Blood and Ash, #2
A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Contents
Chapter Twenty-Six
Overview
Poppy lets Casteel feed with Kieran supervising, preventing him from losing control. The feeding intensifies into mutual intimacy, easing Casteel’s hunger and revealing deeper desire and trust between them. In the quiet aftermath, Casteel vulnerably asks to hold Poppy, and she agrees, signaling a decisive shift in their bond.
Summary
Poppy steels herself as Casteel hesitates to feed, with Kieran insisting he take enough to recover. Casteel warns Kieran to intervene if needed. Kieran checks Poppy’s pulse as Casteel approaches, and Poppy reassures him to take what he needs. The initial bite hurts, then gives way to powerful pleasure and Casteel’s easing hunger.
Kieran urges Casteel to continue when he tries to stop too soon. As Casteel feeds, their open bond amplifies mutual desire, and the moment shifts from necessity to intense sensuality. Casteel presses Poppy back against Kieran, who holds position until he commands Casteel to stop. Casteel withdraws, seals the bite, and supports Poppy as she clings to him, overwhelmed.
When Kieran departs, Casteel gently lays Poppy on the bed. Still connected through their bond, Casteel offers to ease her lingering ache as gratitude. With Poppy’s consent, he pleasures her, keeping distance at first but yielding when she demands closer contact. She climaxes; he unintentionally spends, then sheepishly admits it wasn’t intended, emphasizing the act was meant for her.
They share quiet tenderness as Poppy reflects that neither the feeding nor what followed feels wrong. Casteel cleans up and returns, expecting to leave, but instead asks if he can simply hold her. Poppy agrees. He embraces her, and she allows herself to enjoy the closeness, marking a deepening, more vulnerable turn in their relationship.
Who Appears
- Poppy (Penellaphe)Offers her blood to Casteel, experiences intense shared desire, and consents to intimate aftercare; accepts his vulnerable request to hold her.
- Casteel Da’NeerFeeds while on edge, nearly loses control but stops; tenderly gratifies Poppy and later seeks simple closeness, revealing vulnerability.
- Kieran ContouMonitors Poppy’s pulse and manages the feeding’s limits, intervening verbally to ensure Casteel stops before harming Poppy.