time that my brother was still in Masadonia. Ian had nightmares too, and if he were still here right now, he’d distract me with silly, made-up tales.
Did he still have nightmares after his Ascension? If not, then wasn’t that something else to look forward to?
My gaze traveled along the Rise, catching sight of a guard patrolling along the top of the wall.
I’d rather be out there than in here.
The Ascended would be shocked to hear such a thing, as would most others. To even think it—that I, the Maiden, the Chosen, who would go to the gods, would want to exchange places with a commoner, a guard, would be an affront to not only the Ascended but also to the gods themselves. All over the kingdom, people would do anything to be in the presence of the gods. I was…
I was privileged no matter what I suffered, but at least if I were out there, on the Rise, I could be doing something productive. I’d be protecting the city and all those who enabled me to have such a comfortable life. Instead, I was in here, reaching an all new height of self-pity when in reality, my Ascension would do more than protect one city.
It would ensure the entire future of the kingdom.
Wasn’t that doing something?
I wasn’t sure, and I wanted nothing more than to be able to close my eyes and find sleep, but I knew it wouldn’t come. Not for hours.
On nights like this, when I knew sleep would evade me, I caved to the urge to sneak out and explore the silent and dark city until I found places that didn’t sleep, spots like the Red Pearl. Unfortunately, that would be the height of stupidity after the attempted abduction. Even I wasn’t that reckless and—
A flame beyond the Rise began to dance, snapping me forward. I pressed both palms to the window, staring at the fire and refusing to blink. “It’s nothing,” I told the empty room. “It’s just a breeze—”
Another flash moved, and then another and another, the whole line of torches beyond the wall rippling wildly, spitting sparks as the wind picked up. I took a breath, but it seemed to go nowhere.
The one in the middle was the first to be snuffed, sending my heart slamming against my ribs. The others rapidly followed, pitching the land beyond the Rise into sudden darkness.
I took a step back from the window.
Dozens of fiery arrows shot into the air, arcing high above the Rise and then racing downward, slamming into the tinder-filled trenches. A wall of fire erupted, running the entire length of the Rise. The flames were no defense against the mist or what came with it.
The fire made what was in the fog visible.
Returning to the window, I threw the latch and flung it open. Cold air and a kind of unearthly silence poured into the chamber as I gripped the stone ledge and leaned out, squinting.
Smoke wafted up and weaved through the flames, spilling into the air and onto the ground.
Smoke didn’t move like that.
Smoke didn’t creep under the tinder, a thick, murky white against the black of night. Smoke didn’t blanket flames, suffocating them until they were extinguished and all that remained was a heavy, unnatural mist.
The mist wasn’t empty.
It was full of twisted shapes that had once been mortal.
Horns blared from all four corners of the Rise, shattering the tense quiet. Within seconds, what few lights had shone through windows went dark. A second call of warning went out, and the entire castle seemed to shudder.
Snapping into action, I grabbed the window and latched it into place before I spun around. I’d have roughly three minutes, possibly less, before all exits were sealed. I started forward—
A moment later, the adjoining door swung open, and Tawny burst in, her white nightgown flowing around her and the mass of brown and gold curls spilling over her shoulders.
“No.” Tawny stumbled to a halt, the whites of her wide eyes a stark contrast to her brown skin. “No, Poppy.”
Ignoring her, I raced over to the chest, throwing open the heavy lid and rooting around until I found the bow. Rising, I tossed it onto the bed.
“You cannot be planning to go out there,” she exclaimed.
“I am.”
“Poppy!”
“I will be fine.” I situated the quiver along my spine.
“Fine?” She gaped at me as I turned to her. “I can’t believe I have to point out the obvious, but here I am. You’re the Maiden. The Chosen. You cannot
<<Previous page From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 1 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 2 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 3 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 4 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 5 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 6 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 7 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 8 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 9 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 10 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 11 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 12 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 13 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 14 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 15 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 16 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 17 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 18 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 19 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 20 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 21 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 22 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 23 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 24 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 25 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 26 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 27 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 28 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 29 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 30 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 31 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 32 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 33 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 34 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 35 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 36 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 37 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 38 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 39 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 40 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 41 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 42 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 43 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 44 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 45 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 46 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 47 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 48 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 49 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 50 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 51 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 52 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 53 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 54 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 55 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 56 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 57 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 58 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 59 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 60 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 61 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 62 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 63 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 64 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 65 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 66 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 67 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 68 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 69 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 70 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 71 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 72 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 73 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 74 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 75 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 76 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 77 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 78 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 79 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 80 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 81 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 82 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 83 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 84 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 85 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 86 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 87 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 88 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 89 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 90 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 91 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 92 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 93 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 94 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 95 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 96 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 97 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 98 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 99 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 100 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 101 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 102 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 103 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 104 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 105 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 106 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 107 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 108 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 109 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 110 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 111 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 112 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 113 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 114 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 115 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 116 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 117 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 118 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 119 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 120 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 121 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 122 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 123 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 124 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 125 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 126 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 127 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 128 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 129 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 130 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 131 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 132 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 133 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 134 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 135 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 136 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 137 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 138 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 139 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 140 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 141 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 142 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 143 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 144 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 145 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 146 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 147 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 148 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 149 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 150 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 151 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 152 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 153 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 154 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 155 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 156 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 157 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 158 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 159 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 160 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 161 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 162 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 163 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 164 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 165 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 166 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 167 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 168 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 169 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 170 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 171 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 172 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 173 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 174 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 175 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 176 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 177 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 178 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 179 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 180 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 181 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 182 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 183 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 184 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 185 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 186 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 187 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 188 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 189 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 190 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 191 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 192 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 193 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 194 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 195 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 196 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 197 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 198 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 199 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 200 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 201 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 202 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 203 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 204 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 205 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 206 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 207 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 208 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 209 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 210 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 211 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 212 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 213 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 214 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 215 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 216 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 217 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 218
Next page>>