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

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The lower part of the gown was looser, but I didn’t dare look too long at the gossamer fabric. I didn’t need that trauma in my life.

Isbeth blamed others for everything she did. Her ability to avoid accountability was shockingly impressive.

Reaver launched out of the night, a blur of crimson and sun as he streaked across the fire-lit ground. He grabbed the closest knight… I quickly learned exactly how he’d gotten so bloody, and I sort of wished I hadn’t.

“You’re so very special.” Kieran gave me a half-grin as we edged around the dais. “Very,” Reaver said dryly. I glared at the draken’s back. “Neither of you sound like you think that at all.” “So special,” Kieran added.

Malik’s eyes flared brightly. “It’s her. You’re right. I’m here because of her.” I tasted tangy, almost bitter anguish again. It was powerful, but what cut through it was sweet, reminding me of chocolate and berries. I inhaled sharply. “Millicent.” Kieran frowned. “The Handmaiden?” He nodded. “Nearly everything—” Malik’s voice roughened. “Nearly everything I’ve done is for her. She’s my heartmate.” My mouth dropped open. I hadn’t been expecting that.

if you say one more negative thing about Millicent, I’ll rip your fucking throat out.” My brows rose.

Good gods,” I heard Malik rasp as silvery flames lit the dark walls. “You’re a fucking draken.” There was a beat of silence. “That’s why those knights were smoldering.”

Kieran went to Casteel’s side. “I’ll carry him.” “No,” Malik bit out. “He’s my brother. And if you want him, you’re going to have to pry him from my dead fingers. I’m carrying him.”

“And you should also know,” Malik continued, “that they do not believe you to be a Harbinger of doom.” Well, that was good.

“It’s you. It’s really you. Holy shit.” “Are my scars that well known?” I asked. “Scars?” Blaz mumbled as the door swept open wide. “Holy shit on a sardine sandwich. Yeah, come right in.” “I am slightly concerned about this mortal,” Reaver muttered.

“You may not be our Queen now,” Clariza said, her head lifting, “but you are a god.” “I am.” I swallowed thickly, worry pressing down on me. “But you still do not need to bow before me.” “Not what I expected to hear from an actual god,” Blaz mumbled. “But I’m not going to complain.”

“Fucking gods.” Blaz’s gasp turned into a wheeze. “Sorry. That was probably offensive. I am deeply regretful.”

And under all of it, beneath the storm, was something sweet and warm… Chocolate. Berries. Love.

“I wouldn’t care who you used if you had that need.” She raised a brow. “Really?” “Really.” “So, if I had decided to feed from Emil?” she suggested, and my jaw clenched. “Or Naill—” “Okay. You’re right,” I admitted. No matter who she sought aid from, I never would’ve held it against her. The other person? Thoughts and prayers for their ass, though.

she smiled, wide and bright. And, gods, I could live on those smiles. Thrive.

Thanks to Poppy’s blood, new skin, now a glossy pink, stretched over the once exposed bone and tissue. And maybe Malik’s aid. What the fuck ever.

I bet you’re still disappointed about not being able to shift into anything.” “I really am.” She drew the towel over my arms and then down my chest.

“I love you, Cas.” “Always?” I bit out. “And forever.”

know, but there’s nothing we can do about that.” “Don’t be logical,” I told her. “Someone has to be.”

“I’m about to blow your mind.” I finished off the remaining stew, setting the bowl beside me. “Millicent is Isbeth’s daughter. Her father is Ires. She’s Poppy’s sister.” Kieran’s lips parted, and a long moment passed. “What in the actual fuck?”

“You’re my favorite kind of torture,”

Well, first off, I don’t like to think of myself as a snack. More like a whole damn meal.”

“I’ll get you two some coffee. Blaz tends to make it more cream and sugar than actual coffee.” “I see nothing wrong with that,” the mortal replied, leaning back.

Tell dm blaz

Her stare held mine for a moment, and then she nodded. She turned to her husband. “Up.” “Really?” Blaz exclaimed. “You know how nosy I am, and you’re asking me to leave?”

Wait a second,” Reaver said, wiping crumbs from his mouth with the back of his hand. “That Handmaiden is Poppy’s sister?” Kieran sighed. “Where have you been?” “Not in the kitchen,” Reaver snapped. “Obviously.”

Then what the hell am I?” I threw up my hands. “A Primal,” Malik announced. I rolled my eyes. “Oh, come on.” “He speaks the truth,” Reaver announced, and we all turned to him. “Both of them. You’re a Primal—born of mortal flesh.”

Poppy really thought that shit about not knowing what she was ended in the last book

Did you just shrug?” “Yes, he did.” Kieran glared at the draken. “If you’d been around him longer, that wouldn’t have surprised you.”

“Why would you think that?” Reaver frowned. “It’s a Primal notam. Not a god notam. Only a Primal can form any type of notam—a bond such as that.”

He really asked them to use their brains

I’ll call you whatever you like, as long as you call me yours.” I let out a short laugh and felt Casteel’s smile against my cheek. He’d successfully pulled me back from the edge of a panic spiral. Reaver made a gagging sound. “Did he seriously just say that?” “Unfortunately,” Kieran muttered.

The swords dropped from the guards’ hands, clattering off the floor as their necks twisted to the sides, cracking. “You’ll probably be concerned to hear this, but also not surprised,” Casteel said, and the smoky, spicy flavor in my mouth crowded out the taste of death. “But I found that wildly…hot.” “There’s something wrong with him,” Reaver muttered from behind us. “Isn’t there?” There most definitely was, but I loved him for it.

When this is all over, I shall like to keep you. I’ve always wanted a pet wolf.” “Fuck you,” Kieran growled.

I will rip you apart golden boy

yet, yet another Da’Neer betrayed me. Shocker.” “Betrayed?” Malik sounded as incredulous as I felt. “You kidnapped and tortured my brother. You held me captive and used me for whatever you desired. And you accuse me of betrayal?” “Here we go again.” Isbeth rolled her eyes. “Gods, let it go.” “Fuck you,” Malik spat.

Neither of us has been interested in that in many years,” she retorted. “So, no thank you.”

Grace ren energy

Secrets and new discoveries about myself don’t really rattle me like they used to.”

I’m also processing my need to rip my brother’s throat out. I can multitask like that.”

“I’ve told you before, Poppy. Only the bad can be influenced.”

Those fine, barely noticeable lines of tension around his mouth disappeared. Kieran softened. He’d done that when he looked at Elashya—whenever he spoke of her. He softened in almost the same way now when he looked upon Poppy.

“The pretty poppy one. Pick it and watch it bleed.” I searched his features. “If that’s a rhyme, it sounds about five levels of fucked up,” Malik said. “But I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ve never even heard anything like that.”

pursed. “I still cannot believe I don’t have better hearing or vision. Ridiculous.” “Or shift into anything,” I reminded her as the noise grew louder, closer. “That, too.”

For once, I didn’t want to punch his throat through his spine. Only because the adoration in his stare was that of respect. And because he released her hand quickly.

“You can’t go around punching the King.” “Someone forgot to tell you that,” Kieran replied, brushing past Poppy. “You punch him?” Tawny asked, blinking. “No. Not really.” Poppy’s cheeks turned red. “She has stabbed me, though.” I took Poppy’s hand. “In the chest.” “Oh, my gods,” Poppy snapped as Tawny’s eyes went wide. “You really need to stop telling people that.”

Kieran lowered his glass to the table as he fixed his stare on the Atlantian general. “I have a feeling that things are about to get more awkward,” he said under his breath to Emil. Emil snorted.

“And the nagging-as-hell voice keeps repeating the same thing.” “Can I have a sword?” Kieran tossed a limp Craven aside. “Can I have a dagger? A stick—?” “Real fucking mature,” Malik snarled. “You’re not getting a weapon.” Casteel kicked off a moss-covered boulder, catching a Craven in the back as I shot forward, bringing the sword down on another’s neck—a small one. Too small. “You’re not getting a weapon. Not even a blunt object such as a rock.” I felt Malik’s eyes roll.

“How am I supposed to help you fight the Blood Crown with no weapon?” Malik demanded. “Use your charming personality?” Naill quipped.

“What in the actual hell?” Emil started, glancing down at his hand. “Are these blood trees leaking? What is this?” “I’ll give you one guess.” Perry shoved Malik back as a Craven broke rank, charging them. “It’s in the name.”

“Naked Reaver time,” he murmured. Everyone was pretty much used to that. While most of us studiously avoided looking below the face, Sage practically sat front row and made no qualms about sizing him up, no matter what form she was in.

sorry but reaver and sage's child would be so freaking powerful

“At least, they’re not coming out of the ground this time,” Vonetta pointed out as she thrust her blade through a chest. “There is that,” Naill agreed, swinging his sword through the air.

The Gyrm’s head tilted, and then it smiled. Or tried to. The stitches stretched and then popped, tearing free. The mouth dropped open as something black and shiny wiggled out— “Why does it have to be snakes?” I jumped back, stomach churning with horror as the serpent slithered forward, quickly blending in with the dark ground. “Snakes. I hate snakes.”

“why do they have snakes inside them?” “They have no insides. No organs,” Reaver answered. “The serpents are all that fills them.” All of us turned to Reaver. Perry swallowed as if he were one second from vomiting. I dropped my hand from Delano’s neck. “Well, that…that is even more disturbing. I wish I hadn’t asked.”

“So, these Gyrms were down there for hundreds of years?” Reaver nodded. “That must’ve been really boring,” Emil said. “Again.” Vonetta looked at him. “Understatement.”