Now, I understood.
Looking forward, I took another breath. “You gonna let me say something you wouldn’t let me get out before?”
Cas was silent.
I took that as a yes. “I should’ve told you about the promise I made to Poppy.”
He inhaled sharply at her name.
“You were right about that,” I continued. “It shouldn’t have blindsided you.”
“I know,” he stated flatly. “And I…I should’ve said something to her. You were also right.”
“We were also both wrong,” I murmured, blinking the snow from my lashes.
“Sounds about right.”
My lips curved upward in a faint grin.
He moved again, erasing nearly all the physical space between us and what felt like a hell of a lot more. “I never really blamed you, Kieran. Not in any way that made a difference.”
“I know,” I acknowledged, but this time, the two words came out hoarse and uneven.
Cas didn’t say anything more. Neither did I. We just sat there in the flurries, shoulders touching with each breath. The shape of the snow blurred.
And for the first time since Poppy left, since everything went sideways, I felt…settled. Calm. Peaceful.
But I knew the peace wouldn’t last.
For either of us.
But in these moments, I didn’t let myself think about what would bring the end of that peace for us. I just let myself be, shoulder to shoulder with Cas, as it always had been.
As it always should be.
BRINGER OF RUIN, GIVER OF WRATH, THE PRIMAL GOD OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION
Casteel
Cloaked in the shadows that clung to the damp walls of an alcove, I waited.
My patience was waning, but I’d waited longer in silence and stillness. Hours spent in cramped spaces, awaiting the right moment to make my presence known. I’d done just that in Three Rivers, learning the comings and goings of the Ascended there. I’d done it in Masadonia as I watchedher.
I could wait for an eternity, if need be.
And I would, if necessary. Because if I revealed myself,theywould make findinghimeven more tiresome than it already was.
Theybeing Millicent and my brother. Andhimbeing none other than Callum.
They’d been careful in the weeks after Millicent returned with the Rev, keeping him away from me. I had figured they’d squirreled the golden fuck away in one of the many passageways beneath the capital. After all, Malik and his heartmate knew the tunnels better than I did. Tonight, I saw Malik entering the Shadow Temple and followed, unsurprised when he went through one of the side doors of the cella—the inner area of theancient Temple—that led to the maze of tunnels below. We had to be damn near under the Elysium Peaks by the time Malik found Millicent.
And I found Callum.
“You can eat or starve.” Millicent’s voice floated out, sharp and cutting like the crack of a whip. “I really don’t care.”
A soft, smooth chuckle answered. “Clearly, youdocare.”
Eather swelled against my flesh at the sound of Callum’s voice. He sounded just like I remembered when he’dvisitedmy cell. Good-natured. Friendly. Polite.
