Chapter Thirty

In the freezing Blood Forest camp, Poppy lies awake, too cold and on edge to sleep. Hawke approaches, notes how chilled she is, and lies behind her under his blanket, insisting it’s to prevent her from freezing and to intervene if her nightmares cause a scream that could draw Craven.

As they settle, their teasing turns personal. Hawke reveals Vikter warned him about Poppy’s nightmares, stirring grief. He prods gently at Poppy’s discomfort with being the Maiden and the looming Ascension. Poppy admits she never wanted this destiny, fears the gods and the ritual’s secrecy, and worries about a loveless future; she contrasts this with her parents’ love and confesses she went to the Red Pearl to experience life.

Hawke affirms her longing for choice, calling the rules archaic, and notes she’s not what he expected. The conversation underscores their growing intimacy and shared tension between duty and desire. Hawke then promises to relax her so she can sleep, slipping his hand beneath her blanket and clothing.

Mindful of nearby guards, he discreetly stimulates her, coaxing Poppy to embrace sensation despite the risk of being discovered. He stops short of more, vowing he wants to hear every sound when they finally fully come together. Poppy climaxes as he silences her moan with his hand and holds her until her breathing slows.

Spent and finally warm, Poppy drifts into sleep while Hawke quietly claims he was right that she’d relax. The moment cements their deepening, forbidden connection and heightens the stakes as they continue toward Carsodonia.