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

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Padonia – (pa-doh-nee-ah)

Im sorrt this is not right you cant ponoucne carsodonia and maodonia without the i and then pronouce this one with it

Worth it. The pain was more than worth it. I would spend an eternity taking these bites if that meant she was safe. That it wasn’t her in this cell. That she wasn’t the one in pain.

Wow

I closed my fingers over the imprint, squeezing my hand tight as if I could somehow conjure up anything but the sound of her screams. Erase the image of her beautiful face contorted in pain. I didn’t want to see that. I wanted to see her as she’d been on the ship, face flushed, and those stunning green eyes with their faint silver glow behind the pupils eager and wanting. I wanted memories of cheeks pink with either lust or annoyance, the latter usually occurring when she was silently—or very loudly—debating whether stabbing me would be considered inappropriate. I wanted to see her lush lips parted, and her skin shining as she touched my flesh and healed me in ways she would never know or understand. My eyes closed once more. And damn it, all I saw was blood seeping from her ears, her nose, as her body writhed in my arms.

He was one golden motherfucker, from the hair to the winged facial paint across his face. His eyes were a blue so pale they appeared nearly leached of all color. Eyes like some of the Handmaidens. Another Rev, I bet.

This was the guy poppy gave the message tto

couldn’t believe I was staring at the Blood King’s head. A slow smile spread across my face. I laughed—deep and hard. Gods, Poppy was…damn, she was vicious in the most magnificent way, and I could not wait to show her just how much I approved of it. “That’s…gods, that’s my Queen.”

“Come on, Isbitch,” I whispered, leaning forward as far as I could.

HAahhahahhhhha

“Whether she ruled over all the lands and seas or was the Queen of nothing but a pile of ashes and bones, she would—will—always be my Queen. Love is too weak an emotion to describe how she consumes me and what I feel for her. She is my everything.”

Ughhh

“You’ll see in time.” She rose. “If my daughter truly loves you, this will pain me in ways I doubt you’ll ever believe.”

“Why is it when a Prince or a King decides to place themselves in danger or chooses to lead armies into war, it’s not an issue? But when a Queen wishes to do the same, it suddenly becomes a thing they must be advised against? Sounds a bit…sexist.”

“No, thank you.” I’d never liked the idea of taking anything that knocked me out, potentially leaving me vulnerable. Plus, I was already taking an herb similar to what he had taken for contraception. I’d figured it was wise to see if something was readily available since he wouldn’t be able to take anything.

Lol yourre foccusing on nkt getting pregant right now wheen you arentt even fucking him and dontt know whwwrre he iss???

“You could just come and get her,” I said. “You didn’t need to call him.” “Hell, no. I’m not getting anywhere near her. She’s a laruea.” “A what?” “A spirit.”

“I told you, Hisa, and everyone else who suggested that, that I don’t want a guard following me around. It reminds me…” I trailed off, tensing. It reminded me too much of Vikter. Of Rylan. Of him. “It reminds me of when I was the Maiden,” I lied.

“Is that an order?” I rolled my eyes. “Yes.” “As your advisor—” “You will say, ‘My, what a kind Queen our people have.’” “You are kind. Too kind.”

Your father. Ires.

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.

Ahhhhhh noooooooo

“I know. She knows she’s descended from Nyktos—” “If you think that Granddaddy is the true Primal of Life and the true Primal of Death, then you know nothing.”

Huh

“The Queen has her plans.” “The whole remaking the realms bullshit?” “To remake something, one must first destroy it.” A cold wind hit the length of my spine. “The Blood Queen is not that powerful.” “She may not be.” The Handmaiden’s back was unnaturally stiff. “But she knew how to bring to life something that was.”

Casteel groaned as his fingers curled into my hair, and those long, drugging kisses became shorter, rougher.

Im reay worried about whaats actuaally happenin here

“You are.” Reaver lowered his chin, his eyes opening. “Nyktos was never the true Primal of Death. There was another before him. His name was Kolis.”

I glanced down at the slip of paper, calling forth the Primal essence. Just an ember of energy sparked from the tips of my fingers and swept over the parchment. Within a heartbeat, ash fell to the ground. Knowing I was showing off, I lifted my gaze to the generals. Many stared at the dusting of ash, their eyes wide.

Cool as fuck

A strange look crossed his features, pinching his brow. “No, she didn’t know me.” He folded the gauze, covering the wound. “Or at least that’s what she remembers.” My head tilted. “What does that mean?” “You’ll understand soon enough.” Malik tucked the tail of the gauze under the wrapping. “I have a feeling you will be reunited with your Queen sooner rather than later.”

Huh

“This weapon is as unique as you. Take good care of it, and she will return the favor.”

She? As in the wolven whose bones its made ougt of?

Concern radiated from her. “Be careful.” The female wolven pressed her forehead to Hisa’s. “But be brave,” she replied, kissing her. “Always,” Hisa confirmed. “But be brave,” I whispered, looking away. I liked that. Be careful but be brave. And we would all be that today.

Awwwww

“Why does the Consort sleep so deeply when Nyktos doesn’t?” Reaver looked down at his apple, not speaking for several long moments. “It’s the only way to stop her.”

Stop her from doing whhat?

“Primal magic is forbidden. It can change the threads of fate for a person. Not all Primal magic does, but some can, and you don’t want to mess with the Arae—not even for a pair of cufflinks. Never did find them.”

Im scared

“Was Vikter a spirit?” “No.” Tawny shook her head. “He’s a viktor.” I jolted. Something about the way she said that tugged at a memory that lingered just out of my reach. “What do you mean?” “I hope I can explain this well enough to be understood.” Tawny blew out a breath. “A viktor is born with a goal—to guard someone the Fates believe is destined to bring about some great change or purpose. I got the impression that not all are aware of their duty, and they end up being there for that person anyway—like the Fates bring them together. I think other viktors are aware and are involved in the lives of the ones they’re protecting. Once they die, either while carrying out their purpose or from any other cause, their souls return to Mount Lotho.”

he came into my life with one purpose: to protect me. Some of his last words came back to me then, squeezing my heart into pieces. I’m sorry for not protecting you. His belief that he’d failed me took on a whole new meaning now.

“‘From the…from the desperation of golden crowns and born of mortal flesh, a great primal power rises as the heir to the lands and seas, to the skies and all the realms. A shadow in the ember, a light in the flame, to become a fire in the flesh. When the stars fall from the night, the great mountains crumble into the seas, and old bones raise their swords beside the gods, the false one will be stripped from glory until two born of the same misdeeds, born of the same great and Primal power in the mortal realm.’”

“‘A first daughter, with blood full of fire, fated for the once-promised King. And the second daughter, with blood full of ash and ice, the other half of the future King. Together, they will remake the realms as they usher in the end. And so it will begin with the last Chosen blood spilled, the great conspirator birthed from the flesh and fire of the Primals will awaken as the Harbinger and the Bringer of Death and Destruction to the lands gifted by the gods. Beware, for the end will come from the west to destroy the east and lay waste to all which lies between,’” Tawny finished and twisted a pure white curl. “That’s it.”

“I don’t know. I wish Vikter could’ve told me more, but he told me this.” Tawny leaned in even closer then, over the table. “He told me you already knew her name.”

Coud it bee the goddess penelohe? I feel lkike no.

I never would’ve known that a Primal could be born to the mortal realm.” A Primal born to the mortal realm?

Wod that make poppyy a primal?

“I didn’t believe that,” she continued. “I said you’d come in through the back door. The mines.” The Handmaiden smiled, and Kieran cursed behind me, but there was something about her smile. Something familiar. “That’s what I would do.”

Oh myy godd. I think she might be her sister

“It is true, the rumors you’ve heard about our cities to the north and east. They have fallen. Their Rises torn down. The innocent raped and slaughtered, fed from and cursed.”

This makees me sso angry. Thats whaat SHE is doing not poppy

“And those left alive, now captives to barbaric rulers who have spent centuries plotting against us. The gods weep for us.” She leaned forward on the throne, spine straight as more lies spilled from her berry-hued lips. “Our enemy wants to end the glorious Rite—our honorable service to the gods.”

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

What in the hell? I stared into the gloom as the Handmaiden scrubbed her fingers through her hair, washing away what seemed to be some sort of dye, revealing a shade of blond so pale it was nearly white—

Def poppys sister. Who they referred to as thee first born

There was no way she wasn’t related to my Queen. “Who are you?” I choked out. “I’m the first daughter,”

WHAT DID I JUST SAY. Also figured this out so long ago to

“I wish it wasn’t because I know that no matter what I do—what anyone does—the Queen will succeed. Because you will also fail.” I leaned as far as the chain allowed. “Fail at what?” Millicent lifted her gaze to mine. “At killing my sister.”

WHAAT

“Yes,” she whispered. “You will be.” Neither of us said anything for several long moments. Finally, I looked at her, and all I saw was devotion in her eyes. To be on the receiving end of that? It made my fucking heart skip. “I don’t deserve you.” “Stop saying that. You do.”

Ugh i love them so much

“I don’t know. I mean…yes?” Her nose scrunched. “One day, far, far, far, far from now. Yes.” “When we’re not in the middle of a war, for example?” I smiled up at her. “And I’m ready to not be the center of your attention?”

Awww. But also i dontt wantt a prregancy trop e in the series. Thaat can be fullly off page lol

She’ll die in your arms.

I swear to god. This beettee not happen

Kieran was leaning against the wall, his head tipped back. His eyes opened, locking on mine. He went completely still as I closed the door. His mouth moved, but I heard no words as he lurched forward. I met him halfway. One or both of us staggered a little as we collided. His hand trembled as he clasped the back of my neck. The knot of emotion in my chest grew as I held him as close as I had Poppy, and in that silence, I thanked the gods—sleeping, dead, or whatever as I dropped my forehead to his shoulder. For him being there for Poppy. For him just being here. For a bond thicker than blood or tradition. “You whole?” Kieran asked in a voice that felt as rough as my throat. I closed my eyes. “Going to be.” “Good.” The hand at the nape of my neck firmed. “Missed you, man. Something fierce.” “Same.”

Awwww

“It’s not.” She turned her head down, kissing the tip of my finger. Her eyes fixed on Kieran. “It’s just that I don’t like using you as a—as a snack.” His brows flew up. “Well, first off, I don’t like to think of myself as a snack. More like a whole damn meal.” Dropping my face to the top of Poppy’s head, it took everything in me not to laugh.

Hahahaahah

“A god isn’t that powerful.” “I don’t think that’s what you are,”

Shes a primal

Feeling dizzy, I started to take a step back. Casteel’s hand came around the nape of my neck. He turned, stepping in close. “A Primal?” A slow grin spread across his lips as he caught my gaze, holding it. “I don’t know what I should call you. Queen? Highness? Neither seems fitting.” “Poppy,” I whispered. “Call me Poppy.” He bent his head, brushing his lips over the bridge of my nose as his mouth neared my ear. “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.

My skin kept flashing from hot to cold as I stared at Casteel’s brother, but I didn’t see him. I saw the man with shadows for a face. The cloaked figure. The Dark One. “Poppy.” Casteel’s concern radiated in waves as he shifted so he stood beside me. The sourness of shame crowded the back of my throat as Malik said roughly, his voice pitched low, “You remember.” That voice.

NO WAY

“You’re the Dark One,” Casteel said in that deceptively soft way of his. I swung to him, and I should’ve paid attention to him sooner. If I hadn’t been caught up in my discoveries, I would’ve sensed the void of icy rage forming beside me. “You led the Craven to the inn in Lockswood. You went there to kill her.” “The Craven followed the trail of blood I left behind,” he admitted. “It was the only way I knew I’d get past Coralena and Leo.”

Oh mgy gof

The Primal notam took on a whole new meaning now. Wonder swept through me once more, along with a lingering trace of disbelief as the pinch of concentration settled into her brow. My wife was a Primal god. Man, if I didn’t think I was worthy before…

I sat quietly beside Poppy as she slept under the walnut tree, having fallen asleep mere moments after placing her cheek on my rolled cloak. I didn’t want to disturb her, but I also couldn’t stop myself from touching her. It was as if I were under some sort of compulsion. I’d readjusted the cloak draped over her half a dozen times. I’d toyed with her hair, smoothing the wispy strands that had fallen on her cheek, and then waited hopefully for the breeze to undo my work so I had a good reason for touching her again.

Ugh

None of the others who survived the night would’ve been able to get her out of there.

Wait what. No one else survived that nivgth???

Other wolven surrounded me, and I gave up, remaining on my knee as they each came to either brush against me or push their head against mine. I gladly waited. For a wolven to do such a thing was a sign of respect, and I was honored to be on the receiving end.