I tightened my arms around her as Kieran moved closer. I wished she’d never had to learn this. I’d rather she have the lie, as fucked up as that sounded.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, brushing my lips across her temple as Seraphena watched us. Her grip on the cup was tight enough to crack the glass.
“It’s all right.” Poppy laughed again. Fuck if it was all right. “To be honest, I’m not even surprised.” She exhaled softly. “All right, then. So…I’m going to be honest.” Her chin lifted. “I’m not sure what difference preventing him from taking Malec as a vessel ended up making—other than it being incredibly disturbing. He still found a way to return to power, and clearly, he has. His will alone…” Her shoulders squared. “Well, we know what his will is capable of.”
“If he had succeeded in taking Malec as a vessel, he would’ve practically returned to full power. And yes, he is powerful now, but also still weak.” Seraphena turned, trailing a hand along the gilded molding on the wall. “If not, he would’ve killed both Rhahar and Saion. And he would’ve already come for me.” Her lips twisted into a vicious smile eerily similar to ones I’d seen on Poppy’s lips. “The fucker has quite the massive bone to pick with me.”
Poppy blinked.
“Do you have any idea where Kolis might be?” she asked.
“We’re thinking Pensdurth,” Kieran said, crossing his arms. “But we aren’t sure. We sent a regiment there and are waiting to hear from them.”
“Do you think he’s fully corporeal now?” Poppy asked.
“Unfortunately,” Seraphena muttered. “He has a buffet of Ascended and those reborn from death,” she said, her lip curling, “to feed upon. And they’re likely coming to him in droves, happily marching to their deaths.”
“Even the Revenants?” Poppy asked. I knew her thoughts went to Millicent.
Fuck.
If that was where she’d disappeared to…
“You meant to say the abominations,” Seraphena sneered.
I tensed as Poppy’s anger gathered hot and acidic in my mouth.
“If the Revenants are anything like many of the Ascended, they likely didn’t have much choice,” Poppy stated coolly, and I knew those words were fueled by the love she already felt for the sister she barely knew. “But you may not know that, given you’ve been sleeping.”
Shit.
Seraphena’s gaze flicked to her, and I heard Kieran mutter a similar curse. I kept my eyes on Seraphena. Eather hummed through me. If she so much as made a move toward Poppy…
“Ash was right,” Seraphena murmured.
“About?” I asked.
“He warned me about her.”
My arm tightened around Poppy’s waist, ready to shove her behind me if necessary. “Is that so?”
“He warned me that she was like me.” Her eyes narrowed on me. “Do you think I can’t feel the essence rising in you?”
“Do I look like I care if you can?” I retorted.
Her head tilted slightly as she eyed us. “I approve of your repetitive need to protect her. It’s endearing,” she said. “But unnecessary.”
“Because you’re no threat to her?” I asked, keeping my tone level.
“No,” Poppy said, slipping out of my arms, only to come up against Kieran, who now partially blocked her. Rolling her eyes, she gently shoved him aside. “Because I can handle myself.”
Seraphena smiled at me. “Exactly.”
A moment passed before Poppy said, “I didn’t mean to be rude.”
“You didn’t?” Seraphena countered.
Poppy’s fingers curled against the front of her vest. “I didn’t intentionally mean to be rude,” she amended. I had to fight a grin. My Queen had meant what she said. “But youhavebeen asleep.”
