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castleshadows · 2 years

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Their Liessa

A followup to His Liessa. Kieran's POV of the blood-drinking scene in TCOGB.

18+ Content: Smut

Written July 16, 2021

Kieran uncrossed his legs, stretching them out because they had been cramping. He lifted his arms because those had been cramping too. Everything in his body was just one big cramp at this point, though he didn’t know what he’d expected when he told himself he wasn’t going to move from this chair until Poppy woke up. Of course his muscles were going to protest staying in one position for so long.

Kieran leaned forward placing his elbows on his knees and then decided he didn’t like the way it felt and moved back to his original placement. He looked towards the small window near the door and tracked the ray of morning sunlight until he got to where it fell across her . Poppy. His Liessa. She looked better than she had a couple hours ago, no longer as pale, but she still wasn’t fully herself. Everything about her seemed a little dulled, as if someone had taken away the light that gave her life. He didn’t know if that meant she really had Ascended or if it was just his eyes and minds playing tricks.

His eyes darted across the room until they stopped on Casteel’s empty bedroll. His brother had left less than ten minutes ago to take care of his needs and retrieve clothing from Kieran’s father. Which meant that he’d walked out into the open buck naked. He had a feeling Poppy would blush and then chastise her husband if she knew that particular piece of information. Kieran looked back towards her prone form and blew a breath out from between his lips, tipping his head back against the chair.

The fan spun lazily above him, cooling his sweaty face. It was the middle of winter, and yet where they happened to be currently, seasons weren’t really a thing. It was summer all year round, and Kieran despised it. He shifted a bit in the seat and for the millionth time in the last hour, sent a quick prayer to the gods to let Poppy be okay. He included a bit in there about making her somehow magically not be an Ascended, and immediately felt foolish. The gods were asleep, they couldn’t do anything about that. He didn't even know if it was possible for them to do anything about it while awake.

Kieran sighed, running a hand over his face and taking a deep breath. Whatever Poppy’s fate, he would be with her through it all, because that was just what he needed to do. He dropped his hand to his lap and froze for two reasons.

One, because he could feel the primal notam again, pulling him towards his Liessa, guiding him to protect her, and care for her, and obey her until his last breath. Two, because Poppy was sitting up and staring at him from her spot on the bed. Her copper hair fell across her shoulders, providing her with a little dignity by covering a bit of the full chest that was completely on display. Kieran met her eyes and jerked back, in complete disbelief at seeing the same bright emerald she’d always had staring back at him. Not black. Not Ascended. He didn’t know whether to cry from happiness or panic at this new challenge.

Instead, he leaned forward, swallowing hard, “I can still feel your notam. ”

Poppy’s eyes narrowed, and it took Kieran several seconds to comprehend that she was hungry. And by then it was too late. Her lips peeled back and her entire body zeroed in on his throat.

“Shit,” Kieran whispered, rising from the chair, getting his whole body ready to fight as Poppy launched off the bed and tackled him, shoving his body back into the chair.

Kieran gripped her arms trying to hold her back as far as he could, but whatever she was now, was strong. He stumbled and fell back into the seat. Poppy climbed up into his lap faster than he had ever seen her move before, straining hard against his hold. Every muscle in his body was flexing as hard as it could to hold her off, but it wasn’t going to be enough.

“Gods you’re fast,” he grunted, arms trembling and slowly being forced back towards his chest, “And you’re really strong.”

Poppy lifted her head, and he got a good look into her eyes for the first time. They weren’t just green. Not really. Something behind them glowed, something old and primal. Something he felt connected to in a way he’d never felt before.

“Holy shit,” he gasped out, and then it was over. Poppy lunged forward and one of his arms collapsed under the pressure.

Faster than he could track she went for his throat, teeth bared. A part of him wondered if she was just going to gnaw at the skin there. She didn’t have any fangs, at least none that he could see. So how the hell was she going to draw blood? A crazed, scared laugh started to bubble up in his chest, but before it could be released, something yanked Poppy off of him and the pressure was gone.

Kieran jumped up from the chair just as Poppy fell into a shirtless Casteel’s arms, writhing in his grasp. A keening, animalistic whine left her, followed by a guttural growl as she caught sight of him again. Her eyes widened for a split second and then narrowed again as she tried to claw herself towards him. He backed away looking towards Casteel.

“You don’t want him,” he said to his wife, his voice smooth and silky, “He won’t be as tasty. You want me.”

The laugh started to form again, but Kieran shoved it down, “In any other situation, I might be offended.”

Poppy continued to struggle, trying to get her teeth into anything with blood. Casteel’s hold on her tightened. “It hurts,” she growled, the words coming from deep in her chest.

Kieran felt a pang of sympathy, and he knew his brother felt it too.

“I know,” Casteel whispered, holding her as gently as possible in the current situation, “But you can’t eat Kieran. That would make me a little sad.”

Kieran would’ve snorted had there been different circumstances. Poppy didn’t seem to find it funny at all, instead opting to throw her head back and hit it against Casteel’s jaw. He grunted in pain, but didn’t let go, only held on tighter as Poppy tried desperately to wriggle away.

“Careful,” Kieran warned, watching as his Liessa tried to gain leverage on the floor, “She’s stronger.”

“I got her,” Casteel bit out, “You should probably put some distance between you and her.”

Kieran nodded, but didn’t move. No way in hell was he backing up any further. He needed to be with a close distance in case he needed to intervene. Poppy growled louder and while she was distracted Casteel brought his wrist to his mouth and bit into it, the blood flowing down his arm. He brought it near Poppy’s face and she immediately followed it, falling back into her husband’s arms and staring hungrily at the red liquid. She took a deep breath through her nose, inhaling the smell of Atlantian blood.

“Her eyes,” Kiearn said, as Casteel lowered his arm towards Poppy’s mouth, “They’re not black, they’re still green.”

Casteel jerked up, his eyes wide and brow furrowed in surprise, “What!?”

Taking the distraction as a chance to get what she needed, Poppy lifted her head and latched onto Casteel’s wrist drawing deeply from the open wound. Her eyes rolled back in her head and she let out a low moan.

“Gods,” Casteel gasped, gripping Poppy’s jaw to pull her away from his wrist.

“No!” she cried out, and something in Kieran wanted to run towards her. To give her all the blood she needed. To let her drain him dry if it meant her suffering would be over. But, he shook his head, stamping that feeling down.

“Look at me,” both Kieran and Poppy looked towards Casteel, his voice so enchanting it was hard to resist. But, only Kieran was able to look away, not compelled by eather within him to do whatever he bidded. Casteel had never used his gift on Kieran, and the wolven was glad for it. Having someone else control your mind didn’t sound like the most pleasant experience no matter how well he knew the controller.

“Stop,” that one word filled the entire room, echoing through the small space, despite being all but whispered, “Stop fighting me and open your eyes Penellaphe.”

She obeyed. She had to. There was no other option when Casteel compelled you. You either did as he ordered or ripped yourself apart trying.

“Poppy,” Casteel whispered, his voice shaky, and his eyes filled with… with tears, “You didn’t Ascend.”

That one simple truth changed everything. The spark of relief he’d had in his heart bloomed throughout his body, and he had to fight not to sink to the ground. It wasn’t a trick. He was seeing things. Poppy hadn’t Ascended.

“I don’t understand,” the words came out before he could stop them, “Even with the blood of the gods in her she was still mortal.”

Casteel examined her with great concentration, turning her head this way and that. He pushed back her upper lip and Kieran could tell that she wanted to bite down on his finger. It was evident in the way her jaw strained against the compulsion. That one simple thing was so… Was so Poppy that Kieran almost started crying. By some miracle he was able to keep his face passive, but the worry and stress he’d felt constantly the past two weeks were messing with the emotions he was usually able to keep in check.

“She doesn’t have fangs,” Casteel murmured almost to himself, then he turned towards Kieran, “I know what this is. It’s bloodlust. She's experiencing bloodlust, but she didn’t Ascend. That’s why you still feel the primal notam. ” He slipped his thumb away from her lip and gave a full body shudder before lifting his wrist to her mouth and whispered, “Feed.”

It was obvious when the compulsion ended. Poppy’s body jolted as if jumping back into movement, and she lifted her mouth to Casteel’s wrist, sucking deeply when she connected.

“Careful,” Kieran warned, watching on anxiously as she took mouthfuls of blood he didn’t know if his brother could spare, “You’ve given a lot of blood and haven’t taken nearly enough.”

“I’m fine,” Casteel dismissed, “You should leave.”

“Not going to happen,” Kieran growled, his worry for Poppy slowly being matched by his worry for his Prince, “She may hurt you.”

“Shouldn’t you be more concerned about her well-being now?” Casteel chuckled roughly. Kieran didn’t know what he found so funny. Of course he was worried about Poppy, his Liessa , this woman who was so powerful and yet now seemed so fragile. But if he was being honest, Casteel was the only one who was in any real danger here.

“I’m concerned about both of you.”

Casteel sighed, giving Kieran a world-weary look, that the wolven felt in his very core, “This could get… intense.”

He looked towards Poppy, who’s eyes were closed as she sucked in more and more of that precious liquid Casteel needed to live.

“It already is,” Keiran replied raggedly. He was so tired.

As Poppy drank, her husband used his other hand to rub her scalp, running gentle fingers through her copper hair. She let out a content sigh and leaned more fully against Casteel, pressing her side to his bare chest.

“Poppy,” Casteel started to whisper to her, not paying attention to Kieran any longer. The wolven had a feeling that this conversation was not meant for him to hear, but there was really nowhere else to go, so he continued to focus on Poppy, listening as Casteel murmured sweet nothings to his wife, ““I’m sorry that you woke in this state and I wasn’t here. I think I…I must’ve passed out. I’m so damn sorry. I know what bloodlust feels like. I know that you can lose yourself in it. But you’ll find yourself again. I don’t doubt that for one second. You’re so strong.”

Gods she was. She was one of the strongest people Kieran knew. Only eighteen and yet she had gone through so many things he and Casteel hadn’t even been able to comprehend at that age.

“Gods, I hope you truly understand how strong you are. I’m constantly in awe of you. I’ve been in awe of you since the night in the Red Pearl,” Casteel started to rock her back and forth,“You’re brave, so damn brave. I realized that at the Red Pearl. To be the Maiden, to be raised as you were, and to still want to experience life told me that you were brave. That night on the Rise, when you went up there in that…that damn nightgown?” He chuckled, pressing his cheek to the top of Poppy’s head, “You didn’t hide. Not then, and not when you went out to ease the pain of those cursed by the Craven. You’ve chosen things for yourself longer than you realize, Poppy—longer than you give yourself credit for. You always did when it mattered the most, and did so knowing the consequences. Because you’re brave. You were never the Maiden. You were never truly helpless. You were smart, strong, and brave.”

Casteel gave a ragged exhale, the expression on his face matching how Kieran felt. “I don’t think I’ve told you this. I didn’t get the chance yet. When you asked me to kiss you under the willow? Deep down, I knew then that I would give you anything you asked for. I still will. Whatever you want,” he promised roughly, his fingers tangling in Poppy's hair. “You can have it. Anything. Everything. You can have it all. I will make sure of it.”

Kieran nodded in agreement without meaning to. They would. They would give her whatever she wanted. If she asked for the moon on a string then he would get it for her, no matter how long it took. No matter what he had to do to get it, she would hold the moon in her palm if that was what she wanted.

Poppy started to sit up, sipping more fervently now, and a familiar scent reached Kieran’s nose. Arousal. He’d had a feeling this might happen, that the blood would be too much for her to handle without release. And if that was what they both needed, then he would let them have it. He would stand here and supervise, making sure she didn’t take too much from Casteel, no matter what shenanigans happened.

Poppy’s chest brushed against Casteel’s and they both groaned at the contact. His Liessa swung her leg over so she was straddling her husband's lap. Holding the wrist she was drinking from to her mouth, she used the other hand to push him to lay on the ground. Casteel obliged, moving his free hand to her hips and guiding her to roll her hips against his.

“Whatever you want,” he murmured, “I will give it to you.”

Poppy gave him another push so that he lay flush with the floor. Her hips lifted and ground against Casteel’s cock that Kieran without even looking could already tell was hard. Poppy moaned into her husband's wrist, and he pulled them both up off the floor just enough to shove his pants down to his knees. That action drew another moan out of Poppy and before Kieran knew what was happening, she angled her hips and sank onto him, tilting her head back from the pleasure.

Her toes curled against the wood as Casteel hips flexed up into hers and he let out a strangled curse, sinking deeper inside of her. Kieran blinked, surprised at how quickly they had forgotten he was here. Poppy started to rock her hips and it was only just then that he realized the amount of blood she had to be taking.

“She’s taking too much,” Kieran said, stepping forward, “You have to stop her.”

Casteel didn’t react, and neither did Poppy, because she would drain him dry if she had to. And he would let her. Kieran didn’t think only reacted.

“For fuck’s sake,” he strode forward and knelt behind his Liessa, gripping her chin in one hand and putting his other arm around her waist in case she decided to put up a fight.

Thankfully, she seemed too lust-addled to care. Casteel sat up and maneuvered his arms around Kieran’s to grip Poppy’s waist and hair. He moved his body underneath her’s thrusting into her and filling the room with the sound of wet fucking.

Kieran didn’t have the brain power to be grossed out at all. He was too focused on holding Poppy and making sure she didn’t lunge for Casteel or him again. She leaned back against him, meeting her husband's thrusts with her own and pretty soon her entire body jerked. Poppy threw her head back as she spasmed, her muscles clenching with pleasure. Cas followed, letting out a ragged moan, as he came, several droplets of his release leaking onto the floor.

They stayed like that for several seconds, each person taking several breaths. Casteel was the first to lift his head, meeting Kieran’s gaze and mouthing “thank you”. Kieran nodded and eased his arms out of the entanglement. He gave Poppy one last look, pleased to see that her skin was much less dull. She looked alive, finally.

Kieran nodded one more time to both of them and then made for the door, opening in and then closing it quietly. Delano was waiting outside in his wolven form, and he tilted his large white head in question.

“They’re alright,” Kieran said, “She’s awake and fine. She didn’t Ascend.”

Delano’s eyes widened and he looked towards the door as if he wanted to go inside, but thought better of it. That was probably for the best. Kieran didn't want to disturb whatever came next.

He signaled to Delano to follow him down the stairs and they walked out into the forest, nodding to several wolven as they passed. Each nod felt like some sort of silent agreement that the woman in that house was to be protected at all costs. Kieran didn’t know why they felt this way. It was the primal notam of course, but as to what that entailed he didn’t know. What he did know however was that the wolven had a new purpose now, and they weren’t going to fuck this up.

#kieran contou #poppy balfour #casteel da'neer #fbaa #comfort #voyuerism #unplanned voyuerism #akofaf #tcogb #jla #twotq #asite #poppy x casteel x kieran #poppycaskieran #poppycas

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elriell · 3 years

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Some thoughts on Poppy x Cass x Kieran & The Joining.

After some awesome chats with the wonderful peeps ( @silverlinedeyes , @azriiel , @rhyssescups & @azrielisababe ) I think that there are several little tidbits that really hint at The Joining or potentially more, I know it is a pretty mixed bag of opinions but here are some of mine. [Spoilers: TCOGB]

Implication vs. Foreshadowing

“Casteel’s arm curled, tightening around my shoulder, drawing me closer. My breath snagged as his movement triggered Kieran. He shifted behind me, and my pulse felt like a trapped bird. A sleek, muscled thigh slid between mine, pressing in. I had no idea if it was Casteel’s or Kieran’s.”

“I didn’t know when I’d stopped thinking about the fact that it wasn’t just Casteel’s body that touched mine, it wasn’t his chest that my head fell back against.”

“But that wasn’t the only explanation for why I was so warm. Heat pressed against my back. A heavy arm lay over my waist and a leg was tucked between mine.”

The first time they... have fun, he does so with Kieran nearby.

She could have easily left the joining in the air, having implied it but not intending to follow through yet we get 23 mentions, alongside several moments of highly sexual/emotional connection between the three.

Instead throughout the book we are slowly introduced to the prospect of the three of them gently, coaxing them in to the storyline repeatedly through AKOFAF.

“Cass is too jealous...”

“A ghost of a smile appeared. “And then he’d be…intrigued.”

My mouth opened, but my mind took that and leapt with it. I had nothing to say. Absolutely nothing, but I thought about what I had read about the wolven and the Atlantians. There was a bond between some of them, and while not much was known about what that bond entailed, I was confident that a Prince was of the class that wolven would be bonded to. I wanted to ask, but considering I was in a tub and naked, now wasn’t the time.”

There is way to much we do not know about their bond, or their past to make that statement in my opinion, I think ordinarily I would agree, except with Kieran, he is the one person I could see Cass trusting with Poppy.

Not to mention textually speaking, he brings it up plenty and never seems offended by the idea.

“I’m not judging either.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “You’re not?”

“I’m not,” I insisted.

“So, you’re interested then?” he murmured.”

“Did you bookmark the chapters detailing how Willa spent afternoons entertaining not one but two suitors, one in front and the other—?”

“You seem to know a lot about that book.”

“I love that fucking book,” he said, and my jaw ached from how hard I was clenching it. “So, you’re interested then, Princess. What a wild side you have.”

“Look, I know you’re not looking for this marriage to go beyond the necessary,” he said, and that strange, stupid ache in my chest pulsed. “So, it’s not even something you need to worry about. But the Joining is meant to strengthen the bond that’s already there, and ensure that the partner is also a part of that bond. It’s not done lightly, and again, it is not always a sexual thing. I know it’s been done where everyone kept their body parts to themselves.”

“I can always read to you,” Casteel offered. “I still have a certain diary with me. There is a chapter I’m sure you’ll be interested in. Miss Willa has the same sleeping arrangement—”

“No. Nope.” I screwed my eyes closed. “Not necessary.”

“Are you sure?” Casteel seemed to have wiggled closer. His entire leg pressed against mine.”

All of these instances are in reference to the Joining/Kieran. Never does he imply jealousy or something he would disagree with, if anything we are told how much stronger it would make the bond (though we have yet to see where it stands) and also include Poppy. You cannot convince me that she would bring this Joining up so many time only to have it never come to fruition.

Potential Breadcrumbs

“A hundred different thoughts and emotions exploded through me, so many, so fast, I couldn’t make sense of them.”

This is during the cuddle scene, this really screams foreshadowing for her emotions and the tug-of-war she is going to undergo!

“I…” I looked around, seeing nothing but thick fog and Kieran standing above us, staring behind me and breathing just as heavily as Casteel. Confusion swept through me.”

“Just as heavily as Casteel.” interesting choice of words.

So while we are on the topic let’s speak about Poppy & Kieran;

“Reaching for the blanket, I tugged it to my waist. A muscle flexed in Kieran’s jaw. “He didn’t force himself on you?”

“You’re okay?” Kieran asked, and I felt Casteel nod. “Penellaphe?”My tongue felt heavy, but I managed to work out a muffled, “Yes.”

He is not only focused on Casteel’s wellbeing but also Poppy’s. We also get significant growth between them and their comfort with each other...

“He lifted his brows. “Are you worried about me?” Crossing my arms, I nodded.

“Don’t be nice to me,” he replied, and I sensed amusement from him. “It weirds me out.”

“Sorry.” He smiled then as he walked to where I stood. “You don’t sound remotely sorry.” I grinned at him.

“Do me a favor,” Kieran said, looking down at me. “Protect your Prince, Poppy.”

They both understand each other because they both understand their love for Casteel and desire to protect him.

“Still caring for him would only lead to heartache,” I whispered, knowing the truth right then and there. I did care. I never stopped caring. And acknowledging that felt as if I’d slipped under the black water.

“It doesn’t have to,” Kieran said. “But even so, sometimes, the heartbreak that comes with loving someone is worth it, even if loving that person means eventually saying goodbye to them.”

The roughness in his tone spoke more than his words shared. “You sound like you have experience with that.”

This is so cryptic. Either way, it is a beautiful scene where they are opening up to each other and being genuine, not to mention the subtle hints at it being “worth it” despite the pain. Could Kieran have love/d Cas? We know from JLA that she said that most Wolven are Bi/Poly.

“I wasn’t sure how I could come to terms with it even when I had time. “I don’t...”

“You don’t want this.” Kieran finished for me, his wintry gaze meeting mine.

We can only speculate what this is referring to but I don’t think it is strange to think it could be the Joining, not to mention JLA said she wrote a scene that was unlike any of the smut she has ever done before and it occurs at the beginning of the book or near it... I am guessing something will urge them to need to do the joining, perhaps to reform the bond between Kieran and Cass that was severed.

This goes hand in hand with my theory that something will happen that separates them and has Poppy/Kieran having to go on a mission for Cass either with or without him. I think this could be how she finds a way to balance out the scales in the development in their relationships as PoppyCass has a full book more than with Kieran.

Not to mention this early review of the book mentions “sharing” & “watching” this heavily implies the Joining could happen.

Kieran & Cass

“If I had turned to Casteel in my sleep, Kieran had also turned, as if Casteel were a magnet that drew both of us.”

I strange turn of phrase. My thoughts are if a Poly Ship or alike were ever to happen there would need to be complete trust, a lack of jealousy and be functional much like HeronGrayStairs.

I truly believe the potential is there between PoppyCassKieran.

“Disbelief and anger radiated from him, but I felt something else, something deeper that was warm and stronger than the anger. “I know why you’re doing this,” Kieran whispered.”

“Casteel said nothing for a long moment and then said, “It’s not the only reason.” Words went unsaid between them, but were understood nonetheless.”

Their bond is undeniably strong and I truly believe there is more to it than meets the eye, unquestionably they love each other, the question remains how.

“When a bonded elemental takes on a partner, the bond can be extended to that person. It requires an exchange of blood between the three—or the four if the partner is also bonded. And the exchange of blood…well, it is quite…” He cleared his throat as his cheeks flushed. “It can become very intimate. In a way that would most likely make you very uncomfortable.”

I just can’t see why she would make such a show of the Joining for no payoff in the next book.

“First off,” he said, struggling for breath, “I don’t think anyone is going to expect that.” From you seemed to hang unsaid between us.”

Not to mention the fact there is little secrets between them, when no one else was told about Poppy’s gift Kieran was. When no one (Malek aside) knew about Shea but Kieran, and now Poppy.

It is a recurring theme that the three of are very open with each others secrets.

And I can only imagine it growing in the next book.

This ^^^^ just make me believe more and more we are getting some major Kieran development and book time, going along with my theory him and Poppy will be going to be spending time together for some reason.

So in summary, I think there is little doubt in my mind that the Joining will happen and potentially even a ship born.

#fbaa #akofaf #tcogb #poppy balfour #casteel da'neer #kieran contou #cass x poppy x kieran #poppycasskieran #poppycaskieran #poppy x cass x kieran #from blood and ashes #a kingdom of flesh and fire #the crown of gilded bones #tcogb spoilers

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