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)
Personality: Easygoing. An enormous flirt. Snarky and sarcastic.
Habits/Mannerisms/Strengths/Weaknesses: Very good with a crossbow. Likes to flirt with Poppy to get a rise out of Casteel. Always seems to be where Vonetta is.
Background: Like Kieran, helped Cas remember who he was and remind him that he wasn’t merely a thing after his captivity.
Family: Quentyn = unknown relation but share last name.
EMIL’S JOURNEY TO DATE:
Emil journeys to Masadonia to feed Cas while he’s undercover as Hawke and offers to stay, but Cas tells him that he needs him in Evaemon, keeping an eye on Alastir and running interference.
Emil arrives in New Haven with Alastir just ahead of the storm. The minute he’s introduced to Poppy, he’s greatly amused by her—and especially her mouthiness.
I kind of love her for that, too.
When Alastir tells her that he knew about her before, that she was the Maiden Chosen by the gods, Poppy replies that it must have come as a shock since their gods are asleep and can’t choose anyone. Emil agrees.
When Alastir questions how an Atlantian spent so much time near the Blood Crown without being discovered—they were all still under the impression that Poppy was only part Atlantian due to either Cora or Leo being of Atlantian descent at this time—and Poppy makes a comment about them being a blood bag, Emil agrees with her but sends a questioning look at Kieran when she reveals that she doesn’t know which of her parents was Atlantian.
Before dinner, Poppy greets Alastir politely, and he comments on it, alluding to the fact that none of the others in the room have manners. Emil grins.
While sitting down to dinner, Cas reveals that his fiancée is upset with him, and Emil quips that it’s not a very good sign if he’s already upsetting her when they’re not even married yet. As they make conversation about how Poppy and Cas met, Poppy tells them that he was her guard, and Cas corrects her and says that they actually met in a brothel—thanks to yours truly, thank you very much. Emil chokes on his food.
Alastir asks Poppy additional questions about her time as the Maiden and says that he assumed she was kept, given they were awaiting her Ascension. She confirms and takes it further, saying she was essentially caged. Emil is stunned to learn she was virtually imprisoned in her room all day, every day.
Poor Poppy. She really was nothing but a prisoner until Casteel, in essence, kidnapped her. Ironic, isn’t it?
Emil sets off for Spessa’s End with Alastir after he and Casteel discuss that it would be better to travel in multiple groups.
When Beckett gets hurt, Emil calls for a Healer. Poppy heals the young wolven instead, and he is gobsmacked to see the glow emanating from between Poppy’s palms.
Later, when Alastir and Casteel argue over obligations, Emil tries to defuse the situation.
Cas reveals that Poppy stabbed him in the chest with a bloodstone dagger, and Kieran adds that she meant to kill him. Emil wonders how many times Poppy has made Cas bleed.
Plenty, let me assure you. But it’s just another reason they are so entertaining.
Emil interrupts Cas and Poppy’s sexy time to alert them that the sky is on fire. When the couple reaches the terrace, he fills them in on what they’ve seen and what has happened, telling them Delano ran ahead to scout. They venture to the Rise and take in the sight, knowing that it doesn’t mean anything good. Emil then relays what the scouts said about the Ascended army and weaponry headed their way.
He addresses Poppy as Your Highness, and she balks. He and Naill explain that she’s engaged to a Prince; therefore, she is a Princess, and it’s simply how things are done. Emil then congratulates her on her engagement, but as always with Emil, it’s offered with just a bit of snark. He then goes further to say that after the wedding, they’ll have to call her Your Majesty instead and winks at Poppy.
If looks could kill the poor boy, he would be a pile of smoking ash. Cas does not take too kindly to his flirtatious ways.
Emil travels with the group through the Skotos Mountains. When Poppy wonders about the dangers of an ambush, he offers that there hasn’t been a Craven attack that far east since the war. With Jasper, Emil breaches the mist.
When they get to the trees of Aios and Jasper mentions the Chambers of Nyktos, Emil supplies that it’s a Temple just beyond the Pillars and tells Poppy she should visit and see the beauty.
The group splits and agrees to reconvene at Gold Rock. Emil goes with Jasper and Quentyn, and when they meet up again, he tells Poppy that he’s glad she made it and bows jauntily, further irritating Cas. They trade stories of how their nights went, and Emil mentions the mountains shaking. Cas acknowledges that they felt it but doesn’t elaborate—something Emil notices.