POPPY
Attes and Valyn returned with Reaver just before the sun set.
Seeing them side by side was…a different experience. Their features were so similar, even their mannerisms. They could almost pass for twins except that Attes looked a decade younger than Valyn. And considering he was likelythousandsof years older? I couldn’t wrap my head around it, so I didn’t even try.
Neither Valyn nor the Primal asked about what’d happened with Casteel, thank the gods. But I could tell Cas’s father wanted to, especially when I saw him staring at me as I gripped the arms of the chair.
I couldn’t let go. If I did, I’d likely shadowstep to wherever Casteel was so we could talk things out.
But I couldn’t.
I had responsibilities that went beyond Casteel and me. A duty that affected the lives of everyone in the mortal realm and Iliseeum—possibly even the Continents. What would stop Kolis from eventually turning his sights on that realm and making things worse?
We finalized plans for tomorrow. Reaver and Aurelia would leave in the morning and fly toward Pensdurth, staying closejust in case, as Attes had put it. He didn’t elaborate on what that meant, but he didn’t need to.
In case things went south.
We decided to meet in the Great Hall at ten to noon. I didn’t pick the location. Valyn did. I only left the chair I sat in to retrieve Seraphena’s dagger.
Attes had stared at it before taking it, hilt first. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen this.”
“Did Seraphena not wear it?”
“Not after we entombed Kolis and learned about your…about the soul thing,” he said, glancing over at me.
I quickly averted my gaze. I was having a hard time looking at him.
Casteel had to be wrong. But even if he was right, if Attes had been in love with Sotoria, that didn’t mean he was in love with me. We were different people.
That was just the truth.
“Nyktos requested I make this,” he continued, his brow pinching. “I carved it from my bone spear.”
“It’s beautiful,” I murmured as Reaver walked by where we sat in the Solar, apple in hand. I had no idea where he’d gotten it. He stopped in front of the balcony doors.
Attes smiled briefly. “Thank you.” He handed the blade back to me. “We need a plan.”
“I have to get close to him. I know what that means.”
The Primal looked down at his hands. “Do youreallyknow what that entails?”
“I do.” My cheeks warmed as Valyn looked away, his jaw working. “And I’d rather not go into it in present company.”
Attes sat back.
“I do have a question,” I said as what I knew about Attes crept into my thoughts. “Wouldn’t Kolis question your presence? He knows you hate him.”
“I’ve been thinking about that. I think we stick with what’s true,” Attes said. “I’m there because I don’t trust him.” He paused. “And I’ll act like I didn’t know you were going to…”
Offer myself to him.
Got it.
“I need to be able to hide this,” I said, waving the dagger. “But have easy access to it.”
“A forearm sheath,” Valyn suggested. “I can get one for you.”
“Perfect.”
