“It’s real…adult-like,” he replied, his lashes lowering.
I opened my mouth.
“Poppy.” Kieran grabbed my arm and tugged me until I sat. “Look at me.”
Crossing my arms, I turned my head half an inch in his direction. “Looking.”
“So mature,” purred Casteel.
My head swung toward him. “You want to see—?”
Kieran slammed his hand down, rattling the table. I jumped, but both Casteel and Reaver simply looked at him.
“You need to shut up.” The aura of essence in Kieran’s eyes pulsed as his glare slid from Casteel to me. “And listen.”
A low growl of irritation rumbled from him. “You just said we cannot approach Kolis as we would the Blood Crown. One of us running off is doing exactly that.”
I started to speak.
“Listen,” he pressed. “Not only that, you would throw a bigger hissy fit than him—” He pointed at Casteel.
“Hissy fit?” Casteel spat.
Reaver chuffed out a laugh.
“Sounds about right,” I muttered.
“—if we suggested what you did,” Kieran continued, a muscle ticking in his temple.
“That’s because it’s not the same.”
“And what makes you think that?” Casteel demanded.
“He’s not being quiet,” I told Kieran.
He shot Casteel a look of warning I knew would be ignored. “Casteel killed a Revenant. Something believed impossible. I’m betting I can do the same. So, why do you believe only you can kill Kolis?”
“Because the Fates said so,” I said.
“Why?”
I opened my mouth. I had no answer.
“Exactly,” Kieran stated.
“No, it’s notexactly. You’re missing the point. Kolis needs me alive—”
“He needs you alive until he doesn’t,” Casteel interrupted. “Which isn’t all that different from us.”
I narrowed my eyes on him. “Aren’t you supposed to be quiet?”
“Aren’tyousupposed to be listening?” Casteel shot back.
“Neither of you is doing what I said,” Kieran retorted.
Blowing out an aggravated breath, I looked away. “What do you expect me to do then? Sit by and do nothing, hoping Kolis doesn’t decide to randomly kill more innocent people? People we’re supposed to protect? Just like the Arae demanded that I sit by and do nothing for the Continents—holding me back when there is something I can do?”
Casteel stilled, and then his head tilted. He drew in a deep breath. “No, Poppy,” he said, his voice gentler but not softer. “You know I’ve never held you back. Do you think I’m doing that now?”
