The Crown of Gilded Bones

“When the gods gave the kiyou mortal form, we were bonded to them and their children on an instinctual level that is passed down generation after generation. And that instinctive bond recognizes you.”

“We can’t change what was done to me or what Casteel did to save my life. It happened. And, obviously, we are all lucky that I didn’t turn into a vampry. It seems rather pointless to continue discussing what could’ve happened when it simply did not. He understood the risk. He still took the chance, and I am still here. Not a vampry. It’s over.”

“Bonds are strange things, Poppy. But my loyalty to Cas has never been about a bond created when neither of us was old enough to walk. It never will be. You have nothing to worry about when it comes to us. And I doubt that you have much to worry about when it comes to any of the other bonded wolven. Most of us have fostered friendships that can’t break. So, we just…we just made room for you.”

“If the idiots behind me actually laid down their swords instead of lifting them against my wife, we wouldn’t have an entire colony of wolven about to descend on us. They are only reacting to the threat.”

“He will not hurt me. You all know that. You told me that he was the only person in both kingdoms that I was safe with. That hasn’t changed.”

“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.”

“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.”

“Bravery is a fleeting beast, isn’t it? Always there to get you into trouble, but quick to disappear once you’re where you want to be.”

“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.”

“You’re standing. You’re dealing with it, and fuck if I’m not in awe of you right now. But I also know none of this has hit you yet, and that concerns me. You keep telling me you’re okay every time I ask how you are, and I know that can’t be true.

“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.”

“Not only can she defend herself, she needs to be able to defend herself. And that is why she will be allowed to do so, whether she is our Queen or our Princess.”

“I have to fight my instincts when it comes to you rushing out there to battle everything and anything, too. It’s not because I don’t think you’re capable. It’s just that I fear losing you. But your need to defend yourself is greater than my fear. That’s the only reason I don’t stop you. It will be the same for Kieran.”

“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.”

“As long as the Prince doesn’t give any of us a reason to behave differently, we will protect him as fiercely as we will protect you.”

“You were born of flesh with the fire of the gods in your blood. You are a Bringer of Life and a Bringer of Death. You are the Queen of Flesh and Fire, due more than one Crown, one kingdom. What you seek, you already have. You always had the power in you.”

“Yes, you are mortal, but you are descended from a deity—the children of the gods. All it takes is a drop of god’s blood—. You may have more than just a drop, but what is in your blood, what is in you, supersedes any oath the wolven have taken.”

“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.”