A moment passed. “Your father is also demanding to speak with you.”
Of course, he was.
A moment passed. “What do you want done if he comes to Wayfair?”
“He’s not to be allowed in. None of them are,” I said, tipping my head toward Kieran. “Get some sleep.”
His mouth opened.
“That’s an order from your King.”
He huffed out a short laugh. “You’re already becoming a tyrant,” he muttered.
I said nothing to that.
Kieran remained quiet for a few moments. “I almost forgot. Naill has nearly an entire damn wardrobe put together for you and Poppy.”
“While I appreciate hearing that, go the fuck to sleep.”
“Whatever,” he muttered, settling in and closing his eyes.
I knew he was asleep a mere minute later. Fucking wolven. I placed my hand over Poppy’s, controlling my emotions to stop my concern from stirring Kieran. While the wolven could fall asleep at the drop of a hat, it wasn’t always a deep sleep.
My mind wandered to what he’d said about my father. I knew I couldn’t avoid him any longer. Whether Poppy was awake or not, I had to talk to him. But I wouldn’t let him see Poppy like this. She wouldn’t want that.
My thoughts drifted to my discussion with Reaver as I scanned the chambers’ shadows. The reality was, Kolis could be in Wayfair right now, and it would be hard—if not impossible—to see him.
I shifted my thoughts from that because it would only piss me off.
Emil’s words about not all Ascended being monsters surfaced. What if that was the case? I wasn’t sure how itcouldbe. I wasn’t aware of any Ascended who weren’t predatory, but that last home…
They had no stockpile of blood.
Even more surprising, none of the dead Ascended looked like they had been on the verge of bloodlust or about to turn Craven.
Even if some Ascended weren’t monsters, it wouldn’t change how anyone felt about them.
Including me.
Right after the first rays of dawn crept in through the window, I heard pounding boots. My gaze shifted toward the sound, and I pulled away from Poppy and quietly rose. I could tell whoever it was had just reached our floor. Eather hummed in my chest as I approached the door and picked up one person’s footsteps. That pathway opened once more, telling me it was Delano.
As he drew closer, I opened the door before he could knock. He skidded to a halt, sending strands of pale-blond hair swinging back from his forehead.
“Kieran’s sleeping,” I told him.
“Not anymore,” came a sleep-roughened grumble from behind me.
I sighed. “Never mind.”
“I’m sorry to wake you,” Delano said to Kieran. “But you guys have to see this.”
“Doubtful,” Kieran muttered, face-planting the pillow.
“Yeah…” Delano gave Poppy a quick once-over. “You’re going to change your mind in a few seconds.”
My eyes narrowed on the wolven as I heard Kieran sit up. Confusion and unease practically seeped from Delano’s pores, and he was paler than usual. Stepping aside, I held the door open. “What’s going on?”
“The sun.”
