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)
Poppy decides to warn the mortals about the impending city seizures, and Valyn isn’t sure that’s wise. As he hears more of the plan, he struggles to agree. He’s not worried about leadership; he’s concerned about his daughter-in-law. Her. He reminds Poppy that none of his family members have entered the capital and returned as they were before they left—if they came back at all. Poppy refuses when Valyn offers to go with her and reminds him what Isbeth would do to him if he were captured.
After Poppy dresses in her white outfit, Valyn goes to see her and makes a remark about how many weapons she has. He tells her that she’s the most powerful one and without outright saying it, asks her to remember that. She replies that she doesn’t want to be a weapon, she wants to be a healer, and he comments on how honest she is. Taking her in, he remarks that she looks like his favorite painting in the palace, the one of the goddess Lailah in her white armor.
Poppy mentions what she saw while asleep, and Valyn corrects her when she tells him about her shared dreams with Casteel. He calls it dream walking and tells her it’s actually soul walking because they’re heartmates.
With some shame, Valyn reveals that Alastir knew who Ileana really was before he did; he didn’t know until Cas was taken the first time, and only because Eloana told him. He then says that he would never have retreated before had he known.
As the discussion turns to Malec, Valyn says that Eloana never talked about him. He knew that part of her still loved him and always would—even though he didn’t deserve it and she loves Valyn. Poppy scolds him again for not telling the truth sooner, insinuates that they wouldn’t have had to negotiate with Isbeth if he had, and says that Atlantia is built on lies as much as Solis is.
Valyn asserts that they truly believed she was a deity, a descendant of one of the mortals Malec had an affair with. They didn’t know that Malec was a god until Poppy revealed that to them. He also says that Eloana told him about Malec and Isbeth’s son, but he still believes she didn’t know the full truth until Alastir told her.
When the group takes Castle Redrock, he searches the keep with some other soldiers. They find and fight the Craven and the dozens of bodies—veiled women with their bodies mauled. He wishes Poppy didn’t have to see it.
After Lin tells Valyn about the tunnels under the Temple, Valyn sends all the generals to secure them.
As more secrets come to light, Valyn wonders how a Priest of Solis knows a prophecy spoken by the gods eons ago. He’s also disgusted that they think the True King is Malec.
When Poppy asks Valyn where and how Malec was entombed, he tells Poppy that Eloana used old magic and bone chains to secure him. He adds that Malec wouldn’t be conscious and likely wouldn’t remember himself, let alone seek retribution. However, he agrees they need confirmation and says he’ll send word to Eloana.
After discovering the Ascended Priests and Priestesses, Valyn is shocked that Poppy didn’t know the vamprys served in the Temples, too. When she and the others go to find the children, Valyn stays with the Priests and Priestesses. Later, he asks Poppy what she wants to do about the Priests and Priestesses and reminds her that she doesn’t have to be the one to do everything.
Valyn wonders if the conspirator in the prophecy refers to Isbeth—the remaking of the realms could just mean taking Atlantia.
Poppy addresses the townsfolk, and Valyn and she talk about her need to delegate. She insists she should be the one to talk to the families, and he tells her that Cas is lucky to have found her. She tells him that they’re both lucky.
They make a plan for their route and how they will accomplish their goals, and Valyn promises Poppy that Vonetta will have no issues with the generals in her absence, that they will take down no Rises, no innocents will be killed, and Poppy’s wishes will be carried out.
Later, in Padonia after Casteel’s rescue, Valyn greets his son and shakes as they embrace. He tells his son that he told Poppy not to go and get him and is put in his place fast. Despite having a lot to discuss, it will have to wait.
When Valyn finally comes face-to-face with Malik again, it’s uncomfortable—he goes pale, his voice cracks, and he stiffens when Malik greets him impassively. All he can do is tell him that he looks good with a vacant tone.
Sven asks what the Blood Queen would want with Malec, and Valyn reveals who she really is, saying that she was Malec’s mistress and informing them that she was never a vampry because a god cannot create a vampry. They create something else.