The Crown of Gilded Bones

“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.”

“I want you to know that you are always Cas. You were never a thing, and you aren’t one now. You are Casteel Hawkethrone Da’Neer. A son. A brother. A friend. A husband. You are a King. My King. And you will always be my everything, but never will you be a thing.”

“You told me that I was your home. That works both ways. You are mine. What matters is that we’re together and happy.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“Do not underestimate what I would or would not do to ensure your happiness. I think you know this by now. There is nothing that I wouldn’t do, Poppy. Nothing.”

“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.”

“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?”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“In the entirety of the two kingdoms, I couldn’t give a fuck if you or any other member of the Council likes me. It does not change that I am your Queen, and your tone and the manner in which you address me is highly inappropriate. Not just because I’m your Queen, but because I am the grandchild of Nyktos, and you speak to a god with such disrespect.”

“My mother will not hold who you are descended from against you. It may be a shock to her. It may even make her think of things she has worked to forget, but she will not hold you responsible for what someone distantly related to you did.”

“If you think that what I did was a shock, then you need to understand that I will do anything and everything for my wife. No risk is too great, nor is anything too sacred. Because she is my everything. There is nothing greater than her, and I do mean nothing.”

“With the last Chosen blood spilled, the great conspirator birthed from the flesh and fire of the Primals will awaken as the Harbinger and the Bringer of Death and Destruction to the lands gifted by the gods. Beware, for the end will come from the west to destroy the east and lay waste to all which lies between.”

“Not about anything. Not even when you don’t want me to worry. I know you’re strong and so resilient it’s fucking unbelievable, but you don’t have to always be strong with me. It’s okay to not be okay when you’re with me. It’s my duty as your husband to make sure you feel safe enough to be real. You don’t have to pretend that you’re okay with everything that has happened, Poppy.”

“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.”