“They are just learning the truth of the Ascended,” she continued. “And now they will be asked to be okay with them living among them?”
“I…” Casteel said, “actually agree with you.”
Tawny narrowed her eyes at him.
“I don’t expect them to be thrilled, but…” I leaned back and dragged my toes over the stone floor. “But killing them outright is something the Blood Crown would do. We have to—”
“Prove you’re different?” Malik suggested.
I nodded.
“But what about those who participated in the cruelest crimes carried out by the Blood Crown?” Kieran countered.
“They should not be given the option,” I said. “I did not give the Hawleys an option.”
“Thank the gods,” Tawny muttered.
I looked at her. “You knew them?”
“Unfortunately,” she said, lifting her glass. “Met them once. That was enough.”
Considering how they’d behaved with us, I completely understood her sentiment. “We would just need to discover those who have committed such crimes.”
“I have a feeling they will out themselves,” Casteel stated. “Just as Duke Ashwood did.”
He was likely right. The Ascended were…terminally arrogant. The Hawleys were evidence of that.
Kieran picked up a bottle and topped off Casteel’s drink. “You agree with this?”
“I do,” Casteel said, picking up his refilled glass. “I agree with the motivation behind wanting to do so, but I don’t necessarily agree with giving them a choice.”
I set down my glass as the wine turned sour in my mouth. “What?”
“I don’t think they should be given a choice,” Casteel repeated, his gaze meeting and holding mine. “What I thought before stands. I think they should all be killed.”
Malik sat back, his jaw hardening.
“You know I have no love for the Ascended.” Casteel shifted to the side in his seat and rested his elbow on the arm of the chair. “No Atlantian does.”
“That’s not true,” I said.
“Two Atlantians do not represent the whole.”
“I know, but that could change once the Atlantians know it’s possible for the Ascended to live differently.” I took a deep breath, surprised by Casteel. He’d been there. Saw and heard what I had. “And I completely understand why you hold no love for them.” I then glanced at Kieran and the others. “Why none of you do. I’m not asking for that.”
“But aren’t you?” Kieran pressed. “You may not be asking him or any Atlantian or person wronged by the Ascended to welcome them with open arms, but youareasking for their acceptance.”
I opened my mouth to deny that but fell silent. Was that what I was asking? I was, but I also wasn’t.
“As Tawny pointed out, you’re asking them to accept those who have done nothing but lie and prey upon them for centuries—something that will be nearly impossible,” Kieran tacked on.
“It’s not impossible. The Descenters are proof of that,” I reasoned. “And yes, theBlood Crownhas lied to them.” I placed the fork beside my plate. “Just as they lied to me and Tawny.But I’m not talking about the Blood Crown. I’m talking about theAscended.”
“They’re not the same?” Casteel countered, swirling the wine in his glass.
“How can you see the Unbound and the Ascended as the same?” I asked them. Neither answered. I took another deep breath. “The Blood Crown consists of the oldest of the Ascended—those who were created before the War of Two Kings and immediately after.Theyknew what they were.Theycreated the lies that manipulated the people of Solis and turned them against Atlantia.Theytook the second sons and daughters, convincing them that they would receive the Blessing of the gods—second sons and daughters who were taught to believe the Ascended spokeforthe gods. Innocent children who had no idea their siblings were being used as cattle for those who’d sworn to protect them.”
“They’re no longer children,” Casteel stated over the rim of his glass.
