The ​Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and Ash, #3)

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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

“Poppy, listen to me,” he whispered, and my eyes opened. “I know the truth. Wake Nyktos. Only his guards can stop the Blood Crown.”

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

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.”

“You were born of flesh with the fire of the gods in your blood. You are a Bringer of Life and a Bringer of Death,” Nyktos interrupted. “You are the Queen of Flesh and Fire, due more than one Crown, one kingdom. What you seek, you already have. You always had the power in you.”

“The first name I was born with is one you’ve probably heard. It was Isbeth.”

“She can’t give it to you if you kill her,” he shouted as my teeth bled. “You want to control her? You want me, then. Take me. I won’t fight you. I swear. I won’t. Just stop. Please.” His voice cracked.

NOOO

“Make sure she knows that I am the Chosen, the One who is Blessed, and I carry the blood of the King of Gods in me. I am the Liessa to the wolven, the second daughter, the true heir, owed the crowns of Atlantia and Solis. I am the Queen of Flesh and Fire, and the gods’ guards ride with me. Tell the Blood Queen to prepare for war.”