Too low.
It was time for me to step in. “It really doesn’t matter.”
“Disagree.” Casteel’s stare remained on Reaver.
“I’d honestly prefer if he called me Poppy,” I said, stepping to the side so I stood between them. “And you know that.”
“That’s not the issue, my Queen,” Casteel said.
“The issue is that this would be really inconvenient timing for the draken to no longer serve you,” Kieran advised, his voice tight.
I tensed, my gaze swiveling back to Reaver. Did that mean the draken would be returning to Iliseeum?
“I never said we no longer served her,” Reaver responded, his tone as dry as the biscuit I’d given Kieran. “Only that the true Queen is now awake and—”
“It’s okay.” I stopped him with a wave of my hand. “Are you…leaving?”
Reaver’s brow furrowed. “Leaving to where?”
“To return home.”
“Why would I do that?” The crease between his brows deepened.
“Seraphena is awake and…?”
“You woke us and secured our pledge to give you aid,” Reaver said. “That has not changed.”
“Could it?” Casteel questioned.
“If Seraphena summons us, then yes,” he answered. “But I do not foresee that happening unless…”
“Unless what?” I asked.
He exhaled slowly. I couldn’t tell if it was from frustration or unease. “Unless our aid is needed there, and if that occurs, it means Nektas has fallen. So, let’s hope that does not occur.”
My breath caught as what he said registered. The idea of the first draken falling was hard to even comprehend. “Yes,” I murmured, swallowing as I fiddled with a button on my robe. “Let’s hope.” Knowing Reaver wasn’t one for idle visits, I cleared my throat. “Did you need something?”
“Your help,” Reaver answered, his gruff voice even more gravelly than usual. “I need your help freeing Jadis.”
CHAPTER 21
POPPY
“Jadis?” I whispered, my eyes widening. “Oh, gods.”
Casteel was on his feet and beside me in the blink of an eye. He curled his hand around my upper arm. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Yes.” I plucked at a button on the robe. “I just…I forgot about her.” I looked up at Reaver. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve remembered.”
“A lot has happened since you woke,” Cas reminded me.
“Yes, but…” That was a huge thing to forget. “Where is she?”
“She’s in the Willow Plains, beneath Ironspire,” Reaver answered, speaking of the citadel atop the highest point in the Willow Plains, surrounded by four rivers fed by the sea. “Those who once occupied Ironspire and the dorms along the low ground were dealt with.”
I figured as much, based on what I had just discussed with Kieran and Cas. “Do I want to know whatdealtwithentailed?”
“Probably not,” Reaver confirmed.
