Page 96 of The Primal of Blood and Bone (Blood and Ash #6)

My gaze strayed to the doorway as I thought about the last time I had seen Delano. Not when we were beneath Wayfair—that was still a blur to me—but the image of him at the Bone Temple, his fur streaked with red and my dagger protruding from his chest. That was far too easy to recall.

He’d died while protecting me.

And the agony and horror of that loss had pushed me into my Ascension.

But he was okay.

All of them were.

They had been given a second chance. Something I knew in my bones could not be granted again for those who had been brought back.

“Do you want to see Delano?” Casteel asked, drawing my gaze back to him.

I hesitated for only a moment, then nodded.

“You positive?” he pressed. “If you’re not ready, you don’t have to.”

“I’m positive,” I said, even as a small trickle of uncertainty ran through me.

It proved that my hesitation wasn’t only due to Tawny.

What would they think when they saw my eyes?

Now that I was a Primal, would they treat me differently?

But it was more than that. I just felt… I wasn’t exactly sure, but I knew I wanted them to see me as, well, just as Poppy.

Because these people—Delano and Naill, Perry and Reaver, Vonetta and Emil, and almost everyone I’d met since leaving Masadonia?

They saw me as Poppy first and foremost.

Not as the Blessed, the Chosen.

Not as a future Queen or the Queen.

Not as a god or their Liessa .

They saw me as Poppy first. And I didn’t want that to change.

“You haven’t been awake long, and you spent a good portion of that away from here,” he pointed out. “And the rest of the time hasn’t really left you with any moments to collect your thoughts.”

“True,” I murmured.

“So, it’s understandable if you don’t want to see him.”

My gaze drifted to the doorway again, and I had to wonder when Delano—or any of them—had treated me as if I weren’t a person with her own thoughts, feelings, or ideas. I couldn’t think of a single time. The truth of that sort of smacked me in the face.

My fear of not being seen for who I was had more to do with me than anyone else. It was something I controlled. Not them.

I exhaled and stood. “I want to see him—and whoever else is here.”

Casteel studied me for a moment, rose, and dropped a kiss to my forehead. “Let’s go.”

Nervous energy caused the eather to feel like it was humming in my veins, but I didn’t allow myself to give it any thought.

Taking my hand, Casteel walked half a step in front of me as we left the sitting chamber.

From the entryway, I saw Kieran standing just beyond the open doors.

In front of him, Delano moved in and out of view, little more than a white blur of fur as he paced.

My steps slowed, and the wolven halted at the doors.

His ears twitched, and then his head turned toward the chamber.

Casteel must’ve communicated with Kieran because he didn’t try to stop Delano as he entered the short, narrow entry hall.

He crept forward, his large, fluffy head low and his tail tucked close to his body. His steps were slow and tentative, almost as if he were uncertain. That cracked my heart. He stopped just at the mouth of the Solar.

Kneeling, I searched the notam for Delano’s unique mark. Next to Kieran’s, his was the easiest for me to find. Delano?

The only sign he gave that he’d heard me was a twitch of his ears.

I didn’t move, just rested my hands on my thighs.

He inched farther into the chamber, his body so low to the floor that his belly almost dragged.

His winter-blue gaze darted to where Casteel stood and then swiftly returned to me. A heartbeat passed.

Suddenly, Delano sprang forward, bounding across the space.

I braced myself, but he slowed a foot or so away.

I had a feeling Casteel’s presence had something to do with that as he sat on his hind legs before me.

A shudder of relief ran through me when he brushed his forehead against my cheek, letting me know it was okay to touch him.

Closing my eyes, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders.

I didn’t want to bother you. His voice was as soft as his mark. I know you’ve been resting, but I…we could sense you. And I just needed to see that you were okay.

Oh, gods.

A soft warmth unfurled in my chest, making my heart ache in the best possible way. You’re never a bother, Delano. Never.

He pressed his head harder against my shoulder. You scared the shit out of me.

I’m sorry. My fingers sank into his soft fur. I didn’t mean to.

I know. He pressed forward, resting his head on my shoulder. Just don’t do it again.

My lips curved into a smile as I clung to him, feeling the knot of worry loosen in my chest. I hadn’t realized how much I needed this until now. I’ll try not to.

You’d better. Delano pulled back, briefly rubbing his forehead against my cheek. My smile grew as his fur tickled my nose. I’m glad you’re awake.

And that I know you?

He rubbed the soft side of his muzzle against my cheek in response.

I didn’t need to read his emotions to know that relief flowed through him, which made me think of Tawny, Vonetta, and everyone else.

Even if they had been told I was fine, they still likely worried since they couldn’t confirm anything with their own eyes.

I should’ve made it a point to see you earlier. It’s just…

I get it. He rubbed the top of his head against mine once more. You’re here. There was a pause. You’re Poppy. That’s all that matters.

Inhaling a stinging breath, I hugged him tighter. And you’re…you’re the best, Delano.

His cold nose grazed my neck, and the emotion I picked up from his was the softest, sweetest kind of love. You should let go before Cas castrates me.

Delano’s fur muffled my laugh. He would never .

“I’m starting to get jealous,” Casteel remarked.

A low chuffing sound vibrated through Delano. Told you.

I gave Delano one last squeeze before I forced myself to let go and stand, missing his warmth and softness immediately. Delano turned, but he didn’t go far. He stood so that his side was pressed against my hip and leg.

Casteel leaned over then, brushing his lips against my cheek as he said, “Something is going on.”

Pushing the hair back from my face as I looked up, I saw Kieran coming down the short hall. His gaze found mine. A moment later, I felt his woodsy presence slipping into my thoughts.

You okay with Emil coming in?

I nodded.

Kieran looked over his shoulder. “You’re good.”

The moment I saw the auburn-haired Atlantian, the sluggish, cold unease swirling inside him reached out to me—

Shock rippled through me, and my lips parted.

Wait. I hadn’t tasted his emotions before I knew what he felt.

I’d just…sensed it. And now that I thought about it, that had happened several times since I’d returned from Mount Lotho.

I just hadn’t realized that I knew what Casteel and Kieran were feeling before I tasted their emotions.

My abilities were changing or improving.

But before I could allow myself to wonder if that meant other talents related to such had also strengthened, Emil jerked to a halt just inside the door, his gaze connecting with mine.

Happiness and relief pierced the muddy cloud of unease, bubbly and light.

A wide smile broke out across his handsome face.

He took a step and then stopped again, bowing his head as he began to lower himself.

“Please, don’t,” I said before he could kneel. “That wasn’t necessary before.”

“Not so sure I agree with that,” Casteel muttered under his breath.

I shot him a sharp look, which he responded to with a wink. Lips pursing, I turned my attention back to Emil. “And it’s not necessary now.”

“Thank you.” Emil straightened, the smile spreading even further. “You are a sight for sore eyes.” He strode forward, and Casteel muttered a curse. “I’m so glad to see you.”

“It’s good to see you, too,” I said. Before I could ask what the source of his unease was, Emil was in front of me, wrapping his arms around me and lifting me off my feet.

A low, menacing growl reverberated from Casteel, echoed by Delano. The former’s reaction came as no surprise. But the latter? Delano had never acted like that toward any of them before.

Emil paid the warnings no heed and just spun me around.

“Put her down,” Casteel ground out. “Or lose your arms. It’s your choice.”

I felt Emil’s quiet chuckle as he slowed and put me down a few feet from where I’d been standing. Sliding his hands to my arms, he pulled back with a grin that was all sharp edges and bad choices. “My Queen, you look even more lovely than before.”

“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” Casteel muttered as Delano prowled to my side once more, eyeing the Elemental like he wanted to take a bite out of his leg.

Emil squeezed my biceps, proving he had no fear of death. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m good.”

“But you will not be in a few seconds.” Casteel moved so damn quickly. He grabbed Emil’s hand and pried the Atlantian’s fingers back until I heard a sharp snap.

“ Fuck ,” Emil grunted.

My eyes went wide as I swung around. “ Cas .”

“What?” he countered, letting go of Emil’s wrist as the distinctive huffing sound of a wolven’s laugh followed. There wasn’t even a hint of remorse on his features. “He had it coming.”

“Oh, my gods.” I smacked him hard on the chest. When I saw that damn dimple start to appear, I stepped toward him.

Casteel caught my hand, his eyes flaring to a heated gold. “It’s inappropriate to engage in foreplay with an audience, my Queen.”

“Oh, my gods,” I hissed again, pulling my hand free as I faced Delano. “And you’re not helping.”

His ears flattened.

“At least I didn’t rip his arms off,” Casteel said as if that were some sort of defense.

Ignoring that, I glared up at Kieran. “And you!”

His head drew back. “Me? I’m just standing here.”

“Exactly. You just stood there.”

Kieran raised a brow as Emil shook out his hand as if that would help the pain. “What was I supposed to do?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Stop him?”

“Not my ship to steer,” he replied, sounding bored.

I swallowed what surely would’ve been a shriek as I turned to Emil and started to apologize. The words died on my lips.

Emil was grinning .

“Are you smiling?”

“Kind of,” he replied, his golden eyes twinkling with amusement as he straightened his two broken fingers.

I blinked slowly. “You are all so dysfunctional.”

“Well, you know you can’t spell—”

I spun on Casteel. “Do not finish that sentence.”

He inclined his head, the corners of his lips twitching. “Yes, my Queen.”

Muttering a curse, I exhaled long and slow. “What’s going on?” I asked. “You were uneasy when you entered, and I doubt it was because you suspected Casteel was going to act like a child and break your fingers.”

“A child?” repeated Casteel.

“Yes, a child who got upset because someone else was playing with their favorite toy.”

Emil opened his mouth, then pressed his lips together as if fighting a grin.

“If he ,” Casteel said, facing me as he pointed at Emil, “was playing with my favorite”—his gaze dropped to below my waist, then lifted—“ toy , it would’ve been his neck I broke.”

My face heated. “That’s not what I meant.”

“I sure hope not,” Casteel replied.

Crossing my arms to keep myself from doing something regretful, I decided it was far past the time to stop engaging with him. I focused on Emil. “You felt uneasy when you arrived. Did something happen?”

All humor fled from his features. “Naill informed me there appears to have been another…incident. This time in Stonehill,” Emil said, speaking of the district overlooking the Stroud Sea. “I’m not sure what happened, only that there are multiple deaths.”

My breath snagged as Casteel’s nostrils flared with a burst of anger. “Only mortals live in Stonehill,” he said. “The Ascended had better be where they are supposed to be.”

“They remain on house arrest. But even if they moved about freely, given what Naill described, they would not be capable of…this.”

“Capable of what, exactly?” I asked as Delano leaned into my legs.

“I don’t know,” Emil said breathlessly, and I felt it rise again in him. That thick, choking unease. It was like the taunting, grinning Emil had never stood in his place. “But the way Naill looked? I’ve never seen him like that.”

Concern rose. “Where is he now?”

“He returned to Stonehill. I tried to get him to stay back, but he was…” Emil shook his head and faced Casteel. “You know we’ve all seen some shit, Cas.”

Casteel must’ve picked up on what I had because he stepped forward, this time to clasp Emil’s shoulder. And, yeah, that was odd to see after he’d just broken the Elemental’s fingers. “I know,” he said, his voice low.

“But Naill…” Emil closed his eyes. “Whatever went down there? Whatever he saw?” His chest rose with a deep breath. “It’s bad.”