Blood and Ash, #1
From Blood and Ash
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Contents
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Overview
Poppy flees after stabbing Casteel, but he captures her in the snow and reveals a heart stab can’t kill an Atlantian. He bites her, provoking overwhelming desire, and they have sex despite mutual anger. Afterward, Poppy eases his pain with her gift, and Casteel declares he’s taking her to Atlantia.
Summary
Poppy stabs Casteel and flees the keep in shock, convinced she killed him. In the snowy woods, Casteel seizes her, revealing that a heart wound cannot kill an Atlantian and accusing her of forgetting what between them was real.
Casteel bites Poppy, and the initial pain transforms into intense arousal. He pulls away, then kisses her; their desire overwhelms them, and they have urgent sex in the snow despite their betrayal and anger.
Afterward, Casteel dresses Poppy with his shirt and calmly acknowledges her attempted murder, explaining his rapid healing and that feeding helped. Poppy checks his wound with her gift, senses his pain and anguish, and takes the pain from him.
Hinting that her power explains why she was made the Maiden, Casteel carries Poppy back inside to clean up and find clothes. He then tells her he’s taking her “home”—not to Masadonia or Carsodonia, but to Atlantia.
Who Appears
- Poppy (Penellaphe Balfour)Flees after stabbing Casteel, is bitten, gives in to desire, eases his pain with her gift, and hears his plan to take her to Atlantia.
- Prince Casteel Da’Neer (Hawke)Survives heart stab, bites Poppy, has sex with her, accepts her attack without rage, healed quickly, vows to take her to Atlantia.