“Whether she ruled over all the lands and seas or was the Queen of nothing but a pile of ashes and bones, she would—will—always be my Queen. Love is too weak an emotion to describe how she consumes me and what I feel for her. She is my everything.”

This declaration of Casteel’s love and loyalty to Poppy serves as a counterpoint to Isbeth’s attempts to sow doubt about the sincerity of his feelings, as she suggests they’re rooted in ambition rather than genuine affection. Casteel’s response not only refutes this but also reinforces his defiance against those who seek to control or undermine his relationship with Poppy, introducing the importance of The Balance of Love and Power in the novel.

“And, only then, for the first time in twenty-three days, did I feel nothing at all.”

Throughout the chapter, Poppy attempts to act justly, even when faced with the horrific acts committed by her enemies. However, this moment shows the toll the war and Casteel’s imprisonment has on her: The continuous cycle of violence is beginning to strip away her humanity, pushing her closer to becoming the thing she’s trying not to become. Such moments speak to the struggles Poppy must face while wrestling with Freedom and Justice Versus Tyranny.

“Because if I had controlled myself, if I hadn’t lashed out… There were so many ifs. So many ways I could’ve handled things differently. But I hadn’t, and that was one of the reasons he wasn’t here.”

Throughout the story, Poppy’s powers are both a blessing and a curse. Much of her arc is tied to her ongoing battle in managing her emotions and the devastation that follows if she fails. This struggle is tied to the theme of The Conflict Between Fate and Free Will.