“I was thinking about giving it to Delano.” I glanced over at Casteel. “Unless you think that would hurt him.”
“I don’t think it would, but Vikter gave it to you. It means something to you.”
“It does—did. But it belongs to him.” I rubbed my palms over my knees. “Even if he doesn’t want it, I won’t use it again.”
Casteel stayed silent, watching me in an intense, piercing way that made me want to squirm.
I continued dragging my palms over my bent knees. “Speaking of Kieran, I’m surprised he didn’t join us for lunch.”
“He’s likely busy with the generals.” A brief grin appeared.
There was no hesitation in his answer, and it made sense, but plenty of others could’ve handled those tasks.
“Or perhaps with Helenea,” he added.
Curiosity sparked. “You think?”
“No.” He laughed.
My lips pursed. “She was staring at him a lot.”
“I noticed.”
“Do you think he noticed?”
“Probably not.”
I watched him from the corner of my eye. “She’s really pretty.”
“She is, but it takes more than that to catch Kieran’s attention and keep it.”
Poking at a fang with my tongue, I nodded and looped my arms around my knees. “It’s odd,” I said after a moment, keeping my tone light. “Kieran being with the generals.”
A single brow rose. “Is it?”
“Yes. He’s the Advisor to the Crown. He should be here, not out with the generals,” I reasoned. “And he’s also your closest…”Frienddidn’t seem like a strong enough term for what Kieran was to him—or us.
“Closest…?”
“Closest whatever.” I shrugged. “What is going on between you two?”
“The answer is the same as the last time you asked.” His head tilted. “But I can tell you don’t believe that.”
I twisted my fingers together, hating that he was right. “I don’t.”
Casteel stared at me for a moment and then laughed. I immediately tensed at the sound of it. It was dry. Cutting. “You don’t trust me?” He pushed off the frame. “Shocker.”
“Wait. What?” I watched him turn. “I didn’t say that.”
“You’re right. Youdidn’tsay that.” He walked into the dining chamber. “You don’t trust what I’m saying. Apparently, there’s a big difference between the two.”
“There is.” Jumping to my feet, I followed him. “There’s a huge difference.”
Casteel humphed as he stopped in front of the credenza, and the deep, closed-lip sound turned a dial deep inside me straight to bitch.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I demanded. “The noise you just made.”
He picked up a bottle. “What noise?”
