The War of Two Queens

As Poppy helps Casteel bathe, he listens to her recount what happened during his absence, including Isbeth’s revelations. He grapples with the guilt of not being there for her and being helpless during his captivity. Poppy reassures him, telling him he doesn’t always have to be strong around her. Casteel admits that he isn’t fully healed emotionally but knows he will be with her. The conversation takes a lighthearted, teasing turn as they talk about their future together, including the possibility of having children.

However, beneath their affectionate banter, he struggles with the knowledge that he has to tell Poppy about her sister, Millicent, and the warning that she will die in his arms. For now, he chooses to keep the information to himself and let her rest.

After Poppy falls asleep, Casteel meets Kieran outside their room. They discuss the physical and emotional toll Casteel’s captivity took on him, and Casteel tells him that Millicent is Poppy’s full-blooded sister. They also discuss the reality that Poppy’s powers are greater than they realized, as she can summon and create the Primal mist.

Casteel reluctantly wakes Poppy as the sun rises, knowing that they need to discuss their next moves and that she needs to feed. Kieran offers her his blood, and after some lighthearted teasing, Poppy feeds from him. With her desire intensified after seeing Kieran’s memories again, Casteel and Poppy have sex. Afterward, Casteel tells Poppy that Millicent is her sister.

Poppy initially rejects the idea of Millicent being her sister, but Casteel points out their strong resemblance. Though she still struggles to accept it, Poppy begins considering the possibility. Her disbelief shifts to frustration as she questions why Millicent never told her this before. She also wonders why Millicent would allow Ires to remain imprisoned by Isbeth if they share the same parents. Casteel admits he doesn’t know but believes Millicent is not like Isbeth.

In the kitchen, Poppy asks Malik if Millicent is her sister, which he confirms. He says Millicent should have ascended to godhood but failed during the Culling, which led Isbeth to use ancient magic to turn her into a Revenant. The failure prompted Isbeth to try again with Poppy, which follows the prophecy regarding the two daughters. Malik and Reaver confirm that Poppy is not just a god, but a Primal.

Reaver confirms that Poppy has yet to complete her Culling, which explains her increasing powers, such as summoning the mist and the silver streaks of eather in her eyes. Casteel helps Poppy manage her rising panic, though he is frustrated with Reaver for withholding the truth.

As they further discuss the prophecy that claims Poppy will destroy the realms, she vows she won’t be Isbeth’s weapon, despite Malik’s reminder that just her existence has set events in motion. Malik admits he once tried to stop Isbeth by killing Poppy but ultimately couldn’t go through with it. This revelation leads Casteel to use compulsion to force Malik to pick up a dagger and nearly makes him harm himself before Poppy intervenes.

Royal Guards, including Revenants, arrive and surround the house, but Reaver uses his draken powers to incinerate the guards. Before they can escape, Isbeth arrives, accompanied by more guards and Callum.

Isbeth offers Poppy a deal: If she brings Malec to her, she will let Casteel and the others go. Poppy considers it, knowing Malec likely wouldn’t help Isbeth in the way she believes he would. However, the situation escalates when Callum attacks Kieran and curses him with a spell only Isbeth can lift. Isbeth gives them two weeks to find Malec in exchange for Kieran’s life. As part of the deal, Poppy demands something that belonged to Malec to help her locate him, and Isbeth reluctantly gives her a diamond ring he had given her.

Before they leave, Isbeth kills Clariza and Blaz, turning them into lifeless husks. Poppy, overwhelmed with rage, unleashes a wave of Primal power that destroys the surrounding homes. Casteel intervenes and reminds her that she is not like her mother. Poppy realizes that, in her fury, she became what Isbeth wanted.

As they travel away from Carsodonia, Casteel is overwhelmed by the fact that Poppy is a Primal god and is haunted by the murder of the mortal couple who helped them. Poppy also struggles with guilt over the destruction she caused in her rage. They ride toward the town of Padonia, and Poppy uses her Primal notam to communicate with Delano, learning that their forces had to divert there. They prepare to meet up with them before heading to the Blood Forest.

Later, Casteel takes Poppy away from the group and brings her to a place with a view of the Wisteria Woods, and they have an intimate moment. He reassures her she isn’t the Harbinger of death that Isbeth painted her as. Poppy, however, remains uncertain if she truly has control over her powers.

They discuss the possibility of Poppy doing the Joining—a ritual that could protect both Casteel and Kieran by tying their lives to Poppy’s. Casteel urges her to think it over, but Poppy already feels the Joining is the right choice to keep them all safe.

As Poppy sleeps, Casteel attempts to ground himself in her presence. He is conflicted about Malik, who remains chained nearby. While his brother is loyal to Millicent, not Isbeth, Casteel struggles to forgive him for the pain he caused Poppy during her childhood.

Kieran joins Casteel, and they talk about the Joining, with Casteel reassuring him that the ritual is something both he and Poppy want. Casteel finally confronts Malik, and the latter reveals that while he did not leave Poppy to die, he was responsible for plenty of the trauma she endured. Casteel acknowledges that Malik saved Poppy, but the damage was already done.

As the group approaches Padonia, Casteel is welcomed back by Delano and the other wolven. Even Malik is given cautious acceptance by Delano, who was bonded to Malik’s sister, Preela.

The group approaches Padonia, accompanied by wolven and soldiers. As they descend into the valley, Casteel sees the new Atlantian Crest on the banners, which Poppy designed to symbolize equality between the King and Queen. They share a tender moment, which is marred by the news that the Ascended left mass graves in several towns, including Whitebridge and Padonia, killing all mortals except in Three Rivers, which they fled without killing the inhabitants. When they reach Padonia, the soldiers cheer for the King and Queen as they enter the city. Casteel and Malik meet with their father, Valyn. The conversation is strained due to their lingering tension.

During a meeting with the generals, they discuss how to find Malec and defeat Isbeth, and the need to act quickly to prevent her from using his powers. Casteel and Poppy agree to bring Malec to Isbeth to save Kieran from the curse and to draw Isbeth out, intending to kill her and end the war. The meeting concludes, and the group prepares to enter the Blood Forest, where they believe Malec is entombed.

Poppy has a bath in her rooms and prepares to leave for the Blood Forest. Kieran checks in on her to see how she’s handling things. The two of them also discuss undergoing the Joining.

Later, Casteel joins Poppy in their chambers after a brief conversation with his father. He admits to her that he isn’t ready to confront the emotions he feels around Valyn. However, Casteel finds comfort in Poppy’s presence, and the two have sex, which becomes a way for him to ground himself.