In the shadows and flames, Primals will fallâŠ
And from the blood and ash, new gods will rise.
What was dreamt.
Poppy was never meant to awaken, and the consequences are devastating and far-reaching, stirring ancient powers from their slumber and transforming Casteel and Kieran in ways even the Fates couldnât have foreseen. But what that means is the least of their concerns. For now.
What was foreseen.
The Blood Crown has fallen, but what has risen is a far greater danger than theyâve ever faced. From flesh and fire, the Great Conspirator has returned to the mortal realm, and he wants only one thing. They must stop the true Primal of Death before he regains his strength, and it wonât be easy. Even weakened, his influence is undeniable. His power, unthinkable.
Has come to be.
While the future of the realms rests upon them, they wonât stand alone. The gods have awakenedâeach harboring their own blood-soaked secrets. But they must navigate an unbalanced realm, where every choiceâpast and presentâhas the potential to not only undo everything theyâve fought for but also destroy the very bonds that have Joined them together.
For the Harbinger and the Bringer of Death and Destruction has risen.
Why You Should Read This Book
Tropes
Trigger Warnings
The Primal of Blood and Bone
âYou idiotic fucks. Do either of you think this is the time for your little bitch fight?â
âI think itâs far past time we start acting like a King and Queen.â
âMy experiences with the Ascended cloud my judgment. Not acknowledging that wouldnât just make me a shit King. It would also make me a selfish bastard unworthy of you.â
âBecause I will never be at peace if youâre not.â
âWe are Joined. The three of us. Weâre protected as long as you are. I, more than anyone, know what happens when one believes they can fight alone. They fall. I failed. I cannot stand by and watch you make that same mistake.â
âItâs inappropriate to engage in foreplay with an audience, my Queen.â
âIâm learning that Reaver tends to leave key details out of discussions.â
âYou are a King, whether you prepared to be one or never wanted a crown. Itâs in your blood.â
âSeraphena didnât want you to be born because she didnât want this for you. I know that doesnât change shit, but she never wanted you to be in this situation, and if she could, she would take your place. So would Nyktos. Neither wanted this for you.â
âMore like you canât believe I made it here alive. And Iâm shocked, too. I actually camped, Poppy. Camped. In the woods, on the ground, with only the gods know how many bugs and small critters with long, thin tails.â
âAll I was ever told was that Attes angered the Fates by messing with the threads of his bloodline. Iâm not sure exactly why that would do such a thing, but I know damn well I wasnât the first demigod. I might not even be the last.â
âAnd donât ask me why he would be loyal to the monster who terrorized his sister. The fuckâs head isnât on rightânot even after having it decapitated more than once.â
âPenellaphe DaâNeer. The Queen. And the Primal of Life and Death. Who the fuck do you think you are?â
âAnd I never see you as just Poppy. Not when all I can see is my everything. My world.â
âWhat she desired and what those who aided her wanted were two very different things. She may have realized that if she had not been blinded by vengeance and wrath.â
âYouâre both completely wrong about Casteel. Heâs not a monster who cares nothing for others.â
âYou donât fully understand that youâre no longer a singular entity. But one would think youâd already feel enough guilt over being the cause of her weaker state.â
âI suggest we not openly acknowledge that we have a Shadow Council.â
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