Blood and Ash, #2
A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Contents
Chapter Twenty-Three
Overview
Poppy reels from Casteel’s feral state as Kieran explains his starvation, trauma, and the danger if he doesn’t feed. Walking to Stygian Bay, they discuss Malik, Shea, and Casteel’s past. Kieran argues Casteel’s choices prove he cares, forcing Poppy to confront her own feelings. He concludes they may be heartmates.
Summary
Poppy wakes shaken by Casteel’s near-feral behavior and confirms to Kieran that Casteel didn’t hurt or force her. Kieran explains Casteel’s black eyes and aggression stem from starvation and being startled out of torture-fueled nightmares, making him possessive and dangerous if he gets closer to the edge.
Pressed, Kieran reveals that if Casteel had truly been at the brink, Kieran would be dead and Poppy turned or killed. He urges Poppy to prepare before Casteel returns and admits Casteel hasn’t fed despite opportunities, likely worsening his instability.
Kieran takes Poppy to Stygian Bay. As they walk, he shares memories: Casteel once dove into the Bay to save a drowning girl; Malik was kind and playful; if Malik lives, he’ll be changed. When Poppy mentions Shea via Alastir, Kieran warns her never to raise the topic with Casteel.
Kieran outlines how Casteel’s recent choices—giving Poppy blood, not compelling her, changing the exchange plan, agreeing to marry—show he cares. Poppy resists but admits she cared for Casteel before the betrayal and still does, fearing heartbreak, mortality differences, and betraying the dead.
Kieran explains Atlantians who care find feeding from others repellent, which is why Casteel hasn’t fed, increasing Poppy’s risk. He suggests their bond is deeper than shared blood—possibly that they are heartmates—leaving Poppy stunned by the implications.
Who Appears
- Poppy (Penellaphe)Protagonist; processes Casteel’s feral episode, debates her feelings, learns his hunger and trauma, and hears they might be heartmates.
- KieranWolven; explains Casteel’s starvation and nightmares, warns of risks, shares past stories, and asserts Casteel cares. Suggests they’re heartmates.
- Casteel Da’NeerAbsent on-page but central; starving and traumatized, nearly loses control. His choices indicate care; hasn’t fed due to feelings.
- Malik Da’NeerDiscussed; once kind and playful, likely alive but changed under Ascended control. A key motive for their plan.
- AlastirMentioned; told Poppy about Shea, prompting Kieran’s warning not to raise the subject with Casteel.
- SheaMentioned; Casteel’s former fiancée whose memory is painful. Kieran cautions Poppy never to bring her up.