The War of Two Queens (Blood And Ash, #4)

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

“Because you look like you wish to stab someone.” “You always think I look that way.” “Probably because you always want to stab someone.”

You often seem to want to stab those you care about.” “That makes it sound as if I’m…twisted or something.”

Kieran had made it a habit of sleeping near me in his wolven form, which was why he got very little sleep. I’d told him more than once that it wasn’t necessary, but the last time I’d brought it up, he’d said, “This is where I choose to be.” And well, that…that nearly made me cry. He chose to be beside me because he was my friend. Not because of some obligation.

The wedding band made in Spessa’s End shone a lustrous gold, matching the one I wore. Always and forever. The same message was inscribed on both. Neither of us had removed our rings since the ceremony. And this one hadn’t been now, either, for it remained on the finger I had placed it on.

I’m going to slice every finger from the Blood Queen’s hands, one by one. I’m going to peel the flesh from her body.” A shiver of anticipation swirled over my skin. “Then I will rip her tongue from her mouth and tear her eyes from her face.” “That sounds like a damn good plan.”

I didn’t lash out in anger… Actually, I did tend to lash out with sharp objects when angry,

I loved him. Because he was mine, and I was his. My other half.

there’s one problem with your plan. Actually,” he said, frowning, “there are a lot of problems.

“You do realize that we’re at war? Therefore, any number of us, including me, could die.” I stiffened as the statement knocked the air from my chest. “Don’t say that—”

exactly don't say that

“I appreciate your trust. Am honored. Flattered. Whatever,” he said, and I didn’t think he sounded honored at all.

“If something were to happen to you—” “There would be nothing for Cas to forgive you for if something did,” he cut me off. “He would expect nothing less than me being by your side.” I stared at him in disbelief. “If you’d let me finish a sentence, I was about to say I would never forgive myself.”

Kieran started to frown. “Are you about to cry?” “No.” “Doesn’t look that way.” “Then stop looking, and it won’t.” “That doesn’t even make sense, Poppy.”

Damn. I loved that fucking book.

I needed to stop thinking about Poppy’s blood.

please do

But it was him. My first. My last. My everything.

“I was born with the flesh and fire of the Primal god in my blood. Make no mistake, with each passing day, I feel less like a mortal than I did the day before.”

“I don’t give a damn about leadership right now. It’s you that I’m concerned about,” Valyn said, and my head jerked toward him. “You are the Queen, but you are also my daughter-in-law.”

But not a single member of my family has ever entered Carsodonia and returned as they were when they left—if they returned at all.” Valyn’s stare met mine. “I will not have that happen to you.” My family. Valyn considered me part of his family. My throat constricted as a wealth of emotion threatened to rise unchecked.

And where was Kieran to not witness this and comment on how much I was eating?

“Do you expect me to wear his clothing?” “What’s wrong with my clothes?” Kieran demanded. A fair brow rose as Reaver mimicked Kieran’s earlier look. “I don’t believe they will fit me. I have broader shoulders.” “I don’t think so,” Kieran replied. “And chest.” Kieran’s arms crossed. “You definitely do not have that either.” “And my legs are not thin twigs that could snap under a breeze,” Reaver continued. “Are you serious?” Kieran looked down at himself. He didn’t have…twig legs or whatever.

“You’re just saying nonsense. You both are nearly the same height and size,” I said. “I believe your vision could use improvement,” the draken responded, and I rolled my eyes. “You could use an attitude improvement,” Kieran retorted.

“that was a little random, Poppy.” “Yeah, well, I’m feeling random.”

“Um, it’s a book Perry found in the ship cabin you and Cas stayed in, actually.” My eyes went wide as they shot back to what lay in his lap. There was only one book that would’ve been on that ship. That godsdamn journal.

didn’t even know that she was an Atlantian, let alone a changeling and Seer. Neither did Casteel. So, you can imagine the shock when we met her in Evaemon.” “I can only imagine.” He chuckled softly, wincing. “I bet Cas had a field day with that.”

“It’s about to sound like you’re hurt because I’m a second away from punching you,” I retorted. Kieran grinned. “You mean, a love tap?” My eyes narrowed.

“We’re still working on that,” Kieran shared, and I almost laughed because working on that could easily be translated into, we don’t know.

“But do you know what the whole prophecy is?”

when you know the whole prophecy 💪💪

once-promised King.

Nyktos

the other half of the future King.

Cas bestie

“Why is it that he behaves as I would expect from your husband?” Heat crept into my cheeks. “He’s the Advisor to the Crown.” Tawny stared at me. “And a friend. A close friend—but not like that,” I quickly added as interest sparked along Tawny’s features. “Honestly, I don’t know what it’s like. It’s complicated.” “I would say,” she murmured. “And I cannot wait to hear all about this complication in excruciatingly painful detail.”

To deserve someone like Poppy—someone so incredibly strong, so curious and intelligent and unbelievably kind. Someone who deserved another as equally good as her. That

I was forever Poppy’s.

That mouth…the corners tipped up, and the smile that raced across her face owned me. Always. And forever.

“I’m not afraid of her,” Poppy cut me off. “I know.” I slid my thumb over her brow. “You’re not afraid of anyone or anything.” “That’s not true. Snakes scare me.”

very much the correct reaction

“For fuck’s sake,” Reaver shouted, tossing the tarp aside as he rose…completely naked. He jumped from the wagon, landing in a crouch. “I got this.” “What does he think he’s going to do buck-ass na—?” Kieran bit off as sparks of light erupted all over Reaver, and he shifted into his draken form. “Well, okay, he’s going to do that.”

“Afraid? Of you? The only thing about you that frightens me is your stench.”

don’t know why you’re being so difficult. I’ve given you food, clean water, a”—she glanced at where a downed Craven lay—“somewhat safe shelter. All I’ve taken from you is a finger. And yet, you stab me.”

why are you literally so silly

think I need to feed.” Kieran stared down at me. “So, that’s why you flung yourself onto the ground?” My eyes narrowed. “I didn’t fling myself onto the ground. I flopped onto this bedroll. But, yes. That’s why.” His lips twitched. I narrowed my eyes even further. “Don’t laugh.” “Okay.” “Or smile.”

“There’s nothing awkward about this, other than you flopping around.”

I believe we are riding to was known by the name Lasania.” “Lasagna?” Kieran’s brows furrowed while I frowned. Where had I seen that name before? “No. I didn’t say lasagna. I said Lasania. La-sa-nee-ah,” Reaver snapped. “Sounded like lasagna to me,” he muttered.

“The Consort was mortal?” Kieran’s surprise matched mine. “Partly mortal,” Reaver corrected, his gaze following a swath of birds that flew overhead. “How can anyone be partly mortal?” I demanded. “Just like you were partly mortal,” he pointed out. Oh. Well. He had me there.

I shook my head. “Why am I always more confused after speaking with you?” “That sounds like a personal issue,” Reaver stated.

flat, patchy hair half in her face. “Then it is my problem.” “Yep.” Millicent exhaled loudly. “I don’t get paid enough for this.” She grabbed the gown from the other Handmaiden. “Actually, I don’t get paid at all, so it’s even worse.”

My heart didn’t pound. My pulse didn’t speed up. My hands and body were steady. There was no fear or anxiety. I wasn’t nothing. I was just icy, banked rage which had infiltrated every cell of my being as she crossed the chamber, the hem of her gown trailing behind her. In other words, I was rather calm.

My Queen. My soul. My savior. Poppy.

“I changed my mind. I will kill you the first chance I get.” The Rev chuckled. “Not nearly as giving as I thought you were.” “How about we make a deal?” I said to Poppy, easing my fingers from her braid. I drew them down the thick length of her hair. “Whoever gets to him first, gets the honor.” “Deal,” she said.

“From the first moment I saw you smile… And heard you laugh? Gods,” I rasped, and she shuddered, her beautiful eyes closing. “From the first time I saw you nock an arrow and fire without hesitation? Handle a dagger and fight beside another? Fight me? I was in awe. I’m never not in awe of you. I’m always utterly mesmerized. I’ll never stop being that. Always and forever.”

but would Ires have grown interested in his brother’s lover? Seemed kind of…gross, but that would be the least disturbing aspect of all of this.

“Where would I even start if I answered your questions? And when would your questions stop? They wouldn’t. Every answer I gave would lead to another, and before we knew it, I would have retold the entire history of the realms.” Millicent blinked and then turned away, stepping over my legs. “The real history.” “I know the real history.” “No, you don’t. Neither did Malik.”

You will be the only thing that can stop her then. If you don’t, Penellaphe will help end the realms as we know them, causing millions to lose their lives, and subjecting those who survive to something far worse. Either way, my sister can’t survive this. She will die in your arms, or she will drown the realms in blood.”