Even if what I have to say is something you might not want to be spoken at this time?”

A tingling sensation swept over me as Casteel’s fingers stilled on my hip. For a moment, I thought he would send me away. “You’d be surprised by what Penellaphe already knows.”

Alastir lifted his brows.

“He planned to ransom me in exchange for his brother,” I announced, deciding it sounded a little better coming from me. Alastir’s eyes widened slightly. “It’s not a secret. Everyone at this table knows.”

“And that has changed?” Alastir queried softly, but neither Casteel nor I had a chance to answer before he continued. “I’ve watched you grow from a small boy sitting at his mother’s side to the man you are today, just as I watched Malik. And I wish every damn day that I would’ve gotten to watch him grow into the King he was destined to be. You two would do anything for each other, sacrifice anything.” The sacrifice anyone went unspoken, but it still lingered in the space. “And I understand the sense of obligation you carry within you. I understand more than most do, as I’m sure you remember.”

Tension crept into Casteel’s body, and I knew that Alastir had struck a chord.

“I know it’s not like you’ve suddenly given up on your brother, no matter how intrigued you may be.” Alastir tipped toward us, his voice low. “Neither your mother nor your father wanted you to leave when you did. They understand why you felt you needed to, but you also know where they stand on this.”

“I know where they stand,” Casteel stated, and instinct told me that Alastir was referring to Prince Malik. “And where do you stand?”

“Where I always have, with the Kingdom of Atlantia,” Alastir answered. “But I also would never expect you to give up on Malik. I wouldn’t be able to if I were you, so I need to ask. Is this…engagement another ploy to gain your brother’s freedom?”

The fact that Alastir zeroed right in on what Casteel was planning told me that he did know him as well as he claimed.

I realized then that it wouldn’t be me who needed to convince Alastir of the engagement’s authenticity. It would have to be Casteel. And if he couldn’t? Then what?

“How does marrying Penellaphe have anything to do with my brother?” Casteel’s voice was level.

“That’s a good question.” Alastir leaned back. “Perhaps you believe that taking what the Kingdom of Solis covets and putting her in line to be the eventual Queen of Atlantia will give you better bargaining power.”

The fact that Alastir was yet again so on point with what Casteel planned should’ve stunned me. It didn’t. What took me by surprise was the eventual Queen of Atlantia part.

I might’ve toppled out of the chair if it weren’t for Casteel’s arm around me. It struck me then that Casteel had left a very important part out when he discussed our arrangement.

He was to become King.

Oh, we had so much to talk about, it wasn’t even funny.

“Maybe this would put all of us in a position of better bargaining power,” Casteel remarked. I bit down on the inside of my lip. “But during the time spent at the capital and in Masadonia, I’ve come to accept that my brother is beyond my reach.”

Lie. That was such a lie. But I said nothing because even I had the sense to remain quiet.

Alastir was silent for a long moment and then he exhaled heavily. “As much as I hate to say this, because I love both you and Malik as if you were my sons, I hope that is true. If only for your sake and the sake of the kingdom. It is far past time to let go.”

I reached out with my senses again, this time not hesitating. Sincerity echoed through the invisible cord, tasting like warm vanilla.

“It is,” Casteel said, and my ability stretched out toward him. The burst of agony was tangy, coating my insides.

My hand dropped to his out of instinct, and I only stopped myself at the last moment. He would know what I’d done. I slipped my hand away, clasping them in my lap.

“What about your obligations?” Alastir met Casteel’s gaze with an unflinching one of his own. “What was expected of you before you left still awaits your return.”

Casteel’s fingers started moving again, along the curve of my hip. “Things change all the time.”

What had been expected of Casteel upon his return? Questions bubbled to the tip of my tongue, but I held them back, figuring that the second I started asking them would be the moment they stopped talking. Right now, it was as if they had forgotten I sat between them.

“And things have changed since you left, Casteel. You’ve been gone for over two years,” Alastir advised, picking up his cup. “There is unrest among our people, especially the wolven.”

“I know that,” Casteel answered as I glanced at Kieran. He stood with a hand on the hilt of his sword, but other than that, I wondered if it were possible for someone to be asleep while standing with their eyes open. He looked that bored. “And I will do everything I can to ease that unrest.”

“By marrying someone who is only half-Atlantian? An outsider?” Alastir turned to me. “And I mean no offense by that, Penellaphe. I sincerely do not.”

“None taken,” I advised. He was right. I would be an outsider to Casteel’s people.

“She may only be half-Atlantian and raised in Solis, but my people will accept her because I accept her.” Casteel stated this as if there were no other option. “You know, you were partly correct when you said that marrying her gives us bargaining power. It does. With her at my side, we have a better chance of gaining back our land.”

Alastir sat back in his chair. “To avoid war?”

“Yes. Isn’t that what you want? Isn’t that better than sending our people off to die by the thousands?” Casteel demanded. “Do you want to see more wolven die?”

“Of course, not.” Alastir shook his head. “I want to avoid war. I’ve already lost enough to the Ascended, as you know.”

I felt a momentarily tensing in Casteel’s body. “I do. Gods, I do know.” He exhaled heavily, relaxing a bit, and I sensed that there was more, things not being said. “The part you were incorrect about is assuming that my only reason for marrying Penellaphe is for bargaining power, whether that be for my brother or the kingdom. If I didn’t feel the way I do for her, I could’ve simply used her in the way I originally planned.”

The truth stung, but the lies scraped over my skin like hot knives. I kept my face blank, showing no reaction.

“That is true.” Alastir dragged his lower lip between his teeth. “I can only hope the unrest is manageable. I’ve been trying, but the young ones…they have a certain view on how things should be carried out. And your father has agreed with them more and more.” Alastir’s gaze fixed on the cup he held. “He hoped that your time in Solis would prove fruitful. He has learned that it has. However, he has plans now, Casteel. And he is still the King.”

“Do those plans involve me?” There went the realization that I should remain quiet. Still, I couldn’t hold myself back. For far too many years, I’d sat in silence while others around me discussed me, my life, and my future.

No more.

The look of surprise flickering across Alastir’s expression gave way to a faint smile. “I have a feeling that many things involve you now.” His features sobered as his gaze shifted to the Prince. “I would like to speak to Penellaphe.”

“About?” Casteel queried.

“About all of this. I want to talk to her alone,” he requested.

Casteel leaned forward, pressing his chest to my back. “Why do you want that?”

“Do you really need to ask that question?” Alastir returned, his cheeks flushing with the first hints of genuine anger. “You will need my aid when it comes to convincing your father and the wolven that this is a worthy marriage—that this will benefit the kingdom, and that you truly chose her. You know that. Do you think I will go along with any of that if she is being forced into this?”

My respect for the elder wolven blew through the roof of the keep.

“No, I do not believe you will go along with it,” Casteel answered. “If Penellaphe wishes to speak with you, I have no problem.”

My heart rate kicked up, but when Alastir turned to me, I nodded. “I will speak with you.”

“Perfect.” Alastir gave me a tight smile as he rose. “Come. Let’s walk.”

Casteel’s arm slipped from around me, and I stood. “Just so you know, Penellaphe doesn’t need protection. She is more than capable of handling things herself. But that is my future you are walking away with. Guard her well. Your life depends on it.”

“Is it true?” Alastir asked as we walked the narrow halls of the keep, my hand tucked into the crook of his arm. Dim light flickered from the oil sconces, casting shadows along the unfamiliar stone walls. “You can defend yourself? Is that with or without a weapon?”

“Both,” I answered. “I have been trained with a dagger and a sword, as well as a bow. I have also been trained on how to fight, hand-to-hand.”

Surprise and respect settled into his features as he looked down at me. “That is not common for the women of Solis, and especially not for one who was the Maiden.”