QUICK LINKS: Chapter Summary 1–7 | 8–20 | 21–35 // Review // Quotes
Chapter 36
Hawke tells Poppy he knows about the Duke’s “lessons” and admits he killed the Duke. Noticing her injuries, he scolds her for not saying anything sooner. As he tends to her wounds, she asks if any of it was true. Instead of answering her question, he reveals that Atlantians created the Craven.
Hawke explains to Poppy that the Ascended are vampry who feed on mortals due to their intense blood lust. He reveals that the children given up during the Rite are used to feed the Ascended, and if those fed upon are drained but not killed, they become the Craven. He then shares that he knows firsthand what happens during an Ascension because he was held and fed upon for five decades.
Poppy is confused and unsure of what to believe. She asks Hawke why they need her alive. He explains that they plan to trade her for Prince Malik, the Dark One’s brother and the true heir to Atlantia’s throne. As Hawke prepares to leave to meet King Da’Neer of Atlantia, he tells Poppy they will arrange a more comfortable place for her to sleep. He also insists that not everything he said or did was a lie.
Chapter 37
Poppy struggles to reconcile Hawke’s claims with her own knowledge. She also questions everything the Ascended taught her. As she fights back tears over Hawke, Naill—an Atlantian—and Delano arrive to move her to better quarters. Poppy sees a chance to escape, but her plan is disrupted when Jericho and six others who want her dead appear.
A violent fight erupts. Before shifting, Delano hands Poppy his sword and urges her to defend herself. Despite their efforts, Delano and Naill are quickly overpowered. Poppy kills Rolf to save Delano, but a wolven attacks her from behind. Jericho kicks Poppy hard in the ribs, but she manages to briefly incapacitate him. Poppy locks eyes with Mr. Tulis, who then stabs her.
Poppy collapses, unable to move. Laughter surrounds her as Jericho prepares to deliver the killing blow, but Kieran intervenes just in time. Delano, in wolven form, checks on her and howls. Kieran, in his mortal form, urgently orders someone to bring the Prince.
Chapter 38
Hawke urges Poppy to open her eyes. Poppy hears his voice and forces her eyes open. He promises to take her pain away and vows not to let her die. Hawke offers Poppy his blood to heal her wounds, but she hesitates, afraid that she might transform. Eventually, he compels her to drink. As she does, her wounds begin to heal, and she feels a powerful sensation and an intense need.
When the need subsides, Poppy realizes Hawke is actually Prince Casteel “Cas” Da’Neer, the Dark One. Devastated by his betrayal and the deaths he has caused, she attacks Cas. Poppy then grabs the bloodstone dagger that Mr. Tulis used on her and stabs Cas in the chest.
Chapter 39
After Poppy stabs Cas, she breaks down in tears and apologizes. She flees into the snowy forest, but Cas catches up to her. Cas tells Poppy that Atlantians can’t be killed with a stab to the heart and accuses her of forgetting that their connection was real. He then bites her and feeds on her blood, which quickly leads to something more sexual between them. Later, Cas asks Poppy if she regrets it, and she realizes she does not.
As Poppy and Cas walk back inside to clean up and change, Cas tells Poppy that he’s taking her home to Atlantia.
Chapter 40
Cas leaves Poppy in the room where she stabbed him, and Kieran stands guard. Poppy asks Kieran if Atlantia still exists and wasn’t destroyed during the war, as she was led to believe. Kieran reveals that Atlantia is hidden beyond the vast Skotos Mountains, cloaked in a protective mist.
As Poppy bathes, she reflects on everything that’s happened, what she’s learned about the Ascended, and her confusing feelings for Cas. Poppy dozes off in the bath, and Kieran wakes her. He tells her to get out, as Cas wouldn’t want her in cold, dirty water. Poppy snaps back that she doesn’t care what Cas wants. Kieran tells her that she should care “because [Cas] wants [her], even though he knows better, even though he knows it will end in tragedy.”
Chapter 41
Cas returns to the room to escort Poppy to dinner. Poppy resists, but Cas convinces her that the people need to see she’s under his protection. Reluctantly, Poppy agrees to join Cas and Kieran.
As Poppy steps into the common area, she is horrified to see the bodies of her attackers staked to the wall. Jericho is still alive and suffering a slow death. Cas asks Poppy if she disapproves of what he did to her attackers. Poppy replies that, although she doesn’t feel sympathy for them since they reveled in her suffering, she believes they still deserve dignity in death.
As Poppy begins to eat, Cas tells her that they will leave for Atlantia in the morning. He reveals that she is half-Atlantian, which explains her unique abilities and her importance to the Ascended. Cas also informs Poppy that they must return home to marry, as Atlantian marriages require both parties to be on Atlantian soil.
Quote It or It Didn’t Happen: From Blood and Ash Quotes
“With my sword and with my life, I vow to keep you safe, Penellaphe,” he spoke, voice deep and smooth, reminding me of rich, decadent chocolate. “From this moment until the last moment, I am yours.”
“You’re such a bad influence,” I murmured as I placed my hand in his. Hawke curled his fingers around mine. The weight and warmth of his hand was a pleasant shock. “Only the bad can be influenced, Princess.”
“Promise me you won’t forget this, Poppy. That no matter what happens tomorrow, the next day, next week, you won’t forget this, forget that this was real.”
