Blood and Ash, #1
From Blood and Ash
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Contents
Chapter Forty-One
Overview
Casteel visits Poppy after her failed escape, insists she eat publicly under his protection, and parades executed conspirators to deter further attacks. Over dinner, he reveals Poppy is part Atlantian, confirms Ian lives as an Ascended, and announces they will depart at dawn for Atlantia to marry.
Summary
Poppy wakes from an unnaturally deep sleep to find Casteel at her bedside. They spar verbally about her stabbing him and his biting her, and he insists on feeding her and showing his people she is under his protection, or she risks being locked away.
On the way to dinner, Poppy sees Descenters and supporters nailed to the hall walls, including the mortal Mr. Tulis dead and the wolven Jericho dying. Casteel states this is punishment for their torture of Poppy and a warning to protect her safety, which both horrifies and unsettles her.
At the table with Kieran, Delano, Naill, and others, Poppy forces herself to eat while debating the display. She admits she feels little sympathy for the conspirators, yet argues they still deserve dignity in death. Casteel focuses on her wellbeing and presses her to eat before discussing plans.
Casteel announces they will leave in the morning for Atlantia. He then reveals, based on tasting her blood, that Poppy is part Atlantian, which explains her survival, gifts, and why she was made the Maiden. He also confirms he has watched Ian and believes her brother lives as an Ascended.
Finally, Casteel explains they must go home because Atlantians can only marry on their soil, and declares his intent to marry Poppy in Atlantia. The room falls silent as he lifts her hand, setting a decisive new course for them both.
Who Appears
- Poppy (Penellaphe Balfour)Struggles with Casteel’s control and public executions; learns she is part Atlantian; hears Ian is Ascended; told she’ll marry Casteel.
- Casteel Da’Neer (Hawke)Insists on Poppy’s public protection, displays executed traitors, reveals her mixed heritage, confirms Ian’s status, and declares departure to wed in Atlantia.
- Kieran ContouGuards Poppy, backs Casteel’s hard line, and prompts discussion that leads to Casteel’s marriage announcement.
- DelanoPresent at dinner; questions and reacts to the revelation that Poppy is part Atlantian.
- NaillAt dinner among Casteel’s group; observes events and plans.
- JerichoWolven conspirator displayed alive but mortally staked as punishment for torturing Poppy.
- Mr. TulisMortal conspirator displayed dead; his execution shocks Poppy despite his role in her torture.
- MagdaDescenter onlooker in the common area, watching Poppy and Casteel with speculative interest.