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“We’re…friends, right?” A flush crept up my neck. “I mean, I did wear your gown to my wedding, and—” I trailed off as old insecurities reared their bitchy heads. Vonetta had been nothing but kind and welcoming to me, but she was friends with Casteel, and she’d met me when I was positioned to become a Princess. And now that I was their Liessa? It felt like Tawny all over again, and I felt even more foolish. Because, seriously, this was not the time for this. “Just ignore me. I don’t even know why I’m thinking about this when there are Ascended waiting for us beyond the gate.”
“We’re friends,” Vonetta said, grinning. “At least, I thought we were. So I’m glad to hear you think so, too, because boy, it would’ve been awkward if not.”
Relief swept through me. “I think it’s already awkward. At least, for me,” I said as amusement radiated from the general direction of where Kieran waited. Jerk.
it is most definitely awkward for you
“The Blood Crown is rather confident,” I said, taking on the same tone of nonchalance Casteel had had in the beginning. Dark eyes met mine. “Which tells me that the Queen has no real knowledge of what armies are gathering to the north.” Considering that I had no real idea, it was nothing more than a bluff.
“Didn’t feel right calling a Queen a Princess. Didn’t matter if you never took the Crown.” “You’re being sweet again.” “Are you going to cry?” “I don’t know.”
wasn’t sure what they were arguing about now. Earlier, it had been whether or not yams could be considered sweet potatoes, which was a strange argument,
spoiler yams are NOT sweet potatoes
“Do you think going to Iliseeum is a bad life choice?” I asked as Casteel caught what I thought was a cheese ball thrown by Vonetta. “If you’d asked me that a year ago and I knew how to enter Iliseeum?” He laughed as he drew his fingers over his forehead. “I would’ve said yes.
i still say yes
“Being Queen is a lot of pressure,” he pointed out.
“Crowns look heavy,”
“Lyra seems to like you,” I said, swiftly changing the subject. “She seems to like you.” “Glad to know, but I think we’re talking about two different types of liking someone.”
“I want to be nosy.” “Like when you watched Lyra and I on the beach?”
“The heart doesn’t care how long you may have with someone.” Kieran looked over at me, his eyes sheltered. “It just cares that you have the person for as long as you can.”
“You assholes interrupted a very charming conversation.” He leaned to the side so fast that an arrow aimed for him flew harmlessly beyond him. “And that was incredibly rude.”
“If I get blood on my new clothing,” I warned as I sprang forward, shoving the dagger into the man’s chest, “I’m going to be very upset.”
I pictured the remains turning to ash to match the piles of dirt. After all, it seemed unsanitary to leave the bodies behind.
“That was incredibly hot,” he remarked. A husky, echoing laugh left me. His comment—as twisted and wrong as it was—helped
considering the fact that she just killed ppl that is so disturbing
But if Perry was allowed to call the Prince, “Cas,” then I knew he was trusted. I followed the vanilla-oak of Vonetta’s imprint. It’s okay. He is a friend of Casteel’s, right? There was a moment of silence, and then Vonetta’s whisper found my thoughts. Friends of Cas have betrayed him. Well, she had a good point there. Let’s give him a chance, though. Vonetta shot me a rather arch look for a wolven, but she backed off several feet.
Because they were right. I was brave. I was fearless. And I ran from no one and nothing—and that included a crown.
We will need your help—both of you—when it comes to ruling Atlantia. But we don’t need unnecessary drama.” I fought a smile as his father’s eyes narrowed. “I apologize, son. I wouldn’t want to cause any unnecessary drama,” his father replied dryly. “Apology accepted,” Casteel murmured, and I heard the huffing sound of a wolven laughing behind me. Valyn’s eyes narrowed.
“What—what about our rooms?” “They are the east wing,” he answered, nodding at an older male who descended the stairs, carrying a platter of empty glasses. “Oh,” I murmured and then frowned. “Wait. They’re in the east wing, right?” A smirk appeared as Kieran said, “His and Her Majesty’s quarters are the east wing.” I… Well, I had nothing to say to that
Across from him, Willa took a drink of her whiskey and not-so-discreetly rolled her eyes.
“You will bow before your Queen.” Casteel eyed the Atlantian coolly. “Or you will bleed before her. It is your choice.”
“Plus, it will be far safer for us than it will be for any of you. The Blood Crown does not want us dead.”
😭😭😭😭😭
“I mean no offense by saying this, but are you two out of your minds? Wake the King of Gods? And I truly mean no offense,”
“Yes, but Penellaphe is of his bloodline,” Willa noted. “What is guarding him should be able to sense that.” She paused. “Hopefully.” The hopefully part was really reassuring. “Or he could become extraordinarily angered by such an intrusion and kill any who dare to wake him,” another Elder pointed out. “There is that.” Willa lifted her drink.
if Ash even DARED to do such a thing Sera and i would be having words with him
“He’s slept long enough, hasn’t he?” I said, and approval flashed in those amber eyes despite the insanity of what we were considering.
considering how grumpy his uncle got without his nap i’d at give him another thousand years
The Atlantians didn’t believe in prophecies,
Penellaphe of qisdom would be disappointed considering she literally said one if the prophecies
“That is an extremely optimistic and naïve outlook on the Ascended,” Gregori asserted. Willa looked at the Elder. “I’d rather be optimistic than bigoted and close-minded, but I am never naïve. I have more than a thousand years on you,” she said softly, and I blinked. “Consider that before you speak so ignorantly, and maybe you will save yourself future embarrassment.”
I…I really liked Willa. And it had nothing to do with her diary.
I’ve never been to Iliseeum. Obviously,” she told us, finishing off her glass of whiskey. “But I know those who have.”
i really wonder if willa knew sera
Willa’s gaze met mine and then Casteel’s. “Whatever you do, do not enter Dalos, the City of the Gods. You will know it when you see it. If you enter, you will never return.”
willa i don’t suppose you are trying to tell me that kallios is still awake cause that’s the only reason they wouldn’t return
“The best kind of adventures always carry a hint of danger,
“When I saw you in the Red Pearl, I knew you wore a mask. Not the one that hid your identity, but one you were forced to wear for many years beneath the veil. One you didn’t know you even wore. I saw you, and I knew you were the Maiden.” Willa’s eyes searched mine as tiny bumps rose all over my skin. “I knew you were a second daughter, one who shared the blood of the gods.” Her gaze flicked over my shoulder to the door. “And I knew he was seeking the same thing that led you to the Red Pearl that night.” My brows knitted. “He was there to discuss his plans.” Thick curls swayed as she shook her
...more
“Always. And if you become…curious enough to ask those other questions I’m sure are brewing in your head, I’ll be more than happy to answer them or refer you to a certain…chapter.” Oh. Oh, my. “T-thank you,” I stuttered
You are not the great conspirator, but one of two who will stand between what has awakened and the retribution it seeks to reap against man and god.”
that would be get disgusting great uncle
You are not the great conspirator, but one of two who will stand between what has awakened and the retribution it seeks to reap against man and god.”
but one of two who will stand between what has awakened and the retribution it seeks to reap against man and god.”
Valyn nodded as he eyed his son, who grinned. “I feel like I’m missing something,” Valyn murmured. “You’re not,” I said when Casteel opened his mouth, having no idea how no one in Atlantia appeared to know about Willa’s journal. “I promise.”
She who carries the blood of the King of Gods, the Liessa, and the true heir of Atlantia—Penellaphe Balfour Da’Neer, the Queen of Flesh and Fire.”
i feel obligated to tell you that she is actually the queen of blood and ash as that title belongs to her grandmother
“You’re so annoying,” I muttered. “Endearingly annoying,” he corrected, and his father sighed. “More like it’s a good thing you’re pretty,” I grumbled under my breath.
“Our people are really into displays of public affection, in case you haven’t noticed.”
The bathing chamber…well, it made the one in Saion’s Cove appear paltry in comparison. The toilet was hidden behind a wall, and there were two vanities, an indecently large soaking tub, and the life-changing shower stall that boasted multiple showerheads and stone benches. And there were many indecent things I could think of taking place in there.
girl what about an actual shower
The Queen of Flesh and Fire. Flesh and Fire. I had heard that phrase twice before. Casteel’s mother had said it when she first saw me, and it had been mentioned in the prophecy that Alastir had recited. But I wasn’t the great conspirator. And the title…well, it sounded badass.
yea but it’s kinda your grandma’s thing
“It was for my birthday. My sixth, I believe. Gods, that was forever ago.”
literal centuries damn
He paused. “Which reminds me, I don’t think we know each other’s birthdays, do we?” “I’m sure we—” I laughed as I realized that he was correct.
you are married to someone who’s birthday you don’t know???
and I know you’re probably tired and have already been eyeing that shower.
only to do inappropriate things
“But there is something important we wanted to ask you.” Kieran raised a brow as he glanced between us. “Is it about the Joining?” For the second time in twenty-four hours, I choked on my breath. “What?” “Am I wrong?” Kieran crossed his arms. “Yeah.” I nodded while Casteel appeared to do his best not to burst into laughter. “That so wasn’t where we were going with that,
“We wanted to ask if you would do us the honor of being the Advisor to the Crown,” Casteel began. “I had this whole speech planned in my head about how you have been a brother to me and that there is no one I trust more, but now things are just kind of awkward, so…yeah. We would like for you to be our advisor.”
“You’re…you’re surprised,” I said. “How can that be?
you literally sound exactly like your grandfather
“But not as good as you,” Casteel told him. “You don’t have to accept—” “No, I accept,” Kieran confirmed.
Still not as special as those who could shift forms. I would never get over that,
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME POPPY YOU CANT SHIFT FORMS OKAY
