The Crown of Gilded Bones

“I...I summon the flesh and fire of the gods, to protect me and those I care for. To ride at my side and stand guard at my back. I call upon the bloodline birthed of flesh and fire to awaken.”

“Gods, I hope you truly understand how strong you are. I’m constantly in awe of you. I’ve been in awe of you since the night in the Red Pearl.”

“Everything’s all right. They’re just protecting you.I don’t know everything that is going on right now, but you—all of you—want to keep her safe. And I’m all about that. You know I would never hurt her. I would tear out my own heart before I did that. She’s injured. I need to make sure she’s okay, and nothing is going to stop me from doing that. Not even you. Any of you. I will destroy every single one of you who stands between her and me.”

“Yes, here we all stand, apparently determined to irritate the hell out of one another. Not me. I don’t want to irritate anyone—you know, the person who was attacked not once but twice and then shot in the chest with a crossbow. And yet, I’m the one who has to tell you two to knock it the hell off.”

“Strange how small the world is, though. The whole purpose of assuming the role I did was to ensure an open pathway between Casteel and you. I spent years living a lie, all so he could capture the Maiden and use her to free his brother and gain back some of our stolen land. I had no idea what you were or even why you were the Maiden.”

“You know how you said it was weird to be a Queen to the wolven but not be a wolven? It made me think of how when I met you, I was looking for the Maiden, but I found a Princess, a Queen—my wife. I don’t know. It just made me think about how you find things you never knew you needed when you’re looking for something completely opposite.”

“I do not doubt that, son. I was there when you came to and realized that she was gone. I saw you, and I have never seen you like that. I will never forget it. And I can even understand your need to protect her. Gods, do I understand that. But as the King, I cannot approve of what you did.”

“And if you decide you want to take what is yours, claim the throne, I will set this entire kingdom on fire and watch it burn if that ensures that the crown sits on your head.”

“I’m not the threat to Atlantia. You are. You have always been the threat.”

“Unrest and unease are two very powerful destabilizers of any society. No matter how great one is, they can be taken apart piece by piece from the inside, often weakening the foundation to the point of collapse before anyone realizes what is happening.”

“My Queen. I guess I will have to stop calling you Princess.”

“Her name is Penellaphe. And if you get my wife’s permission, you may call her that. If not, then you may call her Princess. Whatever rolls more respectfully off your tongue. But what you will never refer to her as is the Maiden. Do you understand me?”

“For thousands of years, that was repeated over and over until it simply became something known and never questioned. But it was a lie to sway those who were too curious. Iliseeum lies beyond the Mountains of Nyktos.”

“My son would only choose a bride whose bravery equaled his own.

“We came here in hopes that you two could help us determine what my wife Ascended into. And on a personal note, I’d hoped that you’d get to know Penellaphe a little and vice versa. But if we’re going to rehash the past, then there is nothing left for us to do but take our leave.”

“The heart doesn’t care how long you may have with someone. It just cares that you have the person for as long as you can.”

“You’ve faced Craven and vamprys, men wearing masks of human flesh, creatures without faces, and stared down Atlantians who wanted to harm you with the kind of strength and bravery most lack. Remember what you are. Fearless.”

“You are the foundation that helps me stand. You are my walls and my roof. My shelter. You are my home.”