A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire

Cas asks Poppy to marry him again. This way, Cas will get his heart’s desire and Poppy can regain her freedom, since she will have protection from the Ascended. Additionally, he hopes the people of Solis will take their marriage as a sign that the gods want peace between Solis and Atlantia, as the commoners believe Poppy is the Maiden chosen by the gods. Poppy may also be able to influence the Blood Crown to release Malik. Poppy agrees to marry Cas, but only if he recognizes it is a marriage of convenience and divorces her after Malik’s release. Cas accepts and says they must marry as soon as they reach Spessa’s End, a stronghold of the Atlantians in Solis.

The next day, Cas announces his engagement to Poppy. Poppy notes that Alastir is displeased by the announcement, though he masks his true emotions. When Alastir mocks the people of Solis for their unquestioning obedience to the Ascended, Poppy reminds him that the commoners have no choice. Like her till recently, they have been raised to believe that opposing their leaders would mean angering the gods.