Kieran was silent for several heartbeats. “But will it be enough?”
I knew what he meant. It was something I hadn’t allowed myself to dwell on. Freeing Malik took priority, but bringing him home wouldn’t fix everything in Atlantia, not with us running out of land. Our people had strengthened in the years since the war, replacing the numbers we’d lost and then some. That was good, except it wasn’t. We were running out of territory, and in the not-too-distant future, resources would become limited. If we didn’t expand beyond Spessa’s End, the future of Atlantia would be a troubled one. And besides that, would Malik be ready to take the crown? My chest hollowed as my throat dried. He’d be fine. Eventually. I would be there to help him. Our parents. Kieran and everyone else. He’d just need time.
“None of Atlantia’s struggles are Poppy’s,” I said. “She is not to be burdened with them.”
“A Princess who is to remain unburdened by the plight of her kingdom?” Kieran murmured.
“A Princess in name only,” I reminded him.
He turned, angling his body toward mine. “If she goes along with this, that means a part of her accepts the truth about the Ascended, and I don’t know her all that well, but you do. Do you think she will be satisfied with just freedom? While the Ascended continue on?” he asked. “Will she be able to remain unburdened?”
That was a damn good question. One I didn’t have an answer to.
I stepped back. “It’s almost time for supper. I’m sure she’s hungry.”
Kieran nodded, his lips curving into a faint smile as he looked away. “I’ll be waiting.”
Turning, I crossed the hall and entered my chamber, closing the door behind me.
I didn’t make it far at first. I saw her curled on her side, the dark crimson strands of her hair spread across the pillow. The sight of her seemed to rob me of the ability to move.
Sounded fucking silly as hell, but I had to will myself to take a step. I went to her side and sat on the edge of the bed. The movement didn’t wake her. I hadn’t taken that much blood from her, but she’d been through a lot. She was exhausted, but she needed to eat.
And if I told her about my plans before then? She likely wouldn’t consume a single bite. She would be mad at me by the end of supper, but I preferred her anger over her being harmed. Besides, I always found myself somewhat bemused by her ire.
There was likely something wrong with me.
I reached over, brushing her hair back from her neck. The two puncture wounds caused a visceral reaction. The sudden, sharp pulse of lust was damn strong. I couldn’t remember ever reacting that way to the sight of my bite before.
My fingers drifted from her cheek to the skin just above the bite. Poppy…things were just different with her.
Always.
Her eyes fluttered open, locking with mine. She didn’t speak. Neither did I while I waited for her to demand that I not touch her. She didn’t, but I withdrew my hand anyway, knowing better than to push my luck. “How are you feeling?”
Poppy’s nose scrunched, and then she laughed.
Completely caught off guard by the reaction, I felt myself grin. “What?”
“I can’t believe you’re asking me if I’m okay when I stabbed you in the heart.”
“Do you think you should be asking me that question?” I countered. When she didn’t answer, my smile spread. “I’m relieved to hear that you care. I’m perfectly fine.”
“I don’t care,” she muttered, sitting up.
“Lies,” I murmured. The thing was, I knew she did. She wouldn’t have taken my pain away earlier if she didn’t, but she didn’t want to care. My chest tightened. I couldn’t blame her for that. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“I’m fine.” She stared at the dull yellow of the quilt draped over her.
“Kieran said you dozed off in the bath.”
“Did he tell you he came into the bathing chamber?” she asked.
“Yes.”
Her gaze shot to mine.
“I trust Kieran,” I said. “You’ve been asleep for several hours.”
“Is that not normal?”
“It’s not abnormal. I guess I’m…” I frowned. “I guess I’m feeling guilty for biting you.”
“You guess?” she stammered.
I wasn’t sure. If I hadn’t bitten her, I never would’ve discovered that she was half-Atlantian. Then again, there was a lot with Poppy that I felt guilt for but didn’t regret. “I believe so.”
“You should feel guilt!” she exclaimed.
I raised a brow. “Even though you stabbed me and left me to die?”
Her mouth clamped shut. “You didn’t die. Obviously.”
“Obviously. I was barely winded.”
“Congratulations.” Poppy rolled her eyes.
Amused, I chuckled.
Poppy, however, was not amused. Shoving the quilt aside, she scooted to the other side of the bed. “Why are you here? To take me back to the cell?”
“I should. If anyone other than Kieran knew you had stabbed me, I would be expected to.”
Poppy stood. “Then why don’t you?”
“I don’t want to.”
Her hands opened and closed as she stared. “So, what now? How is this going to work, Your Highness?”
My jaw clenched.
“You’ll keep me locked up in a room until you’re ready for us to leave?” she asked.
“Do you not like this room?”
“It’s far better than a dirty cell, but it’s still a prison,” she said. “A cage, no matter how nice the accommodations are.”
She was right. “You would know, wouldn’t you? After all, you’ve been imprisoned since you were a child. Caged and veiled.”
Surprisingly, she didn’t deny that as she turned to the small window, her arms folded over her chest.
My gaze dropped. The breeches she wore fit her like a second skin. I liked it. A lot. “I came here to escort you to dinner.”
“Escort me to dinner?” Her eyes widened.
“I feel like there’s an echo in this room, but yes, I imagine you’re hungry,” I said. “And we’ll discuss what will happen next when we have some food in our stomachs.”
“No.”
“No?” I repeated. When there was no further explanation, I stretched out on my side, plopping my cheek on my fist. “You have to be hungry.”
Poppy shook her head, but the act didn’t match her words. “I am hungry.”
I sighed. “Then what’s the problem, Princess?”
“I don’t want to eat with you. That’s the problem.”
I fought a grin. “Well, it’s a problem you’re going to have to get over because it’s your only option.”
“See, that’s where you’re wrong. I have options.” She turned from me.
Big mistake.
I rose silently.
“I’d rather starve than eat with you, Your Highness—” Poppy squeaked as I stepped in front of her. “Gods,” she gasped, pressing her hand to her chest.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Princess.” I met her stare. “You don’t have options when it comes to your own well-being and your own foolish stubbornness.”