Blood and Ash, #2
A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Contents
Chapter Seven
Overview
Poppy wakes from a traumatic nightmare of the Craven attack, and Casteel soothes her. He reveals harrowing details of his captivity and the revenge that sustained him, while Poppy acknowledges the Duke’s abuse and her killing of Lord Mazeen. They plan to depart for Spessa’s End and, despite tension, find uneasy comfort together.
Summary
Poppy dreams of the night her family was attacked, seeing blood-soaked rooms, her mother trying to hide her, and a taunting voice calling her a “pretty poppy.” She wakes screaming in the keep, held in Casteel’s arms while dawn light filters in. His steady embrace calms her, and he assures her she is safe.
Casteel shares his own history of nightmares and details of his captivity by the Ascended: deliberate starvation to hinder healing, branding, being forced to kill feeders in bloodlust, and sexual violations used to break him. He admits that vengeful purpose—killing Queen Ileana and King Jalara—sustained him. Poppy says she survived by refusing to be helpless again, crediting Vikter’s training.
They revisit her nightmare words—“What a pretty poppy. Pick it and watch it bleed”—and consider whether the memory overlaps with later trauma. Casteel reveals he learned of Duke Teerman’s “lessons” via compulsion on a guard. Poppy admits the Duke punished her often, sometimes with Lord Mazeen present. She tells Casteel she decapitated Mazeen, which he praises with dark humor.
They discuss plans to leave for Spessa’s End when the storm clears. Restless, Poppy can’t sleep, so Casteel merely holds her, warning her not to wriggle as desire sparks between them. Despite unresolved issues about marriage and trust, the closeness brings relief. Eventually, Poppy sleeps again, dreamless.
Who Appears
- Poppy (Penellaphe Balfour)Protagonist; relives the Craven attack in a nightmare, discusses the Duke’s abuse, and admits to killing Lord Mazeen; accepts Casteel’s comfort.
- Casteel Da'Neer (Hawke)Comforts Poppy; reveals details of his torture and the revenge that sustained him; acknowledges knowledge of the Duke’s abuse; plans departure.
- Duke TeermanOff-page abuser; his brutal ‘lessons’ are discussed as overlapping Poppy’s trauma; source of lasting shame and pain.
- Lord MazeenParticipated in the Duke’s punishments; Poppy recalls killing him by severing his hand and head.
- Poppy’s motherAppears in Poppy’s nightmare, trying to hide her during the attack; her words may link to the taunting rhyme.
- Mr. LacostInnkeeper from Poppy’s memory; seen dead in the nightmare, highlighting the attack’s brutality.
- Queen Ileana and King JalaraRulers Casteel blames for his captivity; his vow to kill them fueled his survival.
- Kieran ContouMentioned as likely to check on them; part of their immediate plans after the storm.
- Vikter WardellRemembered mentor whose training helped Poppy resist helplessness and manage fear.