QUICK LINKS: Chapter Summary 1–12 | 13–25 | 38–45 // Review // Quotes
Chapter 26
Back in the room with Kieran, Cas reassures Poppy that he doesn’t need much blood. Despite her nerves, Poppy encourages Cas to take what he needs. Before feeding, Cas gives her one last chance to change her mind.
As Cas begins to feed, Kieran monitors Poppy’s pulse closely. Cas pulls away early, but Kieran and Poppy urge him to continue. The atmosphere grows more intense and intimate as the feeding progresses, even with Kieran present.
Eventually, Kieran tells Cas that he’s taken enough. After Poppy assures Kieran that she’s okay, he leaves. Cas then expresses his gratitude by giving Poppy pleasure. Afterward, Poppy tells him that he doesn’t need to thank her because it was her choice.
Later, while lying in bed, Cas asks if he can hold Poppy and pretend for a while. Poppy agrees, letting him embrace her.
Chapter 27
As Poppy changes into Cas’s oversized tunic and breeches, she reflects on the intensity of the feeding and the intimacy that followed. Cas suggests a trip to Spessa’s End. He then proposes that they pretend to be Hawke and Poppy and avoid thoughts of the past or future. They seal their agreement with a kiss.
At the stables, Poppy and Cas meet Coulton, a wolven who feels a strange, staticky sensation around Poppy. Cas arranges for two horses and teaches Poppy how to ride. As they ride, he explains the history and significance of Spessa’s End as reclaimed Atlantian land. Then, they hear the sounds of training and see the female warriors, the Guardians of Atlantia.
After a few minutes, Poppy and Cas reach the bustling Atlantian settlement. Poppy is instantly captivated by its vibrancy and life.
Chapter 28
Cas leads Poppy past the town center to a house where they meet Kieran. After Cas leaves, Kieran teases Poppy about her embarrassment over the morning’s events and offers tips to make future feedings less intimate. Poppy responds by punching him in the arm.
A short while later, Cas returns with Kieran’s sister, Vonetta. When Poppy and Vonetta shake hands, Vonetta feels the same static charge that Coulton and Kieran had experienced. During their meal, they discuss Poppy’s scent. Kieran describes it as smelling of death, while Vonetta says that it smells old.
The group’s conversation is abruptly interrupted by a crash outside. Rushing out, they find Alastir carrying an injured Beckett, hurt by a collapsing roof. Cas quickly orders someone to call the Healer. Alastir explains that Beckett has broken his back legs and needs to shift to mortal form to heal properly.
Seeing Beckett in pain, Poppy offers to help. As she touches him and eases his pain, her hands begin to glow unusually, and the glow spreads to her entire body.
Chapter 29
After Beckett shifts, Cas informs Poppy that she’s no longer glowing and has healed him. Poppy denies having the ability to heal, but Cas and the others confirm it. Alastir takes Beckett to the Healer, and Cas ushers the crowd away.
Once the crowd disperses, Vonetta and Cas discuss Poppy’s empath abilities. They speculate that they might be amplified by the Culling, being on Atlantian soil, or even Cas’s blood. After their conversation, Vonetta and Kieran leave to check on Beckett.
With the others gone, Poppy expresses her worry that Cas’s people might fear her and think she’s a Soul Eater. Cas suggests that she delay public displays of her abilities to avoid causing alarm, but she insists that she doesn’t want to hide who she is.
Not wanting to avoid the topic any longer, Cas proposes that they get married in Spessa’s End as soon as possible. Poppy realizes that Cas is downplaying his worries about his parents’ reaction and potential violence against her, but she agrees to marry him.
Chapter 30
The next day, Poppy and Cas meet with Alastir. As expected, he objects to their plan to marry without the King and Queen’s permission. Poppy counters by pointing out the reality of their situation and the likely negative reactions from Cas’s parents.
Once Alastir leaves, Poppy confides in Cas about her enhanced empathic abilities. She explains that she can now sense his emotions without actively using her gift. Cas reassures her by saying that she’s amazing and that his parents will eventually accept her.
Cas leads Poppy through a field of poppies and then guides her to hidden caverns with a beautiful hot spring. As they explore, Cas shares the caverns’ history and their significance to his childhood.
At the hot springs, Poppy and Cas undress and step into the warm water. As Poppy reflects on their relationship, Cas sucks the bite on her neck. He then suggests that they pretend again, but Poppy proposes that they drop the pretense and just be themselves.
Chapter 31
After they agree to stop pretending, Poppy and Cas share a passionate kiss that quickly leads to a more intimate encounter.
Kieran interrupts Poppy and Cas’s tender moment. Cas, still naked, steps out to meet Kieran and returns partially dressed. As Cas helps Poppy dry off and get dressed, Cas reassures her that their private moment will remain secret and that he’s careful about not risking pregnancy. Poppy feels hurt and reflects on their actions.
Later, as Poppy tries to eat her soup, she notices almost everyone staring, clearly having heard about her healing Beckett. Alastir, seeing her discomfort, asks if she would prefer to have dinner in her room, but she assures him that she’s fine.
As Poppy continues her meal, Beckett approaches and thanks her again for healing him, but she senses his fear before he moves away. Alastir’s comment about Cas reading at the dinner table as a child distracts Poppy from Beckett’s reaction.
Moments later, Alastir reveals that Cas had been promised to someone else, which shocks Poppy.
Chapter 32
Poppy feels hurt and angry at Alastir’s revelation. Cas denies agreeing to the betrothal. As tensions rise, Jasper and Kieran approach, with Jasper urging everyone to calm down.
Just then, an Atlantian speaks out against Poppy. Poppy vehemently rejects his view of her as a poisonous viper and firmly states that she’s not one of the Ascended.
Cas then confesses that he initially planned to use Poppy as ransom, but now he loves her and accepts his brother’s fate. Poppy admits that she was initially angry but now acknowledges her genuine feelings for Cas. Jasper then expresses his acceptance of Poppy.
Despite Jasper’s acceptance, Poppy senses lingering hatred from many Atlantians. She excuses herself and steps outside.
Kieran soon finds Poppy and escorts her back to her room. Moments later, she breaks down upon realizing the door is unlocked and that she’s no longer caged. She reflects on her growing love for Cas despite his past deception and the fact that he doesn’t love her. She then decides to prioritize the safety of both her brother and Cas’s brother, along with the people of Solis, over her feelings.
Later, Poppy wakes up, clutching her dagger in hand, startled by the presence of someone in the bed with her.
Chapter 33
Awoken by Cas, Poppy recalls Alastir’s revelation and confronts Cas about his betrothal to Gianna. Cas explains that the betrothal was his father’s expectation, but he never agreed to it and never intended to follow through.
Unmoved, Poppy confronts Cas about his deceptions and demands answers about his past. Cas reveals his unexpected feelings for her. These feelings overshadowed his original plans. He admits that he couldn’t give her up, even for his brother, and explains that his reasons for not forgetting Shea were different from what Poppy assumed.
Emil interrupts Poppy and Cas’s conversation with urgent news that “the sky is on fire.”
Chapter 34
Pausing their conversation, Poppy and Cas step outside and see a large fire in the distance, casting a reddish-orange glow across the sky. They head to the Rise for a better view and find Kieran and Jasper already there. The four of them agree that it’s not the sky itself that’s burning but something else. They wait for Dante and Delano to return with news.
Hours later, Jasper, Kieran’s father, joins Poppy by the parapet wall as she watches for Dante and Delano. Jasper officially introduces himself to Poppy. They then discuss her upcoming wedding to Cas. Jasper believes in their relationship’s sincerity but doubts Poppy is an empath.
Suddenly, a badly injured Delano returns alone. Poppy heals him, glowing as she does. Once Delano shifts back to his mortal form, he reveals that the Ascended are on their way.
Chapter 35
Delano reports that the Ascended have attacked Pompay, resulting in massive destruction. He reveals that an army of nearly eight hundred, split into two groups, is heading toward Spessa’s End. He also shares the devastating news that Dante was killed by an arrow to the head.
Realizing that they are outnumbered and Spessa’s End has limited defenses, the group quickly formulates a plan. Cas instructs Alastir to go to Atlantia for reinforcements and sends Kieran with him. He tells Poppy to leave with Alastir and Kieran, but she refuses, determined to stay and fight, knowing the Ascended are coming for her.
Eventually, Cas agrees to let Poppy stay and fight but insists on sending Kieran away for his safety.
Kieran and Alastir head to Atlantia for reinforcements while Poppy trains with Vonetta in the courtyard for the upcoming battle.
Later that night, Cas returns to the room. Despite needing rest, Poppy and Cas continue their conversation. Cas opens up about his deep feelings for her and reveals Shea’s betrayal: Shea sacrificed Malik to save herself and later tried to trade Cas’s life for her freedom. While Alastir believes Shea died a hero, it was actually Cas who killed her.
Chapter 36
Poppy confesses that she fell in love with Cas first as Hawke and then as Cas, despite her initial anger and guilt. She admits that her feelings are complex and she has fears, but she can’t deny her love. Cas reassures her that her heart will always be safe with him. He then asks her to marry him, and she happily agrees.
Later that day, Poppy gets ready for her wedding with Vonetta’s help, wearing Vonetta’s beautiful gown. Just before the ceremony, Poppy tucks her wolven dagger into a sheath on her thigh.
Chapter 37
As the officiant, Jasper explains the simple Atlantian wedding ceremony to Poppy. He explains that Poppy and Cas will place their rings in the soil and make small cuts on their palms, and after performing the ritual, a golden mark will appear on their palms, symbolizing their union.
Just as the ceremony concludes, the sky turns completely black, a powerful omen that is believed to signify Nyktos‘ approval of their union.
Back in their room, Cas explains that the marriage imprint will only disappear upon death or decree. Poppy asks about being heartmates. Afterward, they share blood, an Atlantian tradition meant to strengthen their bond, and then make love.
Poppy and Cas are soon awakened by a songbird’s call, a signal that the Ascended have arrived.
