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

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

“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.”

“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.”

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.”

“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.”

“Your scars are beautiful,” he said, and there was a swift, swelling motion in my chest that couldn’t be deflated no matter what my brain yelled at it. “But I refuse to allow your body to be scarred again.”

a very dysfunctional…engagement.” “You can’t spell dysfunctional without fun, now can you?”

“What I’m telling you is that there is no one way anyone behaves in a relationship. There isn’t a textbook of things to do or how to behave with the exception of the stabbing. I take back my fun in dysfunctional statement.”

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

“But are you listening?” “Oh, man,” Delano murmured under his breath as the rest of the room went dead silent. “Someone is getting stabbed again.” Someone, I think it was Jasper, snorted. “Oh, I’m listening,” Casteel replied. “Maybe you should try that. Along with this thing called common sense.” “Definitely getting stabbed,” Kieran confirmed. I stepped around the table, aware that Delano appeared to be sinking into his chair. “Are you serious?” “Are you armed?” Casteel asked with a smirk. “You are, aren’t you?”