Silence fell around the table.
It was Kieran who answered. “The gods have slept for hundreds of years, and only the oldest among the Atlantians can remember seeing them. But we believe in them nonetheless.”
I smiled tightly. “Just as the people of Solis believe in them.”
“But not everyone within Solis follows King Jalara and Queen Ileana,” Alastir pointed out. “There are many who have seen the truth, who support Atlantia.”
“You’re right. The Descenters.” I exhaled slowly. “I know I’ve had my suspicions throughout my life. I’m sure many others have, as well, but for whatever reason, their eyes haven’t been fully opened. I imagine a lot of that has to do with the stability of what one knows, even if it isn’t comfortable. And I suppose a lot has to do with fear of acknowledging what is truly around us, what it means for us and those we care for.”
Alastir leaned back, eyeing me. “It’s admirable.”
“What is?”
“Your utter lack of fear when speaking to me—talking to any of us—when you know what we are,” he said. “What we are capable of.”
I met his stare. “I’m not foolish enough to not feel fear when I know that any of you could kill me before I even have a chance to take my last breath. But fearing what you’re capable of doesn’t mean I fear you.”
Casteel leaned in, his voice in my ear. “Still so incredibly brave,” he murmured, and that inexplicable warming returned to my chest.
“I like her,” Alastir said to Casteel after a heartbeat, and I thought he might actually mean that. Then, I did what Kieran had suggested. I used my abilities once more. My senses stretched out, connecting to Alastir. I didn’t sense anger from him, but there was the tanginess I often associated with sadness. I wasn’t sure what could’ve evoked that response, but I thought he was being honest.
“But back to how you and the Prince met at this…unique establishment. How was that possible?” Alastir’s fingers tapped idly on the table, and I swore there was a collective sigh of relief that the topic had moved on. “With the Ascensions being tied to you, I was under the impression that you were well guarded and kept…” He trailed off as if he searched for the right word to use.
“Sheltered?” I suggested. “Caged? I was. For the most part,” I added. “I wasn’t permitted to travel freely, only allowed to leave my room with one of my guards or my companion, and that was only to attend classes with the Priestess or to walk the castle grounds during certain times.”
Emil stopped, his cup halfway to his mouth, his brows knitting together. His eyes were a vibrant gold. “And the rest of the time, you were expected to remain in your room? Even for meals?”
I nodded.
The Atlantian looked stunned, and someone murmured under their breath.
“But you found a way to sneak out. I imagine that’s extremely risky behavior. Someone could’ve taken you at any time during those explorations,” Alastir pointed out.
What I felt from him was…more guarded than a few moments before, but I still didn’t detect the acidic burn of anger or hatred. If anything, he was more reserved then the last time we’d spoken, as was I.
“Someone did take her. Obviously,” Casteel spoke up then, his thumb now tracing a distractingly slow, steady circle.
“Ah, yes, you did take her.” Alastir inclined his chin. “But do you really intend to keep her?”
Chapter 12
“I wouldn’t be marrying her if I didn’t plan on keeping her.”
My hearing had to be faulty. Keep me? As if I were some sort of pet? Placing my hand over his as I fixed a smile on my face, I dug my nails into his flesh.
Casteel’s thumb didn’t miss a single sweep along my inner hip. “I can’t help myself.” His lips brushed my cheek, and it took everything in me not to elbow him in the throat. “Penellaphe intrigued me from the first moment I spoke to her.”
Intrigued. That word again.
“I can see why.” Alastir tilted his head. “She’s utterly unique, and most likely not what one would expect from the Maiden.”
“She is unique and brave, intelligent and beautiful,” Casteel agreed, apparently no longer content to drive me out of my mind with just his thumb. His fingers were involved now, sliding out from his palm and then gliding back. “And completely unexpected. But she is not the Maiden, Alastir.” His chin grazed my shoulder as he turned his head to the wolven. “And if you refer to her as the Maiden one more time, we are going to have a problem. Understand?”
This time, when my muscles tensed, it was in response to his words.
“Understood,” Alastir murmured.
“Good.” Casteel’s chin drifted over the curve of my jaw as he sat back.
Alastir was quiet for a moment, and then he addressed the men. “Make sure the horses are ready for when we check the roads.”
Everyone at the table rose—everyone but Delano and Naill. Those two remained even after Alastir flicked a pointed look in their direction.
“If I called those men back, they would heed my summons,” Casteel began, his fingers still sliding along my waist and hip. “And those who remain will only leave this table once I command it.”
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.