Kieran then reveals that Casteel he has been getting too close to the edge, and that he has nightmares so when he startled awake he is still caged. The two of them go to the bay, and Kieran tells her stories of Malik, Casteel and him when they were young, including Shea in the stories. He then tells Poppy that Casteel needs to feed because he’s getting too close to the edge, and throws a few truths at her–that Casteel and she care for each other despite all the other stuff, whether they want to admit it or not. Kieran reveals that since Casteel cares for Poppy, he would find it repellant to feed from anyone else because it’s too intimate. Rather, Kieran believes that they are heart mates, something that is far rarer than love, especially since they recognized each other after speaking a few times. As they continue talking, Poppy comes to the realization that Casteel drew a line he wouldn’t cross, and that involved her. Alistair visits her later that evening, and tells her about other Atlantian traditions, and one that would prolong her life if she was bonded to the wolven. The best secondary character ever. His bond with Casteel warms me and his budding friendship with Poppy is raw and natural. He may be gruff on the outside, but he's a total sweetheart from within and I love him. The next morning, Poppy's companion and Lady in Wait, Tawny, interrogates Poppy about where she was the night prior. Although Poppy and Tawny had gotten into mischief together before, Poppy is hesitant to trust Tawny fearing that she will go report Poppy's activities to the Duke and Duchess. After more questioning, Poppy confesses that she had gone to the Red Pearl the night before, but leaves out any mention of Hawke. Tawny and Poppy proceed to discuss their upcoming ascensions with Tawny excited and Poppy fearing the unknown.

Hawke tries to save Poppy and uses compulsion to get her to drink his blood. When she comes to, Poppy remembers Kieran having referred to Hawke as Casteel, and Poppy realizes that Hawke is the Dark One, Prince Casteel "Cas" Da'Neer. Poppy grabs her dagger and stabs Cas in the heart. She cries and apologizes for killing him. She run off into the woods. After a few moments of running in the woods, Cas grabs her from behind and indicates that he cannot be killed with a stab to the heart. He told her that she had forgotten that it was real and proceeds to bite her. After he bites her, he states that he should have known. Poppy and Casteel then have sexual relations in the snow. Afterwards, Poppy realizes she had no regrets. Hawke arrives at the room and Poppy asks him to spend the night with her. Hawke resists at first stating that if he does spend the night, Poppy will no longer be a maiden. Poppy knows and Hawke and Poppy sleep together. im gonna need a good villain/mc romance now to get over my frustration over my unmet wishes. or not read this dynamic for a very long time unless i know the writer knows what they're doing. Cas goes to speak with King Valyn while Kieran keeps guard of Poppy. Poppy tells Kieran that while they were at the temple, she had thought something in her mind and Kieran had responded telepathically while he was in his wolven form. Seeing if they can replicate what happened, Poppy and Kieran realize that Poppy can communicate with the wolven telepathically once she recognizes their individual imprint.As Phillips drags Poppy away from her room, they run into Kieran, who transforms into a wolven. Poppy and Phillips run to the stables where the other royal guards are waiting. Poppy insists on finding Hawke, who shows up at the stable. Poppy starts to run to him trying to explain that Kieran is a wolven. Kieran steps up next to Hawke confusing Poppy. Hawke kills Phillips. Other people join the fight and Poppy notices Rylan's assassin, Jericho, who was missing a hand. The Royal Guards are killed and Poppy sustains a large wound to the abdomen. From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes a new novel in her Blood and Ash series… Their pretenses, their conversations, her retorts and his inappropriate behavior in the most inappropriate of times delights me. But their intensity, protective nature, and their readiness to sacrifice their lives for one another goes beyond physical and ignites my soul. I liked all of them. I don’t like Al I could practically feel steam coming off of my ears and when they finally confessed, I could feel myself breathe again. JLA sure as hell played us!

This book going to erotica books kind of places, sure I do appreciate some scenes but the Joining? Euh... I feel like Jennifer L. Armentrout (JLA) saw the success of Twilight, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, and Shadow and Bone and said... Will you now be assaulted with me “level-headedly” gushing over this romance and trying to explain why it’s so special to me? You got it. *winky wink* Isn’t the rating ultimately about my thoughts and emotions and, besides, can’t it be said that if the issues did not obscure my enjoyment then they don’t truly matter to me anyhow? I believe so, yes.

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Against Cas's wishes, Poppy walks in the garden with Queen Eloana shadowed by Kieran and Hisa. Eloana explains that Queen Ileana is the Queen of Blood and Ash and that the Descenters and Atlantians usurped the name. Queen Eloana assures Poppy that Malec was not a bad man and that not all deities were monsters. Poppy confesses that she and Cas do plan to free Malik and find her brother. She informs the Queen that if Ian is indeed Ascended, she will kill him and give him relief. Queen Eloana tells Poppy that although she does not wish for war, King Valyn and the Council of Elders are ready for war, retribution and bloodshed. The only way war could be avoided is if Poppy usurps the throne prior to Valyn and the Council declaring war. But Eloana only wants Poppy to take the crown if she loves Atlantia, not if Poppy just wants to forward her own agenda of finding Ian or freeing Malik. Eloana tells Poppy that she has about a week to decide.