Blood and Ash, #2
A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Contents
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Overview
On Spessa’s End’s Rise, Casteel and Poppy ready outnumbered defenses as a vanguard from Solis arrives with catapults. Duchess Teerman parleyes, demanding the Maiden.
Teerman claims Queen Ileana is not Ascended and that Poppy is her granddaughter. Poppy rejects the manipulation. The Duchess answers by launching severed heads, including Elijah’s, beginning open war.
Summary
Under moonlight, Poppy and Casteel cross the Rise, preparing for the Ascended’s approach. Emil reports a smaller vanguard of about two hundred with catapults, likely supported by a larger force behind them. Hope rests on Kieran and Alastir bringing reinforcements. Casteel insists Poppy keep her hood up and fight from the battlements. Their private exchange reveals Casteel’s jealousy and their deepening bond as townsfolk archers and Guardians take positions; Spessa’s End can muster only one hundred and twenty-six defenders.
As torches light the road, Casteel stands visible to the oncoming force while Poppy readies a bow. A crimson, crest-marked carriage arrives, revealing Duchess Teerman, escorted by knights. Teerman confirms Casteel’s identity as Prince Casteel and mocks him as the Ascendeds’ “pet,” then proposes terms: return the Maiden and the vanguard will leave, with future attempts to capture Casteel expected. She tries to lure Poppy by invoking Ian.
Poppy steps into view and rejects Teerman’s claims. Teerman counters with provocative revelations: the first Maiden existed; Poppy “belongs” to the Queen; Poppy’s mother was Queen Ileana’s daughter, making Poppy the Queen’s granddaughter, and that Ileana is not Ascended. Poppy condemns the lies, citing years of abuse and control under the Rite and the Duke. Casteel warns of manipulation; Poppy refuses to believe Teerman.
When words fail, Teerman orders the “gifts.” Catapults hurl grisly sacks over the walls; they burst into severed heads that smear the stone. Among them are allies and innocents—Magda, Keev the wolven, and the Atlantian who refused Poppy’s touch. A blood-stained bearded head stops at Casteel’s feet: Elijah. The spectacle ends the parley and announces the brutal terms of the coming battle.
Who Appears
- Penellaphe (Poppy)Protagonist; prepares to defend the Rise, rebuffs Teerman’s manipulation, rejects claim of being Ileana’s granddaughter, and witnesses the catapulted heads.
- Casteel Da’NeerPrince of Atlantia; commands defenses, parleyes with Teerman, vows protection, reveals jealousy, and endures Elijah’s death reveal.
- Duchess Jacinda TeermanAscended leader at the parley; demands the Maiden, claims Ileana isn’t Ascended and Poppy is her granddaughter, orders catapulted heads.
- EmilScout-commander; reports enemy numbers, catapults, and conditional hope for reinforcements; exchanges banter with Casteel and Poppy.
- NaillAtlantean ally; explains titles, underscores uncertain reinforcements, helps organize defenses on the Rise.
- ElijahAtlantean ally; revealed dead when his severed head is hurled onto the Rise, shocking the defenders.
- KeevWolven; one of the severed heads catapulted into Spessa’s End, demonstrating enemy brutality.
- MagdaVillager and mother of a fallen woman; among the severed heads launched as terror tactics.