Beneath A Rogue Moon: The Brotherhood of Ruin by Callie Rhodes

Author:Callie Rhodes [Rhodes, Callie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-20T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter

Twenty

KAYLA

It was hard to believe that Gifre was Ryce’s brother.

Physical resemblance aside—Gifre shared Ryce’s tawny coloring and sharply-defined features, though he had the slight, unathletic build of someone who sat at a desk all day and frequently forgot to eat—they couldn’t have been more different. I could never imagine him on the back of a motorcycle.

Gifre did excel his brother in one way, though—he was an excellent storyteller.

“You have to understand,” he began with a shake of his head, “all this began with good intentions. Only a few generations ago, the three clans were at constant war with each other. They tried to calm the constant violence by forming the Council of Nine. Each clan sent three representatives to create laws and govern Evergreen together. But when conflict and distrust remained, it was decided that bolder action needed to be taken.”

“The marriage between the Bear and Raven clans,” I said with a nod.

Blythe had filled me in on the basics of the curse, but now I was looking for something deeper.

“It was supposed to be much more than a simple marriage,” Gifre continued. “It was meant to be the beginning of a new, truly unified world—a Bear king, a Raven queen, their heir conceived and born on Wolf land. A new royal line descended from the Evergreen trinity—a living reminder that we are all one.”

“But that’s not what happened,” I said.

Gifre’s eyes narrowed, and he sat up straighter in his chair. “No, it wasn’t. All because of the selfishness of that Raven witch who cursed us all.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Blythe shift uncomfortably in her seat.

“Her name was Lileas,” Gifre continued. “The wedding took place in neutral territory, and all were invited. Each clan brought their finest cooks, musicians, and entertainers, and the celebration continued for three days and nights. It was a time of optimism and hope, especially once the royal couple announced they were expecting their first child a few months later.

“What no one knew was that the marriage was already souring. Once the queen became pregnant, the king considered his duties dispatched and returned to bear land. When difficulties with her pregnancy confined the queen to her bed, he did not return.”

Blythe cleared her throat, unable to stay silent. “But he did send word to the council that no one was to speak to her for the remainder of her pregnancy, not even the servant. He claimed that the healers had advised that complete silence and stillness were necessary for her to carry the baby to term, and no one contradicted him.”

“That’s barbaric,” I said, scandalized.

“It’s just the way things were done,” Gifre huffed, “and not at all relevant to what happened.”

I wasn’t sure I agreed. These were exactly the kind of details I was looking for.

“But what no one had taken into account,” he continued, “was that being a raven, the queen might turn to spells and scrying during her confinement. Because of the king’s decree, her guards remained outside her room and thus were unaware of what she was doing.

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