Chapter A Soul of Ash and Blood: PRESENT VI

“I really hope you don’t remember much of that last part when you wake,” I said, tracing the tendons of her hand.

“Out of everything you’ve told her, Britta in your bedchamber will be the one thing she’ll definitely remember,” Kieran said with a laugh. “She’ll probably want to do some damage to that cock you keep speaking of.”

Chuckling, I looked over to where Kieran sat on Poppy’s other side. “Nah, I think she’s far too interested in having my cock pierced for that.”

Kieran arched a brow. “I would pay an insurmountable amount of coin to witness you allowing someone to pierce your dick.”

“It has to be fucking painful.” I grinned. “But worth it.”

“Don’t know about that last part, and I feel like I need to spend some time talking you out of this.”

Another laugh left me as I dipped my head, kissing Poppy’s shoulder. “I only thought of the bit with Britta because it really threw me that I wasn’t down for it.”

“You were down for it,” Kieran remarked. “Just not with her.”

“Yeah.” I shifted, rising slightly on my elbow. The thick fringe of Poppy’s lashes didn’t flutter as I scanned her features. “Do you think the shadows under her eyes have lessened?”

“A little.” He leaned over and brushed a stray wave off her cheek. “I really think so.”

“That’s good.” I swallowed.

“It’s mind-blowing what she did for you that night. What she was capable of before all of this,” Kieran said, his brows furrowing. “She gave you real peace with just a touch of her hand without even knowing what plagued you.”

“I know.” My damn chest ached with the intensity of emotion swelling there. “She did it out of kindness—something she didn’t have to show me, especially when I was striving to be an utter irritation to her.”

“Yeah, but I think she liked that kind of irritation even then.”

A smile surfaced as I nodded. “She couldn’t resist my charm.”

Kieran snorted.

Exhaling heavily, I looked over at him. He was watching Poppy, his features soft in a way I hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Have any updates for me?” I asked. He’d returned in the middle of my storytelling and hadn’t interrupted.

“Things are calm in the city for now. Several Descenters have come out and helped with that.” He scratched a hand over the shadowy growth on his jaw. “Dozens of Ascended have been located—maybe even hundreds. I don’t have the exact number. Still waiting on that.”

“And?”

“And they are all basically under house arrest, as was ordered.”

“How did that go?”

“From what I understand, many did as requested.” His stare was grim. “Some did not, and they met an unfortunate end.”

That wasn’t something I would stress over. “We are giving them a chance. That’s more than many of them would have given us.”

Kieran nodded. “A Descenter, I think her name is Helenea? Not sure. But anyway, she went to Emil and warned him about the tunnels and how the Ascended use them to travel during the day,” he told me. We expected that, but it was still good to know that we had supporters here in the city willing to help. “Hisa is leading a group into them now.”

I felt myself nodding as my hand clenched at my side.

“I know it’s hard,” Kieran said. “Not being out there while our people are taking risks. It’s hard for me, but you need to be here.”

“We need to be here.” I forced my hand to relax. “Any news on Malik?”

“Not yet.”

Gods, where the fuck was he? Wherever Millicent was, which was anyone’s guess. I didn’t doubt that Naill would eventually track his ass down, but I hoped it was sooner rather than later. That would be one less thing to worry about. At least for now.

“Your father and the others were likely delayed at Padonia, but they will be here,” Kieran said. “You should rest, Cas.”

“Have you rested?”

“We’re not talking about me.”

I smirked. “I did rest. While you were gone.” I picked up Poppy’s hand. Her skin was still cold. “I fell asleep for an hour or so. I didn’t walk in her dreams.”

“That’s not why I’m saying you should sleep.”

“I know.” I brought her hand up and pressed a kiss to her palm. “I’m fine.” I found his gaze. “You?”

He nodded. The thing was, though, if either of us managed to sleep more than an hour or two, it wouldn’t be restful. Not until Poppy woke up. Not until we knew.

“When was the Rite?” Kieran asked. “From that point in your story?”

“Hell. About…two days, I think.” I tipped my head back, delving into my memories of that time. “Miss Willa.”

Kieran’s brows rose.

I looked down at Poppy. “Her diary.” My lips split into a smile. “But there was also the meeting with you.” I briefly glanced at Kieran. “And the night before that.”