Chapter Thirteen

Alastir brings Poppy to a guarded library, where Casteel pulls her into his lap. They address Alastir’s likely doubts about their engagement and his offer to help Poppy escape, which she already refused. When Poppy asks about Casteel’s father’s plans, Casteel reveals his parents want him to take the throne, but he refuses, claiming Malik as the rightful heir and reaffirming his goal to free his brother.

Poppy and Kieran note they must convincingly display affection to sway Alastir and, later, the King and Queen. Casteel leaves to reassure Alastir before he departs to check the roads, then permits Poppy to remain in the library with Kieran.

Exploring old shelves, Poppy uncovers forgotten Atlantian census records detailing long-lived citizens and extinct bloodlines: wivern (large cat shifters), draken (winged, fire-breathing), and ceeren (water folk). Kieran reacts to a startling “static” shock when he brushes Poppy’s arm, which Casteel explains can disrupt wolven control, then departs. Casteel returns as Poppy’s questions mount.

Casteel expands on history: draken likely vanished to slumber with the gods; ceeren faded via intermixing or despair after Saion slept. He introduces “senturion” warrior lines with elemental and other powers, and recounts a devastating uprising where elementals and some warriors slew most deities. He reveals King Malec, a deity, created the first vampry before being overthrown.

Linking history to Poppy, Casteel describes empath warriors—deities’ favored fighters who sensed and amplified emotions to rout armies. He proposes Poppy descends from them, explaining her emotional sensing, her inability to read the Ascended, and her martial aptitude. The realization feels right to Poppy, and a near-kiss moment follows.

They are interrupted when Naill brings urgent news: watchers have sighted the Ascended approaching from the western roads, abruptly shifting the chapter from discovery to imminent confrontation.