Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 231436 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1157(@200wpm)___ 926(@250wpm)___ 771(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 231436 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1157(@200wpm)___ 926(@250wpm)___ 771(@300wpm)
Reaver later realizes what the Revenants are and remarks he should have caught it earlier. He tells them how the first mortals were created, how third sons and daughters are special, and about the Revenants being Kolis’s pet project. He talks about the Rite, the original Rite, and how Eythos always gave the Chosen a choice.
When talk turns to Jadis, he says he believes she’s dead but that one drop of draken blood, no matter how old, can kill a Revenant.
Reaver is present during Poppy’s meeting with the generals, watching Valyn and getting irritated by Murin suggesting they let the draken fly over Oak Ambler and incinerate it all.
Later, he does take down Oak Ambler’s gate with fire, then he and Nithe take on the soldiers in the inner part of the city before the wolven are overwhelmed. Next, he, Nithe, and Aurelia take down the internal Rise, and then Poppy calls them all back, telling them to rest. Reaver perches at the top of Castle Redrock and lets out a deafening roar.
Following the macabre discovery in the tunnels and the Temple, Poppy orders him to burn the Temple to the ground. He flies over, circling the structure as he does. Happy to do it.
Sharing a meal with Poppy, Reaver tells her that it’s good they can’t understand what the Ascended did. He stresses that Nyktos is the True King and wouldn’t approve, and the Priest thinking it’s anyone else is unfortunate. He adds that the Consort doesn’t like limitations either and laughs when Poppy imagines the Primal of Life probably doesn’t like her bringing people back to life. He tells her that Nyktos would be conflicted. He’d be happy about life yet worry about fairness, while the Consort would weigh the concerns, throw them aside, hope no one was looking, and do it anyway.
He explains that the Consort sleeps so deeply because it’s the only way to stop her from doing the kind of harm that can’t be undone in her rage over her sons being taken from her. With Ires in mind, Reaver reminds Poppy that they mustn’t forget about him. The god needs to return home to Iliseeum.
Reaver wears Kieran’s clothing—to the wolven’s chagrin—as he readies the horses and the wagon of whiskey for their trip to the capital.
He tells them the truth about demis on their journey and says they’re so rare he’s never seen one. He explains that a demis is a god made, not born. They’re mortal—though not Chosen—Ascended by a god. He says that few existed because the act was forbidden, and most didn’t survive the Ascension. However, those who did make it were essentially gods with the same weaknesses as the gods.
When he sees the state of things in Solis, it saddens him. He tells Poppy and Kieran that he’s been to the mortal realm before, back when this area was Lasania, though only a few times when it was necessary. He reveals that the Consort was born there with an ember of pure primal power in her, unlike the Chosen.
Reaver notices another group on the road, not Huntsmen, and offers to burn the soldiers. Poppy tells him not to, saying she doesn’t want his identity revealed.
When Millie stops them, he tells her that if she wants Poppy, she’ll allow him and her advisor—Kieran—to accompany her as a show of good faith.
Inside Wayfair, Reaver is in a chamber below Poppy’s room but is under guard. Still, he behaves and is taken to see Kieran whenever the wolven demands it.
Poppy checks on him, and Reaver follows her to meet with the Queen. Millie escorts him, Poppy, and Kieran to the Great Hall. He stares at the statue in the center of the Great Hall. Poppy believes it’s the Primal of Life, Nyktos, and Reaver tells her it isn’t. Millie confirms.
He announces that he doesn’t like how the Ascended look at Poppy. When she remarks that he and Kieran are beautiful and she’s flawed, and the Ascended can’t figure out why she’s with them, he tells her that’s the stupidest thing he’s heard in a while, and he’s heard a lot of stupid.
When Isbeth enters, Reaver doesn’t bow. She comments that she doesn’t recognize him, and he tells her that she wouldn’t.
After meeting Callum and hearing him say that he hasn’t felt power like Poppy’s in a very long time, he becomes incredibly interested and asks him how long. The Revenant’s response? “Long.”
During their rescue and escape attempt later, he blows the stairwell doors off the hinges and emerges drenched in blood. When Poppy and Kieran look at him, he tells them he’s a messy eater and then promises he’ll handle any Revenants they encounter.
When confronted by the Royal Knights, he tells them he’d be offended by their threats if what was left of their souls wasn’t about to be ushered into the Abyss.