#like when casteel says true or same

[hawkefaery]

Millicent and Isbeth's relationship

(As always, this is me rambling. This post is my own interpretation of what read, you are free to disagree with me and I am free to disagree with you)

I have the theory that Millicent was raised by Isbeth herself and that she always knew that Isbeth was her birth mother. Plus, I believe that Millicent grew up more like Sera, fully knowing that she would have to fulfill her purpose as the maiden. Since I came up with that theory, I have this idea stuck in my head that I would absolutely love to read about: Millicent and Isbeth's mother-and-daughter relationship. I think the path to do that was already settled so it wouldn't be a topic coming from nowhere. I would love to read that while Poppy had Coralena as her mother, Millicent was raised by her birthmother, Isbeth. I want that to be developed as an internal conflict in her character. I think it would be interesting to read a character that is torn up between loving her mother and hating the monster that she was. And while other mothers in the series such as Coralena, Caliphe or even Eloana wouldn't fit the characteristics needed for this conflict to happen, Isbeth ticks all of them. Let me explain:

topics:

1.why would isbeth and millie fit the characteristic for this internal conflict to happen? 2. Their relationship In the war of two queens

2.1 their conflictive relationship

2.2 their affective relationship

3. why wouldn't other mothers fit this trope?

why would isbeth and millie fit the characteristic for this internal conflict to happen?

First of all, it is needed to understand why would be Millicent and Isbeth good and interesting characters to have such a relationship. As I said before, I want Millie's character to be torn between hate and love, so how this would be possible with a character as unlovable as Isbeth? this would be possible for how Isbeth's personality is presented out to be. Isbeth is in fact cruel, she is the worse kind of evil. In the story, Isbeth cares little for anyone but herself, she held hostage and tortured Casteel, Malik, and Ires in all the possible ways, she hurts Poppy, and she is a liar, self-centered, and manipulator. Basically, she is awful BUT that is not all about her. (I won't go too deep into Isbeth's personality in this post because I have one here called "Isbeth and redemption" going deeper into her personality if that is what you are interest in) Isbeth has dim glimpses of humanity throughout the series. She is shown to care for her daughters. (DISCLAIMER because I hate to be misunderstood: I am NOT saying that isbeth is innocent or any less guilty for the things she did, I believe she is fully aware of how harmful she was to everyone but I believe the lines were blurry to her in some situations. does this make her less guilty? no. Let's keep going) To my opinion, Isbeth's character knew what good and evil were, she knew what she did to Casteel, malik, and Ires was abuse, but I don't believe she fully realized or could tell apart between love and abuse or healthy love and toxic harmful type of love. Examples of this are:

The fact that she kept poppy away from living her own life because she wanted to protect her daughter, and apparently, she also did all this maiden thing to Millicent too

the fact that she kept poppy from knowing her true identity by hiding basic information about her such as who his parents were, if she had siblings, etc

another example is when she tells to Casteel that she does not want to have a war with her daughter and yet she is talking to her daughter's heartmate whom she kidnapped after he offered himself to save that same daughter's lives that isbeth herself was about to take.... I mean

Despite I do not believe Isbeth ever got to care for Malik, she favored him in some way or another after he convinces that he was on her side. There is a dialogue when Malik says fuck you to isbeth and isbeth replies making a reference that neither he nor she have wanted to fuck in a while. This dialogue in insolation seems harmless but in the story's context Malik is a prisoner, he never wanted to actually have sex with her, he just wanted to survive, and also it is known from Casteel and isbeth herself that she does not care much about consent. What I'm saying is that I believe that Isbeth was at some point convinced that Malik was intimate with her because he desired her, because he choose to be, and not because he felt he had to.

With that said, I believe that Isbeth could tell apart between wrong and right but I do not fully believe she knew how to healthy love someone. Even her love for Malec seemed like an obsession.

Their relationship In the war of two queens

(disclaimer: maybe there are more examples, I will just talk about the ones I remember)

their conflictive relationship

According to Malik, Isbeth was not much different with Millicent than she was from everyone else. Isbeth abused her daughter, physically or mentally is unknown yet, but he said that she was destroying Millicent. It does not come as a surprise since this is a common behavior in Isbeth.

Even when there are only a few interactions between them, one thing is completely clear: they don't get along. Examples of this are:

Millicent not following her mother's beliefs or supporting her plans in taking over the realms she even fights against her during the final battle. The fact that she did not agree with her mother probably created a strained relationship

Isbeth making comments about Millicent's height/her appearance. Based on Poppy's description of the situation, Millicent does not like her short height to be pointed out and she was displaced by what her mother said.

Millicent seems to care about the habitants of Solis. I say this because back in the crown of gilded bones (I think it was that book at least) when Poppy was absolutely ready to tear Solis apart to find Casteel, it was Millicent the one that stood between Poppy's anger and Solis, she was the one ready to fight Poppy and die trying to protect that people. I have the feeling that Millie will be with the people of Solis like Sera was with the people of Lasania, I have the feeling that she cares for them and even when she can do very little for them, she will try to protect them. On another hand, it is more than clear that Isbeth cares very little for the people of Solis, she took away their children, held the rites, didn't care about poverty, health or education, etc. This is also another reason why they could have a complicated relationship.

Isbeth couldn't care less about hurting Millicent as a revenant. When she was showing Poppycas what revenants were able to do, Isbeth did not hesitate when it came to hurting her own daughter. While, for example, Malik was literally having a crisis, Isbeth just kept on talking.

I already mentioned this so I won't explain further, but isbeth was an abuser and not only to Millicent herself but also to the ones she cared for, such as Malik. An example of this is when Isbeth explains that malik "learned to make the situation easier for himself" and Poppy (who narrates this scene in twotq) describes "a burst of acid anger, quick punch from Millicent". That is another reason for Millie to dislike her mother

their affective relationship

Yes, but I did not say anything that was not obvious but, again, bear with me. Millicent and Isbeth already have a conflicting relationship BUT there is also love in this relationship. As I said the interactions were very few but still there is something there:

(Disclaimer bc I would hate my words to be misinterpreted: These are fictional characters, they do not exist. I do NOT mean this in real-life situations, abusers are abusers no matter what role they have in one's life. Thank you)

Isbeth does not hate her daughters. She is sick and twisted and monster, but she loves her daughters in that sick, twisted, and monstrous way of hers. We do not know anything about Milie's past besides that she died and was turned into a revenant so I'm going to be referring to what is known so far.

After Millicent died, even when she failed, Isbeth couldn't lose her. She couldn't lose her precious daughter. Isbeth was so desperate to not lose Millicent that she used old primal magic to bring her back. She didn't care that Millicent would not be a god and therefore useless to her revenge, she wanted her daughter with her

Isbeth gave Millicent a position of authority among revenants and her soldiers. I believe this despite it is not said because Millicent would always be with Isbeth, she was also leading the group that intercepted Poppy, Kieran and Reaver on their way to Solis, Millicent was also the one that intercepted the Poppycas team in Oak Amblr, etc. I believe Millicent was not just another soldier or handmaiden, but she had like a high position among them (This comes straight up from my interpretation and imagination, I can be completely wrong because, again, this is not mentioned in the books but is how I interpret those situations)

They also have this weird domestic interaction after Poppy killed someone (I don't remember who) Millicent laughs and Isbeth threats her saying that because of that she will have to clean and Millicent is like "yeah whatever". I bring this up to point out the familiarities between them, and it is also intended to be like that because Poppy even points out that the interactions between Millie and Isbeth are weird (this is before she knew millie was her sister), the way they behave between them is clearly different from the way they behave toward other people.

This last interaction is actually the one why I believe (And hope) Millicent was raised by isbeth and knowing that she was her mother. The relationship and interactions between Poppy and Isbeth are very different to the Interactions between Millicent and Isbeth. Millie and Isbeth have much more familiarity than Poppy and Isbeth, Millicent knows what makes her mother mad and knows very detailed things about her such as that she is a strict person when it comes to manners and cleaning. The relationship between Millie and Isbeth seems different even when Poppy also spent time with Isbeth when she was a child and according to Poppy Isbeth aka Ileana was a kind person to her. So I think this difference in behavior appears because Poppy grew up loving and then mourning another mother, Cora was her mum, and Isbeth was her queen, a friend of her mum but not her mother. While Millicent on the other hand, grew up knowing that isbeth was her mother.

why wouldn't other mothers fit this trope?

I would try to keep this last part short. Basically, I believe this because of what I said about Isbeth's personality before. She loves her children but he does not know how to love her love is harmful and confusing. Let's take Caliphe for example (Sera's mom), Sera wanted to be loved by her mother but she clearly did not care about her daughter, she did not love sera. There is no debate in there or internal conflict, Sera wants to be loved but she knows her mother does not love her. Calliphe never trained her right or mindfully, she was just mean and used her. Then there is Eloana which is the opposite and that is, again, why there is not much conflict. Eloana loves her boys, and that is the end of the story, whatever she did mistakes or not as a parent, does not take away the fact that she loved them and tried her best to be a good mother. Casteel speaks fondly of her, she cares for their safety, worries for them respects them, she is not violent towards them, etc etc. And last, there is Coralena who, despite she is just a memory in the books, she loved Poppy enough to risk and lost her life for her, Poppy was her daughter and she loved her.

Author's note: I do not know what this post is anymore, I genuinely have no idea if this is a theory, an analysis or.... I don't know but something it is, I just have no idea what. Anyways, as always I hope you enjoy and please feel free to share your thoughts

#my options #millie deserved better honestly #millicent #isbeth #character talk #from blood and ash #the war of two queens #the crown of gilded bones #a kingdom of flesh and fire #fbaa #fbaa series #jennifer l armentrout #jennifer armentrout #sera mierel #poppy balfour #poppy da'neer

[harmonicaorange]

i really enjoy reading the from blood and ash books but they’re just objectively not good but they COULD be if the author either took more time or had a better editor cause like ??? the world building and dialogue and pacing are all really quite shit for such an experienced author

#like i could ignore it for the first two books #but it was so much worse in book 3 #you can tell they are absolutely rushed #i doubt there’s even a ghostwriter cause a ghostwriter wouldn’t make the characters speak like it’s 2010 when it’s a high fantasy novel #like when casteel says true or same #as a full sentence #or starts a sentence with literally #or when he says damn straight or what the actual fuck #omg and the blood queens dialogue was SO BAD #she didn’t sound regal at all she sounded like a millennial #it’s a high fantasy with barely any electricity and they don’t even have cars or engines yet #so WHY would they talk like that #casteel said ‘touché’ HOW WOULD HE KNOW A FRENCH WORD #why would you write a high fantasy but then have the characters speak like they’re in your other romance books from the 2010s???? #mine #and the info dumps are so bad they’ve gotten worse #book 2 was so much better #i don’t mind the slow pacing #cause i like the quiet moments between action #but this was just ridiculous #BUT i still did fly thru it #cause they’re very easy reads #also this is purely subjective but the smut was subpar except for like #the shower and the beach #fbaa #tcogb #tcogb spoilers #akofaf #natasha reads

[cassianandfenrysaremyboyos]

I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PROPHECY! Don't mind me I'm just gonna work through some of my thoughts, or lack of thoughts

From the desperation of golden crowns and born of mortal flesh, a great primal power rises as the heir to the lands and seas, to the skies and all the realms. A shadow in the ember, a light in the flame, to become a fire in the flesh.

Ok so the first part is obviously Sera

When the stars fall from the night, the great mountains crumble into the seas, and old bones raise their swords beside the gods,

This is probably way off track but I'm wondering if "old bones" has anything to do with what Poppy said in tcogb about the skeletons being Sera's soldiers? But the skeletons seem to be the remains of Gyrms/hunters (judging by the snakes that come out of their mouths in tcogb) so why would they be Sera's soldiers?

the false one will be stripped from glory

This seems like it must be Kolis as he is the false god of life

until two born of the same misdeeds, born of the same great and Primal power in the mortal realm.

But Kolis will only be stripped from glory until two are born from the same misdeeds? I don't know what the misdeeds are exactly? But could the two born be Ires and Malec? They're born from the primal power of Nyktos and the primal power inside Sera and tcogb told us they were born in the mortal realm. But as far as we know they weren't born of misdeeds but of love. But Poppy was highly implied to be born of a misdeed.

A first daughter, with blood full of fire, fated for the once-promised King. And the second daughter, with blood full of ash and ice, the other half of the future King. Together, they will remake the realms as they usher in the end.

And then it goes onto say two daughters. And this is the part that I have the most questions about.

Could one of the daughters be Poppy? The first description "blood full of fire" suits Poppy more then "blood full of ash and ice" but Poppy is a second daughter?? And "the future King" could be Casteel? And Poppy being married to him would make her his "other half". I think the "once promised King" and "the future King" are (or could be) Malik and Casteel.

But who is the other daughter? Does Poppy possibly have an older sister we don't know about? Could Ires have had a child, possibly with Jadis? Hense the "blood full of fire" because they would be half draken, before he was captured by Isbeth? Or did Isbeth have another daughter with someone, possibly Ires? Which would make both Poppy and this potential other daughter born of a misdeed.

This is a stretch but I'm just thinking through possibilities and throwing ideas out there, but could the other daughter possibly be the handmaiden that seems to have a thing with Malik?

And then we have this last part of the prophecy

And so it will begin with the last Chosen blood spilled,

Who is the last chosen blood? Sera? Or even Poppy?

the great conspirator birthed from the flesh and fire of the Primals will awaken as the Harbinger and the Bringer of Death and Destruction to the lands gifted by the gods. Beware, for the end will come from the west to destroy the east and lay waste to all which lies between.

And then Nyktos says he thinks the great conspirator is Kolis which makes sense, considering he was the true god of death. But I'm thinking about the "awaken" part. That with there being no mention of Kolis in fbaa and Nyktos being the King of god's and him telling Poppy in tcogb that they stopped the corrupted Primals highly implies Sera and Nyktos defeat Kolis somehow. But I'm thinking they don't or can't kill him so they confine him/bury him somewhere? And he will "awaken" in fbaa? Isbeth isn't the true big bad of the series but Kolis will be??

#asite #a shadow in the ember #fbaa #from blood and ash #sera mierel #tcogb #the crown of gilded bones #nyktos #poppy balfour #asite spoilers #lisa reads asite #long post

[hlizr50]

Thank You for Saving Me

One of my first. One of my faves.

Spoilers for From Blood and Ash and A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire

Casteel wants to address a few of Poppy's scars that they don't usually talk about

Read on AO3

The room was dark, but he wasn’t bothered. Casteel’s Atlantian heritage meant that he could see anything around him that he cared to notice. He should have been trying to sleep, as Poppy had rolled over to do. She’d said as much not long ago, before he’d successfully distracted her with his lips, his hands, his tongue… all of him.

He grinned to himself, shaking his head. He loved that she found it so difficult to resist him. Surely she knew how easily he unraveled at even the slightest thought of her. That was why he couldn’t help himself tonight. Even though they were to begin the journey across the mountains in a few hours. Even though they were aching and weary from the battle with Duchess Teerman’s regiment.

Casteel leaned his head back against the headboard and cast a sidelong glance at her – the way her hair fell across her shoulders and back, a sharp contrast to that alabaster skin. So soft. So perfect. He let his gaze drift down, eyeing the faint, thin marks that tracked back and forth across the tender flesh of her. His eyes narrowed.

He had never been anything less than completely sincere when he spoke about her scars. He needed her to understand how special she truly was, working against the years of venom that the Duke, Lord Mazeen, and the rest of the treacherous Ascended had used in an attempt to poison her soul, to dim her light. Her scars were beautiful, if only one entry in the long list of things he admired about her. But these long, thin, nearly invisible lines were not the jagged tears from Craven claws and fangs. No, these told a story of a fortitude he understood completely yet could also barely comprehend.

The two of them had rarely discussed Duke Teerman’s “lessons” since Poppy had finally admitted to him that the Duke had beaten her, likely for years. In fact, the last they’d spoken of it was during their journey from New Haven, and that was a lifetime of realizations and confessions from where they lay now.

Married.

And not for the sake of mutual benefit from the power of being Atlantian royalty, but for love. Real, true love. And he needed her to know how he felt – about all of her scars.

“How many times do I have to tell you that it’s creepy when you watch me sleep”

Casteel chuckled. “Well you’re obviously not asleep, so I don’t believe your question really applies.”

“Whatever,” she sighed. “It’s creepy when you stare silently at my back when I’m awake, too.”

“Alright, I’ll accept that,” he answered. And then he reached for her, trailing a calloused fingertip over where the cane had bitten her and swearing to himself when her muscles tensed. “When I realized what he had been doing to you it was all I could do not to kill everyone in that Gods-damned castle.” He moved his fingers up and down the length of her back. If his attention on those particular stripes made her uncomfortable he wouldn’t force his touch. But this conversation was important. He needed her to know.

It was quiet for a few moments, and he wondered if Poppy had somehow drifted off to sleep.

“When did you know? For sure?”

“That day with the priestess, after I prevented her from striking you. I could’ve killed her, too, honestly. But there were too many things that came together… too many signs.”

Poppy rolled over to face him, clutching the blanket over her chest. “Like what?” her emerald eyes shone with surprise.

“Please, Poppy. Did you truly think you were even remotely convincing even one of the many times I asked and you denied it?” the prince laughed humorlessly.

“You always let it go!”

“There was the first time he had me summon you. You and Tawny were both… distraught,” Casteel took a breath. If only he’d known right then, maybe he could have spared her – at least that final lesson. “Then you were holed up in your room for two days. And then there was the night I found you on the Rise. The way you winced when your back hit the wall… when I implied I might report you, and you told me I didn’t know what he’d do, before you could reign in your emotions.”

He reached for her again. Gathering the blanket around her body he pulled her into his lap, tucking her head beneath his chin.

“But it was that day with the priestess. When she said you’d grown fond of the cane. When it was painfully, heartbreakingly clear that you were accustomed to her striking you. And when I asked you point-blank if he hit you… all the color drained from your face before flushing deep red…” he pulled back so he could look her in the eye and let his fingertips caress her cheek. “My heart could have shattered in that moment. I knew what it was to be trapped, knew the shame and the fear of being helpless and not understanding how someone could take such delight simply from causing pain to someone else.”

Casteel planted a kiss on her forehead before pulling her close again. He ran his fingers idly through her wine-red locks – a favorite past-time of his. He loved her hair. It had been so unexpected the first time he saw it; red hair to match the fire within. But the fire had cooled tonight, and he might have thought she’d dozed off if it weren’t for her hand gently stroking his arm.

“Sometimes Lord Mazeen was there,” she offered quietly, and the prince stilled. Of course he knew that, but she had never been so open with this part of her. “He was there… that last time. He… he liked to watch.” Casteel’s chest rumbled with a barely-contained snarl. He had always been so glad – he would even say proud – that she’d hacked the Lord to pieces.

But Gods what he’d give to have the chance to go back and end that monster himself.

“That day… he stood in front of me. I tried to be as modest as possible, as was expected of me. But I had to brace myself on the desk, so I would lean on one arm and use my other arm to cover as much of me as I could. He bored into me with those haunting, hungry eyes as he moved my arm and held both of my hands on the desk so he could see… all of me.”

Casteel could barely breathe, and he clutched his wife tighter to his chest. Had he known that? He wasn’t sure. He knew that the Lord sometimes joined the Duke in his sadistic practice. He remembered Spessa’s End when Poppy had raged against Duchess Teerman’s insistence that the Ascended had been protecting her.

‘Is that what the Duke was doing when he took a cane to my back simply because I breathed too loudly or didn’t respond in a way he found appropriate? When he put his hands on me? Allowed others to do the same?”

He knew that they’d hurt her, but her admission had completely…

Gods, it tore him to pieces.

He felt soft fingers curl around the back of his neck and let out a breath. Her touch grounded him, pulled him back.

“Poppy… I –“

“I think Lord Mazeen was the first one that really made me realize that something was wrong – that their explanations and expectations didn’t make sense. How could my purity and isolation be so important when I saw what was in his eyes… he would have taken me if he knew he could get away with it. He leered at me for… for years!”

He pushed her shoulders back from him gently so he could grasp her face between his hands. He brought his lips to her forehead before leaning into her gaze.

“The Ascended are monsters, make no mistake. But THOSE two… There is not a word strong enough. They were EVIL, Poppy. They hurt you. They tormented you. They took pleasure in knowing that they could do anything they wanted to you for the most miniscule fucking reason and you had to sit and take it. I would burn the entirety Solis to the ground if it meant I could have saved you from that.”

Poppy smiled then. Gods, somehow she still smiled and it knocked the wind from Casteel’s lungs. Her eyes were luminous with unshed tears as she lifted her hands to cover his.

“How many times have you told me that you had hoped to sweep in dramatically and rescue me? After fighting Craven, after Lord Chaney or Duchess Teerman? But don’t you see?” The tears slid soundlessly down into her smile. “You did rescue me. You saved me from the priestess, from the Duke and Lord Chaney. You saved me from a lifetime of ignorance, of being used as a pawn to force an entire people into submission.  You saved me from a life of solitude, of never knowing pleasure or love.”

She released her grip on him and reached a hand to move a stray lock of his dark curls out of his eyes, while he used his thumbs to wipe away the dampness still staining her blushing cheeks.

“You weren’t too late Casteel. You saved me. You did.” And then she pulled his head toward her and pressed her lips to his temple. “You’re my hero,” she whispered, and began to pull away. He wrapped a hand around the back of her neck and held her against him, foreheads touching.

“I know that the scars he left on you are not the obvious ones. They are not many, and they are not easy to see, but they are there. And they are beautiful, all the same. You are so strong, Poppy. So brave. I cannot begin to comprehend your ferocious need to explore, to learn, to live, all in spite of them. You had every reason to cower, to slip into a meek existence, but instead you dreamed and you learned and you fought. Every day I am staggered by who you are, and I don’t think there will ever be a moment when I am not in awe of you.” He could feel burning in his throat and his eyes. His voice was hoarse. He so rarely wept, but he couldn’t help but be overwhelmed. “These scars may be my favorite, the most stunning. The Craven scars are a symbol of your blood, your heritage, your survival. But these? They are a testament to your bravery and fortitude. They show the world that you have faced pure evil, looked it in the eye, laughed, and dared it to try again.”

Casteel scooped her from his lap and laid her back on the bed before sliding down under the blanket to face her. He wrapped his arm around her and let his fingers feel the velvety skin of her back, searching for those thin lines.

“I don’t want you to feel fear or shame when my fingers find them. I want you to feel strong and brave and powerful, knowing that you beat them – that they are dead and you are living your fullest life. Can you do that for me, Princess?”

His breath hitched when she smiled softly again before wiggling closer to him, burrowing as far as she could into his chest. Would he ever be able to see her smile and not come undone?

“I think I can do that,” she murmured against him. He smiled and kissed the crown of her head. He breathed her in and allowed his body to relax around hers. Contentment wasn’t something Casteel was accustomed to feeling, but this was the closest he had ever been to paradise. The silence was comfortable, wrapping around them like a cloak in winter. He sighed deeply and felt her head turn slightly against him. And then soft full lips pressed to his chest. The gesture was pure and innocent and earth-shattering.

“Thank you. For saving me,” Poppy whispered in the dark, almost too quiet even for his ears. He didn’t know if he could draw her any further into him. But he would keep her tightly cocooned in his arms, knowing that having her there is what held him together.

And he wondered, truly, if it hadn’t been she who had saved him.

#fbaa #fbaa fanfic #poppycas #poppy balfour #casteel da'neer #poppy x casteel #ao3 #ao3fic #ao3 fanfic #fanfiction #so fluffy #from blood and ash #a kingdom of flesh and fire #akofaf

[maryberry]

TWOTQ SPOILERS

Here are my full thoughts on The War of Two Queens by Jennifer L. Armentrout...

Solid 7.5/10, I really enjoyed this book.

I'm going to talk about what I liked and then address some of the criticism this book is getting

I really enjoyed the pace of this one compared to acogb. Acogb took me about 3 months to finish and twotq took me about 2 days, so obviously one was much harder to put down than the other. I thought bringing Cas's pov into the series at this point was a great choice and helped the plot move forward.

Absolutely loved Reaver and other elements from asite that came through into this book, I can't wait for alitf!

I did not see the revenant, Mallicent, being Poppy's sister AT ALL, that was such a twist and I love it when books surprise me because it rarely happens.

Idk about anybody else but this was the first book I actually started to understand the whole "first and second daughter" thing, as well as the rite and the "chosen". Things just really started to click for me.

I actually kind of liked how poppy and Cas were separated for most of the book. I think a bit of their emotional connection was sacrificed for smut in acogb, which is fine-these are adult novels, but having them separated allowed us to solidify how much they do truly care for one another and they are still one of my all time fav book couples.

Loved the fight scenes in this book, so bad ass.

I don't really like how there have been so many "reveals" of Poppys identity. First she was Atlantian, then a soul eater, then a diety, then a God, then a primal, and then soon to be true primal. It's just a lot and I feel we could have skipped a couple of them to increase the impact of her being a primal.

Overall, I really liked how the story progressed and love that we will probably definitely see Poppy and Sera interact in the next one.

I'm not sure if they were on digital versions, but the typos and grammatical errors were a bit too much for my liking. One here or there is okay but I felt like there were multiple in each chapter. I'm pretty sure jla mixes up viktor/victer and she's the one who came up with them 🤦‍♀️ honestly just a simple Google docs spelling and grammar check could have solved a lot of the issues I found.

Now for some of the hate that this book is getting...

This is not directed at people who simply did not like the book. It's a fantasy novel, I don't care if it wasn't everyone's cup of tea.

There was no emotional cheating in this book. I did not pick up on it at all while reading and I was so confused when I saw people saying that. Poppy and Kieran did grow closer to eachother but never in a way that was a betrayal to Cas.

Poppy and Kieran were grieving and leaning on one another for support. Their relationship has always been a bit teasing/flirtatious in my opinion, so nothing was really new there.

The elephant in the room, the joining. We knew since book 2 that this was going to happen. Idk why everyone is getting their panties in a twist.

In my opinion, this does not seem like a throuple situation. Poppy says multiple times that what she feels for Cas is different than what she feels for Kieran, and the same goes for Cas and Kieran about eachother and her. Poppy and Cas also have sex multiple times just the two of them after the joining, and they open the possibility to do the joining again if Kieran ever finds anyone.

I think what we saw here, which maybe a lot of people don't like, is that our "fated pair" trope(Poppy and Casteel) experienced sexual activities with someone else. I think, beyond being very hot and steamy, that it showcased how you can have attraction in different ways and have it not take away the love you have for someone else.

Cas loves both Poppy and Kieran, he never shows any kind of jealousy with Kieran, and showed no issue at all with the joining.

Please remember that these are fantasy books that are meant to be entertaining. Don't bash on people who enjoy a book that you don't. If it bothers you that much, simply do not read it. JLA is a well established author, and the rest of the series will be written and released whether you enjoyed a threesome between a God, vampire like person, and a werewolf or not.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, as always, I'd love to hear your thoughts!!

#from blood and ash #a kingdom of flesh and fire #a crown of gilded bones #the war of two queens #jennifer l armentrout #poppycas #poppy x casteel #poppy balfour #casteel da'neer #kieran contou #sera x ash #a shadow in the ember

[opinionsandfeelings]

Ok, I’ve reread From Blood and Ash and A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire, and I just...Alastir has sneaky written all over him and he definitely considers Poppy a threat and wants her dead. Here are my thoughts, I don’t necessarily think they’re spoilers but just a warning.

-first up Alastir gets slightly off kilter after he hears Poppy’s last name being Balfour, a true liar and betrayer may be good but they can’t completely cover up their every emotion. He also knows about Ian and nobody told him about poppy having a brother, yet after he learns her name he seems to know way more than he really should.

- he also used to help people escape Solis and he doesn’t remember ever hearing about poppy’s parents, and yet he has excellent memory of other events from hundreds of years prior. MY PERSONAL THEORY: I think he was luring Poppy’s parents so they could be killed. I think he was the one who murdered them, and attempted to do the same to Poppy, and the threat of whatever Poppy is couldve been extinguished at that point in time. But she somehow lived, which sucks for him. I think he knows exactly what she is and the threat it posed to the Atlantian kingdom and crown and, as he is supposed to be loyal to the royal family, of COURSE he’s trying to get rid of any threat. But, clearly he’s got to do it on the sly so he doesn’t lose any trust in Casteel or Kieran or literally anyone beyond the crown.

- Sure, Alastir would totally help Poppy escape Casteel and his plans if she was being forced into the marriage. He’d totally get her away from Casteel-probably an entire continent away and six feet under.

-Alastir is NEVER around when bad things happen. Oh, New Haven gets attacked by Chaney and Co? And Chaney straight up says he has contacts in the descenters? Hmm. Then the gang gets attacked on the way to Spessa’s End by the bone clan even tho that’s NEVER happened before, but who rode thru there just a day or so earlier??? Alastir. Could be coincidence but the bone clan knew the gang were ‘bloodsuckers’ and wolven, and as we’ve been told many times there’s no way to tell mortals from immortals on face value alone (not including Ascended). So, they had been told. Then at the battle of Spessa’s End Alastir just HAPPENS to be absent again, and this time it’s slightly more believable that he’d have to spring into action because otherwise Casteel could’ve been overwhelmed and killed in battle and despite his agenda, Alastir doesn’t want Casteel dead. So, conveniently he and Kieran arrive back in time as the gods-sent cavalry. Kieran btw I’m 100% sure is loyal to team Casteel and poppy so he’s excluded from this theory about Alastir. (Edit: my bad, I thought he’d returned with Kieran but Alastir does not in fact do that, no instead he stays in Atlantia to snitch and further his agenda, again totally gone from all the bad ish)

-All the bombs Alastir drops at such opportune times? “Oh Poppy did you know Casteel’s been in love and engaged before and it was my daughter??” “oh Poppy did you know Casteel’s going to be king?” “Hey Poppy did you know he was also engaged AGAIN also to someone else in my family???” “Oh I personally have nothing against you Poppy but EVERYONE ELSE WILL” I don’t know man, those are some fine gaslighting revelations there that would absolutely create emotional mistrust and doubt in a relationship, he clearly wants her out of the picture.

-he totally set up the end of Flesh and Fire, Beckett was his grand nephew or something and Alastir has likely voiced his soul eater opinions about Poppy, because didn’t everyone say previously that hardly anyone remembers Empaths?? So why would they even resort to calling her that?? How did they even know she was coming if her arrival was kind of supposed to be on the hush hush? Joke’s on Alastir though because he essentially ruined his own plans with that ambush.

In conclusion, from my suspicions and rereading, I believe Alastir is the one who’s essentially put a lot of bad things into motion and he should definitely not be trusted, at least not by Poppy or Casteel. He has his own agenda and that has something to do with keeping Poppy far, far, faaaar away from the crown and also the hearts of the atlantian people. I could be completely wrong, but until the next book arrives this is my personal theory and I’m sticking to it.

#from blood and ash #a kingdom of flesh and fire #poppy balfour #casteel da'neer #Alastir Davenwill #spoilers I guess #personal theories #good books #jennifer l armentrout

[helenas-reads]

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout Review

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout Review

           JLA delivered once again. This book was everything I hoped it would be and more. Please note, spoilers ahead!

           I ordered this book when I was halfway done From Blood and Ash (book one) and was ecstatic when Amazon delivered it one day early. I began reading it the next day, after finishing book one (talk about a cliffhanger!), and I literally squealed and jumped up and down when I held it in my hands.

           It jumps right in where it left off, and I really appreciated that. Sometimes I think books can be confusing when it starts off as “X years later,” but here, we jump right back in. And this book was far less confusing than the first. In fact, this book explains everything that occurred in the first book. We really feel our world turned upside down, alongside Poppy, as everything she has been taught turns out to be false.

           Casteel’s character development, or to be honest, his character revelation (being that, I think Casteel’s character was always there, we simply see more of his true self revealed from behind his mask) was absolutely IMPECCABLE. I promise I don’t say this often but he is my favorite fictional character of all time. While I could quite literally go on for hours about him, I feel like that would be veering off topic. But, please, feel free to reach out to me If you want to fangirl over him.

           Once again, Poppy chooses the same things I would have chosen. She is brave, independent, and talks about how what she wants most is freedom. She is not a damsel in distress, and her courage is inspiring. I love how she loves Casteel, and how she realizes it wasn’t just one giant moment, but a series of smaller things. She is so observant and while it is told from her perspective, I feel that she seems more reliable than most protagonists.

           Just like in the first book, the romance was my favorite part. JLA writes a unique love story, where each person accepts the other completely. I loved that it was a slow burn in the characters’ eyes, but the reader could see how they felt about each other. I have never in my life been so invested in a romance. Their relationship is beautiful. My favorite scene of all was the entire wedding sequence, when Casteel proposed for real (the taste of love is chocolate and berries…), the actual ceremony and the night sky, and the sharing of blood after the wedding. I just LOVED it.

           I think the most emotional scene of all was the two of them in the battle. When Poppy realized they might very well die there, as they were being overrun by Ascended. Casteel says he will get her out of here, no matter what his duties were. And then she throws her sword on the ground and threatens to kill herself if they harm Casteel. In that moment, Poppy realizes there is not anything they wouldn’t do for each other. I think that was the penultimate scene for me.

           The last chapter was a complete whirlwind. To be honest, I’ve read it a few times and it still hasn’t sunk in completely yet. There was just SO much to unpack. Despite a cliffhanger, it was an amazing ending that left me DYING for more.

           Quite honestly, I much preferred this book to the first one. While I loved the first book, I guess this one just meant so much more because of how invested I was in the characters. And, of course, the developing romance really was amazing in this book. It pushed Casteel to number one on my book boyfriend power ranking.

bOverall, this series keeps just getting better and better. It’s incredibly unpredictable and I am so invested in these characters. It is a series that I will reread many times… In fact, I’m not sure it will ever get old. I do not know how I will survive until April 20th when the third book (A Crown of Gilded Bones) comes out, but I am eagerly awaiting the release date. Final Rating: 5/5. Absolute perfection. There is absolutely nothing I would change.

#from blood and ash #fbaa #a kingdom of flesh and fire #akofaf #poppy balfour #poppy #poppy and hawke #Hawke and poppy #Hawke flynn #hawke #casteel #Casteel daneer #prince Casteel #atlantia #the ascended #kieran #poppy and casteel #a crown of gilded bones #jla #jennifer l armentrout #book review #book reviewer #bookworm #fantasy series

[kingandfireheart]

Kieran Contou knows EVERYTHING

Kieran's seer abilities combined with his bond with Casteel means he is inclined to have more information than either Poppy and Casteel. Of course, Kieran has known Casteel and felt his emotions for centuries, but he also seems to have a sense for things.

Casteel confirms in the Red Pearl Scene and in AKOFAF that Kieran just knows things, which can be seen throughout the book.

During the Red Pearl scene, he predicts Jericho's death (which occurs at the beginning of AKOFAF:

"I can kill Jericho," he offered, his tone the same as if were asking if I wanted to grab a bite to ear. "And take care of the guard."

"I don't think that'll be necessary. I suspect he'll end up dead at some point anyway.

"I have a feeling that's true."

I smirked. Kieran's feelings often had a way of becoming a reality. Just like his father.

Casteel confirms this to Poppy in AKOFAF when they are on the rise waiting for Delano's return:

Something occurred to me then as I watched the western sky. “Was Jasper chosen as the speaker for his people because Alastir was already your parents’ advisor?”

“Alastir could’ve been both, but Jasper…well, he has a sense for things. Not like you. He’s just more in tune with people and even animals.”

I thought about that. “Kieran’s the same way, isn’t he?”

His chin grazed the top of my head. “Jasper once said there was a Seer somewhere in his bloodline—a changeling—and he’d gotten a watered-down version. When I was younger, I used to think he was just telling stories, but he seemed to know things. Like when it was about to storm, or what side to hedge his bets on. Sometimes, he knew what I was going to do before I even did it.”

Just like Kieran.

When Kieran confronts Casteel (then Hawke) in the Blood Forest, we see that he already seems to know that Casteel's plans are changing:

“I know.” Hawke’s arms were crossed. “If we break halfway to Three Rivers, we can ride through the night and make it to New Haven by morning.”

“You ready for that?” Kieran asked, and my brows knitted.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You think I haven’t noticed what’s been going on?”

At the beginning of AKOFAF, he also predicts that neither Poppy nor Casteel are ready to confront the truth:

Keeping the meat knife hidden under my tunic, I faced Kieran. “You mean he has every intention of using me.”

His head cocked to the side. “That’s not what I said, Penellaphe.”

“Why not? Do you think he really has given up on his brother? I don’t. He even said that I’m the Queen’s favorite,” I spat, the last two words acidic on my tongue. “This marriage thing has to be a part of the plan to get his brother back. Though why he didn’t just fess up to that at the table, I have no idea.”

“I don’t think either of you knows the truth.”

My spine stiffened. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Kieran eyed me. He was quiet for so long, the unease within me tripled.

Kieran knows about Casteel's plans changing:

"How's it feel to be on the verge of becoming a real Princess?"

"He told you already?" I didn't know why that should surprise me. Casteel had probably seen Kieran last night.

"Of course, he did. I probably knew his plans had changed before he had."

My eyes narrowed. "I'm willing to bet his plans changed when he realized I was part Atlantian."

He smiled, and the expression hid a wealth of mysteries. "His plans changed well before that. But like I said, he hadn't quite realized that."

"But you did? You know him that well?"

"I do."

Kieran predicts Casteel's announcement as well:

One quick glance, and I saw that they were still by the doors. “How do you know he will announce that I agreed to the marriage? Did he tell you?”

“No.”

“Then how do you know?”

“I just know things.”

Kieran also shows some of Casteel's cards after Lord Chancey attacks and kidnaps Poppy:

He's not wounded. Kieran answered. "At least not physically. Emotionally, I believe you left him shredded."

I rolled my eyes. “Then why ask if he’s okay if he’s not hurt?”

Kieran started to reply, but Casteel beat him to it. “He’s a worrywart. Constantly fearing that I’ve been injured or that I’ve overexerted myself. Wanting to know if I’ve gotten eight hours of rest and eaten three square meals a day.”

“Yeah, that’s exactly it,” Kieran replied drolly.

Kieran also seems to know that Poppy and Casteel's marriage is a lot bigger than just Poppy being the Maiden:

“Casteel said the others are saying it’s an omen of great change. Alastir said it probably has to do with my marriage to Casteel.” I thought of his first reaction. “Do you think it’s a warning?”

His eyes met mine. “I think he’s right. Your marriage will bring change to both kingdoms, one way or another.”

Kieran also predicts the heartmates thing, when is definitely going to be a part of TCOGB:

My lips twitched despite the insanity of our conversation as I turned back to the sparkling, sun-drenched midnight water. “He told me he believed it was the Atlantian blood in him, recognizing mine.”

“And you felt the same?”

I nodded. “Is that a possibility?”

“Possibly,” he said after a moment. “But I don’t think that’s the case. I think it’s something deeper than that. Something intangible, far rarer and stronger than bloodlines and even the gods. Something powerful enough that it has ushered in great change in the past.”

Tensing, I had a feeling I didn’t want to know what he thought. That whatever it was would be even more earth-shattering than what he’d already shared. It’d be words given life that I wouldn’t be able to control.

“I think you’re heartmates.”

#akofaf #kieran contou #poppy balfour #casteel da'neer #blood and ash series #from blood and ash #fbaa #a kingdom of flesh and fire #mtp

[bookloveravenue]

A Blood and Ash novel (book 3): The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes book three in her Blood and Ash series…

She's been the victim and the survivor…

Poppy never dreamed she would find the love she’s found with Prince Casteel. She wants to revel in her happiness but first they must free his brother and find hers. It’s a dangerous mission and one with far-reaching consequences neither dreamed of. Because Poppy is the Chosen, the Blessed. The true ruler of Atlantia. She carries the blood of the King of Gods within her. By right the crown and the kingdom are hers.

The enemy and the warrior…

Poppy has only ever wanted to control her own life, not the lives of others, but now she must choose to either forsake her birthright or seize the gilded crown and become the Queen of Flesh and Fire. But as the kingdoms’ dark sins and blood-drenched secrets finally unravel, a long-forgotten power rises to pose a genuine threat. And they will stop at nothing to ensure that the crown never sits upon Poppy’s head.

A lover and heartmate…

But the greatest threat to them and to Atlantia is what awaits in the far west, where the Queen of Blood and Ash has her own plans, ones she has waited hundreds of years to carry out. Poppy and Casteel must consider the impossible—travel to the Lands of the Gods and wake the King himself. And as shocking secrets and the harshest betrayals come to light, and enemies emerge to threaten everything Poppy and Casteel have fought for, they will discover just how far they are willing to go for their people—and each other.

And now she will become Queen…

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55240343-the-crown-of-gilded-bones

********

March 5, 2021 

My Review: 5/5 Stars 

Amazing. Insane. I have no words after finishing that book. This series legit gets better and better. Just when you think it can't be topped, it does. This one is my favorite so far. There was so much to love about it and there way just so much going on and revealed. And that ending... dang. The book picks up right where the last one ended. The same moment. And it doesn't turn out as anyone would expect. The first several chapters were completely insane. So much stuff happened. So much HUGE and life changing things happened. I couldn't believe it was only the beginning of the book. For that much to happen and the changes that come with it. And things only spiral from there. 

Poppy learns a great deal more about Atlantia and the history. She learns a great deal more about herself and exactly where she comes from. It is a theme that is slowly unraveled throughout the book. It is a story of her and Casteel deciding what next on their mission to retrieve their brothers but also stop a war. As a whole, this book was a story about revelations. And plot twists on plot twists. Just when you think one thing is figured out, a new piece of information changes the game. My mind kept trying to piece it all together and keep up. 

And then there were the emotional pieces. Poppy and Casteel continue to be just the amazing and strong couple we fell in love with since the beginning. We see more beloved characters and meet some pretty awesome new ones. The humor is another piece of love to these stories. Between Poppy's constant questions that drive Kieran insane and Casteel's knack of being totally inappropriate at the most absurd times. With every heartbreaking emotional moment that comes, it is nice to have the humor that lightens it. 

This story had so much. You learn so much about Atlantia and the gods and bloodlines. I feel like Poppy when I say I still have so many questions. And the ending. Wow, if you thought the previous book was a cliffhanger, this one was in a way worse to me. A a few earlier chapters before broke me, but then the last one or so changed the game and sent a message no one will forget. I need the next book asap. And the wait will be torture but I know worth it. I loved this book. It had everything I wanted and more. Despite the fact that the ending made me want to cry. If you are loving the series so far this one will not disappoint at all. 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#book #books #i love books #my review #book review #blood and ash #a kingdom of flesh and fire #jennifer l armentrout #jla #the crown of gilded bones #from blood and ash #fbaa #akofaf #tcogb #poppy #casteel

[kenzieam]

Destroyed - Chapter Two (Chris X Raen)

Rating: M

Warnings: Violence, language, drama, angst

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@iammarylastar​​​​ @captstefanbrandt​​​​ @jewels2876​​​​ @moonbeambucky​​​​​ @badassbaker​​​​ @everythingisoverrated​​​​ @jeremyrennerfanxxxx123​​​​ @oliviastan17​​​ @igothroughphasesalot​

I KNOW I’M MISSING TAGS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT IN

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Chris watched for her the next day, his old nervous habit of rubbing his bottom lip with his thumb becoming a prominent action again. Even Al, the steady, reliable old man who came with the shop, and was at least 10 years past retirement, but kept showing up everyday anyway, noticed Chris’ edginess.

“What’s go ‘choo so worked up, boss?” Al had accepted the change of ownership, and employer, seemingly without batting an eye and, as far as Chris cared to remember, had never addressed him as anything but ‘boss’, even before he truly was. He’d shuffled through the bays and sat noisily on an old cane chair designated as his ‘spot’ while Chris tinkered absently under the hood of the Adler’s van. He knew the problem, but getting to it was a bitch, if only because his mind was constantly elsewhere this morning. All night his thoughts had drifted, coming around again and again to the mysterious Raen.

Chris made a noncommittal sound.

“It’s that girl, ain’t it?” Sharp gimlet eyes under bushy brows flicked his way then off across the shop and the old man coughed noisily as he dragged on a home-rolled, pulling the cigarette away from pursed lips with grease-stained fingertips.

When Chris didn’t answer, because he didn’t know what to say, Al continued.

“She’s got a story, ayuh. See it in the way she watches everythin’. Girl’s been mistreated.”

Chris’ heart thumped painfully in his chest. He suspected as much, and it killed him.

“A damned shame, fine young thing like that.” Al grumbled, pinching off the last of the cigarette and flicking it into the nearest ashtray. “Needs a good man, that one. One that’ll love her, not hurt her.”

Chris wondered irritably if Al was directly needling him, or just rambling as the old Maine transplant seemed to sometimes do. He’d never come out and say anything, but Chris knew the old man had a dim view of Chris’ relationships, or lack thereof, since moving to town.

Commitment got you hurt, commitment got you shot and bleeding out on a dirty industrial carpet. Commitment got you compromising your morals for another’s selfish ambitions; and when the anguish of Erin’s final betrayal over their unborn child had eclipsed the unending agony of his damaged body, he’d closed that door forever, barring it against any future treachery. As he returned to the van, last night’s events trickled back into his reluctant mind. He didn’t want to think about what happened, but it seemed his thoughts were intent on doing their own thing anymore.

A: You up for some fun tonite?

The text stared back at Chris as he read it, but the familiar stirring in his groin never came. Annette was one of his hook-ups, one of his ‘acquaintances with benefits’ that he’d accumulated since moving here and while he would have been DTF even earlier today, the introduction of Raen into his life this morning had completely tangled him up.

A: You going to give me that cock? I want it deep and hard tonite.

Her dirty talk usually enflamed him, stoked a fire deep in his belly that, while not personally encompassing, was fun to ride but tonight it stirred nothing.

C: Not tonight, Nettie.

The reply took so long to come that Chris started to think that it wasn’t.

A: What’s up with you? You’ve never said no before.

It was true, he hadn’t; and they’d had some wild times, but they had been empty, a physical release for two people too gun-shy to give anything but their bodies to each other. Chris had never spent the night, nor had she, always climbing out of the tangled sheets in the dark of night to go home, the restlessness inside temporarily sated.

A: You got another?

Chris frowned at the screen.

C: Always did, we’ve never been exclusive.

A: We can share again. Remember July 4th last year? You had enough for three of us.

The thought soured his stomach. He didn’t want to be reminded of the debauchery he’d been a willing part of in the past, it made him feel polluted now, unclean and unworthy of a certain auburn-haired woman.

C: No.

A: She suck you off better? Can she deep-throat you like me?

A brief flash of memory, Chris in a ratty armchair, leaning back, legs spread. Annette on her knees in front of him, her lips around his cock, cheeks hollowed as she worked, gagging on his length, that familiar tightening in his sac telling him he was close, his rapid groans and fluttering eyelids telling her the same thing. Bliss and release, pulse and throb.

C: Just drop it. Then the coup-de-grace, the killing blow. We’re done, Nettie. I don’t want it anymore.

A: You bastard.

Chris winced.

C: It’s never been a secret; this was just a fling. No feelings, remember?

A: Whatever.

The faint burn of shame made him shift uneasily on his couch, the shoot-em-up movie blaring from his TV only a distant buzz in his addled mind. What the fuck? Had he just gotten rid of Annette, with the no-questions-asked open door policy for his cock? And for what? A three-minute conversation that ended when the woman had literally ran from him? What was it about Raen Casteel that possessed him so?

He didn’t want to, one part of his mind screamed for mercy, but the rest dove in anyway as he let himself think about her. The pull was undeniable, the air between them charged. He didn’t like seeing her timid like that though, it didn’t fit her, she needed confidence and self-assurance.

But damn, she was just about perfect every other way.

His type used to be like Erin; thin, an almost boyish lack of curves but that preference had disappeared along with his desire for her; his tastes had definitely evolved. Now his body craved curves; soft peaks and valleys; silky, supple flesh to fill his hands and mouth; a woman’s body. Raen’s fitted jeans had hugged every lush curve today, showcased her hourglass figure and Chris had swallowed hard at first sight, fighting his body’s response.

“Boss.” Al’s voice broke into his thoughts and Chris jolted, clearing his throat, glancing over at the old man in time to see him jerk his chin to the outside.

Chris followed his indication, pulse jumping as his gaze landed on Raen. She was approaching the shop, clutching her tote to her side, eyes roving like she expected assassins to leap out from behind a tree or parked car.

Al tutted again in displeasure, flicking his rheumy eyes up to Chris’. “Bastard.” He grunted and Chris could only jerk his head in terse agreement.

Wiping his hands on a rag, he hurried into the front of the shop, reaching it just as Raen entered the building, sidling up behind the counter and pressing his palms firmly down onto it to hide the shaking of his hands.

“Hi,” he offered uncertainly, feeling unaccustomedly shy.

“Hello,” she replied quietly, a small, tentative smile on her face and Chris couldn’t stop a wide, relieved grin from splitting his face. The sight made her blush slightly and look down.

Clearing his throat, Chris grabbed her paperwork and keys. “It was the alternator,” he explained, hurrying to assuage her nervousness, “I did have the right one, so it was an easy fix. Your battery is fine, too.”

“What do I owe you?”

Chris had battled with himself all day about this, he wanted to say ‘nothing’ but he had a sense that wouldn’t fly with this woman. She never wanted to feel like she owed someone, like they were trying to hold a favor over her head; so he named a simple figure, one that would barely cover the cost of the part and only half the labor.

She stared at him for a moment, as if seeing right through him, noticing his fixing of the price, his struggle to hold off on not charging her at all; he had the sense that she was weighing him and he hoped to god she didn’t find him wanting.

“Okay, thank you.” She replied, pulling out her wallet. The flash in her eyes told him she knew she was underpaying and even now was thinking about demanding a higher fee, anything to avoid feeling indebted.

“No strings, I promise.”

Another flash, like she’d heard that line before too. “Sure.”

Chris grinned nervously, feeling like a wrong-footed junior fumbling through his first high-school romance, trying to woo a wiser, older senior who’d deigned to pause and listen to his babbling.

She handed over the cash and Chris signed the invoice PAID IN FULL, handing the top copy to her. She took it almost gingerly, then accepted the keys he passed her next. “Thank you.” She sounded nervous again, hesitant.

“Anytime.” Chris replied, a sharp pang building in his chest. He couldn’t let her walk away again. “Wait.”

She’d already moved to the door, stopping and turning back to look at him, her gaze shuttered.

“Can we… I mean I’d love to take you out to dinner sometime, please?”

She flinched, and for a half-second Chris saw regret in her eyes. She wanted to say yes but just…. couldn’t.

“That’s probably not a good idea.”

Crushing rejection, which Chris fought to hide with a neutral smile. “Some other time, then.”

“No, thank you.” Her eyes were apologetic, but unyielding. They flicked up to his once more, seemed to plead with him to understand she couldn’t stand to be pushed about this, not now, then backed out of the door and turned sharply, disappearing from Chris’ line of sight. A few moments later he heard the Land Cruiser start and accelerate away.

He slumped forwards, resting his forearms on the counter and dropping his forehead to his clasped hands, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He didn’t want this to be the end, but he also didn’t want to push her.

What do you do when the person you want doesn’t want you back?

After a pause he exhaled and pushed upwards with a groan, returning to the Adler’s van with a heavy heart.

**************************************************************************

One Month Later

She hadn’t come back and Chris hadn’t seen her anywhere around town.

He still thought about her, though. Constantly. His interest in Raen never waned, never wavered. He wondered how she was doing, was she still scared? Was she still timid? As time passed Christ began to worry that it had been something about him that warned her away, some spectre of his past that had hovered over his shoulder unseen and made her wary, whispered caution in her ears.

He’d cut off all his hook-ups, his stomach souring every time he thought about the meaningless, mindless sex he’d indulged in, the way he’d used those women, whether they knew it or not; whether the using had been mutual or not.

Any release he allowed now was self-inflicted, images of Raen’s haunting eyes as he stroked himself in the shower, hand pressed to the wall as he bowed forwards into his fist, her name falling from his lips as he came, his seed pulsing thickly over his hand, spurting against the wall before washing down the drain; his legs shaking slightly, muscles trembling as he remembered her intoxicating stare, the sweet curves he’d not gotten a chance to worship.

Today he let a customer and friend, a man named Harrison, take him out for lunch as thanks for working on his daughter’s car. She’d ‘missed’ the warning lights telling her she was overdue for an oil change and nearly taken the engine out of it, if Harrison himself hadn’t checked the dipstick out of curiosity and noticed the bare metal, the telltale faint smell of burning.

Chris had saved the engine, sparing Harrison thousands of dollars and he was understandably relieved, while still furious with his offspring for being such a teenager and chewing the poor girl out until she was almost in tears, until Chris had intervened with a smile and joke, calming both parties down. Young Emma had roared away in her repaired car with a wave and a smile, leaving both men standing at the shop still slightly stunned by the resilience of youth, until Harrison had clapped his hands together and announced he was taking Chris out for lunch.

Al was invited as well and declined. He had a fetish for meatloaf sandwiches, and an endless supply it seemed, of leftover meatloaf to indulge that fetish with, and was perfectly happy to stretch out in his cane chair that he’d pull outside the bays and watch the ‘flatlanders’ as he called them walk by, as if he was still back in Maine.

It didn’t occur to Chris to ask where Harrison was taking him until he realized they weren’t heading over to their usual diner.

“Where we going?” Hopefully nowhere fancy, Chris was in simple jeans and a t-shirt.

“The Bend.” Harrison replied. “They have a damn good lunch, didn’t you know?”

“Yeah, I heard, always just drank here though.” Everyone in town knew the bar opened at noon and served good hot food, but he’d never gone there before dark, and never for anything but liquor and maybe wings and a hook-up.

“Oh brother, you’ve been missing out.”

It wasn’t until Chris stepped inside behind Harrison that he staggered, bumping into the man in front of him.

“Hey dick, first time with the new legs?” Harrison joked but Chris didn’t even hear him.

“Earth to asshole.” Harrison chuckled as he walked slowly to a table, watching Chris as if he worried for the man’s sanity.

Chris cleared his throat and hurried to the table, a faint sheen of sweat breaking out on his forehead.

“What the hell, man? Seen a ghost?” Harrison sounded concerned now. He followed Chris’ eye when he glanced back over his shoulder, then whistled low in his throat. “Oh, that’s what you’re tripping over. That redheaded waitress? Yeah, she looks pretty good, doesn’t she? Got a pants-busting crush?”

Chris glared daggers at his friend, silencing him with an easy chuckle. “Alright, down boy. I’m married anyway, but you go ahead, see if she’ll throw your sorry ass a pity fuck.”

Any other girl and Chris would have laughed, would have fingered Harrison with an eye roll and playful sneer, but not Raen.

“Shut up, leave her alone.”

Harrison held up his hands, eyes flashing with surprise. “Alright, chill man. Peace.” Eyeing Chris for a beat he grabbed one of the menus from its perch in the condiment tray, throwing him one last glance before settling down to read.

Chris’ heart raced in his chest. He’d not asked Raen where she worked, and he’d not come to The Bend in the last few months. And, despite his desperately wanting to, he’d not let himself call the cell number she’d left ; he was a lot of things, and all twisted up over this woman was one of them, but he couldn’t let her think he was some sort of stalker.

So, this is where she’d been.

Surprise and something else flashed in her lilac-grey eyes as she approached the table and Chris flicked an anxious glance her way. But she seemed determined to pretend that she didn’t know him, that she wasn’t affected by him the way he was with her.

“Hello boys,” her voice was easy, but empty. This was a job and she held her cards close. “What can I get you?”

Harrison eyed Chris for a moment, weighing the pros and cons of teasing the man further, maybe flirting with the redhead or bringing up Chris’ obvious nerves, but he valued him as a friend and as a mechanic able to save him money when his child ignored warning lights too much to push; besides, in the four plus years he’d known Chris, he’d never seen the man so honestly and simply entranced by a woman before.

“Just a Coke for me, please.”

She nodded. “And you?” She asked quietly, her head turned to Chris but her eyes on her small notepad.

“Uh…” Chris’ tongue lolled uselessly in his mouth like a dead fish. What the fuck. “Water, please.”

Faint color in her cheeks. “And are you ready to order?”

Yes. Jesus God, doll. I want you. Only you.

Chris bit his tongue, hard as the Fruedian slip almost fell out and glanced at Harrison for help.

The other man eyed his friend for a beat curiously before turning his attention back to Raen. “Double pizza burger and fries, thanks. And can I have extra sauce on the side?”

“Sure.” Raen answered, scrawling the order. “The cook likes his onions; do you want those?”

Harrison made a face. “No, thanks. And thanks for checking.”

She gifted him with a small smile before turning her heavenly attention at Chris, who still wasn’t able to speak normally, his heart still racing like thoroughbred in his chest. “Cheeseburger, medium and onion rings. Thanks, Raen.” Her name slipped out like it was perfectly normal for him to address her so casually, like they were perhaps even friends and it was hard to say whose cheeks went redder. She scribbled on her pad then nodded shyly before taking off like Harrison had set fire to her apron and the man huffed an incredulous breath.

“Jesus, man. You got it bad, and so does she.”

“Really?” A desperate hope clawed in Chris’ chest. “Don’t fucking tease me.”

Harrison raised a brow and shook his head. “I wouldn’t, and yeah. She’s fighting it, sure; but she’s watching you just as close as you’re looking at her…. What’s the story there, my friend? Never seen you anything but confident with a woman before.”

Those women don’t count. I felt nothing for them. Raen is different.

“She’s different. She came in last month with car trouble, I asked her out and she said no. I’ve been looking for her ever since.”

Harrison nodded; bottom lip pooched out in thought. “You got your work cut out for you. You actually going to settle with just one? I mean-“

“There’s no one else. Not anymore.” Chris hissed, anger flaring in his chest. God, what he wouldn’t give to erase that part of his history. Did Raen know? Talk was cheap, had she already been warned away from him by other women? Stay away from Chris King, he’s got hook-ups all over town. Man’s never going to be faithful to one woman.

“Here you go.” Raen had returned, setting down their drinks. Chris was too conflicted right now to raise his head, too many emotions racing through his eyes, if he looked up, he’d just scare her away. The anger in his stare wasn’t for her, but she’d think it was.

“Thanks.” Harrison replied for them both and Chris could only exhale long and raggedly after Raen turned and walked away again.

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes fanfic #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky #au bucky barnes #sebastian stan #destroyer #destroyed #destroyer chris #chris x raen #destroyer chris fanfic #destroyer chris fanfiction #destroyer chris angst #destroyer chris drama

[brooklynmuseum]

Let America be America again. Let it be the dream it used to be. Let it be the pioneer on the plain Seeking a home where he himself is free.

(America never was America to me.)

Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed— Let it be that great strong land of love Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme That any man be crushed by one above.

(It never was America to me.)

O, let my land be a land where Liberty Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath, But opportunity is real, and life is free, Equality is in the air we breathe.

(There’s never been equality for me,  Nor freedom in this “homeland of the free.”)

Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark? And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?

I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart, I am the Negro bearing slavery’s scars. I am the red man driven from the land, I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek— And finding only the same old stupid plan Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.

I am the young man, full of strength and hope, Tangled in that ancient endless chain Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land! Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need! Of work the men! Of take the pay! Of owning everything for one’s own greed!

I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil. I am the worker sold to the machine. I am the Negro, servant to you all. I am the people, humble, hungry, mean— Hungry yet today despite the dream. Beaten yet today—O, Pioneers! I am the man who never got ahead, The poorest worker bartered through the years.

Yet I’m the one who dreamt our basic dream In the Old World while still a serf of kings, Who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true, That even yet its mighty daring sings In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned That’s made America the land it has become. O, I’m the man who sailed those early seas In search of what I meant to be my home— For I’m the one who left dark Ireland’s shore, And Poland’s plain, and England’s grassy lea, And torn from Black Africa’s strand I came To build a “homeland of the free.”

The free? Who said the free?  Not me? Surely not me?  The millions on relief today? The millions shot down when we strike? The millions who have nothing for our pay? For all the dreams we’ve dreamed And all the songs we’ve sung And all the hopes we’ve held And all the flags we’ve hung, The millions who have nothing for our pay— Except the dream that’s almost dead today.

O, let America be America again— The land that never has been yet— And yet must be—the land where every man is free. The land that’s mine—the poor man’s, Indian’s, Negro’s, ME— Who made America, Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain, Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain, Must bring back our mighty dream again.

Sure, call me any ugly name you choose— The steel of freedom does not stain. From those who live like leeches on the people’s lives, We must take back our land again, America!

O, yes, I say it plain, America never was America to me, And yet I swear this oath— America will be!

Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death, The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies, We, the people, must redeem The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers. The mountains and the endless plain— All, all the stretch of these great green states��� And make America again!

On Friday, January 20th we invite you to use the Brooklyn Museum as a source of inspiration, reflection, and community building. Join artists, writers, performers, activists, and community members for a free daylong reading of Langston Hughes’s prescient 1935 poem Let America Be America Again. 

Free and open to the public. All are welcome. Readings take place every 30 minutes between 11 am and 6 pm. Kick-off and libations by Queen GodIs 11:00 AM Christopher Myers 11:30 AM Jordan Casteel 12:00 PM Nkosi Nkululeko 12:30 PM Nona Faustine Simmons 1:00 PM Naima Ramos-Chapman 1:30 PM Jose Parla 2:00 PM Steffani Jemison 2:30 PM Lauren Clark 3:00 PM Maia Cruz Palileo 3:30 PM Nicola Lopez 4:00 PM Gordon Hall 4:30 PM Elia Alba 5:00 PM Katherine Hubbard 5:30 PM AK Burns

#brooklyn museum #langston hughes #poetry reading #let america be america again #free #public #community #inspiration #reflection #community building #artists #writers #art museum #activists #museum #america #january 20th #inauguration day #inauguration #highlight #poetry #poem

[omcik-blog]

New Post has been published on OmCik

New Post has been published on http://omcik.com/auto-workers-union-rolls-the-dice-at-nissans-mississippi-plant/

Auto workers' union rolls the dice at Nissan's Mississippi plant

CANTON, Miss. (Reuters) – For nearly a decade, the United Auto Workers union has tried to organize workers at Nissan Motor Co Ltd’s (7201.T) assembly plant here, challenging the company’s wages, safety record and commitment to treating African-American workers fairly.

Starting Thursday, the roughly 4,000 workers at one of Mississippi’s largest industrial employers will cast their votes, affecting not only their own futures but the union’s as well.

Another failure to organize a southern auto factory would leave the UAW weakened ahead of contract negotiations with the Detroit Three automakers in 2019, when many analysts forecast U.S. auto sales will be in a cyclical slump.

The organizing vote, which the UAW called for last month, has divided workers at the Canton plant, which builds Nissan Murano sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and Titan and Frontier pickup trucks.

Pro-union workers said the plant has a record of poor safety and complain that the company moved to a 401(k) defined contribution plan from a traditional plan.

“This is not about wages, I’m concerned about safety issues at the plant and about my pension,” says Patricia Ruffian, 51. “They say if we vote for the union we’re going to have nothing, we have to start from scratch, and that’s not true.”

The UAW also claims Nissan has illegally threatened workers that if they vote for the union, the plant will close. Based on those claims, the U.S. National Labor Relations Board has issued a number of complaints that Nissan has made that threat a number of times in recent years. The automaker denies the allegations. The outcome of the election could be contested, leading to a test of how the Trump-era NLRB will handle contentious labor issues.

Rodney Francis, director of Human Resources at Nissan’s Canton plant, said, “Labor rights are about the right to organize, or not to organize. All we’ve been doing is providing employees with the facts so they can make an informed decision and at the end of the day this is about what they choose.”

Nissan has strong supporters on the factory floor, who point to the history of problems at Detroit’s unionized automakers and reject the UAW’s arguments that black workers are not treated fairly.

“Black people are doing much better here since Nissan came,” said Tony Jacobson, 52, who is black. He has worked at the plant since it opened in 2003 and makes $28 per hour – comparable to the top rate for unionized workers at General Motors Co (GM.N) or Ford Motor Co (F.N). “I’m trying to save our livelihoods, I don’t want Canton to be like Detroit.”

The UAW, like other large industrial unions, has struggled to expand membership as manufacturers have moved jobs overseas or to states like Mississippi that allow workers to shun union membership even in union shops.

The union has organized smaller auto suppliers in the U.S. south, but has failed for decades to organize all the workers at a major southern auto-assembly plant. Politicians in the region have used low unionization as a selling point to attract more manufacturing investment.

“If the union wins, it will encourage other in the South to unionize,” Vanderbilt University labor analyst Daniel Cornfield said. “If the company wins, it will make it more difficult for the UAW to organize elsewhere in the South.”

Pro-union Nissan worker Patricia Ruffin shows off signs at the center the United Auto Workers has set up in its efforts to unionize Canton, Mississippi, U.S., July 31, 2017. Photo taken July 31, 2017.Nick Carey

‘Changed the Landscape’

Scott Waller, president of the Mississippi Economic Council (MEC), the state’s chamber of commerce, says Nissan has “changed the landscape” in Mississippi. Nissan was the first automaker to locate a major assembly plant in the state, but since Mississippi won the contest for the factory in 2000, it has secured significant investments by other automotive giants like Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) and Continental AG (CONG.DE).

The number of auto workers in the state rose to 18,000 in 2016, from 11,000 in 2010. Government statistics show the average Mississippi auto worker earned $50,510 in 2016, 34 percent above the state average.

A vote for union representation at Nissan’s Canton plant “could affect that plant’s ability to compete and Mississippi’s ability to compete in the realm of economic development,” Waller said.

Nissan worker Tony Jacobson shows off a banner he made to show why he opposes the United Auto Workers unionÕs attempts to unionize the automakerÕs plant in Canton, Mississippi, U.S., July 31, 2017. Photo taken July 31, 2017.Nick Carey

Workers at Nissan’s Canton plant earn less in total hourly wages and benefits than workers at unionized auto plants in the United States. See graphic tmsnrt.rs/2hnDyTr

The union has connected the pay issue to its argument that Nissan is undermining progress on civil rights.

“There’s a huge race issue there, there’s an issue of civil rights and the history of Mississippi plays into that narrative,” UAW Secretary-Treasurer Gary Casteel said in an interview.

Dolphus Weary, co-chair of community organization Move Mississippi Forward and a long-term black campaigner for racial unity, said he doesn’t see it that way. He recounts visiting a manufacturing plant in the 1960s where the only black workers were janitors.

When he visited Nissan’s Canton plant, Weary says “my antenna were up looking for the same situation” but instead he found a plant where 46 percent of the managers were black.

“This is the new Mississippi,” Weary says of the plant. “I don’t think old arguments from 50 years ago will help move us forward.”

But Reverend Isiac Jackson, pastor of the Liberty Missionary Baptist Church in Canton, said management at Nissan’s plant has worked to prevent employees from voting on union representation, which is reminiscent of the time when Mississippi’s leaders tried to prevent black citizens from voting.

“Now just let everybody vote,” he said. “And if they vote against a union then everybody will go about their business.”

(For a graphic on ‘What U.S. automakers earn’ click here)

Reporting By Nick Carey; Editing by Nick Zieminski

[humanoid-lovers]

Very nice, but the images could be larger The idea is of taking underwater pix of dogs is revolutionary and the purchase is certainly worth it. Yet, my mistake, I hadn't realized that the book's dimensions do not allow any larger picture. Double-page images being cut right in the middle due to the binding, the pictures appear less beautiful than they could. Go to Amazon

Dogs + Water I assume dogs have ALWAYS looked like this when they are diving & playing in the water. Now, Seth Casteel has captured for us views that have never been seen before. After a 1-page introduction, each turn of a page shows a photo of a dog looking into water or diving under the surface pursuing a toy. Each dog is identified by name, breed, & age. One looks like a shark, one looks like a donkey, others look like alligators. Nearly all have their eyes wide open, the better to follow a ball or other toy. Some appear goofy (like the dog on the cover), some appear scary, all are intensely focused. Go to Amazon

If you're a dog lover - you need this book! I received my copy of "Underwater Dogs" on Tuesday and I without a doubt think this is the best dog photography book I have ever seen and I actually own quite a few as I am a huge dog lover. The pictures in this book are unlike anything I have ever seen up until a few months ago when I, like thousands of other people, discovered Seth Casteel's website and his amazing underwater photos. Not only are the photos themselves so unique but the clarity of them are incredible and the colors just pop!! The expressions on these waterloving dogs are something out of a Dr. Suess book. Who knew dogs looked like this underwater? I will tell you who knew, Seth! And he captures these expressions with amazing skills and what is one heck of a good camera. These pictures are as professional as you can get and yet there is such a playfulness that it keeps it from being unlike any other dog portrait book. As for the actual book itself I was impressed at how well the book is made. A book of this quality could easily sell for 2 - 3 times this Amazon price. At $12 this book is a steal and I, for one, plan to "steal" about a dozen more copies to give as Christmas presents to my dogloving friends and family. The other thing I really like about this book is that it is a true coffee table book. Some coffee table books have way too much writing. Guests sitting on your couch dont' want to read a War and Peace novel. They want a book they can flip through and look at pictures. But as fun and entertaining as these pictures are I don't think anyone could just flip through this one. They will have to look at each and every page as every page offers an entirely different view of the underwater life of dogs. Some are wide mouthed, all teeth and look like sharks honing in on their prey which most of the time is a tennis ball. Others look serenely under the water as if they are trying to discover some secrets of the deep. While others have goofy grins that seem to stretch for miles under the distortion of the water. There is even one very interesting photo of a yellow dog where somehow Seth captures the image of the dog's face in a bubble that the dog himself is breathing out under water. I think other photographers could take thousands of underwater photos and never capture an image as unique as that. How he did it I don't know but I do know this. Seth Casteel has mastered the art of photographing dogs. His "land" portraits are just as impressive and I am so glad he included at the back of the book a small portrait of each dog so you can see what they really look like. This book is an absolute must if you love dogs and I think should be one of the best selling Christmas presents under $25 for this coming season. Bravo, Mr. Casteel, your book is utterly fantastic and as a fellow doglover, I thank you for showing those of us with waterloving dogs what they really look like down there in the deep end. Go to Amazon

Great photos- but they need to republish it with photos off-centered so the dogs' faces can be seen! This book has some very funny and beautiful photographs of these dogs. It is one of those books that is not only good for the intended recipient, but also will entertain any guests one may have. Go to Amazon

Same photos as the 2014 Appt book I love underwater dogs and this is my second calendar, but I do have to say I'm extremely disappointed in the photos. They are the same photos that were in the 2014 appointment book. There's nothing new to see here. If you have the 2014 calendar and accompanying appointment book, the 2015 Calendar are those same pictures. I had assumed a new year would bring new photos. Go to Amazon

Beautiful, funny pictures but many ruined by layout of book. A laugh out loud funny and sweet testimony to the awesomeness of dogs. I think the photographs are beautiful. My only complaint is many of the pages have the dogs face right across the spine/binding so you can't see it very well. It wasn't laid out well- who would do that to a beautiful picture? I first saw this at Barnes and Noble bookstore and wanted to buy it really bad but I'm glad I bought it used on Amazon, after looking through it a few times, I was over it and glad I didn't spend $20 plus on it at the bookstore. A must see, must share book for dog lovers. Go to Amazon

Outstanding gift for dog lovers- even if to yourself! If you are looking for an outstanding gift for a dog lover, these books are the ticket. You'll get smiles and even tears (if the lover is more of and obsessed with dogs person, don't ask me how I know) when you give these as gifts. The quality of the pictures and printing is outstanding, there are many different breeds and it's a great coffee table conversation piece as well. Go to Amazon

Adorable book Love this goofy book. I got it for Christmas from my boyfriends sister and I have it on my coffee table as a conversational book. Everyone always reaches for it becuase the cover is so funny & cute. I bought one for my grandpa who's a crazy dog person. He absolutely loved it. It's a great gift for that special dog person in your life. Go to Amazon

I am very happy I picked this brand Adorable Photos, Dissapointing Quality Five Stars It was listed as used, but you couldnt tell ... Cute! excellent picture book Five Stars Fun book great gift for dog lovers Very enjoyable.

[hawkefaery]

Is it bad writing or does it have a meaning behind it?

I have seen multiple people approaching the naming ig Ileana and Eloana from different points of view. Those that do not love the book point it out as bad writing and confusing. In contrast, does who love the book point it out as funny but still confusing but many also wonder why would isbeth chose that name if she hates Eloana.

As a fan of this series, I have never pointed it out as a mistake. I even have my one theory/supposition as to the reason behind the similarity of their names even though it is not mentioned in the book.

Jen once said that there are similar names between characters but those have a reason or a purpose behind them. An example of this is Malec and Malik, from my perspective their similarity it's to show the reader that despite all we read about Eloana and Malec, she did love him so deeply that she named her first son with another man in honor of the happiness she had with Malec and a dreamed future by his side, to what cas referees to as "what the could have been". That name similarity tells you something about Casteel's parents because in once said there is Eloana but it also shows the reader the type of character Valyn is. It says this man is the type that allows his son to be named after his wife's ex-husband because he loves her no matter what, he is understanding of the situation, and he is calm, not jealous or possessive. Besides, there is no moment here it shows that Valyn behaves any differently between his sons or that he has any preference for Casteel, with could have easily been a subplot, that Valyn has resentment towards Malik and preferred Casteel, in the novel after all the different family dramas that there are any, but is not so once again it show something about the characters.

But do Ileana and Eloana tell you something about the characters? In my opinion, it absolutely does. Iliana is a name that Isbeth chooses to be known as.

I = from I in Isbeth both times. To have something from her name.

L - ANA = from eLoANA

Isbeth says to Poppy that she was not jealous of Eloana, that he even pitied her before she hated her because Isbeth was whom Malec truly wanted despite being married to Eloana and that she loved him. Nevertheless, I do not believe that to be completely true, and as Isbeth is as a trustable character as a poisonous snake I allow myself to question what she says. I do believe she pitted Eloana but I also believe that to be only one side of her feelings. After all, Eloana had officially all that isbeth wanted. Eloana was the one who else the title of wife and the title of queen, she was the one who would be recognized as Malec's wife despite isbeth being his heartmate. This is funny because, at the same time, Isbeth had what Eloana wanted, the son and Malec's love. What I mean is that I believe that isbeth resented Eloana and was jealous of her. After the war, Malec's captivity, and basically Isbeth's exile, Eloana "wins" this silent competition of "who has what", she marries a man she loves, she keeps the title of queen of Atlantia, and worse of all she falls pregnant. Isbeth by this point has no way of becoming the queen of Atlantia, of being with the man she loves and she has also lost her son so by that point she has nothing. Then she joins forces with Jalara and they go and rule over Solis and that is when she becomes known as Queen Ileana. Basically, I believe Isbeth's intention is to mock Eloana but silently, only Eloana knows who she really is and Isbeth knows that so it's only between them. I always interpreted this as a way of saying like "Look at me, I am the stupid queen" as if she was mocking Eloana's title and also that "advantage" she had over isbeth even when Malec was still alive.

I don't know I did not write this book but I am like obsessed with them so. lmao, feel free to share your thoughts with me.

psd: eloana supremacy

#fbaa #jennifer l armentrout #fbaa series #twotq #jennifer armentrout #akofaf #tcogb

[castleshadows]

Bow Before Your New Queen

The first Chapter of TCOGB from Casteel's POV.

Written January 14, 2021

“Lower your swords.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my mother sink down onto one knee. I couldn’t help but be a little surprised at this. She was so angry about my marriage to Poppy, and now here she was, giving up her crown and bowing to the new Queen. As far as I’d known my mother had never bowed to anything in her life. Of course, there had never been a descendant of Nyktos in Atlantia in her lifetime either. Well, there was a first time for everything wasn’t there.

I looked back to Poppy, who was currently staring at my parents like she wanted nothing more than to run very far away and never look back. I didn’t blame her. Her gaze shifted to me, her expression changing. I gave her just a hint of a grin, fangs showing. She visibly relaxed. Gods, I loved her so much.

My friend.

My love.

My partner.

My wife.

My heartmate.

My Queen.

My everything.

She was the only person in the room. Or at least the only one I cared about.

“My Queen.” I breathed, lip curling up of its own accord. Her eyes snagged on something at the corner of my mouth. Probably my dimples. The funny thing was, I hadn’t really ever noticed them until Poppy had brought them up, and now that she had, I couldn’t stop noticing them. It was really rather obnoxious, though I was glad she liked them.

Poppy gave almost a full body shudder, relaxing.

Something came over her then, and her eyes filled with pain. The adrenaline from whatever had happened here was probably coming down. She swayed, knees getting ready to buckle—

I moved, standing up and taking a step closer to Poppy. Her eyes widened. It was so cute the way she was always surprised by how fast most of us were. I wanted to run to her so badly, to take her into my arms and rip out the throats of anyone who came near. It seemed the wolven had the same idea.

A menacing growl came from behind me. Jasper. His size in his wolven form still surprised me to this day. I wondered if Kieran would ever get that big.

Another growl, familiar to me as my own voice.

Kieran himself was looking at me with a hatred in his eyes that was unusual for him. Emotions weren’t usually something he showed. But now, his ears were pinned back, his eyes blue, but not blue. There was something wrong with his eyes…

“No.”

Poppy’s voice was a quiet rasp, and I know she knew what was about to happen. Kieran sank onto his haunches, getting ready to pounce. I didn’t want to hurt him, but if it meant getting to Poppy I would take him down. I would take them all down one by one.

His eyes were so strange though they… they glowed. My eyes widened. They knew.

“You all knew,” I couldn’t believe it. That’s why all the wolven had been running towards the temple before the rain started.

“You all knew something was happening to her, that’s why…” I trailed off. I was mad. Mad they hadn’t told me anything, mad they were keeping me from helping my wife.

Even without Poppy’s empath gifts, I could feel the confusion radiating off of her.

Me too, Princess. Me too.

Several of my parents' personal guards moved to surround them, and I suddenly remembered I was also surrounded. By a bunch of half feral wolven, waiting to rip me into pieces. Shit.

A howl went up into the air from Delano, and several yips and calls answered him from a distance. They grew louder each second.

“Godsdamn,” Emil was reaching for his swords, “Their summoning the whole damn city.”

Yes, Emil, thank you for that astute observation, I thought. I knew he was only saying what needed to be said, but I still couldn’t help but want to stake him on the wall for looking like that at Poppy. She didn’t believe me, but I knew what I saw.

“It’s her,” Alastir stated, coming forward. I could see the distrust in him clearly. Godsdammit would they hurry up. Not everyone here needed to state the complete obvious. All I saw was Poppy, head bleeding, struggling to stand. I needed to get to her. I needed to take care of her. I needed—

“It’s not her,” I shot back at Alastir. This was taking too long.

“But it is,” My father stared at Poppy. I wanted to gouge his eyes out. “They’re responding to her. That’s why the ones on the road with us shifted without warning. She called them to her.”

“I… I didn’t call anyone.” Poppy’s voice broke, and my heart cracked a little with it.

She didn’t know what was going on. Hell, I barely knew what was going on. I could tell she didn’t mean for any of this to happen. If I could just get to her, wrap her in my arms, and tell her it’s going to be okay, then maybe it wouldn’t be a complete lie.

“I know,” I looked at her, hoping my eyes portrayed what my voice could not at this moment. I hoped she was using her gift, so she’d know that at least I, out of all the people in this room (who weren’t wolven of course) didn’t blame her for any of this mess.

“But she did,” my mother insisted. Okay, now I wanted to gouge out her eyes too. “You might not realize it, but you did summon them.”

Poppy looked at my mother for several heartbeats. I could practically hear the gears of her brain turning. My Poppy, my wonderful, beautiful Queen. Then she flinched. She flinched. I hardened.

“If the idiots behind me actually laid down their swords instead of lifting them against my wife , we wouldn’t have an entire colony of wolven about to descend on us.” Staying pleasant at this point, was just a lost cause, “They are only reacting to the threat.”

“You’re right,” My father helped my mother to her feet. Her gown was soaked with blood. “But ask yourself why your bonded wolven is guarding someone other than you.”

I didn’t give a fuck what Kieran was doing.

“I really couldn’t care less at the moment.” The wolven were getting closer. I could hear their paws pounding the ground.

“You need to care,” My mother replied softly. No I didn’t. What I needed was Poppy. “The bonds have broken.”

“She’s right,” Alastir commented, “I can… I can feel it— the Primal notam. Her mark. Good gods. They’ve all broken.”

I didn’t entirely understand, or care about, what he was saying.

Poppy.

Poppy.

My wife.

Hurt.

She’s hurt.

“Look at their eyes,” my mother ordered softly. “I know you don’t understand. There are things you never needed to learn, Hawke.” Her voice cracked then. “But what you need to know now is that they no longer serve the Elemental bloodline. You are not safe. Please,” she begged. “Please. Listen to me, Hawke.”

No.

No.

No.

My wife, my love.

“How?” she asked, “How could the bond break.”

She always asked questions at the most inconvenient times.

“That doesn’t matter right now,” I practically growled, “You’re bleeding.”

She ignored me.

“How?”

“It’s what you are,” My mother lifted her skirts. They were soaked with blood. “You have the blood of a god in you—"

“I’m mortal,” Poppy insisted. “Yes, you are mortal, but you are descended from a deity—the children of the gods. All it takes is a drop of god’s blood—” Eloana swallowed thickly. “You may have more than just a drop, but what is in your blood, what is in you, supersedes any oath the wolven have taken.”

Poppy looked like she was about to pass out.

“You go near her? Right now?” my mother continued “They will see you as a threat to her. They will rip you apart.”

Let them. They may take me down, but I would take many of them down with me.

“Casteel—”

“It’s okay.” My eyes stayed locked with Poppy’s. “No one is going to harm Poppy. I will not allow that.” I took a deep breath. “And you know that right.”

She nodded, eyes frantic.

“Everything’s alright. They’re just protecting you” I smiled for Poppy then, as much as I could manage. But, even I could tell it wasn’t reassuring whatsoever, tense and tight. All my worries showed right on my face.

“I don’t know everything that is going on right now, but you—all of you—want to keep her safe. And I’m all about that. You know I would never hurt her. I would tear out my own heart before I did that. She’s injured. I need to make sure she’s okay, and nothing is going to stop me from doing that.” I didn’t blink as I held Kieran’s stare. The other wolven had reached the temple steps. I could hear the rolling thunder of their paws. “Not even you. Any of you. I will destroy every single one of you who stands between her and me.”

And I would. I would kill Kieran, my best friend, my brother. I would kill him if that was what it took.

My lips peeled back, showing my fangs, and Kieran’s growl turned deeper, primal. I prepared myself to fight—

“Stop,” Poppy ordered, “Kieran! Stop! You will not hurt Casteel.” Her voice echoed throughout the chamber. “All of you will stop. Now! None of you will attack.”

A switch flipped off. All of the wolves lowered their head, laying down on the temple floor.

“That… that was timely. Thank you for that.” Emil, looked at her in that way of his that made me want to rip his lips from his face.

Yeah he was going to die soon. No question about it.

My eyes were fixed on Poppy. She was glowing silver, bright like moonlight. She’d spoken like a true Queen. It was incredibly arousing. Uncomfortably arousing actually. I shifted on my feet.

“He will not hurt me, you know that.” She directed it towards Kieran and Jasper. “You told me he was the only person in both kingdom’s I was safe with. That hasn’t changed.”

Kieran nudged her with his nose. I could tell what he was trying to say. “You’re safe with me too.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, eyes closing.

“Just so you know,” I murmured, “What you just did? Said? Has me feeling all kinds of wildly inappropriate things at the moment.”

She laughed shakily, “There is something so wrong with you.”

Maybe there was something wrong with me. But, that didn’t change anything.

“I know.” My lips curved upward, “But you love that about me.”

She didn’t confirm it, but I could tell she agreed.

“You were glowing silver again. When you ordered the wolven to stop,” I told her. “Not a lot, not like before, but you looked like spun moonlight.”

She looked down at her hands, and her brow furrowed.

“I didn’t want any of this,” she whispered.

“I know,” I replied voice rough. I placed a palm over her cheek, the one that wasn’t swollen. I needed to take care of her. I needed— "I know Princess."

Her hair was tangled beneath my hand, her face bloody and streaked with dirt. And yet, she was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. “It’s okay. It’ll all be okay. I can promise you that.”

I couldn’t promise it to her. But I could sure as hell, protect her in any way I knew how. Any way that was possible.

I kissed her brow and then turned towards Emil. “Emil? Can you retrieve clothing from Delano’s and Kieran’s horses so they can shift and not scar anyone?”

“I’d be more than happy to do that,” he replied, leaving the temple. I watched him go, glad he was leaving. I couldn’t pay attention to Poppy when he was in the room. When he was right there just waiting for me to murder him.

“I think their nakedness will be the least scarring thing to happen today.” Poppy pointed out.

I said nothing, touching her cheek, and taking note of all her injuries. I wanted to kill them. I would’ve ripped them limb by limb had Poppy not already done that for me.

My Poppy, my beautiful Queen.

“They tried to stone you.”

There was a soft gasp from my mother, but I ignored it. I was still pretty mad at her.

“They accused me of working with the Ascended, and they called me a Soul Eater. I told them I wasn’t. I tried to talk to them.” Her hands lifted, presumably to touch me, but stopped midway. I couldn’t help but be disappointed.“I tried to reason with them, but they started throwing stones. I told them to stop. I said it was enough, and…I don’t know what I did—” She started to look over my shoulder, but I stopped her, not wanting her to look at the bodies. I knew from experience it would only make things a hell of a lot worse. “I didn’t mean to kill them.”

“You were defending yourself,” I reminded her. I wanted her to know it wasn’t her fault. It wasn’t her fault at all. “You did what you had to do. You were defending yourself.”

“But I didn’t touch them, Casteel,” Poppy whispered. “It was like in Spessa’s End, during the battle. Remember the soldiers who surrounded us? When they fell, I felt something in me. I felt that again here. It was like something inside me knew what to do. I took their anger and I—I did exactly what a Soul Eater would do. I took it from them and then gave it back.”

From somewhere behind me my mother said, “You are not a soul eater.” I didn’t want to gouge out her eyes as much anymore. “The moment the eather in your blood became visible, those who attacked you should’ve known exactly what you were. What you are.”

“Eather?” Poppy asked, gaze shifting back to me. I couldn’t help but be relieved. If she was asking questions she was okay… right?

“It’s what some would call magic,” I answered, and shifted my stance, so my mother couldn’t see Poppy. She didn’t need to be assaulted with questions by the former Queen. “You’ve seen it.” I reminded her.

“The mist?”

I nodded. “It’s the essence of the gods, what’s in their blood, what gives them their abilities and the power to create all that they have. No one really calls it that anymore, not since the gods went to sleep, and the deities died off.” My eyes searched hers, trying to figure out what she was feeling. It was times like these empath powers would have been useful. “I should have known. Gods, I should’ve seen it…”

“You can say that now,” my mother spoke. “But why would you have even thought that this would be a possibility? No one would’ve expected this.”

No. I hadn’t. But she had.

“Except for you.”

“I can explain,” she protested. She could explain, my ass.

Emil appeared carrying two saddlebags. Thankfully he had enough sense to give us all a wide berth, probably sensing the tension in the room.

“Apparently a lot needs to be explained,” I said, icily. “But it will have to wait.” I looked at Poppy’s left cheek, at her temple, at the blood. I needed her to be okay. “I need to get you somewhere safe where I can… Where I can take care of you.”

“You can take her to your old rooms at my place.” Jasper said, having shifted. Poppy looked over, and then blushed, probably realizing Jasper was naked. I tried not to laugh.

He handed a pair of breeches to me for Kieran. “That will do. Thank you.”

“Will it be safe for you there?”

I grinned. It was adorable how concerned she was for my safety. Though I kind of wished she would pay more attention to herself, seeing as she was bleeding.

“He’ll be safe there,” Kieran answered for me.

Poppy looked at him, and I was surprised to see she didn’t seem at all embarrassed that he was wearing no clothes. It made me kind of jealous. I handed him the pants.

“You were going to attack Casteel,” she accused.

Kieran nodded and took the pants.

“He most definitely was,” I confirmed.

“And you threatened to destroy him.” That one was—rightfully—directed at me.

I smiled just a bit, “I did.”

It was kind of funny in hindsight.

“Why are you smiling? That isn’t something that should make you smile.” She stared at me, and I immediately felt bad for smiling. I could tell she was holding back tears. “That can never happen again. Do you hear me?” She twisted to Kieran, who arched a brow as he pulled on the breeches. “Do you both hear me? I won’t allow it. I won’t—”

“Shh,” I touched her cheek, calming her. I felt awful. “It won’t happen again, Poppy,” I swept my thumb across a tear that had already fallen. We were close enough now that our chests touched. It was very distracting. “Right?” I asked Kieran.

“Right.” He cleared his throat. “I don’t…” He went quiet. I had no idea what he was going to say.

Jasper however, spoke up. “As long as the Prince doesn’t give us any reason to behave differently, we will protect him as fiercely as we will protect you.” I wouldn’t give them any reason to attack me if I had anything to say about it.

I felt something hit my chest and looked down to see Poppy with her face buried into my shirt. She took a long inhale. She did that sometimes when I was near, probably smelling me. I didn’t fault her for it though. The gods know how many times I’d done the exact same thing to reassure myself.

I folded my arm over her back, careful not to hurt her, breathing in the scent of honeydew. I shuddered.

“Wait,” Kieran said. “Where is Beckett? He was with you when you walked off.”

Beckett.

I drew back ever so slightly, “That’s right. He offered to show you the temple.” I narrowed my eyes, everything forgotten except Beckett. Beckett who had just moved to first place on my murder list. Okay maybe Emil was just a little bit ahead of him… but still. “He led you here.”

“He disappeared when the others showed up,” Poppy said reluctantly, “I don’t know where he went."

Yep, that settled it. Beckett was dead.

I turned to Delano, still in his wolven form. “Find Beckett,” I ordered, “Naill? Emil? Go with him. Make sure Beckett is brought to me alive.”

Poppy stiffened. I could tell she didn’t like this.

“He’s just a kid,” she said, “He was scared. And now that I think about it—”

“Poppy,” I interrupted, placing my hand just below the cut on her temple. I kissed it. “I have two things to say. If Beckett had anything to do with this, I don’t care what or who he is, and I sure as fuck don’t care about what he was feeling.” My voice rose, until everyone in the temple could hear me. This needed to be heard.

“A move against my wife is a proclamation of war against me . Their fate is already sealed. And, secondly?” I leaned down further towards her, brushing my lips against hers. Her scent heightened almost imperceptibly. I knew exactly what we were doing tonight.

I turned my head to the side and pointed to the only wolven who remained, now standing on two legs, “ You .”

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