Chapter Three

Locked in her room, Poppy paces and reflects on Kieran’s claim that Casteel is the only person she need not fear. She rejects that, recalling Casteel’s lethal efficiency and her own capacity for violence with Lord Mazeen. She mourns the loss of Hawke’s persona and questions what, if anything, Casteel feels for her.

Her thoughts turn to the Ascended: Vikter’s death by Casteel’s followers, the slain Ladies in Wait, and Queen Ileana’s tenderness contrasted with Casteel’s accusation that the Queen branded and deceived him. Poppy wonders if the Queen knew Poppy was half-Atlantian and whether Ian has truly Ascended—and if so, what he has become.

Resolving to choose her own path, Poppy decides to escape and find Ian herself rather than be traded by Casteel. She steels herself to help Ian if he is still good—or end him if he preys on innocents. Unable to wait, she uses a meat knife, recalling Ian’s lessons, to pick the lock and slip from her room.

Poppy quickly gathers her cloak and gear, forgoes searching the stables for her lost wolven dagger, and slips into the snowy night. She heads into the forest, aiming to reach Whitebridge on foot and eventually join travel to the capital, even considering revealing herself as the Maiden if necessary.

As she pushes deeper into the woods, she hears branches snap. A large wolven emerges: Kieran. Poppy refuses to surrender, warning she will fight him rather than return. A familiar voice cuts in from the darkness—Casteel—declaring that if she seeks a fight, she will fight him, ending the chapter on a direct confrontation.