The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash 4)

Chairs scraped against wood as Blaz and Clariza rose, and I suspected they were about to kneel. “Not necessary.”

The two exchanged glances. Blaz gave me a toothy grin as he sat.

“Thank you for opening your home to us.” Casteel addressed them as his hand moved up and down my back. “I know that this was of great risk to you both.”

“It’s our honor and worth whatever risk,” Clariza said, her eyes wide as she clasped her hands together. “You look much better.”

Casteel inclined his head. “I feel much better.”

“Would you like a cup of coffee, Your Majesty?” Blaz asked.

“Coffee would be nice.” Casteel glanced at me, and I nodded. “And you don’t have to use any title. We are not your rulers.”

Clariza gave a small smile as she rose. “I’ll get you two some coffee. Blaz tends to make it more cream and sugar than actual coffee.”

“I see nothing wrong with that,” the mortal replied, leaning back.

Neither did I as Clariza hurried to the hearth. There was a lot we needed to be updated on, but Malik remained at the table, his head bowed and body rigid. I glanced at Casteel. He eyed Malik. Had been since we entered the kitchen. I looked around, my brows knitting. “Where’s Reaver?”

“Cleaning up,” Malik answered, taking a sip of coffee.

“Finally,” Kieran muttered, and Casteel looked at him.

I opened my mouth and closed it, but then Malik finally lifted his gaze. The question burst out of me. “Is Millicent my sister?”

Several sets of eyes landed on me as the mortals’ lemony curiosity gathered in my throat, but Malik… His eyes narrowed as he sat straight. “Blaz? Riza? I hate to ask, but can we have a moment?”

Blaz rolled his eyes. “I don’t know. I would like to know the answer to this question. I’d also like to know who Millicent is.”

“I bet you would,” Malik replied acidly.

Clariza came to us, two cups in hand. “There are also some biscuits if you’re hungry,” she said as I took one of the cream-colored mugs. “Blaz and I will check on Reaver.”

“Thank you,” I whispered.

Her stare held mine for a moment, and then she nodded. She turned to her husband. “Up.”

“Really?” Blaz exclaimed. “You know how nosy I am, and you’re asking me to leave?”

“Really.” She pinned him with a stern look that was rather impressive as I took a deep drink of the hot, rich coffee.

Blaz sighed, grumbling as he got to his feet. “I’m going to eavesdrop, just so you know.”

“No, he won’t.” Clariza threaded her arm through his. “He’ll just bitch and moan in our bedchamber.”

“Could just be moaning instead of bitching, you know?” Blaz responded with a waggle of his brows.

“You keep talking,” she said as they walked from the kitchen, “and that becomes even more unlikely.”

Casteel’s lips twitched around the rim of his mug. “I like them,” he said as they disappeared down the hall.

“They’re good people,” Malik said, staring up at me. “Did Millicent tell you this?”

“She told me,” Casteel answered. “And showed me.”

“You don’t believe him?” Malik asked of me.

“I believe that’s what he was told, but I don’t see how it’s possible,” I said. “Even if she looks like me—”

“She does,” Malik interrupted, and my stomach dipped. A muscle ticked in his temple. “It’s eerie how much you two look alike.”

“Not just looks,” Casteel commented, that hand still moving up and down my back—soothing, grounding. “Personality, too.”

My head swung to him. “Excuse me? We really are talking about the same person, right?” I glanced at Kieran. “The one who flounced—literally flounced—out of the chamber and sat upside down in a chair for no reason at all?”

“There are similar mannerisms. The way both of you…move,” Casteel said, and I felt the frown permanently etching onto my face because I didn’t flounce anywhere. “She also has a tendency to…”

“Ramble?” Malik finished for him, a half-grin appearing.

My eyes narrowed. “I do not ramble.”

Casteel coughed on his drink as Kieran silently hoisted himself onto the counter, his brows lifted.

“I do not,” I insisted.

“Yes, you do,” Reaver said, entering the kitchen. He glanced at Casteel. “Reaver. Nice to meet you. Glad you didn’t bite me, and I didn’t have to burn you alive.”

I had nothing to say to that.

“Nice to meet you, too,” Casteel drawled, eyes glimmering with a hint of bewildered amusement as he stared at the draken. “Thank you for your aid.”

“Whatever.” Reaver strolled past us, heading for the covered plate near the hearth.

“Anyway,” I said, focusing on Malik while Casteel watched Reaver. I realized this was probably the first time he’d gotten to see a draken while here. “If she’s my sister, how is she a Revenant and not a goddess? Is it what Casteel suspects? Did she have problems Ascending?”

Malik said nothing.

Casteel’s hand stilled on my back as Reaver shoved half a biscuit into his mouth. “Brother, if I were you, I would start sharing whatever it is you know.”