The smile that tugged at his lips this time was wider, and the dimple in his right cheek winked to life. “Maybe it has to do with your current mood,” he said. “Although, I do prefer my original theory: that it was the power of my—”
“Don’t finish that sentence,” I warned, the curve of my lips betraying my amusement.
Chuckling, he indulged in another quick kiss. “Stay here.”
I hummed in agreement as he rose from the bed and picked up his discarded breeches. Rolling onto my side, I shamelessly soaked in the nice view of his rear. He went into the bathing chamber but left the door ajar.
I threw myself onto my back and tilted my head as I saw the painting of the gods on the ceiling. The all-too-realistic glint painted in their eyes made it look as if they were actually staring back at me…while I lay there basically nude.
Who would paint that above a bed?
Quickly tugging up the straps of my nightgown, I sat up. My gaze flickered around the chamber, landing on the shuttered window. No light snuck through the cracks.
My gaze shifted to the door as I heard the splash of water and the faint sounds of someone in the hall. Surprise rolled through me as I realized my hearing had improved.
Finally.
Grinning, I focused on the sound, and instinct took over—or better yet, the eather in me did. I could tell it was an Atlantian in the hall. How? I wasn’t exactly sure. It was just a…feeling. But I knew it wasn’t a wolven. A slight frown pulled at my brow as I wondered yet again where Kieran was.
Running a hand over my hair, I found the tie at the end of the messy braid and tugged it free. As I worked my fingers through the strands, my thoughts filled with everything that needed tobe discussed and decided—the Ascended and those still loyal to them, the Revenants, and all the mortals who were likely concerned about what felt like an uncertain future for them.
And, of course, Kolis—
The image of a golden-haired man with features remarkably similar to Nyktos’s—a man with silver eyes streaked with crimson—flashed in my mind.
My stomach twisted sharply as I closed my eyes. I had no idea what Kolis looked like, but I knew that was him. How?
The bathing chamber door opened, pulling me from my thoughts. Casteel walked out, his damp hair pushed back from his face. Walking to the wardrobe, he grabbed a linen shirt and glanced at the table. He tossed the shirt over the back of the chair and then grabbed what appeared to be a pale, blush-hued dressing gown.
“Hisa found this for you,” he said, walking toward me. “It was the only one she could find that wasn’t white or red.” He paused. “Or revealed more than it covered.”
My brow arched as he walked toward me. Considering that most of the clothing here would’ve belonged to various Ascended, I wasn’t surprised to hear that.
Sitting beside me, Casteel leaned over to kiss my cheek. “Tawny brought clothes for you when she came,” he said, running the bridge of his nose along my temple. “But they were moved to our more permanent chambers.”
“Permanent,” I murmured, taking the robe from him. “It feels weird to think of any chamber here being permanent.”
“Agreed.” He rose.
Something struck me. “Do you…do you think we will have to stay here?”
“Good question.” Lifting the shirt, he tugged it over his head. “When Atlantia ruled the entirety of the realm, Wayfair was usedas a secondary residence. I believe it was occupied for at least half the year.”
“Did your mother and…” I trailed off. Mentioning Malec felt awkward for various reasons— “Ires?”
Letting go of his shirt, Casteel frowned. “I think you mean Malec.”
“No. I mean…yes.” I shook my head. “I hadn’t thought of Ires until now.” Which sounded pretty bad to say out loud. “Did I find him? Was he okay?”
Casteel lowered his hands, his gaze sharpening on me as he gripped the back of the chair. “What is the last thing you remember?”
“I remember going to find my father, but after that? I don’t know,” I said, my fingers curling into the soft fabric of the robe. “Things are kind of fuzzy.”
“It’s okay,” he assured me, his white-knuckled grip on the back of the chair loosening. “Take your time.”
Drawing my lower lip between my teeth, I thought back to leaving the Bone Temple. That memory was clear. Everything else was kind of cloudy. “We went belowground to find Ires. I knew where he was.” I looked over at Casteel.
He nodded.
