His gaze flicked behind me. A heartbeat later, Casteel’s arm went around my waist.
“Reaver,” I whispered.
He turned his gaze back to Jadis.
The cold dirt walls blurred as Casteel led me away. When we reached the entrance to the desolate chamber, I couldn’t help but look back.
Reaver sat before Jadis, his chin touching his chest as he pressed his hand to the rough stone of the entombed draken. He looked…lost and defeated, his shoulders trembling.
As Casteel walked me into the hall beyond the earthen chamber, there was no stopping what I’d refused to allow myself to think before—to fear. That there was no undoing the harm the Blood Queen had inflicted upon the daughter of the first draken.
CHAPTER 22
CASTEEL
Poppy stood just inside the narrow hallway of our new quarters, fidgeting once more with the buttons of her robe. She would snap them off if she kept it up.
“While you wait for me,” I said, “you should investigate the bathing chamber. I think you will find something of interest.”
Interest sparked in her eyes, but it was dull. I hated to leave her after what’d happened in Ironspire, but there were a few things I needed to tend to.
I placed my hand on her lower back and pressed a quick kiss to the corner of her lips. “I’ll be back shortly.”
Poppy’s gaze flicked behind me as she nodded. Closing the door, I ran a weary hand over my face.
Fuck. I really needed to shave.
Dropping my arm, I turned. My gaze immediately locked on eyes as familiar as mine.
Kieran leaned against the wall at the end of the hall, arms crossed over his chest. He didn’t speak until I reached his side.
“Should I get Tawny?” he asked.
“She’s not ready to see anyone,” I said. Tension gathered in my shoulders as I looked back at the closed doors. Her reluctance to end the Ascended was expected, but her hesitation to see Tawny? Knowing how important she was to Poppy, I didn’t get it.
“I noticed she didn’t seem too keen on doing so.”
“Her anxiety spiked again when I mentioned visiting with her while we were at Ironspire,” I said, turning back to him.
“I felt that when you brought Tawny up while we ate.” Kieran tipped his head back against the wall. “She’s been through a lot, and I have no clue about half of it.” His gaze slid to mine before darting away. A moment passed. “So, I assume the generals will be conveniently unavailable until tomorrow?”
It was annoying how well he knew me. “Sounds about right,” I said, knowing Poppy would be pissed if she knew about this. But like Kieran had said, she had been through a lot. She needed time to settle.
There was a beat of silence. “You need to feed.”
“That’s why you’re here.”
A brow rose.
“Not from you.” I scratched my fingers through my hair, not even allowing my mind to go there. “I’ll handle speaking with the generals and everything.” That everything included speaking with our…what had Poppy called it? Our Shadow Council.
His gaze returned to mine. “I can handle that.”
“I know.”
He eyed me for a moment before nodding. Yet again, it really fucking annoyed me how well he knew me. Because I didn’t have to say a word. He could sense the tension thrumming beneath my skin and the edginess coiling tightly in my gut, stretching every nerve.
“Then will you feed?”
