My eyes doubled in size. “The noiseyoujust made, Casteel.”
“I think I was clearing my throat.”
“Are you fucking serious?”
“Language,” he said softly, glancing over his shoulder at me. “It’s unbecoming of a lady.”
I was struck speechless for several moments. “I’m about to show you just howunbecomingI can be.”
“Now, don’t go threatening me with a good time,” he remarked, pouring liquid into a glass. “Drink?”
“No.” I took a deep breath and counted to ten. I made it to four. “You made a humph sound. That wasn’t a clearing-your-throat sound.”
Facing me, he cocked his head. “Are you sure?” He cleared his throat. “They sound the same to me.”
I just stared at him. “They do not—”
Casteel cleared his throat again.
“Okay, they do sound similar,” I admitted, “but that was not what you were doing.”
Watching me, he sipped the drink. “Are we really arguing over a humphing sound?”
“Yes. No!” Exasperated, I threw up my hands. “No. We’re talking about the fact that you’re not being honest with me.”
Essence flashed behind his pupils, and his jaw flexed. There was a moment—a very quick second—where I sensed his anger and something else beneath it. But it was gone too quickly. His walls went right back up.
“There are very few things Ihaven’tbeen forthcoming with you about, Poppy,” he said, the eather dimming in his eyes. “I hope you can say the same.”
My mouth opened, and I took a step back. “I don’t even know what I’m supposed to say to that. Only afewthings you haven’t been honest with me about?”
“I said forthcoming.” When I started to speak, he said, “And, yes. There is a difference.”
The look I gave him should’ve set him on fire. “Do you think Ican’tsay that?”
The tendons of his neck stood out as he swallowed. “I think—”
A knock echoed through the Solar, drawing his gaze. A moment later, Delano called out, “Cas? Poppy?”
I spun toward Casteel. “Don’t—”
He stepped around me. “Yes?” he said.
“Bastard,” I hissed.
His head swung toward me, his eyes glinting. “Naughty.”
“Don’t act cute.”
“It’s not an act.” Turning away, he walked toward the sitting chamber. “Iamcute.”
I stalked behind him. “You are an infuriating, egotistical—”
Delano appeared in the doorway as Casteel stopped in front of me. I bounced off his back with a curse.
He caught my arm before I fell into the chair. “Yes, Delano?” he said.
“There’s—” The wolven’s gaze darted between us. “Are you two…fighting?”
