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

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

“Am I seeing things, or is that your dagger strapped to your thigh?” I grinned. “You’re not seeing things.” “You’re an absolutely stunning, murderous little creature,” he murmured.

“There’ll be time for all the sweet whispers later,” Jasper said, and when Casteel pulled back, there was a fire in his eyes. “You do look quite lovely, Penellaphe.” “Thank you,” I said. “What about me?” Casteel asked, and behind him, Naill sighed. “You look passable.” “That was rude,” he replied. “Would you like to go sit in the shade and nurse your wounded feelings? Like you did when you were young and inevitably injured yourself doing something incredibly stupid?” Casteel’s brows lowered as he looked over at Jasper. “This marriage ceremony is starting off in a really weird way.”

“There’s a vein there, right along your leg, with all these little veins branching off. I’m thinking you’d really like that.” I shuddered. “Will you do that now?” “I would, except I’m feeling incredibly archaic right now, and I want the world to see my fresh mark on your throat,” he said. “And if the whole world saw that mark between your pretty thighs, I’d have to then kill the whole world.” “That’s excessive.”

“This kind of reminds me,” he noted, “of the night on the Rise in Masadonia. Except you’re not wearing slippers and a rather indecent nightgown. I don’t know if I should be relieved or disappointed.” My heart slowed, and my breaths were no longer shallow. My spine straightened, and my chin lifted. “You should be grateful. You won’t be distracted tonight.” He laughed softly. “Still a little disappointed.” I smiled as my grip tightened on the bow.

My self-control snapped, and I moved before I could stop myself, reaching the battlement as I said, “I belong to no one, and especially not her.” Casteel slowly turned his head toward me. “This is not staying unseen,” he said in a low voice. “In case you’re unsure.” “Sorry,” I muttered.

Another wolven shot across the field—an impossibly large, silver one. Jasper? He grabbed the knight’s arm as he swung the sword toward Delano and…good gods, he tore it straight off, sword and all. I would have to vomit about that later.

“What do the Pillars of Atlantia look like?” “You’ll see them tomorrow.” “But—” “Some say patience is a virtue,” his voice echoed back to me. “Some deserve a punch in the face,”

“Do you know where Penellaphe sleeps?” I asked about the goddess I’d been named after. Kieran sighed. “Not here, I can tell you that.”

“I have so many questions.” “There is not a single person surprised to hear that,” Kieran remarked.