“While I think the people seeing that another god is on our side is good, I don’t think it’s necessary to formally introduce him or for him to be beside us,” he said, “He’s another god the people have never heard of. It will only further complicate things.”
“Good point.” I toyed with a dainty ribbon dangling from the neckline of my nightgown as he lifted a glistening strawberry to my mouth. I bit down, chewing slowly as I turned things over in my mind. “I know we decided to move against Kolis whether Attes shows or not, but how soon is soon?”
He was quiet for a moment. “In the next day or so.”
My heart kicked against my ribs. He said it so casually, it was as if we were discussing taking a trip for pleasure. Then again, he was a descendant of a Primal God of War. “Okay.”
“You sure you agree with that?” he asked after a few seconds.
“I’ve wanted to go to Pensdurth for days,” I reminded him. “So, yes.”
His chest rose against my back. “But?”
“But…it’s war,” I said, staring up at the canopy, caught between enjoying this closeness and intimacy with Cas andloathing the necessity for such a discussion. “Not with just the Ascended or Revenants but against gods.”
“We will take them, Poppy,” he assured me. “They won’t be able to stand against us.”
“I know.” And I did. My chest squeezed.I did.
“Want more?” he offered.
I shook my head. “People will die, Cas. And I know people always die in battle, but there will be no second chances this time.” An image I couldn’t get out of my head flashed in my mind. Crimson-streaked, snow-white fur. I never wanted to see that again.
Casteel had placed the bowl beside us and wiped his fingers clean by the time he wrapped his arms around me again. “Then we need to do everything in our power to make sure we suffer as few losses as possible.”
“Yeah,” I breathed, knowing that was easier said than done. Letting go of the ribbon, I dropped my hands to his arms. The feel of his skin soothed me in a way I wasn’t sure I would ever fully understand. “How do you think the generals really feel about making our move even without Attes?”
“Hard to tell,” he said with a sigh, his hand flattening against my stomach. “But I think Damron and my father are on the same page. As well as Sven.”
“I think we should have Sven stay back with Perry. They haven’t found anything that can weaken Kolis yet, but that doesn’t mean they won’t. And we’ll need that if I’m not successful.” As in, if I didn’t get a chance to get close enough.
“We will be successful,” he replied, his thumb making slow, idle sweeps. “But I agree. A commander can be pulled forward to lead Sven’s regiment.”
“And the other generals?”
“La’Sere?” His chin grazed the top of my head. “I believe she’s onboard. Murin is up in the air.”
“Aylard likely isn’t,” I muttered.
“That’s because he’s a coward.”
He was many things, a coward included. But… “He’s afraid of dying. Most people are.”
“There are worse things than dying.” His thumb circled my navel. “Someone as arrogant as Aylard should know that.”
“Has he always been that way?” I asked, curious.
“Our paths didn’t cross often in the past,” he shared. “But I was not impressed when it occurred.”
I snorted, and it was quite an unattractive sound. “I get the feeling he’s not as…” I searched for the right word. “Respectful toward the wolven as he is toward Atlantians.”
“Your suspicions would be on point.” Casteel shifted, leaning back an inch or two.
“Am I making you uncomfortable?” I looked over my shoulder. “I can move?”
“Absolutely fucking not.” His arms tightened, and then he continued once I settled back into him. “You know issues were brewing between the wolven and Atlantians again.”
I did. Alastir had also spoken of such, which was one of the reasons he’d wanted Cas to marry Gianna.
