Casteel let out a low laugh.
I ignored that. “Did she see…them?”
Tawny nodded.
“Is she okay?”
“As okay as one can be.” Leaning forward, she placed her glass on the table. “She heard it was the true Primal of Death’s doing. But…why? Why would he do that to mortals—to children?”
“I wish I knew. Actually, I probably don’t.” I let out a small breath as a knock sounded on the door. “But we think he was sending a message, letting us know he’s around and what he can do.”
Delano appeared in the doorway a few moments later. “Malik is here.”
“Let him in,” Casteel said.
“Malik,” Tawny murmured. “The even less friendly Da’Neer?”
My eyebrows rose.
“I heard that,” came Malik’s voice.
Tawny pressed her lips together and puffed out her cheeks.
Malik strode into the sitting chamber, a single brow arched as he glanced down at Tawny before his gaze flicked to me and then his brother. He looked a little better than he had last night—the shadows under his eyes weren’t so unforgiving.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said.
“Tawny doesn’t mind,” Casteel remarked.
She huffed.
Casteel winked.
“Once again,” I said, “that is not as charming as you think it is.”
“And, once again, you’re a terrible liar.” Casteel turned to his brother. “What did you need?”
“I need to speak to you two in private.” Malik shifted his stance, his hands in his pockets as he glanced at Tawny. “No offense. It’s business related to the Crown.”
Tawny sighed. “I guess that’s a nudge for me to leave so you can be all queenly.”
My lips curved up. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” She picked up my braid and smoothed the ends. “I know you’ll be busy being Queen and everything, along with keepinghim”—she paused, sending a pointed look over my shoulder—“entertained. But will we have time to talk more?”
“I don’t know.” Casteel took a drink. “Keeping me entertained is a full-time job.”
Tawny snorted.
“I’ll have time,” I assured.
“I’m going to hold you to it,” she warned, rising. As she walked past the brothers, she did so slowly enough to give Casteel a once-over. “You’d better be treating her like the Queen she is.”
“Always,” he replied.
“Good.” Tawny all but pranced toward the door.
“Tawny?” I called, standing.
