Casteel’s eyes flared to a bright amber. “The only thing I want more than that is for you to be healthy and strong.” He held onto me as I stepped into the tub. “The fucking can—andwill—commence later.”
“Promises, promises,” I murmured, sinking into the warm water as he turned it off—
A slow rumble filled the chamber. The chandelier started to rock, the glow bouncing off the white walls.
The tremor ended fairly quickly, but my heart was still pounding. I pulled my knees to my chest and watched the swaying of the chandelier slow, suddenly cold despite the hot water.
“Hey.” Casteel’s voice was soft as he clasped the nape of my neck. “This one was weaker than the last.”
“It’s not that.”
“What is it, then?”
My chest constricted as I dragged my gaze from the chandelier to his face. Words climbed their way up my throat, lodging there. Just two words, but speaking them made it real. Gave them life. They were two words I didn’t think someone in my position, responsible for not one but two kingdoms, should ever say.
I couldn’t.
Because I was brave.
I was fearless.
However, when I spoke, I didn’tsoundbrave or fearless. “The quakes?”
He lowered to his knees beside the tub, his eyes never leaving mine.
“I think I know what they mean,” I said. I didn’t want to say more.
But I had to.
“I think one of the Primals who helped us…” I swallowed. “I think one of them died.”
CASTEEL
I jolted awake, my sharp inhale piercing the silence of the bedchamber as the essence throbbed. My mind immediately went to Poppy.
She was in my arms, lying on her side. She wasn’t standing by the glass wall again.
Letting my head fall back onto the pillow, I waited for my pounding heart to calm. What had happened when I woke a few hours ago to find her standing at the wall wasn’t anything like the two nights before. Poppy hadn’t acknowledged my voice or touch this time. It’d scared the fucking shit out of me when she just stood there, staring at the darkness beyond. I’d eventually guided her back to the bed but didn’t shut my eyes until she slept.
This shit wasn’t normal.
It had to be the stress of what’d happened in Stonehill, then the attack on Lowertown, and, well, everything. It was getting to her. I could tell as much as she’d sat in the tub, her legs drawn close to her chest. After saying what I’d already suspected, that a Primal god had fallen, she hadn’t spoken again. I’d cleaned her up and then fed her from a wound I created on my wrist. Having her at my vein would’ve been too much for us both. Not that my blood hadn’t affected her—both of us—but she was clearly exhausted and quickly fell asleep afterward. Only then did I leave her long enough to clean myself up.
A soft whimper snapped my head off the pillow.
“Poppy?” My sleep-roughened voice scratched against my throat.
She shuddered against me, her breath hitching, fingers twisting in the blanket. Another broken cry escaped her as her lashes trembled.
Shit.
Kieran had said she’d barely slept when we were apart, and when she did, she always had nightmares. But as far as I knew, she hadn’t had any since we were reunited. Fuck,I’dbarely had any since she became mine. Her breathing picked up as she jerked, likely caught in memories of the night the Craven had scarred her—or any of the other countless things that’d happened since.
“It’s okay.” Lifting an arm, I gently scooped strands of hair back from her face. Her body tensed. “I’ve got you, and nothing—absolutely nothing—can touch you.” I pressed a kiss to her temple. “You’re safe.”
A tremor ran through her, and the tension seeped out of her muscles. She shifted, wiggling her ass as if seeking to get closer. It would be adorable, except we were both nude, and her wiggling ass was rubbing against my cock.
I held myself still, ignoring the heat gathering in my gut. She needed her sleep. Both of us did, but especially her. Sleep was important after a Culling. So was food and blood. And she would probably need to feed again soon—
