The War of Two Queens

Poppy leads a small force of wolven and soldiers through the dangerous Pinelands near Massene, a city under the control of the Blood Crown. She seeks to reclaim Oak Ambler, a key port, and free Casteel. As they reach the city, Poppy and the others find the bodies of innocents impaled on the city gates, veiled in the same garments she was once forced to wear as a Handmaiden. Poppy is consumed with rage, but with Kieran’s help, she gets control of her powers to avoid prematurely giving themselves away.

They quickly and quietly take down the city’s guards and, once inside, overpower the remaining guards and Ascended, including Duke Silvan, who led the atrocities. Poppy offers mercy to the Duke if he surrenders information, but he mocks her intentions and predicts her war will only lead to death and chaos. Poppy kills the Duke. As she watches him die, she feels nothing for the first time since her husband’s imprisonment.

Nearly a month has passed since Casteel’s capture, and Poppy is struggling with guilt, helplessness, and frustration. While sitting at a meal, she thinks about how she might have prevented his imprisonment if she acted differently. She temporarily loses control of her powers, making her glow and shaking the table. Kieran calms her but expresses concern about her mental state and lack of rest. Poppy says she’s worried about the ongoing war efforts and the upcoming siege of Oak Ambler. She feels she should be on the front lines, but Kieran reminds her that she’s doing important work strategizing and dealing with the aftermath of taking Massene.

When Vonetta and Emil return from their mission in Oak Ambler, they report that many mortals in the city are ready to support the rebellion. They seem receptive to the idea of Poppy as a god and Queen, but there are still those who remain loyal to the Ascended. Emil also delivers a message from the Duke and Duchess Ravarel, rulers of Oak Ambler, saying they will not surrender.

Poppy has a nightmare of the moment from her childhood when her adoptive mother, Coralena, was attacked by Craven, and her father’s friend abandoned them. She wakes to find Kieran, who is close by in his wolven form. Despite his presence, Poppy is anxious about Casteel and the war, and, unable to sleep, Poppy ventures through Cauldra Manor. As she explores the library, Poppy discovers ancient ledgers that seem to suggest that the Rite existed long before the Ascended ruled Solis, which contradicts everything she’s been told about the Rite being a creation of the Ascended.

Poppy is interrupted by an elderly woman named Vessa, who says she knows Poppy is prophesied to end the realms. Vessa tries to stab Poppy, but Poppy subdues her without causing harm. Kieran arrives, concerned for Poppy’s safety, and together with Naill and Emil, they secure Vessa in a room. Afterward, Poppy shares what she found with Kieran and speculates that the Rite may have originated with the gods and could be connected to the creation of Revenants.

Poppy wanders through the ruins surrounding Cauldra Manor, accompanied by Delano and Reaver, the draken who has taken his mortal form. During her conversation with Reaver, he says that, although she is powerful, she has not yet completed her Culling, meaning she still has vulnerabilities and must feed to maintain her strength. Poppy also learns that shadowstone can kill a god.

As Poppy heads back to the manor, they are met by Kieran, Emil, and Perry. They have a small box, which a Royal Guard delivered from the Blood Queen, after which the man died by suicide. The box is only opened after a drop of Poppy’s blood is placed on the latch. Inside, she finds Casteel’s severed finger, still wearing his wedding ring.

The sight of Casteel’s finger triggers a surge of wrath in Poppy, and she begins to lose control. She vows to destroy the Blood Queen and lay waste to Solis, ready to abandon all plans in her quest for revenge. Kieran pleads with her, saying that if she gives in to her anger, innocents will die, and she will become the thing the Blood Queen wants her to be.

Poppy calms down at his words, but Casteel is still her priority. Kieran agrees they should go to Carsodonia to rescue him, but they need support. Poppy proposes to bring Reaver with them. She also says that she will eventually need to feed to maintain her strength, and Kieran offers his blood.

The constant pain from Casteel’s wounds and his hunger gnaws at him, but he is also consumed by worry for Poppy and the torment of knowing the Blood Queen sent his finger to her. The arrival of the Handmaiden, Millicent, interrupts his thoughts. She teases him about his situation and mentions his brother, Malik, but won’t elaborate on his location. She also mentions Isbeth’s plans to remake the realms and that, while she doesn’t have the power, she’s going to awaken something that does.

Meanwhile, in Cauldra Manor, Poppy prepares for the upcoming battle and their mission to rescue Casteel. She appoints Vonetta as Crown Regent and finalizes their plans for the siege of Oak Ambler. She acknowledges the risk of traveling to Carsodonia but is determined to save Casteel, no matter the cost.

Poppy dreams of being in a heated pool in a cavern filled with lilacs where she and Casteel reunite. Later in the dream, as Casteel becomes aware of the surreal nature of their encounter, Poppy questions if this is real. As the dream ends, Casteel begs Poppy to find him.

When Poppy wakes, she realizes she can still smell the pine, spice, and lilac from the dream. Kieran, asleep beside her, wakes, and Poppy talks with him about the possibility that her connection with Casteel as heartmates allows them to enter each other’s dreams. Their conversation is interrupted by a sudden, violent storm and tremors that rock the manor. As the storm intensifies, the draken fall from the sky. Poppy tries to use her powers to revive them but is told by Reaver that only the Primal of Life can restore beings of two worlds. Poppy confronts Vessa and realizes that the woman has been serving Isbeth and using Primal magic to sabotage them. Poppy destroys Vessa in a surge of light and eather.

Poppy gathers with Reaver, Kieran, and other trusted allies. Reaver says that Vessa smelled like Death and, when pressed, reveals that the former Primal of Death was Kolis. Although he was thought to be entombed and long forgotten, Reaver explains that someone, likely Isbeth, learned how to harness Kolis’s essence. He also confirms the Revenants were Kolis’s creation, imbued with the essence of eather, and explains that the Ascended manipulated this process to create their own Revenants.

Despite her anger at Isbeth, Poppy feels responsible for their deaths, because she was the one who summoned them. As she reflects on the risks her loved ones face, especially Kieran, she considers undergoing the Joining.

Poppy prepares to meet with Valyn Da’Neer and the generals to discuss the upcoming siege of Oak Ambler. Vonetta and Kieran advise her to wear the crown as a reminder of her authority, especially for the generals who may not fully trust or respect her. When Valyn and the generals arrive, Poppy senses their doubts and distrust but stands firm while laying out the plan to seize Oak Ambler and block the Blood Crown’s access to the port. Some generals question her need to minimize harm to civilians and the city’s infrastructure. Aylard and Murin argue for more brutal tactics, but Poppy, backed by Kieran and Hisa, insists on a more humane approach and that they must win the trust of Solis’s people. Poppy also announces her plan to travel to Carsodonia with a small group to rescue Casteel after Oak Ambler is secured. Valyn pleads with her to reconsider, but Poppy says her mind will not be changed.