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“Atlantia has many things to gain from it,” Casteel responded. “But I have gained everything from the union.”

Ian stared at him, his brows knitted. He then looked at me, tentatively taking several steps forward. The wolven allowed it. “Am I supposed to believe you willingly married the monster responsible for our parents’ deaths?”

“I happily married the Prince, who you and I both know had nothing to do with our parents’ deaths.”

Ian shook his head, his brows raised. “I can only imagine what you have been told that led you to stand beside the enemy—those responsible for such terror and pain. I will not hold it against you,” he said. “Neither will the Crown. The Queen and King are so very worried about you, and we had so much hope that we would free you in the Wastelands.”

“I do not need to be freed.” Wrapping myself around the anger I felt, I smirked. “I’m sure they’re very concerned to have lost their blood bag.”

“Poppy, that’s not—”

“Don’t,” I interrupted him, sliding my hand free from Casteel’s. “I know the truth about the Ascended. I know how the Craven are made, and I know why they are holding Prince Malik and what they planned to use me for. So, let’s not pretend that I don’t know the truth. That you don’t. The Blood Crown is the root of the evil plaguing the people of Solis. They are the oppressors, not the heroes.”

A heartbeat passed. “The villain is always the hero in their story, aren’t they?”

“Not in this one,” I retorted.

He didn’t speak for a long moment and then said, “I would like to speak with you.” His dark eyes flicked to the storm brewing beside me. “Alone.”

“That’s not going to happen,” I said, my heart cracking a little more.

“Because you don’t trust me?” A muscle twitched near Ian’s mouth. “Or because the Dark One will not allow it?”

A midnight laugh rumbled from Casteel. “You don’t know your sister all that well if you believe anyone can stop her from doing what she wants.”

That was the thing, though. Another fissure streaked across my heart. Ian only knew me as his baby sister and then as the Maiden. He only knew me back when I did what I was told. And, gods, I wanted him to know me now—know the real me.

But seeing that inhuman coldness etched into his features, I knew that would never happen.

I wanted to cry.

I wanted to sit down right there and crack wide-open. It wouldn’t change what was standing in front of me, but it would make me feel better. At least temporarily. But I couldn’t do that. Not here. Not anytime soon. So, I thought of Casteel’s mother, and I did what she had done in front of me. I stitched myself back together so tightly that only a thread of grief coursed through me.

Once I was sure I had it under control, I took a step toward Ian. “You are my brother. I will always love you.” My voice caught. “But you have to know what they do to those children given over to the Rite. They serve no gods. How can you be okay with that? The Ian I knew would’ve been horrified to know that children are murdered—that innocent people are slaughtered in their sleep—all so the Ascended can feed.”

Something flickered across his face, but it was gone too quickly for me to know if it was really even there. His features smoothed out. “But I am an Ascended, Poppy.”

I drew in a ragged inhale as I stiffened. The warmth of Casteel’s body pressed against my back. “And Tawny?” I rasped.

“Tawny is safe,” he stated flatly. “As is the Dark One’s brother. Both are well taken care of and provided for.”

“Do you truly expect us to believe that?” Casteel demanded, his anger rising to the surface.

“You don’t have to. Both of you can see for yourselves,” Ian replied. His words fell like frozen rain. “That is why I am here.”

I suppressed a shudder as the spark of hope died. There was nothing familiar about Ian’s tone now, and his words meant more than what was spoken. He wasn’t here out of concern. “The message from the Blood Crown?” I managed.

He nodded. “The true Queen has requested a meeting with the Prince and Princess of Atlantia.”

True Queen? I almost laughed. I was surprised that Casteel didn’t. I glanced at him. His striking features had sharpened. “Funny, we wish to speak to the false Queen, as well.”

“Then she will be pleased to hear that you will meet with her in a fortnight to discuss the future. At the Royal Seat in Oak Ambler,” Ian told us, referencing a small port city just before the Wastelands. “Of course, she extends this offer with a promise that no harm will come to either of you in hopes that you will honor her offer and leave the armies you have gathered to the north.”