“Don’t worry. Silverspun isn’t that strong. As much as I’d like to surrender to oblivion, it isn’t the time to act recklessly.”
Castiel walks over holding two crystal goblets, handing me the one not filled to the brim before taking a seat on the couch opposite ours.
I take a whiff of the shimmering drink first—the scent reminds me of jasmine—before I take a tentative sip. It tastes like it smells, but it also tingles on my tongue. I take a larger gulp, then another, and before I know it, the whole thing is empty.
“I was going to ask if you liked it, but I have my answer.” Castiel chuckles.
“It was surprisingly refreshing.”
I sense Ronan’s stare and glance at him, expecting to see disapproval, but that’s not what I get at all. Pure fire shines in his blue eyes. He leans closer and kisses me on the cheek, making me blush.
“You’re disgustingly adorable, and I hate you a little bit,” Castiel chimes in.
I’m surprised by his confession, and also curious about what prompted him to say that. “Why? You don’t have anyone you care about?”
“Hmm… my love life is complicated. But you didn’t come here to hear about it. Tell me what you want to know.” He crosses his leg and sips his drink.
“How did your brother open the portals to the human world?” Ronan asks.
Castiel’s gaze darkens and he stares at his drink. “He learned the spell somehow. However, now that the old portals have been sealed, only the rulers of each kingdom have the power to create new portals without consequence. When lesser Nightingales try it, they lose part of their life force. Indigo knew that would happen, hence why he used Valkor.”
“Everyone at his manor called him Lord Valkor, but he wasn’t a royal, was he?” I ask.
Castiel snorts. “No. He was the furthest thing from a royal. A long time ago, he was one of the most feared pirates in Ellnesari, known as the Sea Serpent. Then something happened that made him give up his ship and settle down in Salthollow.”
“Do you know what happened?” Ronan asks.
“No. I’ve heard different tales, but I never bothered to find out the truth. We made a mistake thinking he was of no consequence.” He drops his gaze again.
“Were you close to Lord Indigo?” I ask, because Castiel seems very conflicted.
“No.” He swallows hard, then looks up. “But after what I witnessed tonight… it’s like there’s a boulder sitting on my chest, crushing it. I feel immense guilt, even though Indigo’s death wasn’t my doing.”
Ronan and I share a look, and even though he’s wearing his impartial mask, I know what’s in his heart. He still doesn’t trust the prince of Lynx.
He turns his attention to Castiel once more. “How did you find us?”
“You made a friend in Featherlight Village. After you were taken, the healer alerted her nephew, who in turn went to Telar Nyrk with the information.”
“Telar Nyrk?” I furrow my brow. “You mean the captain of the Aquila army?”
Castiel nods. “Yes.”
“Why didn’t he bring us to his queen?”
Castiel narrows his eyes. “Because he isn’t loyal to the queen. He’s loyal to King Ruel, who has made a secret alliance with Lynx.”
My jaw drops. “Oh my God. Is King Ruel planning a coup?”
Castiel’s lips turn into a thin, flat line. After a moment, he nods, then finishes his drink.
Ronan fidgets, and a wave of tension emanates from him. “What does that mean for us? And what role do Karl and Manu have in this?”
“What do you know about Nightingale politics?”
“Not much,” I confess.
“In some kingdoms, the power of the land can only transfer to the female line. Aquila, Hydra, and Vega are such kingdoms. King Ruel is from Vega, and because he’d never inherit thecrown, he married Queen Maewe. It was a political alliance, and there’s no love lost there.”
