Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 231436 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1157(@200wpm)___ 926(@250wpm)___ 771(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 231436 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1157(@200wpm)___ 926(@250wpm)___ 771(@300wpm)
Kieran stays mostly in wolven form on their journey to Padonia but does his best to reassure Poppy and the others when he can. He also does his damndest to protect Poppy, and that includes saving her from herself at times.
Later, when Cas comes to him, Kieran tells him that he doesn’t want them to feel obligated to do the Joining just to save him from the curse, and Cas reminds him that they’re not just brothers or friends, they’re part of a greater whole.
I adore their connection so much. And it only got better when things ramped up and Poppy entered the mix.
They meet up with the others, and Kieran watches Malik carefully as Delano approaches. He’s unsure how things will play out as Preela, Malik’s bonded wolven, was Delano’s sister. Later, discussing their plan and strategy, Kieran realizes that the Blood Forest is where it is because Malec is entombed there.
Once things settle down, Kieran goes to talk to Poppy about the Joining. He first jokes that no one would turn down joining with a King and a Primal. When she goes to reassure him, he tells her not to make it weird but is unable to stop his feelings from showing. He tells her that he’s not doing it because of their titles or lineage but because he loves them both. When Poppy asks him what kind of love, he tells her it’s the kind that allowed him to promise he’d kill her if needed.
After a journey fraught with hurdles, Kieran waits for Poppy and Cas in the Wisteria Woods and jokes that he thought they’d fallen asleep. When Poppy asks about the other wolven surrounding them, he tells her that it’s a great honor for them to oversee such a tradition. Before they begin the Joining, he reminds Poppy that he and Cas expect nothing of her but he is unable to control his body’s natural responses. Moving behind Poppy, he apologizes and says that he’s trying to behave but it’s hard because she’s beautiful.
It was such a beautiful, pure moment, it almost brought tears to my eyes. But him controlling his behavior wasn’t the only thing that was hard. Talk about manhoods worth journaling about…
During the exchange, Kieran tries to keep it light by teasing Poppy as he always does. Afterward, they cuddle together, and he notices that the mark on his arm is gone, though none of them are sure if the curse went with it. Things after the Joining change, but all for the better. They share a bond that cannot be broken. Kieran also feels his attraction for Poppy growing, but he knows it’s different than what Cas feels for her, and is tied up with what he feels for Cas, as well.
Once they reach the Bone Temple, Kieran remarks that the armies have never come this far west before. After Cas teases him about thinking about having sex with Poppy in her armor just like he is, they give Poppy the same pep talk they did in Evaemon.
Once they deliver Malec to Isbeth, Callum uses a milky-white blade to lift the curse from Kieran’s arm, and then Kieran stabs him in the heart with bloodstone. Millie tells him to cut off his head next time if he wants him to stay down longer. After Poppy heals Kieran’s cut, he assures her that he’s fine and turns his attention to Isbeth, shocked when she plunges her dagger into her heartmate’s chest.
Poppy screams at Kieran and Cas to get the dagger out of Malec, but chaos ensues. Many are killed, and Cas and Kieran take down the Revenant who killed Emil. In the midst of everything, he can’t help but be awed at the changes Poppy undergoes, but the awe soon turns to something else as the shockwave she lets loose almost takes him and everyone else out. Luckily, Cas shields him.
Once everything dies down, he coaxes Poppy back to consciousness and confirms that she has fangs, telling her that Cas will have to help her through that bit since it’s not something in his wheelhouse.
He comforts her when she sees that all their friends are once again alive and whole, and he and Cas tell her that she brought everyone back to life. Nektas is quick to correct them, saying that it was actually the Consort working through Poppy that did it. As more is said, Kieran inquires what Nyktos is, if he’s not the Primal of Life and Death. And wonders aloud why he would honor the Consort remaining unknown.
Despite what’s ahead of them, finding and dealing with Callum is at the top of Kieran’s priority list. But they have much more important things to worry about. Kolis is free, and who knows what that means for the realms…
I shudder to think what might come for all of us next.