A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood and Ash, #2)

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

“Being the Maiden or sheltered does not equal stupidity,” I snapped,

“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.”

“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.”

Our bodies had come together because of my attraction to him. Because how I felt for him had been greater than the truth of what and who he was.

“If you’re looking for a fight…” came a voice that sent a shiver down my spine and then over my skin. My head jerked in the direction of the sound. “You’ll fight me, Princess.”

“But we will have that conversation later,” he promised, thrusting the sword into my hand. “Make me feel incompetent and kill more than me, Princess.”

He was both the villain and the hero, the monster and the monster-slayer.

“Why did you have to tell me that Hawke was your middle name?” The fire crackled, spitting sparks, and I closed my eyes. Seconds, maybe minutes later, Casteel said, “Because you needed to know that not everything was a lie.”

What a pretty little flower. What a pretty poppy. Pick it and watch it bleed. Not so pretty any longer… Poppy.

what? A blood bag?”

a blood bag, did they even have those there? i can’t imagine there were phlebotomists during whatever time period were in. they could’ve just said blood source and that would’ve fit better.

“Living their best lives, I suppose,”

and more slang lol

“Maybe we were wrong to assume that some of the older lines have ceased to exist. Perhaps you’re proof of that.”

“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.”

“There is one more thing I need. Something that I’ve needed for days. Weeks. Months. Maybe forever.” The bridge of his nose brushed mine. “But I know you won’t allow it. Not like this.” The pounding in my chest moved lower. “What…what have you needed for so long?” “You.”

“Just pretend?” I trembled as the tips of his fingers skated down the side of my throat, around to the nape of my neck. “Pretend.” His lips hovered above mine once more, right there, teasing. I closed my eyes, my voice barely more than a whisper. “Yes.”

Even as he kissed as if he drank from my lips. Even as he ground against me, and I dug my fingers into his shoulders and then the material covering his chest. We were pretending.

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 think it comes down to whether you can make amends with yourself.”

But he would be gone one day. When this was all over and we parted ways, he would be gone from my life. That was what I wanted—what I planned. Then why did I suddenly feel like crying?

“It doesn’t have to,” Kieran said. “But even so, sometimes, the heartbreak that comes with loving someone is worth it, even if loving that person means eventually saying goodbye to them.”

“I think you’re heartmates.”

“The Joining would not only ensure that the wolven would be duty-bound to protect your life, but the bond would tie your life to the elemental and the wolven. You would live as long as the wolven did, however long that may be.”

I allowed myself a small smile as I sank into his embrace, his warmth. And I permitted myself one other thing. I let myself enjoy it.

“Or is it because you don’t want to know that it’s taking everything in me not to ruin yet another pair of your pants by ripping them off and fucking you so hard that days from now, you’ll still be able to feel the extent of my gratitude.”

“I don’t want to pretend,” I whispered. “I’m Poppy and you’re Casteel, and this is real.”

“You feel like all I could ever want.”

Because what was real to him wasn’t the same for me.

I loved him. I was in love with him, even though that love had been built on a foundation of lies. I loved him even though there was so much I didn’t know about him. I loved him even though I knew I was a willing pawn to him.

“I’m a Prince. A kingdom of people is counting on me to solve their problems—even the ones they’re unaware of, but I…I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t give you to them, not even for my brother.” He turned to me, his eyes nearly luminous. “All because when I’m with you, I don’t think about the kingdom full of people counting on me. I don’t find myself in the middle of the day, when it’s too quiet, back in those fucking cages. I don’t sit and think of everything I know they’re doing to my brother. Beating him. Starving him. Raping him. Turning him into a monster worse than even they can imagine. When I’m with you, I don’t think about that.”

“Even if I wasn’t about to become a Princess, I would be up here.”

“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.”

“Planning to stab him during the ceremony?” Vonetta asked. “Why does everyone act like I’m seconds away from stabbing Casteel?” I demanded. “Apparently, you have a habit of it.”

“This is an omen. A powerful one.” Jasper shook his head in wonder. “A good one from the King of Gods.” The unnatural clouds started to scatter, and sunlight broke through as Jasper smiled. “Nyktos, even asleep, approves of this union.”

Having fear wasn’t a weakness. Only the foolish and the false claimed to feel no fear, but that emotion could spread like a plague if given too much thought.

Breathing raggedly, he jerked the sword back. A wide, bloody smile broke out across his face. “Would this be an inappropriate time to let you know I’m incredibly turned on by you right now?” “Yes.” My gaze shifted to the guard staggering to his feet behind him. “Highly inappropriate.” “Well, too bad.” Casteel pivoted, and the guard’s head went in a different direction of his body. “I find you highly arousing.”

“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?”

“And bow before the…before the last descendent of the most ancient ones, she who carries the blood of the King of the Gods within her. Bow before your new Queen.”