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Poppy, Cas, and the others reach Padonia, and Delano launches himself at his King. Cas tells Delano that he missed him.

Malik hesitantly approaches and kneels by Delano, speaking softly. He nudges Malik’s hand with his head, and Malik starts to cry and places a hand on him. They both miss Preela, and this is the first time they’ve had a chance to grieve together.

They narrow down that Malec is entombed near Masadonia, and Delano realizes that the Blood Forest grows where it does, partly because Malec is interred there. Three days later, they’re near the Blood Forest, fighting a group of Craven and then casting the spell to locate Malec’s entombment spot.

When they find the tunnel, Delano agrees with Sage when she indicates that the wolven should enter the tunnel first. As the Gyrms attack, Delano notices they aren’t attacking Poppy, and he tells her that maybe they recognize her somehow.

At the Bone Temple, Delano makes his dislike of Callum very clear. When all hell breaks loose, Delano saves Malik from a dakkai while he’s helping Millie and then knocks Poppy out of the way of draken fire. She tells him they need to get to Malec and stop him from dying, and he tells her she has his support.

With her power, Isbeth sends Poppy’s dagger back at her, and Delano jumps in front of Poppy to save her. The blade hits him in the chest, and he dies.

After Poppy merges with the Consort and brings everybody back to life, he nudges her with his nose, and she hugs him. He gets as close to her as possible, grateful to be alive and that those they love are also okay.

Delano accompanies Cas, Poppy, Kieran, and Nektas into the tunnels under Wayfair. They retrieve Ires, and Poppy goes into stasis. He returns with them and stays with Poppy in wolven form, watching out for her the entire time she’s asleep.

When Malik and Millie arrive, Delano moves to protect Poppy but ends up letting them have some time with Kieran watching.

I’m very interested to see how Delano handles the news of Cas’s shifting and Poppy awakening as a Primal.

PERRY

Hair: Dark and cropped.

Eyes: Amber.

Facial features: Rich brown skin. Handsome, broad, warm features.

Personality: Quick to smile. Generous.

Background: Not bonded to a wolven. In a relationship with Delano. Is a Lord; even has quarters at the palace. Likes cigars. Father wanted him to focus more on the land they owned and other business ventures instead of joining the army—Perry agreed.

Family: Father = Sven.

PERRY’S JOURNEY TO DATE:

When Perry meets Poppy and greets the rest of the group at the palace, Vonetta moves in to protect her from him. He takes that as confirmation that the rumors he’s heard about the new Queen of Atlantia are true. He helps Poppy off her horse and then asks if Delano is with them since he hasn’t seen his lover yet.

On the ship to Oak Ambler, Perry tells Poppy she’ll get her sea legs in no time. It’s clear she’s not so sure. Once they arrive, he offers to keep a ship nearby for them to use to return to Atlantia. He’s told to go back immediately—it’s just too risky.

He pulls Casteel aside and asks him to keep an eye on Delano for him while they’re apart, saying that sometimes the wolven is too brave. Cas promises that Delano will return to Perry.

Perry and the crew plan to take everything the group brought back to Atlantia—including my journal.

It’s good to see that everyone is keeping it so safe.

Perry plays the part of taskmaster perfectly as they load and unload crates of wine bottles for Oak Ambler. The ruse allows Casteel to compel the guards and then slip with the others past the Rise.

Later, Perry arrives with Kieran and Emil to deliver the Blood Queen’s gift to Poppy. He tells her the box has Primal magic and explains that those who know how to use it can create wards and spells that only respond to certain bloodlines. He relays that it should only require a drop or two of her blood. When asked how he knows all that, he explains that he learned about Primal magic from his father.

When Poppy loses control over seeing Casteel’s dismembered finger, Delano—in wolven form—nudges him away.

As the storm kicks up, and the draken start falling from the sky, Perry arrives at Vessa’s room to see that she’s using Primal magic.

As Reaver tells them how the eather is stronger in thirdborn sons and daughters, Perry pays special attention and listens as the draken explains that Kolis’s essence made the Revenants what they are—neither alive nor dead.

Perry takes his medallion off the gold chain he wears and gives it to Poppy to carry Casteel’s wedding ring. He then sews the medallion into his armor—it’s clearly special.

He also offers up his cigar box to store Poppy’s and Casteel’s crowns and joins the others to guard the couple as they brief the generals.