“Did you just ask why I find that hard to believe?” Kieran asked, drawing my gaze back to him. “Have youmetyourself?”
I narrowed my eyes. “That’s rude.”
“I think he’s just upset that you will be asking fewer questions,” Casteel remarked.
“Whatever,” I muttered, folding my arms across my chest. “Anyway… Oh, that’s why you haven’t tried to summon the essence,” I realized. “You were worried you were a false Primal.”
“Yeah. It made more sense than this.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about that,” I told him. “You know what else this means? It means you should have the ability to heal.”
“Holy shit.” Kieran blinked rapidly, clearly not considering what the essence he’d seen around himself meant. Then again, when would he have had the time?
“And maybe even restore life to someone,” I continued.
“Holy shit,” he repeated, his skin losing a little color.
“I think you should sit down,” I advised. “You look like you’re about to faint.”
“What?” His upper lip curled as he shot his gaze to me. “I’ve never fainted in my life.”
“That would be a lie, sir,” Casteel said. “There was that time—”
“Shut up.” Kieran’s eyes narrowed. “That didn’t count.”
I glanced between them, curious. “Whatdidn’t count?”
“Nothing,” he muttered.
I turned to Casteel.
“If you answer that question,” Kieran warned, “I’m going to break one of your bones to find out if I can heal it.”
Casteel mouthedlaterto me.
A low growl rumbled from Kieran. “There will be no later.”
Casteel smiled. “Of course not.”
“I swear to the gods—”
“Anyway,” I jumped in, turning to Casteel. “Back to the whole feeding thing. You can just feed from me.”
Casteel’s brows lifted. “Not so soon. You just awakened.”
“But—”
“He’s right, Poppy.” Kieran crossed his arms. “If you’re anything like an Atlantian after they finish their Culling, then you will need to feed more than usual.”
“It’s so annoying when you two tag-team me,” I muttered.
Casteel opened his mouth as what sounded like a choked laugh came from Kieran.
“What?” I frowned, and then my eyes widened, my face heating. “That wasnotwhat I meant!”
“Good. Because I think you like that kind of—”
“Casteel,” I hissed.
