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

“Completely.” Facing me, he left the shirt untucked. “Since it’s early in the day, I thought we could take a little field trip.”

Excitement bubbled to life as I shoved up one long sleeve. “To where?”

“I thought you might like to see the real Spessa’s End.”

I opened my mouth to ask if he truly trusted me with what I saw, but I managed to stop myself.

His gaze flickered over me. “What?”

“I would like that,” I said instead.

Casteel’s head cocked as he studied me for a moment, almost as if he didn’t believe my answer. “I’m glad to hear that.” He came forward, stopping in front of me. “But there is a caveat.”

“What is that?” I asked as he lifted my arm.

He folded over the edges of the sleeves, forming a cuff. “We continue to pretend.”

My heart skipped a beat. “That you’re just Hawke?”

“And you’re just Poppy.” He rolled up the sleeve, halting just below my elbow. “Want the sleeves higher?”

Knowing that he was asking because of the pale scars on my inner elbows, I nodded.

There was a glimmer of approval in his eyes as he tucked the sleeve so it was above my elbow. “We don’t spend the rest of the afternoon thinking about the past.”

“Or worrying about the future?” I said.

He nodded as he motioned for me to lift my other arm. “We will just be Hawke and Poppy. That’s all.”

I watched him roll up the other sleeve. “No one else will treat you as Hawke. They won’t see me as Poppy.”

His gaze lifted to mine. “No one else matters. Just you and me.”

Another skip of another beat. There was no denying that it would be incredibly ill-advised of me to pretend anymore. It blurred everything, and pretending…well, it didn’t feel like that to me. But there was also no denying that I wanted exactly what he offered.

And since when did something being foolish ever stop me?

Besides, I wanted to see Spessa’s End.

Telling myself that was the main reason, I nodded. “I agree to your conditions.”

The dimple appeared in his right cheek. “So, it’s a deal?”

“Yes.”

“Then we must seal the deal,” he told me. “And do you know how Atlantians seal a deal? They do so with a kiss.”

“Really?” I asked doubtfully. “That sounds incredibly problematic.”

“Perhaps.”

“And it also sounds like a lie.”

Casteel nodded. “It is.”

There was no silencing the laugh. It burst from me. And Casteel—he moved so unbelievably fast. His head dipped, and his mouth was on mine before the laugh even faded. The shock of his lips against mine sent a jolt through me. The kiss was…it was as intoxicating as his bite, as everything about him was. And when his fingers sifted through my hair, guiding my head back, there were no protests to be found. The kiss deepened, and the touch of his fangs, his tongue on mine, sent a hot, tight shudder through me.

“Sorry,” he whispered against my lips. “I know I should’ve asked first, but your laugh… It undoes me, Poppy.” He slid his hands over my cheeks, his fingers not hesitating when they reached the scars. “You’re more than welcome to punch me for it.”

I didn’t want to punch him. I wanted him to kiss me again. A soft breath left me. “I guess the deal is sealed now, isn’t it?”

He gave an audible swallow. “That it is.” Drawing back, he took my hand. “Come. If we spend another moment here, I don’t think we’ll make it from this room.”

My eyes widened. There was no mistaking the seriousness of his words, and another shiver danced across my skin.

Casteel led me out through the terrace and into the courtyard, his hand still firmly around mine. I looked off toward the sun-drenched Rise and squinted. “Are there people on the Rise.”

“There are, and they were also there last night. You just couldn’t see them.”

“Mortal eyesight sucks,” I muttered, and he smirked. “But I thought the Ascended weren’t a threat this far east.”

“They haven’t been, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

Our boots trod softly over the patchy grass and sand. “Alastir said that rebuilding Spessa’s End was your idea.”

“For the most part,” he said, and that was all he said as we neared the stables. I felt the sting of disappointment, but then I reminded myself that today wasn’t about the future. “You up for riding? It’s not that far of a distance to walk, but I’m feeling lazy.”

“I’m fine with either.”

“Perfect. Because I have another idea,” he said. A moment later, an older man strode out of the open door of the tack room. “How are you doing, Coulton?”

The man came forward, dragging a handkerchief over his bald head. The closer he got, I realized he was a wolven. His eyes were the blue of a winter morning. “Good.” He bowed his head in greeting. “And you?”

“Never been better.”

A grin appeared as Coulton’s gaze slid to me. The smile halted as he suddenly took a step back. He stared at me, and I tensed, my hands tightening on reflex—squeezing Casteel’s. I immediately forced my grip to relax. Either it was the scars, or the wolven realized who I was—who I used to be. The Maiden. I reminded myself that I couldn’t necessarily blame him for his reaction.

“Is everything okay, Coulton?” Casteel asked, tone flat.

The wolven blinked and then his smile reappeared. “Yeah. Yes. Sorry. It’s just I had the weirdest sensation.” He looked at his Prince, the olive tone skin deepening to a ruddy color. “Like a staticky, charged feeling.” He shoved the handkerchief into the front pocket of his sleeveless shirt. “Is this her? Your fiancée?”

Wanting to believe that the wolven spoke the truth, I knew better than to believe something simply because I wanted it to be true. I opened my senses and reached out to him. The invisible connection formed, and I expected the bitter taste, the choking heaviness of distrust and dislike. That’s not what I felt. The cool splash against the back of my throat was surprise, followed by the tart sensation of confusion. It felt like he was speaking the truth.

“This is Penellaphe,” Casteel said. “My fiancée.”

Hearing the coolness in Casteel’s tone, I stepped forward and extended my hand as I smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, Coulton.”

A smile appeared, one that stretched across the wolven’s entire face. “It’s an honor to meet you.” The wolven took my hand, and his eyes widened. Through the connection, I felt his surprise once more. “There it is again. That feeling of static.” He laughed, still holding my hand as he shook his head. “Perhaps it is you, Penellaphe.”

Having felt nothing, I said, “I’m not sure about that.”

“I don’t know. You feel as if you’re…full of energy. Heard you descended from Atlantia.” He squeezed my hand and then let go as he looked at Casteel. “I imagine it’s from a powerful line.”

Casteel tilted his head as my brow puckered. “I believe she is.”

“Are you here for Setti?” Coulton asked. “If so, he’s out in the pasture.”

“No. He needs his rest. I just need two horses.”

“Two horses?” I questioned.

“That’s my other idea.” Casteel’s features relaxed into a grin. “To teach you how to ride by yourself.”

“What?” I whispered.

“Ah. I’ve got the perfect horses for that.” Coulton pivoted, walking toward the stalls along the right side of the stables. “There are two older mares in here. Great temperament. Not likely to take off.”

“You think this is a good idea?” I asked.

“Now seems like a better time than most,” he told me. “And you’re going to do just fine after being on Setti.”

I wasn’t so sure about that as Coulton led out a stocky, white and brown horse along with a fawn-colored one. Neither were as large as Setti but they were still big enough to trample me to death.

“Which one do you think is the best fit?” Casteel asked.

“Molly here is a good girl.” Coulton patted the side of the spotted one. “She’ll be gentle.”

Once they were saddled, Casteel nudged me toward Molly. “You’ll do just fine,” he told me, voice low as Coulton held onto both horses’ leads. “I’ll keep her reins until you’re ready.”

Nervous and a little scared, I pushed past that. I’d always wanted to learn how to ride, and it was a necessary skill that I lacked. Now was as good a time as ever.

I stroked Molly’s muzzle as I walked over to her side, swallowing. Casteel followed, and I knew he was going to help me up. “If I fall, try to catch me.”

“I can do that.”

“Please don’t kill me,” I murmured as I reached up, gripping the saddle. “Being killed by a horse named Molly would be embarrassing.”

Both of them chuckled, but as I placed my foot in the stirrup, Casteel said to the wolven, “You have the reins?”

“Molly isn’t going anywhere.”

I hauled myself up, remembering at the very last second to swing my leg over. A moment later, I was seated, and I’d done it by myself. I looked down at Casteel.

He smiled, and I felt a catch in my chest. Both of his dimples appeared. “Now, I’ll have no excuse to touch you inappropriately in an appropriate setting.”

“I’m sure you’ll find another way,” Coulton remarked.

“That is true.” Casteel bit his lower lip. “I am very inventive.”

I rolled my eyes, even though I was practically bursting at the seams with pride. This may not seem like a big deal to many, but it was to me.