“I mean, it’s not like they—the second sons and daughters—had a choice,” he quickly added. “They weren’t raised knowing it was all a lie.” Emil turned back to the mural, running a finger over the Temple’s golden spires. “They must have known what would happen if they refused the Ascension: submit to the Blood Crown or die.” “Wouldn’t death be a better choice when the other option is to become a part of the vicious cycle that has done nothing but take lives?” I asked. No sooner had the words left my mouth than I thought of Poppy’s brother, Ian.
