The ​Crown of Gilded Bones

Poppy feels awkward around Kieran’s sister Vonetta, the power dynamic reminding her of the divide between her closest friend, Tawny, when Poppy served as The Maiden in Solis. Vonetta reaffirms her friendship with Poppy, who feels a static charge between them when Vonetta touches her arm. Cas and Poppy will approach Ian with only four visible wolven guards: two male and two female. Cas explains their strategy; the Ascended will underestimate the strength of the female guards, and the other wolven hiding in the nearby woods will give Cas and Poppy the element of surprise should they need it.

Poppy sees Ian emerge from a Blood Crown carriage and notices that he now has the black “eyes of an Ascended” (426). Ian expresses worry for his sister, calling her an Atlantian hostage and spewing Ascended propaganda. He is disappointed that the Blood Crown didn’t recover Poppy in the Wastelands. Poppy firmly asserts that she willingly married Prince Casteel, happily choosing him over an authoritarian government that feeds off the third-born children of mortals (a ritual known as the Rite). Poppy knows that the Ascended planned to feed from her and use her blood to advance their purposes. Ian reveals that the Blood Crown knows about the Atlantian armies preparing for war and he also knows their location. This startles Cas and Poppy. Ian nonchalantly warns them that the Atlantians will lose a war to the Ascended, and he refers to a new species called “Revenant.”

The Blood Queen wants to meet with Poppy and Cas at Oak Ambler in a fortnight. Ian asks to hug Poppy before leaving. Poppy considers killing Ian, but she ultimately decides that doing so would jumpstart a war that she wants to prevent. When he draws close, Ian frantically whispers to Poppy, telling her to wake Nyktos so that his guards can stop the Blood Queen.

After the Ascended depart, Poppy, Cas, and the wolven analyze Ian’s comments. Cas and Poppy believe that Ian’s command to wake Nyktos proves the Ascended can retain some form of benevolence. Poppy wants to avoid a war with the Ascended. She believes that the various races can find a way to coexist. Cas suspects that his parents will expect Poppy to choose Atlantia above all else, a theory that doesn’t sit well with Poppy. They believe that Alastir is responsible for revealing intel about the Atlantian armies.

Poppy realizes that the only way to achieve her goal for a peaceful future is to assume the crown as Queen of Atlantia. She discusses her decision with Cas, not wanting to pressure him into a role meant for his older brother. Cas supports Poppy’s decision, and the couple plans to travel to the capital city the following morning, followed by a trip to Iliseeum to wake Nyktos. That night, Poppy has a nightmare about the night her parents died. She remembers a black-cloaked man who betrayed her mother. Cas holds Poppy close, soothing her as she wakes. She tells Cas that the man in her nightmare was dressed as “the Dark One,” Cas’s assumed identity to the Ascended.

Cas, Poppy, Kieran, and several wolven begin their journey, stopping at Jasper and Kirha’s estate to rest and refuel. Poppy enjoys the boisterous conversation at dinner and hopes that she and Ian might enjoy a similar dynamic someday. Poppy compares Atlantia to Solis. She likes knowing that all Atlantian children attend school, a privilege reserved for upper-class families in Solis. She sees how little space remains in Atlantia which confirms how desperately Atlantians need to expand their territory. Kieran approves of Poppy’s decision to become queen. He shares a personal story about a wolven woman he loved; she died from an inherited disease years ago.

A troop of Unseen (the terrorist group that defies King Valyn and Queen Eloana) and Gyrm (violent, undead creatures) appear just before Cas, Poppy, and the others reach the capital city. Although they fight off the first wave easily, dozens of reinforcements arrive. Not wanting anyone in her entourage to be injured, Poppy calls on her power to kill the attackers. Streaks of light uncoil from her body and trap the Unseen, cracking their bones and ending their lives. Cas feels aroused as he watches Poppy use her powerful magic. Poppy declares that anyone who obstructs her path to the crown will die.

Cas takes Poppy on a tour of the capital city. She is stunned by its enormous size, industry, and beauty, especially the royal palace. Cas reassures Poppy that the Unseen she killed do not represent Atlantians. He states that she was right to use her power to kill them. Poppy realizes that she doesn’t feel remorse for the dead men. Cas and Kieran encourage Poppy to remember the fearless, strong woman she is as she enters the royal palace. The Council of Elders assembles within; King Valyn and Queen Eloana stand next to their thrones, crowns upon their heads. Poppy and Cas approach, briefly recounting their meeting with Ian. Poppy then declares the purpose of their visit—to claim the throne and title of queen. She assertively lists many reasons why the title is rightfully hers.

One of the oldest council members raises concerns about Poppy becoming Queen of Atlantia. He speaks on behalf of other council members who distrust Poppy because of her background as The Maiden for the Ascended. Poppy and Cas acknowledge this concern but do not address it as they proceed with the crowning ceremony. Valyn and Eloana transfer power to Cas and Poppy as the couple pledges to lead with “kindness and strength” and “compassion and justice” (478).

Eloana takes Poppy on a brief tour of the palace, introducing her to Rose, Poppy’s new personal maid. Poppy asks to change the Atlantian crest so the sword and arrow cross equally over each other. Rose comments positively that the change will provide much business for the tradespeople hired to recreate the banners and shields. Poppy briefly catches a glimpse of her reflection, seeing the crown of gilded bones on her head for the first time and realizing how unkempt she looks from her travels. She embraces her appearance, feeling no pressure to change. Alone (aside from Vonetta’s protection) Poppy encounters a woman with black, curly hair and brown skin whom she recognizes from the Red Pearl (the nightclub where Poppy initially met Cas in Solis). Poppy recalls this woman ushering her into the room that Cas occupied. Now, Cas and Valyn appear, and Valyn introduces the woman as Wilhelmina Colyns. Embarrassed, Poppy instantly realizes that the woman is Miss Willa, author of the sex journal that Cas uses to embarrass Poppy.

A meeting ensues, and another council member echoes the concerns brought up at the crowning ceremony. Cas embarrasses the council member by pointing out his lack of decorum in addressing Poppy. He forces the Atlantian to bow before his wife and address her as “Your Majesty.” Though uncomfortable with this show of force, Poppy understands that she and Cas need the respect of the council as much as they need their advice. Poppy and Cas update the council on all information and immediate objectives, starting with their planned trip to Iliseeum. Willa provides Nyktos’s location, which impresses Poppy. Willa debates aggressively with the other council members, always in favor of Poppy’s plans. Poppy approves of Willa’s sarcasm and impatience with the less-trusting elders.

Willa lingers after the meeting adjourns, and Poppy feels grateful to have a moment to speak with her alone. Willa reveals that she is a seer; she operates on feelings and instinct, so she traveled to Masadonia and pushed Poppy to Cas. The oldest Atlantian on the council, Willa believes that Poppy and Cas will “stand between what has awakened and the retribution it seeks to reap against man and god” (498).

Eloana leads Poppy and Cas to a balcony overlooking the capital city. Tens of thousands of citizens gather to witness the announcement of the new king and queen. Willa honorably introduces Poppy and Cas, and the crowd erupts into cheers. When Poppy is introduced as the Queen of Flesh and Fire, the crowd stomps their feet, signaling their willingness to engage in war if Poppy commands it. Poppy expresses her profound love for Cas, and the couple kisses passionately, earning catcalls and whistles from the crowd. The city celebrates well into the night.

Poppy retreats to the king and queen’s chambers. Cas and Poppy realize they don’t know each other’s birthdays, which indicates they have more to learn about each other. Cas encourages Poppy to pick her birthday since she only knows her birth month. The couple calls for Kieran, and Cas formally asks him to be his and Poppy’s advisor. Kieran proudly accepts. They tentatively plan a formal announcement with Kieran’s family when the timing is right. Cas pours three drinks to toast the moment. Suddenly, Poppy remembers earlier teachings about Nyktos and realizes that the draken serve as his guards. Kieran remains level-headed, explaining their danger. However, Poppy feels nothing but excitement at meeting the dragon/human creatures.

Cas, Poppy, Kieran, Vonetta, Delano, and Emil embark on the journey to Iliseeum via caverns under the Mountains of Nyktos. Poppy loses track of time as they navigate cramped, twisting tunnels. The floor in the caverns is weak; Vonetta nearly falls through a patch of ground that falls away beneath her, but Poppy uses her magic to save her.

Traveling through a mist, the group arrives in Iliseeum to see massive statues of winged women standing in a line, guarding the country beyond. The ground trembles and splits beneath them, shooting rocks and clumps of dirt sky-high. Armed skeletons crawl out of the freshly formed holes in the ground. Poppy recognizes their bloodstone weapons; her mother, Coralena, carried one the night she died.

Poppy remembers the silver-haired woman who appeared to her when she nearly died in the Chambers of Nyktos. She believes that the skeletons are this woman’s guards. The creatures attack, and hundreds more pour out of the ground. One rushes to Poppy, screaming with the sound of a howling wind. Snakes pour out of its open mouth and also rush toward Poppy. Several other skeletons do the same, releasing dozens of serpents on the group. Poppy summons her eather to destroy the skeletons and snakes, unleashing her most potent display of magic yet.

They approach several large statues in front of a temple, walking on diamonds (the tears of gods in love). Kieran points out that what they initially believed to be several large statues is actually one massive statue of a draken. Mesmerized, Poppy touches the side of its face. Lightning strikes the draken statue, chipping away the hardened exterior from the eye and revealing a blue, moving eye. The group stands frozen in terror as the draken comes to life. However, the draken calms when it sees Poppy, cooing in a more welcoming tone. The creature looks toward the temple, and the group turns to see Nyktos standing on the temple stairs. He shares several features with Poppy, such as red hair and silver eyes. Poppy senses a coldness radiating from him.