The ​Crown of Gilded Bones

The Crown of Gilded Bones opens within the same scene that is featured in the conclusion of A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire: the Chamber of Nyktos in Saion’s Cove. Casteel Da’Neer (Cas), prince of Atlantia, bows before his wife, Penellaphe Balfour (Poppy), the novel’s protagonist and narrator. Cas’s mother, Queen Eloana, ruler of Atlantia, removes her crown and offers it to Poppy, instructing others to bow before the “last descendant of the most ancient ones” (17). Having just manifested powerful magic that killed a group of violent Atlantians, Poppy looks to Cas for comfort while assessing her predicament. Cas exhibits pride in Poppy’s deadly power, which tracks with his reputation as the “Dark One.” Poppy believes that Cas should be more disturbed by her brutal abilities, but her love and attraction to Cas’s physical features overpower her emotions.

Kieran Contou and the other wolven (werewolf-like creatures) assert their loyalty to Poppy. This marks a shift in power, as the wolven traditionally bond to and obey Atlantians. Poppy prevents the wolven from attacking Cas, Queen Eloana, King Valyn, and the other Atlantians present by wielding her power and commanding the wolven to stand down.