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October 6 - October 14, 2025
“What matters is that I choose her,” Casteel spoke, and my stupid, stupid heart skipped a beat, even though I did not choose him. “And that is all that matters.”
“It wasn’t. No one speaks of you or to you like that and lives.”
“There is no side of you that is not as beautiful as the other half. Not a single inch isn’t stunning.” His lashes lifted, and the intensity in his stare held me captive. “That was true the first time I said it to you, and it is still the truth today and tomorrow.”
“But he’s the one thing in all the kingdoms that you, and only you, never have to fear.”
“I had to do it,” he said, dipping his head so his cheek pressed against mine. “No one, and I mean no one, speaks of you like that. Threatens you and lives.”
“You are so incredibly beautiful when you’re angry.”
“So incredibly violent, my Princess.”
“You’re beautiful when you’re quiet and somber, but when you laugh? You rival the sunrise over the Skotos Mountains.”
“Just so you know, Penellaphe doesn’t need protection. She is more than capable of handling things herself. But that is my future you are walking away with. Guard her well. Your life depends on it.”
“I’m not taking any chances with you.” Casteel moved forward, touching my cheek just below the scar. “Thank you.” “For what?” The touch of his fingertips was light, but a shiver still rolled through me. “For choosing me.”
“No. Yours are the color of an Atlantian spring—of dew-kissed leaves.”
“Your scars are beautiful,” he said, and there was a swift, swelling motion in my chest that couldn’t be deflated no matter what my brain yelled at it. “But I refuse to allow your body to be scarred again.”
“Then you should get changed,” he said, turning away. “I’ll get jealous if anyone else sees how pretty your legs are.”
“There are many times when I’m in utter awe of you.”
“Let me be enough, at least for tonight.”
“That’s it.” His voice was rough. “Ride my fingers.”
“I always keep what is mine safe,”
I didn’t offer Casteel a piece of me as we rode forward, joining the others. There was no reason to because what he didn’t know was that he already held too many of them.
I didn’t know what it was, but I laughed. “It’s not even that cold now.” He made a sound, a soft rumble that I felt more than heard. “You don’t do that enough. You never have.”
“The most beautiful things in all the kingdom often have jagged and uneven lines, scars which intensify the beauty in intricate ways our eyes nor our minds can detect or even begin to understand,”
“No, Casteel is just more…alive when he’s with you,”
“I think you’re heartmates.”
“I love that fucking book,”
Casteel stared at me, his brows raised, and then, after what felt like an eternity, his shoulders lowered. “I’m so incredibly unworthy of you,” he whispered, and I shivered, remembering the only other time he’d said that to me. It was the night I’d shared my body, my heart, and my soul with him. He lifted his head and seemed to take another breath. “Okay.”
“I know I should’ve asked first, but your laugh… It undoes me, Poppy.”
He stared at me. “And now I want to kiss you, but I can’t because you’re on your own horse.” The corners of his lips turned down. “This was a bad idea.” I laughed. “A really bad idea.”
But this time he was Casteel, and I was Poppy, and he truly was my Prince.
“One hundred percent sure.” “Are you…hungry again?” I asked, even though his eyes remained normal, and I knew he didn’t need blood yet. “Not for blood.”
They will come to love her as fiercely as I do.”
And I was so done denying myself anything. I was done lying to him and to myself. “Only on one condition,” I said. “You have a condition now?” I nodded, my heart thundering. “I don’t want to pretend,” I whispered. “I’m Poppy and you’re Casteel, and this is real.”
“We’re not pretending, Poppy? No more? You want me. Knowing everything, you want me.” “What do you think?” I moved against his hand in demand. His other hand dropped to my hip, stilling my movements. “I need to hear you say it, Princess.” Of course, he did. “Yes,” I nearly cursed. “I want you.” “Good.” He slipped his hand from between my legs. “Because this is real.”
Those eyes of his turned to molten amber. “I’m going to need you to hold onto me and not let go, because I’m about to fuck you like I promised.”
“Your heart was always safe with me. It always will be. There is nothing I will protect more fiercely or with more devotion, Poppy. Trust in that—in what you feel from me. In me.”
Casteel folded both hands around mine, steadying my hand. “Penellaphe Balfour?” He stared up at me, and there was no teasing glint to his eyes, no smirk to his lips. No mask. Just him. Casteel Hawkethrone Da’Neer. “Will you do me the honor of allowing me to one day become worthy of you? Will you marry me? Today?” “Yes. I will give you the honor of becoming my husband, because you’re already worthy of me.” Casteel’s eyes closed as he shuddered. “I will marry you.” I dipped down, kissing his forehead. “Today.”
“Nyktos, even asleep, approves of this union.”
“I need to feel your lips on mine.” He planted his hands on the carriage wall, caging me in. “I need to feel your breath in my lungs. I need to feel your life inside me. I just need you. It’s an ache. This need. Can I have you? All of you?”
“This is so inappropriate,” I panted. “I don’t give a fuck.” He nipped at my skin again, and my entire body arched. “Brace yourself.”
