Something like this can’t be okay.
My eyes closed. “Because I didn’t choose this.”
“Poppy,” he rasped. For a brief moment, what he felt pierced my shields. Rage and sorrow washed over me—raw, intense, and so heavy it felt like my chest might cave in under its weight.
I didn’t want him to feel that.
He stepped toward me, and the prickly feeling returned, crawling across my skin. As the instinct to fight or flee kicked in, I shifted from one foot to the other. I wanted the flight. And I never wanted that—okay, if serpents were involved, then yes. But normally? No. And that irritated me.
Casteel had halted, his features stark and sharp as he locked his eyes on mine. I suddenly realized I had taken a step back.
I swallowed, my throat dry. I knew I needed to say something, but the sudden awareness of a draken somewhere nearby cut through me. I twisted toward the city and then looked up. “A draken is coming.”
“I really don’t care.”
“You should. If a draken is coming here, there’s a reason.” Sensing it was Reaver, I turned to him. “And you know that.”
“Just because you feel a draken doesn’t mean one is coming…” He trailed off as a large, winged shadow glided through the clouds over the Garden District, headed straight for us.
I raised a brow. “You were saying?”
His nostrils flared.
Reaver broke free of the clouds, his purplish-black scales glittering in the fractured sunlight. His wings stretched out as he descended, landing behind a cluster of elms.
“Why do you think he landed there instead of in the meadow?” I asked.
“It’s Reaver,” muttered Casteel. “Does anyone know why he does anything?”
I snorted as I turned and started toward the elms. I’d never been more grateful for Reaver’s impromptu—
I yelped as Casteel appeared in front of me. “Gods!” I shrieked. “Why do you have to do that?”
He smirked at me.
Rolling my eyes, I moved to walk past him, but his hand shot out and wrapped around my arm. My head snapped toward him as the essence pulsed through my veins. I knew he felt it. The eather flared behind his pupils—
Casteel laughed. It wasn’t the shadowy, dangerous one or his smoky, sensual laugh. It was deep and amused.
I drew my head back. “What’s so funny?”
“When I stopped you just now, you sent me a look that said you were a second from either punching or stabbing me.” The dimple I’d been searching for since yesterday winked to life in his right cheek.
“And that amused you?” I demanded. “Wait. Why am I asking? Of course, it did.”
The humor faded from his lips. “This conversation isn’t over.”
I nodded, and he let go. I started walking again, catching sight of Reaver moving through the elms—
He was naked.
“For fuck’s sake,” Casteel muttered as I came to a complete stop with a sigh. “You had clothing with you yesterday.”
“And?” Reaver stopped before us.
As Casteel stood at my side, I kept my eyes north of his waist. His hair hung forward like a veil, shielding his face, but I kept seeing the devastation carved into his features when Jadis refused to travel home with him. I hadn’t really had a chance to speak with him since, especially considering how supper had gone. “How are you doing?”
“Great.”
