Chapter Thirty-Six

In her cell, Poppy confronts Hawke about chaining her and the threat outside. Hawke refuses to kill her, implying she is valuable alive. He reveals he learned of the Duke’s abuse and admits he killed the Duke, saying the Lord would have been next if Poppy hadn’t slain him. Despite Poppy’s fury and humiliation, he insists they must talk.

Hawke notices Poppy’s wound and, despite her resistance, cleans and dresses it. As he tends her, Poppy questions whether any of their intimacy was real, and Hawke withholds a direct answer. He begins recounting an alternate history: King Malec first Ascended a mortal, Isbeth, creating the first vampry; Atlantians are distinct from vamprys; Ascended cannot endure sunlight, must feed on blood, and create Craven when they drain mortals.

Hawke claims Atlantians feed on Atlantians, can heal mortals without turning them, and that Ascended use a captive Atlantian to complete Ascensions. He says Queen Eloana outlawed Ascensions, the vamprys rebelled, and the War of Two Kings ended with Malec overthrown, while the vamprys rebranded as the Ascended of Solis. He alleges the Rite’s third sons and daughters are food for Ascended and that “blood disease” deaths hide bloodlust killings.

Poppy attacks in anger and denial. Hawke restrains her, denying involvement in the Rite massacre and Vikter’s death, blaming Descenters acting independently, though he admits roles in other killings. He tells Poppy she has never been free and declares she belongs to him, yet also reveals his own past: branded with the Royal Crest and imprisoned in a Temple for decades, bled to complete Ascensions and abused by the Queen.

Pulling away, Hawke states Poppy will be ransomed for Prince Malik, who was captured freeing him. He further reveals Atlantia’s King Da’Neer and Queen Eloana are alive and that he is leaving to inform them he has Poppy. As he departs, he tells her, “Not everything was a lie,” leaving Poppy shaken between disbelief and dawning questions.