Poppy And Casteel Quotes

I don’t want to pretend,” I whispered. “I’m Poppy and you’re Casteel, and this is real.

I reacted without thought, slamming my elbow into his stomach. Casteel grunted out a curse. “Please don’t fight atop the horse,” Delano called out from somewhere behind us. “None of us wish to watch Setti trample either of you.” “Speak for yourself,” came Kieran’s droll voice. Casteel straightened behind me. “Don’t worry. Neither of us will fall. It was just a love tap.” “That did not look like a love tap,” Naill commented. “That’s because it was a very passionate one,” Casteel replied. “You’re about to get a love tap to your face,” I muttered under my breath. Casteel curled his arm more firmly around my waist as he laughed.

A low, humming sound came from deep within me, finally forming rough, guttural words. "It hurts." "I know. You're hungry. But you can't eat Kieran. That would make me a little sad.

Heartmates," he choked out. "What—?” Casteel kissed me again. Hard. Consuming. He kissed me as if he could draw me into him. When his mouth left mine this time, he didn't go far. "Gods. Poppy, I miss you so bad it hurts.

I don’t want to pretend,” I whispered. “I’m Poppy and you’re Casteel, and this is real.

You are…” “Devilishly handsome? Wickedly clever?” He turned back to the western sky, where it still carried the haze of fire. “Stunningly charismatic?” “That wasn’t what I was going for,” I told him. “More like ridiculous.” “Endearingly ridiculous,” he corrected.

Ignoring something doesn’t make it less true, Penellaphe.

Poppy," he breathed, kissing my cheek, the space below my ear, and then my shoulder. He pressed his mouth to the side of my neck. "My beautiful, brave Queen. I could stay here, holding you, forever." Oh, gods, I knew this was ending. Panic exploded. I wasn't ready. I wasn't. "Don't leave me. Don't leave us. I love you. Please. I love—" "Find me again." His head lifted, and his eyes... they were no longer bright, his features no longer clear. Things were hazy, and I couldn't—oh, gods, I couldn't feel him. "Find me. I'll be waiting here. Always.

Some things can’t be forgotten or forgiven

No matter how much death I’ve seen, it never gets easier.

The fear of failing was powerful, just as fear of the unknown and uncharted destinies was.

You can't do anything wrong. How have you not learned that yet?

You know this shirt was beyond repair, right?' 'Wha-?' The sound of cloth tearing was my only explanation.

If you wanted to kill me, you should've aimed for the head, Princess. But worse yet, you forgot.' 'Forgot what?' 'That it was real.

He was both the villain and the hero, the monster and the monster slayer.

He exhaled heavily. "I don't think I've told you this. I didn't get the chance yet. When you asked me to kiss you under the willow? Deep down, I knew then that I would give you anything you asked for. I still will. Whatever you want," he promised roughly, his fingers tangling in my hair. "You can have it. Anything. Everything. You can have it all. I will make sure of it.

It's never too late. Not even after blood has been drawn and lives have been lost,' he said. 'Things can always be stopped.

You are a descendant of the gods, Poppy. You run from no one and nothing. -Kieran-

You can let go. I'm not going to stab you.' 'I find that oddly disappointing.' 'And I find that extremely disturbing.

Let's make a deal that we don't borrow tomorrow's problems today.

You're an absolutely stunning, murderous little creature,' ...

That... that's really sad.' 'Some say all great love stories are.' 'Some people are stupid.

You are nothing to me if you're dead.

I had to do it,' he said, dipping his head so his cheek pressed against mine. 'No one, and I mean no one, speaks of you like that. Threatens you and lives.

Nothing should ever make you forget that I laugh because of you

You're more than a Queen. More than a goddess on the verge of becoming a Primal. You're Penellaphe Da'Neer, and you're fearless." "And you run from no one and nothing.

Let me help you replace the fear and helplessness. I can erase it. I promise,' he whispered, guiding me back until I was lying down once more. 'Let me be enough, at least for tonight.

I'll cut my throat wide-open if any of you take another step forward. I doubt any of you will live if that happens. He'll take you down.' 'I'm about to take you down,' Casteel growled.

I need to feel your lips on mine.' He planted his hands on the carriage wall, caging me in. 'I need to feel your breath in my lungs. I need to feel your life inside me. I just need you. It's an ache. This need. Can I have you? All of you?

We're not pretending, Poppy? No more? You want me. Knowing everything, you want me.' 'What do you think?' ... 'I need to hear you say it, Princess.' Of course, he did. 'Yes, I nearly cursed. 'I want you.' 'Good.' ... 'Because this is real.

Death is like an old friend who pays a visit, sometimes when it’s least expected and other times when you’re waiting for her. It’s neither the first nor the last time she’ll pay a visit, but that doesn’t make any death less harsh or unforgiving. -Casteel

Casteel's head snapped down, his eyes feral and lost as they'd been the morning he woke from the nightmare. He caught one of the roots as it fell over my stomach and stared at it for a moment before he broke it, tossing it aside. "I cannot let you go. I won't. Not now. Not ever." His hand moved to my cheek, but I barely felt it. "Kieran, I need you to pull the bolt out. I— I can't—" His voice shattered. "I need you. I can't do that." "You're going to..." Kieran rocked forward. "Fuck. Yeah. Okay." He tore through the roots. "Let's do this.

You're beautiful when you're quiet and sombre, but when you laugh? You rival the sunrise over the Skotos Mountains.' He sounded so genuine, as if he truly meant that, and I couldn't understand it. 'Why do you say things like that?' His gaze searched mine. 'Because it's the truth.

I go by several names. The Dark One. Bastard. Cas. Prince Casteel Da' Neer,' he said, and there was no mistaking the slight widening of her eyes. She hadn't known that- who he truly was. 'Call me whatever you like as long as you know it will be my voice that will be the last sound you hear.

Your heart, Poppy? It is a gift I do not deserve.' He placed his hands on my knees as he lifted his gaze to mine. 'But it is one I will protect until my dying breath. I don't know what that means.' He stopped, curling his fingers into the leggings, into my skin. 'Okay. Fuck. I do know what that means. It's why I'm in awe of everything you say or do- everything you are. It's why you're the first thing I think about when I wake and the last thought I have when I fall asleep, replacing everything else. It's why when I'm with you, I can be quiet. I can just be. You know what that means.

You're an absolutely stunning, murderous little creature,' he murmured. 'There'll be time for all the sweet whispers later,' Jasper said, and when Casteel pulled back, there was a fire in his eyes. 'You do look quite lovely, Penellaphe.' 'Thank you,' I said. 'What about me?' Casteel asked, and behind him, Naill sighed. 'You look passable.' 'That was rude,' he replied. 'Would you like to go sit in the shade and nurse your wounded feelings? Like you did when you were young and inevitably injured yourself doing something incredibly stupid?' Casteel's brows lowered as he looked over at Jasper. 'This marriage ceremony is starting off in a really weird way.

I was a little angry.' Casteel arched a brow as he glanced at me. 'A little?' I narrowed my eyes. 'Okay, I was very angry.' 'I didn't know that,' Alastir said from behind the rim of his cup. 'Obviously, Casteel takes after his father when it comes to women with sharp objects,' Jasper commented with a snort. 'I feel like I'm missing some vital information that Delano conveniently left out when he met me halfway.' I frowned, but at least I knew where Delano had been. 'You stabbed Casteel?' Jasper repeated. 'In the heart? With bloodstone? And you thought it would kill him?' 'In my defence, I felt bad afterward.' 'She did cry,' Casteel remarked. I was going to stab him again.

Your name isn't Hawke Flynn. You're him! You're the Dark One.' 'I prefer the name Casteel or Cas,' he replied then, his tone hard and distant. 'If you don't want to call me that, you can call me Prince Casteel Da'Neer, the second son of King Valyn Da'Neer, brother of Prince Malik Da'Neer.' I shuddered. 'But do not call me the Dark One. That is not my name.

Let me go.' 'I don't know if I should.' His thumb moved in an idle circle along the inside of my wrist as he said. 'Someone is likely to be very irritated if you stab me, and I end up bleeding all over the bed.' 'You could always clean up after yourself.' 'There's something innately wrong with the idea of being stabbed and then having to clean up my own blood.

Casteel let go of my hands and stretched up, cupping my cheeks. He leaned in, pressing his forehead to mine, and I swore I felt his hands tremble. 'Always,' he whispered in the breath we shared. 'You heart was always safe with me. It always will be. There is nothing I will protect more fiercely or with more devotion, Poppy. Trust in that- in what you feel from me. In me.

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,” he said, and my breath caught. “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.

I can't do that. Right? I mean, I don't have... the, uh, parts for it.' 'Parts?' Kieran coughed. 'What have you been filling her head with?' The Prince slid him a bland look. 'Teeth. I do believe she means these.' Curling his upper lip, he ran his tongue over one fang, and my stomach dipped and twisted in a mixture of pleasure and unease. 'They don't need that. They just need your blood for them to complete the Ascension.

Our relationship was never one of raw need. That doesn't mean I cared any less about her, but it wasn't like this. There was no constant need to be inside her in every way imaginable, and even ways not yet thought of. I never found myself constantly hungering, and I believe you need that to find yourself exploring those things with someone you're commited to," he said, and my breaths became shorter and shallower. "I never had what I have with you with her, Poppy.

I'm not most people.' 'Most people aren't as insane as you,' I said in a throaty voice that wasn't mine. 'That's not a very nice thing to say.' He scraped harder with his sharp teeth, just below where he'd bitten me before, and I gasped as my body jerked. 'And the truth is, you like my brand of insanity.' My blood pounded through me in a dizzying push. 'I don't like anything about you.' He laughed as his lips skimmed the side of my throat. 'I love how you lie.

I'm getting you out of here.' A knot formed in my throat. 'I can stop this. They won't harm me. I can go-' 'They cannot have you, Poppy. I know what they will do to you.' His bloody fingers splayed across my cheek. 'I cannot breathe when I think about that. I'm getting you out of here.' A knot formed in my throat. 'What about the others? Naill? Delano? Von-' 'They will take care of themselves,' he swore. 'I need to get you out of here. 'That is all that matters right now.

Today.” Cas reached between us, curling his fingers under my chin. He brought my gaze to his. “It turned midnight just as I arrived. April 20th. Your birthday.” (...) Cas smiled. Just one dimple was visible, and that surprise gave way to a sweet rise of love, so much love that it almost hurt for my heart to be so full of it. “You remembered,” I whispered. “Apparently, someone had to,” he teased, sweeping his thumb over my cheek. His eyes fixed on mine. “And I would never forget, Poppy. I will be with you for each and every birthday.

What I feel? Like how I want to take your pain away and yet throttle you at the same moment? How your stupid dimples are infuriating, look for them every time you smile because I know that's a real smile. I don't know why I look forward to arguing with you, but I do. You're clever, and you are kinder than even you realise- even though I know you have earned the title of the Dark One. You are a puzzle I want to figure out, but at the same time, don't. And when I realised You have so many masks- so many layers, I kept wanting to peel them back, even though I fear it will only hurt more in the end.' I shook my head as I curled my fingers around the collar of my tunic. 'I don't understand any of this. Like how do I want to stab you and kiss you at the same time? And I know you said that I deserve to be with someone who didn't kidnap me, or someone I don't want to stab-' 'Forget I said that,' he said, closer to me when I looked up. 'I have no idea what I was talking about. Maybe I didn't even say that.' My lips twitched. 'You totally said that.' 'You're right. I did. Forget it.

When you call me Cas, it reminds me that I'm real." "Cas," I whispered, blinking back tears. "Don't," he pleaded softly. "Don't cry." "I'm sorry. It's just that I want..." Gods, there was so much I wanted for him. I wanted him to never have experienced any of that, but I couldn't undo the past. "I want you to know that you are always Cas. You were never a thing, and you aren't one now." I rose, easing him onto his back. The buttery light of the gas lamp flowed over the striking lines of his face. "You are Casteel Hawkethrone Da'Neer. A son. A brother. A friend. A husband." I leaned over him, and there was no mistaking the deepening of the color in his eyes as his gaze dropped to my breasts. Clasping his cheek, I guided his gaze back to mine. "You are a King. My King. And you will always be my everything, but never will you be a thing.

Silence stretched, filling the room, and then he said. 'Can I... can I just hold you?' he asked, and I'd never heard him sound so uncertain. 'There are things I should be doing, and I know we're not in public, and I know that what we shared doesn't change anything, but... can I... can we just pretend?' My heart thumped heavily again, and I didn't know if it was the effect of the feeding or what we'd done afterward. Or if it was the softness of his request, the vulnerability of it, and the feeling that things had shifted even more between us. It could've been all those things that led me to say, 'You can.' Casteel's exhale was ragged, but he didn't move. When I looked over my shoulder, his eyes were closed, his lips parted. I wondered if he was all right. 'Casteel?' Think lashes swept up, revealing extraordinarily bright amber eyes. 'I... I didn't think you'd let me.' Lying my head back down, I wet my lips. 'Should I have not?' 'Yes? No? I don't know.' Casteel moved then, slipping one arm under me and the other around me. He tugged me close, sealing my back to his chest. 'Not takebacks now, though.

My mouth dropped open. 'You're naked!' 'I am,' Kieran replied. And he was. Like completely naked, and I saw way too much tawny-hued skin. Way too much. I quickly spun around, my wide eyes clashing with Casteel's. 'You should see your face right now,' Casteel gripped the arrow in his stomach. 'It looks like you've been sunbathing.' 'Because he's naked,' I hissed. 'Like, super naked.' 'What do you think happens when he shifts forms?' 'The last time his pants actually stayed on!' 'And sometimes they don't.' Casteel shrugged. 'Those pants were looser, I suppose,' Kieran stated. 'There's no need to be embarrassed. It's only skin.' What I saw was not only skin. He was... well, his body was a lot like Casteel's. Lean, hard muscle and... I wasn't going to think about what I saw. At a loss for what to say, I blurted out in a whisper. 'He has to be cold!' 'Wolven body temperatures run higher than normal. I'm just a little chilled,' Kieran commented. 'As I'm sure you noticed.' Casteel smirked. 'I doubt she knows what you're referencing.' I inhaled deeply through my nose and exhaled slowly. 'I know exactly what you're referencing, thank you very much!' 'How do you know that?' Casteel lifted his brows, and I noticed that his pupils seemed to have returned to their normal size. 'If you know what that means, than someone has been very naughty.

Y me cansé de negarme a mí misma cualquier cosa. Me cansé de mentirle a él y a mí. -Sólo con una condición -dije. -¿Ahora tienes una condición? Asentí, con mi corazón tronando.-No quiero fingir -susurré-. Soy Poppy y tú eres Casteel, y esto es real.

His touched stilled as he searched my face for an answer. And in that moment, I realized that this was my life. What existed between Casteel and I was neither right nor wrong. It was messy and complicated, and maybe I’d regret this later as I gave him more and more pieces of me, but I wanted him. And I was so done denying myself anything. I was done lying to him and to myself. “Only on one condition,” I said. “You have a condition now?” I nodded, my heart thundering. “I don’t want to pretend,” I whispered. “I’m Poppy and you’re Casteel, and this is real.” “Can you agree to that?” I asked. His eyes drifted shut for a heartbeat, all the striking lines of his face were tense. “Always,” he whispered. “Yes.” I reacted and pulled away from the rock. Closing the distance between our mouths, I kissed him. I knew the moment my lips touched Casteel’s, the very second his lips parted, that this was real.

You are...' 'Devilishly handsome? Wickedly clever?' He turned back tot he western sky, where it still carried the haze of fire. 'Stunningly charismatic?' 'That wasn't what I was going for,' I told him. 'More like ridiculous.' 'Endearing ridiculous,' he corrected.

I wish you'd gone with Alastir and Kieran,' he said quietly. 'You would be far away from here. Safe.' I opened my eyes. Casteel stared into the darkness. 'But I'm glad you're here. Spessa's End needs you. I need you.' He looked at me then. 'But I still wish you weren't here.' I could accept that. 'I wish you weren't here,' I whispered.

No one will harm you,' he vowed. 'I will not allow it.

If there are three-headed giants on the other side, I'm going to be very angry with both of you.' 'If there are three-headed giants awaiting us, your anger will be the least of our concerns,' ...

Some say patience is a virtue,' his voice echoed back to me. 'Some deserve a punch in the face,' I muttered, but I fell silent.

we didn't go threw the same shit, but trauma was trauma. it affected everyone differently, but it always affected.

They cannot have what they want,' Casteel snarled as his gaze shot to mine. 'Ever.' I stilled as he held my gaze. There was a vow in his words, one that spoke volumes- one that said he knew where my thoughts had gone. 'They're here for me,' I said, holding his stare and willing him to hear what I couldn't say in front of others. 'We can't risk-' 'Yes, we can,' he cut me off, eyes burning an intense yellow. 'And, yes, I will. They cannot have you.

I should be here with you,' Kieran stepped closer to Casteel. 'My duty is to defend your life with mine. That is what I'm bonded to do, the oath I took. How can I do that running away from the battle?' His voice lowered. 'Don't do this, Cas.' ... 'You took an oath to protect me, and you will,' Casteel said. 'You're not running away from the battle. You will be keeping safe what is most important to me, and that is Poppy.' I jolted. 'Wait. What?' 'You will leave with them. It will be hard,' he said, still holding Kieran's gaze. 'There will be no breaks, and you will need to listen to everything Kieran tells you, especially when it's night in the mountains, but-' 'I'm not leaving,' I cut him off. 'You can't be here,' Casteel replied. 'Not when they come. This is not up for discussion.' I shot to my feet. 'Let me make one thing clear. I don't know if you realise this or not, Casteel, but I'm not duty-bound to obey a single thing you say.' Casteel stiffened. 'And maybe you should actually look at me when you try to order me to do things,' I tacked on. He turned to me, his head cocked. 'I'm looking at you now.' 'But are you listening?' 'Oh, man,' Delano murmured under his breath as the rest of the room went dead silent. 'Someone is getting stabbed again.' Someone, I think it was Jasper, snorted. 'Oh, I'm listening,' Casteel replied. 'Maybe you should try that. Along with this thing called common sense.' 'Definitely getting stabbed,' Kieran confirmed.

It's just you look... adorably confused, and now you look adorably violent.' I shook my head at him. 'There is something so wrong with you.

Don't cry.' He lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed the centre of my palm. 'I'm not crying. I'm not sad,' I told him, and he grinned. The stupid dimple in his right cheek appeared. 'I hate that stupid dimple.' 'You know what I think?' He kissed the tip of my finger. 'I don't care.' The dimple in his left cheek appeared. 'I think you feel the exact opposite when it comes to my stupid dimples.

Casteel set his empty glass down and leaned back in his chair as he studied me. “You have the blood of the gods in you, Poppy. How much and what that truly means is unknown, but what is clear is that the kingdom is yours. Alastir knew it. My mother recognized it. And despite what my father said about her reacting with emotion, he realizes what it means. The bonds with the wolven breaking and shifting to you is further confirmation. The Atlantians you saw on the street when we entered Saion’s Cove? Many who saw what the wolven did were confused, but word of what you are has already begun to spread. It will reach the capital before too long, especially if the Elders have been contacted.

don’t want to pretend,” I whispered. “I’m Poppy and you’re Casteel, and this is real.

She said that Queen Ileana would be thrilled when she learned that I married Casteel and that I would be able to accomplish what she had never been able to do. That I would take Atlantia.” Kieran frowned. “That doesn’t make sense.” “But it does, doesn’t it? Being a descendant of the gods means I usurp the throne without force. I take Atlantia.” “Yes. You are the rightful ruler,” he said, and I swallowed hard, almost reaching for the wine glass again. “But I don’t see how that helps Solis at all.” “I don’t either, but that is what she said, and…” “And you think there’s something to that because of the shit Alastir said to you?” he surmised. I said nothing. “Listen to me, Poppy.” He leaned over so we were eye-to-eye and there was barely any space between us. “Every single one of us who lives within Atlantia is a potential threat to the kingdom. Our actions, our beliefs? Any of us could tear the kingdom apart. You being a descendant of the gods doesn’t make you more of a threat to the kingdom than anyone else. Only you control your actions. Not your blood—not your bloodline. Alastir was wrong. So was the Duchess. And the fact that you didn’t turn into a vampry when Casteel Ascended you should be evidence of that. And if you take the Crown, you’re not taking it in the name of Solis.

Keep looking at me, Poppy, and listen.” His voice was soft and deep, and it was everywhere, all around me and inside me. All I could do was obey. “I love you, Penellaphe. You. Your fierce heart, your intelligence and strength. I love your endless capacity for kindness. I love your acceptance of me. Your understanding. I’m in love with you, and I will be in love with you when I take my last breath and then beyond in the Vale.” Casteel lowered his head, pressing his lips against mine. Something wet glanced off my cheek. “But I have no plans to enter the Vale anytime soon. And I will not lose you. Ever. I love you, Princess, and even if you hate me for what I’m about to do, I will spend the rest of our lives making up for it.” He jerked back, exhaling heavily. “Now!

Even as I struggled to keep my senses in check—even though I knew that many of the people of Atlantia didn’t welcome me—I started pretending again. But this time he was Casteel, and I was Poppy, and he truly was my Prince.

Poppy,” Casteel called, and this time, I looked over at him. Sunlight glinted off the curve of his cheek as his gaze swept over me, around me. “You’re glowing. Not just your hands. You.

I can't control you. If I could, I suspect life would be easier, but I don't even want to try, to be honest. You keep things... intriguing.

But this time he was Casteel, and I was Poppy, and he truly was my Prince.

But I didn't... I didn't plan on actually enjoying your company. I didn't plan on coming to look forward to talking to you. And I didn't plan on the guilt that came with my actions. I didn't plan on... well, I didn't plan on caring about you.

Do I even want to know why you just hit Kieran?' Casteel asked as he rejoined us. Kieran's eyes lit as he opened his mouth- 'No,' I jumped in, shooting Kieran a look that promised death if he spoke as Casteel came to stand beside me. 'You do not.' Grinning, Kieran backed up. 'When has she ever needed a reason to be violent.' 'Good point.' Casteel glanced down at me, one side of his lips quirking. The damn dimple winked into existence. 'I guess I should be grateful that she didn't stab you.' 'There's always later,' I muttered. A throaty, feminine laugh snapped my head around. 'You're right, Kieran. I like her.

Tell me about the conversations you and your brother escaped? The ones that drove you to the caverns. Tell me why you refuse to take the throne even when you know your brother won't be fit to do it when you free him,' I demanded. 'Tell me why you thought it was okay in the first fucking place to kidnap me and use me as random before you even knew me!' Frustration crowded my throat. 'Tell me why it never occurred to you to mention the Joining. Tell me about Gianna, Casteel. Does she care for you? Does she want this engagement? Do you care for her? He exhaled roughly, shaking his head, but I wasn't done. 'Tell me why you never told me the truth about Spessa's End until I was here? Was it because you didn't trust me with that information? Tell me about her. The one you loved and lost because of the Ascended. Tell me what happened to her. Will you even say her name?' My chest rose and fell with rapid breaths, and my anger overwhelmed my senses, blocking out his emotions completely. 'Tell me how you can stand to be near me when I represent the people who took so much from you. Tell me why you really came to my room tonight. Tell me something that matters. That is real.' Casteel's chest rose with a heavy breath. 'You want something real?' 'Yes.' 'I came to your room tonight to learn if what you said at dinner was true. That I was the first person to ever seen you. That I was the first thing you ever chose for yourself. That you chose me when you knew me as Hawke, and even after you learned the truth, you still chose me,' he growled, his eyes luminous. 'I came here tonight to learn if you really felt like you were betraying Vikter and Rylan, all the others and yourself. I came here to see if that'd changed. Was all of that real, or were you just pretending?' I took a step back, entirely too exposed, and it had nothing to do with the ridiculous nightgown. I hadn't expected him to go there. I wasn't sure why, but I hadn't. He shook his head as he barked out a short, humourless laugh. 'Yeah. Silence. As usual. That's why there was never a reason to tell you any of those things you've demanded from me.' I stared up at him, hands and arms trembling. 'I don't know what you want from me.' 'Everything,' he bit out between clenched teeth. 'I want everything.

Do you think I understand any of this, Poppy? None of this was supposed to happen. I had plans. Capture you and use you. Free my brother and, maybe, if the gods were good, prevent a war- or at least lessen the bloodshed.' Casteel turned sideways, shoving a hand through his hair. 'That was the plan. And fuck if it didn't go off the rails the moment you walked into the godsdamn Red Pearl.' His eyes closed. 'And each time- every damn time- I spoke to you, each time I saw your smile or heard you laugh, and the more I got to know you, the less those plans made sense. And trust me, Poppy, those plans made way more fucking sense than this- than all of this.' The breath I took got stuck as I grew incredibly still. 'I'm a Prince. A kingdom of people is counting on me to solve their problems- even the ones they're unaware of, but I... I couldn't do it. I couldn't give you to them, not even for my brother.' He turned to me, his eyes nearly luminous. 'All because when I'm with you, I don't think about the kingdom full of people counting on me. I don't find myself in the middle of the day, when it's too quiet, back in those fucking cages. I don't sit and think of everything I know they're doing to my brother. Beating him. Starving him. Raping him. Turning him into a monster worse than even they can imagine. When I'm with you, I don't think about that.' I curled my hands against my chest- against my thundering heart as his features blurred. And finally, I felt him. HIs pain. His confusion. His wonder. 'I forget.' He quieted as he shook his head in confusion. 'I forget about him- about my people, and I don't even understand how that's possible. But I did. I do...' ... 'And truthfully, I have no idea how you can even bear my touch after my lies, after what I did and caused. All I do know is that I didn't plan any of this in the beginning, Poppy. I didn't plan on being drawn to you. I didn't plan to want you. I didn't plan on risking everything to keep you.

It's official,' Casteel said, watching Emil as he stopped to speak to one of the Guardians. 'I'm going to have to kill him.' My head whipped in his direction. 'What? Why?' 'I don't like the way he looks at you.' Confused, I glanced back to where Emil was walking toward the stairwell. 'How does he look at me?' His hand was a scalding brand on my hip, even through the layers of clothing. 'He looks at you like I do.' My brows lifted. 'That's not true. You look at me like...' Those heated amber eyes met mine. 'How do I look at you, Princess?' 'You look at me like...' I cleared my throat. 'Like you want to eat me.' Casteel's eyes narrowed into thin slits as his gaze return to Emil. 'Exactly, he snarled.

I saw that. That little grin.' He leaned in, dipping his chin against the side of my neck. 'Why are there times you still hide your smiles from me?' His chest roses with a heavy breath as he sat back. 'You have a beautiful smile. That and your laugh. And you... you never laughed enough as it was, but when you did...' I closed my eyes. 'When you did, it was like the moment the damn mist finally cleared. Like when the first rays of sun break through the clouds after a heavy storm,' he said without an ounce of embarrassment. 'Your laugh is as beautiful as your smile, and when I told you it was like hearing something familiar? It wasn't a lie.

Feisty,' Casteel murmured. 'I like it.' 'I'm this close to shooting her in the face with an arrow,' I warned him. 'I like that, too,' he replied.

You are what matters now.' Casteel kissed me, and it was hard and fierce. A clash of teeth and fangs that tasted of blood and desperation. 'You do. We do. Us surviving this. That is what matters.

My jealousy is not rooted in anything you've done.' 'Or in logic.

Every time I look at you, I see a gift I'm not worthy of.' My breath caught as my heart swelled. It wasn't new- him saying things like that. What was new was me believing him. 'You are worthy,' I told him. 'Most of the time.' He cracked a grin. 'I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me.

That's the last thing I want to do right now.' 'Do you have better ideas?' He stepped closer, the heat and scent of him reaching me. 'I know I do.' My gaze shot to him. 'If you're suggesting what I think you are, I am going to stab you in the heart again.' Casteel's eyes flashed a warm honey. 'Don't tempt me with empty promises.' 'You are so twisted.' 'Alastir was right. I do take after my father when it comes to women with sharp objects,' he said. 'I don't care.

Glad to know the disturbed apple doesn't fall too far from the crazy tree.

I haven't spun any tales.' He paused. 'Yet.' Casteel's eyes narrowed as he stood beside me. 'How about you keep spinning tales to a minimum?' 'But I've interested in spun tales,' I remarked.

By giving yourself to them, you won't be saving lives. You'll be destroying more of them.

Let me go.' 'I don't know if I should.' His thumb moved in an idle circle along the inside of my wrist as he said. 'Someone is likely to be very irritated if you stab me, and I end up bleeding all over the bed.' 'You could always clean up after yourself.' 'There's something innately wrong with the idea of being stabbed and then having to clean up my own blood.

What are you doing?' I demanded. 'Making sure you're comfortable.' 'And how will you accomplish that by lying on top of me?' 'I won't.' A shadowy grin appeared. 'I'm doing that because I like lying on top of you.' 'Well, I don't.' I bit out, pulse thundering. His chest brushed against mine, sending a velvet shiver through me. 'That's a lie.' 'It's not.' I held the dagger to his neck. 'Truly.

You are...' 'Marvellous? Charming? Undeniable?' 'Increasingly annoying.' 'But you still haven't used the dagger at my neck.' 'I'm trying to think of the people who will have to clean up the mess.' 'How thoughtful of you.

Have I told you that you're beautiful?' 'What?' The shift in conversation threw me. 'I might have, but I couldn't remember if I did,' he went on, tugging gently on the strap. 'Then I thought that it wasn't something you could say too often. You're beautiful, Poppy.' My stupid, stupid heart skipped. 'Is that why you decided to wake me up in the middle of the night?' 'You're beautiful.' HIs head tilted, and I gasped at the feel of his lips on the longer scar on my cheek. He kissed that one and then the shorter one, above my eye. 'Both halves, and you should never question why anyone would find you utterly, irrevocably, and distractingly beautiful.' The skipping was back, but I ignored it. 'That is a lot of adjectives.' 'I can come up with more.' 'That won't be necessary,' I advised. 'So, now that you've told me this, you can get off me.' He smiled against my cheek. 'But you're comfortable, Princess.

Are you watching me sleep?' 'Not now. I was a few minutes ago,' he admitted, one side of his lips curving up. 'Now, I'm talking to you.' 'That's creepy,' I murmured. 'The watching me while I sleep part.' 'Possibly.' 'You have no shame.

But until then?' He stepped into me, causing my breath to snag. 'I am honoured that you are standing beside me now.

Blessed be the gods, someone mark the date and time. She just admitted I was right.' 'Oh, shut up,' I bit back. 'Fine with me. Conversation is over. You'll leave with Alastir and Kieran immediately.

Casteel stopped by when he was looking for my father and asked if I had anything that would be deserving of a Princess to wear to her wedding. I told him no. That all I owned was deserving of a Queen,' ...

Planning to stab him during the ceremony?' Vonetta asked. 'Why does everyone act like I'm seconds away from stabbing Casteel?' I demanded. 'Apparently, you have a habit of it.' 'I only stabbed him... a few times,'...

Why do you look like that when I laugh? Or smile?' 'Because it's a beautiful sound and smile and you don't do it nearly enough.

It turns me on when you're armed with something sharp.' 'There's something so entirely wrong with you.' He came around to my front. 'But you like what's wrong with me.' 'There is something wrong with me, too,' I looked up at him. 'Because I do.' 'I know.' He touched my cheek. 'I've always known you like that I enjoy when you make me bleed.

Beautiful. I want you to know that. You're beautiful. Every inch of you.

Are you hungry?' he asked. 'Thirsty?' I shook my head as he lifted his gaze to the western sky. 'But you're cold.' 'Just a little.' 'A little is too much.

What I said that night still holds true. I'm not worthy of you. I knew that then. I know that still. But that hasn't stopped me from wanting you. That hasn't stopped me from concocting a plan where I can have you, if only until this is over. It didn't stop me from wanting everything from you. From pretending that I could have everything, Poppy.

You don't deserve that. You don't deserve everything that I've laid at your feet, and you sure as hell don't deserve the fact that I'm still trying to hold onto you. That when it comes time for you to leave, I'm still going to want you. Even when you inevitably do leave, I'll still want you.

Glad you haven’t because that was when you had a knife to your throat—” “I was trying to save you and the people,” I reminded him. “We’ve already covered this.” “We did, but Kieran told me that he heard you calling him. He said the other wolven felt it, too. That they all veered in our direction. Jasper confirmed it,” he said. “He said the same thing.” “I didn’t. I mean, how?” I swallowed. “I was obviously feeling a lot in that moment. I felt like, I don’t know, like I was about to lose control. But how is that even possible?” “I don’t know, Poppy. I’ve never seen anything like that. I don’t know how they could’ve picked up anything from you.” He tugged on a strand of my wet hair and draped it over my bare shoulder. “Neither do they. I asked them when they came by just now. Both said they felt you calling for them—calling for help.” Goosebumps broke out over my skin. “Delano. Oh, my gods….” “What?” “When we were in New Haven and I was kept in the room, he burst inside at one point, swearing he heard me calling for him. But I hadn’t.” Casteel’s brows slashed over his eyes. “Did something happen at that time? Because if so and I wasn’t told about it—” “Nothing happened. I was mad—mad at you, because I was locked in the room,” I explained. “He then said it must’ve been the wind, and it was windy then, so I forgot about it.