A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire: A Blood and Ash Novel

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

  I nodded.

  “But I don’t think anyone expects you to do that,” she added quickly.

  My brows pinched. “Why?”

  She studied me for a moment and then said, “You’re not full-blooded Atlantian. There’s never been a Joining with one who has mortal blood.”

  “Because it extends the life of the mortal?” I asked.

  “I imagine that has something to do with it. And it’s not often a bonded Atlantian of an elemental line marries one with mortal blood. It’s not forbidden like the act of Ascending is,” she said, referencing the making of a vampry. “It simply hasn’t been done.”

  I didn’t know what to think of that. If the Joining extended my lifespan, that could resolve at least one of tomorrow’s problems, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about tying my life to another’s or even the idea of living that long.

  “Anyway, Casteel stopped by when he was looking for my father and asked if I had anything that would be deserving of a Princess to wear to her wedding. I told him no. That all I owned was deserving of a Queen,” she replied, and I grinned at that. “Brides in Atlantia typically wear a veil of red or yellow to ward off evil spirits and bad blessings, but he mentioned that the veil would be a no-go.”

  Gods…

  That was incredibly thoughtful.

  “So I thought the red gown would be perfect. And it should fit, with the exception of being a bit on the long side, so just don’t run around in it.”

  “I’ll try not to.”

  She picked it up, handing it to me. “Underneath is a red slip. Just basic. You should get changed. I have a feeling they’ll be here soon.”

  The flutter in my chest increased until it felt like a nest of a dozen birds had taken flight while Vonetta went into the living room. I quickly dressed, donning the silky slip that barely reached my thighs and then stepped into the loosely draped gown of silk and chiffon. Gathered at the waist and form-fitting through the bust, it reminded me of the gown I’d worn the night of the Rite. The skirt of the dress was sheer to the thigh, forming two gauzy panels, and delicate golden thread was woven throughout the entire dress, stitched to form delicate vines. The neckline was looser than the rest of the bodice and the straps were fitted so they lay just off the shoulders. There was no hiding the scars in this kind of dress, but I…I was done hiding them anyway.

  “The gown is beautiful,” I called out. A moment later, Vonetta returned.

  She smiled when she saw me. “Definitely no running, though.”

  I looked down to where the dress formed a crimson puddle against the tile. “Definitely not.”

  “Come. Sit. Let me see if I can do something with your hair,” she said, tossing the pouch. “Just hold onto this.”

  Catching the pouch, I found it surprisingly weighty. I sat on the chaise, wondering what was in it while Vonetta retrieved the brush and an army of pins from the bathing chamber.

  “I thought I had a lot of hair,” she said, gathering the sides of my hair. “But damn, you almost have me beat.”

  Running my fingers over the velvety pouch, I thought of Tawny. “A friend of mine would sometimes help me braid it. Not braids like yours, but a couple that she would then twist into a knot so my hair wouldn’t be visible under the veil.”

  “Your friend? Is she back in Solis?” she asked after a couple of moments.

  “Yes. Her name is Tawny. You would like her, and she would love you. She’s a second daughter—meaning she is destined to Ascend,” I explained as she twisted and plaited the sides of my mostly dry hair. “She has no idea what the Ascended are truly like, and I have no idea if she’ll Ascend now with me being gone.”

  “Kieran and Casteel once told me that a lot of the people of Solis are innocent—that they are unaware of what the Ascended really are. I used to find that hard to believe,” she admitted as she gathered the braided sides and began to twist them into a knot at the back of my head. “But the more Descenters I met, the more I learned that the Ascended are masters at hiding the truth.”

  “They are.” I swallowed as I stared at where the curtains were secured to the posts and swayed slightly in the breeze from the open doors. My mind disobeyed me. I thought of tonight, and the possibility that the first group of Ascended may reach Spessa’s End. “I hate what’s about to happen,” I blurted out.

  Her fingers stilled. “The wedding?”

  “No. Gods. I’m actually looking forward to that,” I said, letting out a little laugh.

  “You sound like that surprises you.”

  “It does,” I admitted softly. “I was thinking about the Ascended. What they may do when they reach here. I…I hate that I’m the reason everything you all built here is now at risk.”

  “We were always at risk,” Vonetta said. “Sooner or later, we would’ve been discovered, and there would be a fight. We all knew that when we agreed to come here.”

  But like with New Haven, I was the catalyst that made things happen sooner, before they were ready.

  “I imagine most brides don’t think of sieges on the night of their weddings.”

  “But you’re not most brides, are you?”

  Gods, she had no idea how true that was.

  “You’re about to marry the handsome, albeit annoying as hell, Prince of Atlantia, Penellaphe.” Her warm hands brushed my shoulders as she gathered up the rest of my hair, letting it lay against my back. “And from what I’ve learned about you from my brother and Casteel, the Ascended have already stolen a lot of joy from you. Don’t let them steal this.”

  I drew in a deep breath and nodded. “I won’t.”

  “Good. Can you open the pouch?” she asked. “And hand me what’s in it.”

  Looking down, I unraveled the string and reached inside. My lips parted as I pulled out several strands of diamonds.

  “Pretty, isn’t it? It’s not the nicest of necklaces, but I like its simplicity.”

  “This is simple?” I stared at the bright diamonds strung across three layers of chains. There had to be at least half a dozen diamonds per chain.

  “Compared to the standard in Atlantia? Yes.”

  I thought of the diamond Casteel had promised, and my eyes widened.

  “Diamonds are also a tradition here.” Vonetta took the necklace from me, and I lifted the hair that she had left down. “They are the joyous tears of the gods given form,” she explained, securing the clasp. “Wearing them means the gods are with you even as they slumber. Did they have such a tradition in Solis?”

  I shook my head as I fixed the strands. “Diamonds only represent wealth in Solis. Those who had the means would hold celebrations that lasted days. I’ve never been to one, but from what I know, the Ascended took center stage during the weddings. Not the gods. I can’t even imagine a wedding that takes days to complete. Are they like that in Atlantia?”

  “They could typically last a few hours, which is why Kieran would be glad to be missing that part.” She walked around the chaise. “But with my father officiating the wedding, I doubt it will last more than a few minutes.”

  “Oh, thank the gods,” I exclaimed as I stood. “I’m sorry. Days or hours is just…it’s too long.”

  Vonetta laughed as I roamed into the bathing chamber. “You may luck out with the ceremony, but I imagine that once you reach Evaemon, the King and Queen will demand a celebration in your honor and to introduce you to your subjects. That will last days.”

  My subjects. Days-long celebrations.

  I couldn’t think of that as I looked at my reflection. The three rows of diamonds glittered in the soft lamplight. The dress and my hair—all of it was beautiful, and it was more than I expected or hoped for…or even what I knew I needed.

  I spun toward her. “Thank you for this—for all of this. It means a lot, Vonetta.”

  “It’s not a big deal, but you’re welcome.”

  It was a big deal to look and feel like a bride when it was real. “Will you be at the wedding?” I asked and then laughed. �
��I don’t even know where the wedding will be held.”

  “I can be if you’d like. And if you call me Netta. That’s what my friends call me, and since I’m attending your wedding, I imagine we’re friends.”

  I smiled as I nodded. “As long as you call me Poppy. That’s what my friends call me.”

  “That I can do. By the way, the wedding will be here. Outside, actually. They are always outside, no matter the weather, and you won’t wear shoes.”

  “Because both need to be standing on Atlantian soil?” I surmised.

  “Correct.” She brushed several braids over her shoulder. “And it’s time. They’re here.”

  “Wolven senses must be amazing,” I said as my heart started to pound once more.

  She grinned. “They are, but I saw my father walk past the window.”

  “Oh.” I laughed. “Well, then.”

  “You ready?”

  Nodding. I started to follow her out but then stopped. “One second.”

  Hurrying to the bed, I picked up the wolven dagger and secured it around my thigh.

  “Planning to stab him during the ceremony?” Vonetta asked.

  “Why does everyone act like I’m seconds away from stabbing Casteel?” I demanded.

  “Apparently, you have a habit of it.”

  “I only stabbed him…a few times.” I turned, fixing the skirt of the gown. “The dagger was given to me by someone I care about. He was like a father to me, and in a way, he’ll be with me when I do something he never thought I’d be able to do.”

  Something I knew Vikter would’ve been happy to see, even though I was marrying the Prince of Atlantia. In my heart of hearts, I knew that all that would have mattered to Vikter was that I wanted this and that I was cherished.

  And I knew both were true. They had been true for longer than I realized.

  Chapter 37

  The sun was high above our heads, the breeze pleasant, and the sandy dirt and grass warm under my bare feet as I walked willingly toward him.

  Hawke.

  The Dark One.

  Prince Casteel Da’Neer.

  Other people waited outside in the courtyard. Jasper was there. Naill and Delano stood behind Casteel, to his left. Guardians were on the Rise, keeping watch, and Vonetta was behind me. But all I saw was Casteel.

  He cut a striking figure in all black, possessing the wild and primal beauty that always reminded me of the cave cat I’d once seen. He stood barefoot in the soil reclaimed by Atlantia. And I didn’t think he saw anyone else as I walked forward. He stared at me with eyes luminous even in the sunlight, and an almost startled look etched upon his features as if he were utterly caught off guard. I’d seen that look before, especially when I smiled or laughed. He too seemed unaware of anyone else, even as Vonetta walked ahead and spoke to him. He stared, even as he reached into his pocket and handed her something. And when I let my senses reach him, I felt what I always did from him, except the tartness of conflict was gone, and the chocolate and berries taste was far stronger.

  I couldn’t take my eyes off him, not until Vonetta returned to my side and pressed something warm and metallic against my palm.

  “The ring. For Casteel,” she whispered. “He had the blacksmith make them.”

  I looked down at the gleaming, golden band. There was some sort of inscription on the inside, but I couldn’t make out what it was.

  Curling my fingers around the band, I didn’t remember how I got there, but suddenly, I was standing in front of Casteel. He stared at me like I imagined one would if they saw a god standing before them.

  “You look…” Casteel cleared his throat as the shadows of clouds drifted over the courtyard. “You look beautiful, Poppy. Absolutely…” His gaze roamed over me, from the braids in my hair, to the diamonds at my neck and then down the fitted bodice to the sheer layers of the skirt that rippled in the wind. A slow grin spread across his lips. The dimple in his right cheek appeared, and then the left. He dipped his head, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear as he spoke. “Am I seeing things, or is that your dagger strapped to your thigh?”

  I grinned. “You’re not seeing things.”

  “You’re an absolutely stunning, murderous little creature,” he murmured.

  “There’ll be time for all the sweet whispers later,” Jasper said, and when Casteel pulled back, there was a fire in his eyes. “You do look quite lovely, Penellaphe.”

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “What about me?” Casteel asked, and behind him, Naill sighed.

  “You look passable.”

  “That was rude,” he replied.

  “Would you like to go sit in the shade and nurse your wounded feelings? Like you did when you were young and inevitably injured yourself doing something incredibly stupid?”

  Casteel’s brows lowered as he looked over at Jasper. “This marriage ceremony is starting off in a really weird way.”

  “True.” The wolven chuckled. “Let’s get this started, because I’m sure you’re more eager to finish the ceremony than you are to start it.”

  Casteel shot the wolven a dark look, and I wondered exactly what that meant.

  “I need both of you to face me,” Jasper instructed, and then he waited until we did just that. He smiled at me, and my emotions were too scattered to read his, but there was fondness in his gaze. “I don’t know how much you know about Atlantian marriages or how they differ from what is done is Solis, but I’ll walk you through it, okay?”

  “Okay,” I whispered.

  “Good. It’s pretty simple. There are no vows. None that are spoken, anyway,” he continued as the clouds overhead cast us in shadows. He briefly glanced up at the sky, raising a brow. “Each of you holds your rings in your left hands and joins your right together.”

  Casteel held his right hand palm up as I looked over at him. There was no smile on his face then. Just a certain intent to the set of his lips and in his gaze. Pulse pounding, I placed my right hand in his. The jolt traveled up my arm, and based on the slight widening of his eyes, I knew he felt it, too.

  “Lower to your knees. Casteel first,” Jasper said, and he did just that. “Now you, Penellaphe.”

  Casteel’s hand tightened on mine as I moved to my knees, our gazes remaining locked.

  “Place your rings in the soil between you so that they overlap,” Jasper said, and Casteel placed a golden band, one smaller than the one I held, on the sandy soil. I placed the larger one on top so the openings overlapped.

  Casteel knew the next steps. He didn’t look away from me as he picked up the dirt and sprinkled it over the rings. He nodded, and I did the same, feeling the grainy dirt sift between my fingers as I repeated his actions.

  Thick clouds gathered above us as Casteel whispered, “This next part may hurt, but only for a few moments.”

  Trusting him, I nodded.

  “Lift your left hands, palms up.” Jasper knelt before us, and with a brief glance, I saw that he held a dagger—one I’d never seen before. Like the swords the Guardians carried, the blade was gold. “I will make a cut in each of your palms. It will hurt for a moment, and you will do with your blood what you did with the soil. The wound will heal at once, but you both will carry the mark until the union is ended by death or decree.”

  I wasn’t sure how a wound of mine would heal immediately. “And that is all?”

  “Usually, these proceedings are a bit more drawn-out, but this will be it. At least for the parts I’m involved in.” A teasing glint filled Jasper’s pale eyes. “Casteel will have to fill you in on the rest.”

  “I will.” Casteel gave me a quick grin. “Gladly.”

  A shiver broke out over my skin as I lifted my left hand, palm up. Casteel did the same as he leaned over, crossing the distance between us. His lips brushed mine as he said, “Just a moment of pain.”

  “I know,” I whispered. “I trust you.”

  I heard the breath Casteel took, and I knew what that meant for me to say that, for h
im to hear it.

  “Unworthy,” he whispered, and then he kissed me at the exact moment I felt the sharp sting of Jasper’s dagger against my palm. The kiss was as brief as the pain, but so much sweeter.

  Casteel withdrew, pressing our hands together, palm to palm. He threaded his fingers through mine as he guided our joined hands to the rings. Air hitched in my throat as I watched my blood—our blood—slide down our palms, to our wrists. A drop and then two fell, splashing the rings.

  Jasper was quiet as Casteel eased his hand from mine. He picked up the smaller ring, his right hand still clasping mine. “I’ll put the ring on you, and then you’ll put the other ring on me.”

  I nodded.

  “Turn your palm up to the sky,” he said quietly. When I turned my hand over, my eyes widened.

  The cut had closed, but across the center of my palm was a thin swirl of vibrant gold that shimmered even with the sunlight obscured by clouds. “How…?”

  Casteel grinned at me. “Magic.”

  It had to be that.

  My hand was surprisingly steady as he slipped the dirt-and blood-streaked ring over my pointer finger. It was a little loose, but I didn’t believe it would slip off.

  “Your turn.”

  I picked up his and held my breath as I fitted it over his finger.

  And then I watched in stunned silence as the dirt and blood seeped into the rings. The bands flared an intense gold and then faded, their surfaces now pristine.

  “It is done,” Jasper said, rising. “You are husband and wife.”

  The day turned to night.

  My lips parted as I looked up. The gathering clouds had turned the sky the black of midnight, from the east to the west, to the south and north. Not a single trace of sunlight could be seen, even though it couldn’t be more than an hour or two past noon.

  “My gods,” Vonetta whispered.

  Casteel rose swiftly, bringing me with him. He pulled me to his side as he stared up at the black sky.

  “Is this an omen?” I asked.

  “It is,” Jasper confirmed, his voice rough. “I haven’t seen anything like this since…Gods, since your mother and father married. And even then, Casteel, it wasn’t like this.”