Relief began to seep into me. All of that didn’t sound too bad—
“One could tell, in certain situations, if a person is unwell or injured or the exact opposite. Like, for example, if someone is…” He paused. “Aroused.”
And there it was, what I feared.
Casteel could sense arousal?
Heat swept over every inch of my body, and I knew I had to be as red as the leaves within the Blood Forest. Oh, gods. That explained how he seemed to know exactly when I was lying about being attracted to him. But could he sense that from a distance? I doubted that.
“How is that even possible?”
“Each person has a unique scent. At certain times, the scent is stronger. Especially when someone is aroused.”
“I wish you’d stop saying that word,” I muttered.
“Why? There’s nothing to be ashamed of,” he responded. “It’s probably one of the most natural things there is.”
Natural or not, I now knew what it felt like to know someone could be privy to such intimate dealings. Feeling as if the tables had been turned on me, I picked up my cup and swallowed the sweet juice.
“Only the wolven have keener senses that allow us to track over longer distances,” Kieran added. “And for longer periods.”
I nearly choked on the juice.
The night in the Blood Forest came back to me in vivid, startling detail. Kieran had been keeping guard while Casteel…while he helped me sleep. At that time, I’d believed Kieran had been too far away to hear or see or scent anything.
I almost shouted a curse that would’ve shocked Vikter and then made him laugh.
“I’m curious,” Casteel said, causing me to jump. I hadn’t even heard him approach. “What are you two discussing that has Poppy looking as if she’s five seconds away from crawling under the table?”
“Nothing,” I said.
“I was just telling her about how you have heightened physical senses,” Kieran answered at the same time as I did. “Like your ability to see better than her, and scent her arousal—”
“Oh, my gods!” I spun on the bench, swinging at Kieran, but he easily avoided my fist.
“I’m sorry.” Kieran didn’t look remotely remorseful. “I meant desire. She doesn’t like the word arousal.”
“Careful, Kieran,” Casteel murmured, catching my hand before I could swing at Kieran once more. “She’ll be threatening to stab you next.”
The wolven grinned. “I’m pretty sure that’s already happened.”
“I hate you,” I announced. “I hate you both.”
Casteel chuckled. “That’s a lie.”
My gaze shot to his as I tugged on my hand. “You can’t sense that.”
He didn’t let go of my hand. “Not through any type of heightened senses, but I know you don’t nonetheless.”
“Whatever you think you know is completely wrong. I absolutely loathe your very existence.” I glared up at him. “And you can let go of my hand, please and thank you.”
“Why do you think you loathe my very existence?” His eyes glimmered as a hint of a smile played across his lips. “And even though you asked oh so nicely, I fear that if I let go of your hand, either Kieran or I will be in grave danger.”
Kieran nodded.
“Cowards,” I hissed.
“Also, I like holding your hand,” Casteel said, sucking his lower lip between his teeth—between his fangs.
“I don’t care what you like. And I also can’t believe you’re seriously asking why I would loathe you. Do you have memory problems?”
“I think I have a very impressive memory. Don’t you think so, Kieran?”
“There is very little you forget,” the wolven answered.
Steam had to be billowing out of my ears. “Besides the fact that you’ve lied to me, kidnapped me, and planned to ransom me, you kept me locked in a room all day. How is that any better than what the Ascended did to me my entire life?”
The warmth and amusement vanished under the ice drenching Casteel’s gaze. “Because this time, it is for your safety.”
I laughed harshly. “Isn’t that what they also claimed?”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “The difference is that they were lying to you, and I’m not.”
“There are those who would risk death to seek revenge against the Ascended,” Kieran added. “He’s trying to protect you.”
“For what?” I shot each of them a withering stare. “So I stay alive long enough for him to trade me?”