“Yes,” I answered.
The hem of her gown glided over the floor as she turned. “If I am dead, then what am I, as I stand here before you?”
“An annoyance?” I suggested as Kieran crept forward, no longer making a sound as the powerful muscles in his back rolled under his fur.
“That’s not very nice, Penellaphe.” Something flashed in her eyes. “I raised you better than that.”
“You didn’t—” I stopped myself, my chin lifting. This wasn’t her. It couldn’t be. She had to be something else. Another god? One like a changeling? But thevadentiawas silent. “What are you?”
“Do you think you and the true Primal of Life are the only ones who can restore life?” she questioned. “He, the true King, resurrected me.”
“From what?” I demanded. “You were nothing more than ash by the time I was done with you.”
“And we rise from ash, don’t we?”
Casteel’s eyes narrowed as eather briefly pulsed in his eyes. Luckily, she was focused on me—well, who was behind me. I stepped sideways so I could still keep an eye on her.
“You…” Her dark gaze moved slowly over Attes. “You, I have not seen before.” Her lips tipped up as she extended a slender arm, her other hand trailing down the swell of a breast.
My eyes rolled so far back that they nearly fell out of my head.
“It is an honor to meet you,” she said.
Attes arched a brow, keeping his hands to himself. “Can’t say the same.”
She eyed him for a moment and then let out another peal of laughter. She lowered her hand. “You are why I’m here.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flash of white in the hall at the end of the alcove.
I reached out through thenotam, finding the springy, fresh imprint.Stay unseen, Delano. I don’t know what she is or if it is her.
“Is that so?” Attes replied as Casteel held out his hand, motioning for Kieran to stay back.
She doesn’t smell right, Delano said.
To me, she smelled like Isbeth: roses. But wolven had a much more heightened sense of smell.What does she smell like?
Rot, he said.
I stiffened.
“The true King is not pleased by your presence,” she said.
“The one you call the true King is nothing but an impostor,” Attes stated. “One who knows I don’t give two fucks what pleases him.”
“But he cares about what pleases you.” She paused as her gown dragged over the step. “Attes.”
Tension bracketed the corners of his mouth. It was the only sign that what she’d said had sparked something in him.
“And you should know better than anyone not to interfere,” she continued. “But here you are again.”
“And here you are, on Kolis’s behalf,” Attes countered. “Was he too cowardly to come himself?”
“He’s quite busy.” Her head tipped, sending thick waves sliding over her shoulder. “But you know what would’ve happened if he had come. After all, he made you a promise he has yet to fulfill.” She drifted along the edge of the threshold, letting her gown fall over the steps. The scent of roses turned my stomach. “And he will.”
Attes’s lips thinned and eather streaked across his silver eyes.
I had no idea what they were talking about as I glanced at Casteel. He watched them with a frown.
