Transcript
Speaker: you
Speaker: Welcome to the Britannia Library. we are librarians, Brittany and Chandler. Every week we will be recapping and discussing our current read, anything from the latest trends to longtime favorites.
Speaker: Depending on our selection, we'll cover it over multiple episodes, so be sure to stick around to hear the full story. We'll start our next read, Rebel Witch by Kristen Siccarelli. This is the last book of the Crimson Moth duology.
Speaker: We return with part two of Rebel Witch and spoiler alert, we will be discussing what happens in the book. If you wish to read along, we will be covering chapters 30 through 52. You're welcome to catch up and come back to listen to our thoughts or follow along now.
Speaker: So part two opens with an excerpt from Queen Althea, The Goods Diary. We learned that the ancients gifted witches with magic to use for the good, the true and the beautiful. Hmm.
Speaker: Hmm. Althea's cousin has been spreading lies throughout her court and worries she cannot stop her from power. She intends to go to the stones and speak with the ancient wisdom.
Speaker: So we jump back in with chapter 30 in Rune's perspective. So stepping off the ship at her home, Gideon was able to kind of keep away the hounds. And despite feeling safe, she knows that she has to be super careful.
Speaker: And Rune, you know, starts to... head off and she wants stores to return to winter sea yeah to wait for Gideon to bring her the Sybil but yeah she's like bring me the Sybil when you're ready and then I'll go yeah but he informs her like you can't go back and he's like where are you going and she's like home and he's like you can't you can't what do you mean I can't and he's like it belongs to Noah Creed now
Speaker: he suggests they go to his apartment in old town instead and upon entering his apartment runa's flooded with memories not just her night with gideon well but his later betrayal of her yeah the last time she was in there was when he turned her over to the blood guard yep Rune examines Gideon's apartment in the daylight and notices a figurine that Gideon explains was Tessa's.
Speaker: was carved by their father. Yeah, it's like a little horse, right? It's like a horse or a deer. A deer. Yeah. Which, like, she it kind of sets her off because she was like, you know, Nan bought me endless toys, which, you know, i never would would trade, but, like, no one ever, like, made Yeah, she's like left their mark on the world. Yeah, because she was like, I could feel his care going into this to like make it for her.
Speaker: So before going off to shower, Gideon tells Rune where to find some food. And he suggests, you know, that she could go buy food at the market nearby and cook.
Speaker: But Rune doesn't know how to cook. He's like, of course you don't. She's like, I had servants for that. Yeah. But Gideon offers to do when he comes back. And, you know, like, Rune loved Nan, but, like, wonders what it would have been like to have, like, a real family. Because she's, like, who taught Gideon how to cook.
Speaker: And it's, like, he was, like... Like, he was, like... And she like, what would that... What would that have been, like... Yeah. And so, suddenly, there's a pounding on the door. And Rune notices blood guard officers outside. Yeah.
Speaker: So Gideon emerges partially dressed and mentions that they're here for him, not Rune. Yeah. And he helps her climb out a window with her suitcase to hide on the roof until he returns. They lead him out and some remain behind to search the house.
Speaker: Rune finds Gideon, Tessa, and Alex's name carved into a spot on the roof and wonders if Gideon will return or she'll have to rescue him. I love this part because when she finds the name, she's like, oh.
Speaker: This how they do where to hide us. Because they used to play up here. And I'm like, that's so sweet. So then we switch to Gideon's perspective. And Gideon is in the good commander's office, which, you know, the surroundings, you know, a familiar comfort for him. But it's still shocked to see the new commander.
Speaker: Noah Creed. Ah! I knew it. I'm so mad we brushed that off. I knew it. I had not because I didn't think he was like that involved in like ah the blood guard side. So I was like, I just think like, if we think about more sense, but we think of like aristocrats though. Yeah. I'm not going to give it to a. Yeah. No, I know.
Speaker: i know, but still. I know it's. I know. hate him. So he recognizes Harrow speaking to Noah, understanding her becoming Noah's spymaster, but kind of frustrated with how her information slowly trickled to him from Noah instead.
Speaker: Yeah, he was like, i used to get it direct from the source and now I just get whatever Noah decided to pass on. Mm-hmm. Yeah, fair. That'd be frustrating. Hera begins her report again and explains that she has someone that has infiltrated Cressida's court, meaning she's a witch, and they're going to use the civil to make sure that spy is trustworthy.
Speaker: They learn that Prince Sorin has agreed to give Cressida his army and is ready to sail within days and has doubled his war chest due to Rune's kidnapping. Oh, good. Good job. And Gideon explains there's no way to avoid this war, that they need the Crimson Moth alive to prevent Prince Sorin from getting any angrier. Yeah.
Speaker: And he also shares that Cressida believes there's a missing heir and intends to use them to bring her sisters back. o Yeah. So then they don't believe him at first.
Speaker: And then Gideon kind of explains his plan to use Rune to find the heir, but ambush them instead. Then killing the heir and arresting Rune to negotiate with Thorin to turn on Cressida, kind of destroying her army from within.
Speaker: whole lot of back and forth and back and forth like man you shady bud but this is war that's fair no it is it is but it's you know still yeah way settle the way your mind works bud um if he is successful they can prevent a costly war and prevent the resurrection but if he fails They'll lose the war and be under a worse reign of witches.
Speaker: 100%. Their conversation is interrupted when the Sybil, Aurelia Cantor, is brought into the office. She begs to see her daughter, but they ask her to confirm Gideon's information. When she doesn't answer...
Speaker: Noah brings in the witch's daughter who cries that she wants to go home. oh my God. so sad. So trying to comfort her, they continue to like ask her questions and then threaten to harm her daughter. Yeah. She's like trying to comfort her daughter. Like, it's okay, baby. We'll go home soon. and Which like...
Speaker: obviously she knows they're gonna happen but like it's her instinct she's got to protect her child and noah is like raising ah sword to this little child's hand yeah like i thought they were just gonna like try to like starting to like smash it but then when i read that he was raising his sword i was like you he was gonna cut her hand off oh you bastard sorry no that's not fair gross So she begs Gideon to help her child, but Gideon kind of like urges her to answer. He's like, just answer their questions so they won't hurt her.
Speaker: But he even he's like, this is not okay. I'm goofy about it because he's like, I don't trust them. He's like, this is a child. So as they're about to hurt this little baby Gideon is super bothered and wants to help but he's like still bound at this point. Yeah he's like tries to step forward but like literally is bound and can't do He can't do anything.
Speaker: So the Sybil finds answers or finally answers explaining the story Gideon knew about the queen having a fourth child by her second husband, but that it was stillborn. However, it was a lie, and the baby survived.
Speaker: She confirms that the heir is still alive, but is unable to see them. Gideon confirms that Cressida told him the heir was hidden by magic. Ugh. Noah backs off from the child and asks if the heir can be used to resurrect the queen's sisters.
Speaker: Aurelia confirms this and shares that Cressida wouldn't be able to cast the spell using her own blood as it cost the life of the related party. Which means Gideon's plan to kill the heir is the best one to stop her.
Speaker: Which, because we know she's not going to have someone else perform this, because anyone could perform the spell. But it would cost her life. It would cost her life and she's not going to do that. Exactly. Just bring her sisters Noah wants to know the size of Sorn's army and Gideon is able to provide numbers since he saw them in the harbor before boarding the Arcadia.
Speaker: And then Gideon observes a, or I cannot say her name. Aurelia. Aurelia. There we go. Comforting her child and humming a lullaby. And it's one his mom used to sing to him growing up.
Speaker: Like, This really bothers me because he's like, but then he's literally, Gideon thinks to himself, this witch is nothing like his mother. Rude. Like, dude, they are still human beings. They just have powers.
Speaker: Like, you like Rune. you You have this weird connection to Rune and you appreciate her, but like, you don't recognize that? You made flowers for her just like your father made flowers for your mother.
Speaker: But a witch... is nothing like his mother.
Speaker: Just a little thick there for me. little bit. So Noah calls out to Gideon and explains that swan ships may have already departed, meaning they'd only have about three days until he arrives. Oh, good. He gives Gideon two days to follow through with his plan. Otherwise, he'll be executed for sympathizing with witches.
Speaker: He agrees, but requests complete faith in his actions, as it may appear he's compromised, but that he has to gain room's trust. Yeah, he's like, he's like, I'm have to do some things he won't agree with.
Speaker: But I got to gain her trust in them. So then Gideon is unbound and allowed to return the Sybil back to her cell. But and instead of taking her back, he offers to free her for the location of Cressida's sister's bodies.
Speaker: And she refuses to answer until he frees her daughter because she's not going to leave without her. and Totally fair. Also, i love this because she straight up turns and walks back towards the cell herself.
Speaker: Yeah. She's like, I will stay Cressida. Yeah. yeah Which, I mean, again, um understandable. Chapter 32, we switch back to Rune's perspective.
Speaker: And Rune stays hidden on the roof, like this whole time, waiting for Gideon's return. And kind of passes the time watching the city. She kind of reflects on her time growing up and how Nan basically would forbid her from coming over here.
Speaker: And so Rune wonders if she'd be different if she lived in Old Town, which makes her wonder who the real Rune is and what makes a person like who they are. Right. Which is, you know, seems to be a recurring theme here. She's like, who am I?
Speaker: Who am I? Right. Aren't we all asking that question sometimes? Fair. So Rune starts to climb back down to look for food, thinking she'd kind of attempt to cook. Yeah, she's like, it's not that hard to learn. I can teach myself. from Right.
Speaker: When she sees a blood guard approach. But when he looks up, she realizes it's Gideon and he has an extra uniform. And he asks her for help to rescue the Sybil's daughter, directing her to wear it. And then they'd head out.
Speaker: She's like, wait, I don't have time for a plan. Like, I don't know. like, not ready. She's like, obviously I need to eat first though, because it's been like a day and a half that she's eating. Yeah, she's like, my stomach is rumbling. Yeah.
Speaker: So needing food first, they stop and eat some street food, which she's like, man, would be horrified to see me eating with my hands like this. Before heading off to the city's east side near the Aristocats. Aristocrats.
Speaker: Aristocrats, not Aristocats. I just watched a song from that the other day. I'm wearing an Aristocats hoodie. I love this. I'm try this again.
Speaker: You don't need to. It's staying in. Dang it.
Speaker: When they stop, Rune walks to the waterfront and recognizes Alex's ship, Dawn's Aria. Gideon returns after hitching up his horse with ice cream. What? Rune chooses the chocolate after debating if this is part of his plan to lower her guard.
Speaker: I'm a, like, I, this part threw me off guard. I was like, where's this coming from? Where is this coming from him offering her ice cream? And he's like, I got two flavors, whichever one you want. They're both good. I'm like, why are you being nice?
Speaker: Yeah, what is this? I mean, I know what it is. You're trying to win her trust, but like. It's a weird way to win her trust. So she asks. I mean I love ice cream. I know. Every girl loves ice cream. Like even Rune says like, I can't resist chocolate. My grandma always says, i there's always room for ice cream. It just oozes it around the edges.
Speaker: that's That's a good one. That's why always can justify ice cream. Oh my gosh. So she asked... I'm so sorry.
Speaker: I'm sorry. it's just so funny to me. don't know. What is so funny about ice cream? Okay. So Rune asks Gideon about Alex's boat and Gideon shares that like he can't part with it after the loss of his brother, but he's going to have to sell sell it eventually because he can't sail.
Speaker: And Rune doesn't think, but she's like, i could teach you. And he's like, um, what? Yeah. And she's like, uh, never mind.
Speaker: Like, yeah, she's like, wait, I'm gonna be gone. Yeah, like, there's no point. Yeah. So Rune had been thinking about using the boat as an escape plan. Since Gideon kind of knew her plan to use the Arcadia, and And since she's familiar with sailing, she was like, I can make it across.
Speaker: It'll be a little harder in a smaller boat. She's like, I can do it. I can do it. She said it would take like a couple extra days probably, but still. So Rune kind of changes the topic and asks if this is his courting routine.
Speaker: And he says, we courting? I wasn't aware.
Speaker: o Funny. Why are you flirting? These little flirts. But obviously, Rune's feeling a little embarrassed by that because she's like, mer I mean, didn't mean to talk about that.
Speaker: But then Gideon shares that he comes here actually when he misses his family. And as they walk, he kind of shares that his family's first time eating ice cream was there.
Speaker: And it was for Tessa's 10th birthday. It was like the first time they had like extra money and they could spend it on things they didn't just need. They could spend it on a one-time. Yeah. And Rune slips up and says she can't imagine growing up without ice cream.
Speaker: Awkward. And she's like, i should not have said that. But Gideon ignores it and says, like, it hadn't bothered him growing up. Yeah. Like, he was happy with. Yeah, he was just like, I just didn't know better. Yeah.
Speaker: He was like, you know, that's what it is And he points out that Rune has ice cream on her face and wipes it from her lips after removing it his glove. Mm-hmm. Rune takes his thumb into her mouth to clean it.
Speaker: Mm-hmm. before pulling away and asking which house is the one holding Meadow, Sybil's child. It's so cute because he like wipes her With the thumb and he looks at it and he's like i don't know what to do with it. So he like turns it back to her and she's just like okay.
Speaker: Okay. but Oh god. The flirt routine. of So Rune observes the house. He points out and knows that there's only one way in and out the front door along with guards inside and probably more around the property.
Speaker: Knowing that they don't have enough firepower for a fight she asks Gideon's jacket. What? What?
Speaker: So Rune actually goes and casts Witch's armor on Gideon's jacket to protect him from anything. But she also casts a Beguile spell on herself, which is similar to Truth Teller, to help persuade anyone they encounter. Love it.
Speaker: Knowing it was dinner time and that staff and security were reduced, they approached the single guard at the door. The guard kind of eyes Rune as Gideon says they have orders to bring the child to the palace.
Speaker: And when the guard asks for papers, Rune kind of looks upset, but Gideon covers by saying there wasn't time to get them. Yeah. And so then Rune kind of improvises and pretends to have like a bad angle. Like she turns to walk away. Well, no, she turns to Gideon and is like, I told you this would happen. Yeah.
Speaker: yeah And so then the guard offers to bring her to the parlor to the rest and wait for a doctor. He like scoops her up and takes her off. And I'm like. Okay. Gideon is mad.
Speaker: Not Henry. Yeah. So the scarl works on the guard named Edmund, who leaves to get a doctor summoned. And once he leaves, Rune and Gideon leave the parlor to explore the house looking for meadow.
Speaker: Gideon gives Rune a hard time about flirting with Ed and states that it's cruel to give the boy false hope. And then she kind of argues that he has no room to talk as one who hunts girls.
Speaker: And he goes, I hunt witches. It's still girls and women. Yeah. Yeah. So then they hear Ed talking to the staff member at the end of the hall and Gideon pulls them into an empty room.
Speaker: It's like a personal library. And they have to wait for Ed to leave. And Rune mentions the night he kissed her and then pulled away as if he was disgusted, like back on the boat. Yeah. and he starts to undress to show her that he isn't repulsed by her.
Speaker: But she drags him away from the door as she reminds him of the day that he betrayed her. As they both share their issues with that day, Gideon also shares that he hates watching her flirt with other men.
Speaker: When Rune assumes it's because it's cruel, you know, like you said earlier, he says, it makes me want to go to the shooting range. Imagine want fire me at them. Okay. You are so jealous.
Speaker: Sir. Recognize the feelings. Oh my God. So, you know, Rune shares. She didn't like seeing him flirt with Abby or that light about her.
Speaker: ah Yeah. Come on, dude. And like waiting for the voices to pass, Rune explains that William told her and saw the pair head off to their cabin despite Gideon saying they were just friends.
Speaker: And Gideon admits that he did kiss Abby, which really hurts Rune. Like, and it's weird. She's like, I shouldn't feel. She's like, I shouldn't be heard by this, but why does it hurt? Why does it hurt?
Speaker: So Rune doesn't respond further. Gideon Gideon says that they have to keep looking for Meadow, but also that he didn't enjoy watching her kiss Soren either. So it's kind of like, okay they keep kind of going with his back and forth.
Speaker: And Rune tries to explain that she had to do it and many other things in know order to survive. Which Gideon obviously understands this during his time with Cressida, and he goes to comfort Rune when she tries to hide her tears.
Speaker: Yeah, he's like, I get it. His mind starts wondering and he's like, what has she had to teach? Exactly. and it's like, yeah, dude. And then he admits, you know, he wished it was Rune while he was kissing Abby.
Speaker: And it's like, I still don't like that. I don't either. It's still kind of So Rune asks why he pulled that away during their kiss on the boat. He goes to show her.
Speaker: And Rune realizes how invincible she feels when, like, she's teamed up with Gideon because it's like this little, like, Like, I like, but she's just like, together we can do anything. Yeah.
Speaker: Like, she truly feels invincible with him. like Yeah. And so they kiss with equal intensity. And as they kind of get closer and start touching, Rune goes to touch his chest.
Speaker: She realizes it's growing hotter and Gideon stiffens in pain. Rune tries to pull away, Gideon continues to spite the pain. Rune finally pulls away, worried she's hurting him, and Gideon stumbles off.
Speaker: He explains as why he kissed Abby, to see if that happened with anyone or just Rune. And it only happens when Rune and Gideon have skin-to-skin contact, making her realize that they really can't ever be together.
Speaker: Hmm. yeah And Rune realizes how cruel this is of Cressida, but the it also means he isn't repulsed by her. She's like, okay, you know, still a win? Still a win?
Speaker: So Rune vows herself to find a way to break Gideon's curse. She's like, this isn't this isn't right for him. ah yeah Like, despite what it means for me that we can never be together, i mean like that's just not fair him.
Speaker: After everything he's been through, like, seriously. So as Rune and Gideon continue to search for Meadow, realizing that they're kind of running out of time, Gideon asks if Rune's upset by the implications of the curse.
Speaker: Rune explains it never could have worked, but Gideon reminds her of her words on the Arcadia. You would have married me, had I asked.
Speaker: Rune wants to be honest, but knows like she can't lower her guard around Gideon again. Yeah. So she tries to change the topic when they hear a child crying down the hall.
Speaker: When they enter the room, they state they have orders, they state that they have orders to bring Meadow to the palace, but the nursemaid won't give her over. Boone gets angry and kind of blows their cover by pulling a gun um the nursemaid. Yep.
Speaker: And Gideon's like, I'd listen to her, she's kind of bad shot with that. Yeah. As they leave with Meadow, the nursemaid yells for help, and they try to escape through the staff halls. Mm-hmm. They emerge in the dining room, and Rune directs them to a door leading towards their escape, but their exit is cut off, and guards fill the room, and shots ring out. Oh, no.
Speaker: Yeah. So Gideon uses his jacket to protect the child, kind of like putting her inside of the coat, and then flips a couple tables to provide a shield for them. That's what's just like... quick thinking this man protecting from the table while protecting the child like i'm like man card is yeah but he's also ick like he's doing so many conflicting things in my mind that i don't know whether like him or not yeah it's it's tough
Speaker: It's tough. I don't know. I can't get a read on my feelings towards him this point either. Honestly. So Gideon uses Rune's gun to fire back. Obviously, she's not really going to be a successful shot. No. As Rune holds Meadow and comforts her while trying to think of a spell that could help.
Speaker: Suddenly, Rune sees an image of Gideon playing with three small children. His, by the look of them, and he's never looked happier unsure of what happened and kind of coming back to her senses brun explains to gideon that this would be their future if they stay together one of them always in danger a ah so she mentions children gideon asks her if she wants them which is like y'all are in the middle of a gunfight what are y'all doing i
Speaker: And she's kind of unable to answer as she realized she's never thought about our future. And Gideon asks about her eyes before hissing in pain. And it's kind of grazed, but he's bleeding.
Speaker: And seeing Ed move behind Gideon, she fires and injures him. Like, he was kind of approaching. Yeah. like I think it's funny. She shoots him in the leg, which is what she was injured.
Speaker: Oh, my God. love it. how about So, Gideon actually suggests that she use an invisibility spell to get her and Meadow out the window as he stays behind to draw the fire. Well, Ghost Walker, but... Well, yeah.
Speaker: He just has your invisibility spell. Yeah. I've been referencing Ghost Walker all the time, you know? You're right. Time to switch it up here. That's like their go-to spell. It's her... It's her... Expelliarmus.
Speaker: Yes. Expelliarmus. Sorry. That's the way that Cho says it. Yes, you're right. He says he'll be fine and that he'll get out on his own before telling her to take the key to his apartment that's in his pocket.
Speaker: She doesn't want to go, but he forces her to agree and she gets him to promise that he'll live. So the table's kind of beginning to give way to the bullets and Rune cuts herself to cast Ghost Walker and then on herself and Meadow.
Speaker: And then Gideon begins to shoot to draw attention as Rune slips out the window with Meadow. So they head for Gideon's horse leaving behind and she's like don't know if i should have done that but you got the child she's got to take care of you got to take care the baby so chapter 35 we switch back to gideon's point of view and gideon continues to fire to buy room time and thinks about room's magical scent he also thinks back to how her eyes look similar to aurelia's after she saw something
Speaker: yeah come on he runs out of ammunition and surrenders himself stating that he has no idea where his comrade or the child are and gideon is brought to the blood guard headquarters at this point and he's in front of leila creed acting captain while gideon was gone so a little bit of role reversal there she's in charge he's in he in trouble yeah So after learning why he was arrested, she tells the guards escorting Gideon to leave.
Speaker: And when Gideon asks for Noah, Layla explains she's in charge for the moment. Yeah. So Gideon asks to be released and Layla wonders how they can ever trust Gideon again. She's like, what?
Speaker: Yeah. Like how, dude? Gideon accepts the blame. Obviously, you know, everything that his first failure cause um yeah her dad died right in front of him and her and her yeah so he accepts the blame but he kind of states that he has to be the one to fix it because he caused it harrow enters asking if the crimson moth moth is with him and he confirms that it was so that she was i said it
Speaker: Because it's a moth. ah Yeah, I guess. Causing Harrow and Leela to worry that he's been compromised again. When Harrow worries that Gideon is kind of playing into Rune's hands instead of following his own plan, he asks if they have a better idea.
Speaker: yeah which is like, moment of silence? Nope. Yeah, no. And he needs their trust in order to complete his promise to Noah, but that they'll rescue him if he gets caught in their trap. Yeah. Cause they're like, what happens if you fail? He goes, oh, you're arresting me.
Speaker: Like he just says it so casually. like, dude, now is not the time to be flippant. Right. And so Layla agrees. Free's getting in on the condition. he shares his plans, which he does.
Speaker: Which is interesting too, because like he's sitting here and he's like, Noah told me that I would have free reign. Yeah. Like to do what I need to do. So like, let me do that. And she's like, well, this is the first time hearing of it.
Speaker: So like Noah communication. not He's not a good, good commander. Nope. So we switch back to Rune's perspective for the next chapter. And she's waiting for Gideon to return, and Meadow falls asleep, so Rune decides to protect herself with a couple of guns.
Speaker: She, like, loads them up and says, one on the table, and, like... is pacing the house with her with the other one gideon comes home and rune worries about him before noticing a woman with him aurelia cantor who asks after meadow gideon explains how he got out and aurelia returns holding her daughter So Rune sets down her gun and notices that the one that was on the table is gone. She's like, what? that something I knew I had two.
Speaker: And then Rune introduces herself as the Crimson Moth. But Aurelia doesn't believe her. She's like, yeah, and I'm the Witch Queen. Yeah. Like, ma'am. And so Rune casts like a small spell like on her, like.
Speaker: It's like a light ball in her hand or something. To show her casting mark as proof. Like the little Crimson Moth stuff. Yeah. So when Aurelia asks what Rune wants, she explains that Aurelia has to help her with a Majora spell in exchange for her help in getting him off the island.
Speaker: Gideon stops him from leaving, demanding his answers from Aurelia for his help. When Rune questions the deal that he just mentioned, Aurelia takes her opportunity and holds the missing gun to Gideon. It's like under his chin.
Speaker: Lord. Ma'am. Knowing that she must protect Gideon, Rune raises her gun and points it at Aurelia, who yells that, you know, he's going to betray you or he's going to be executed.
Speaker: And so startled by this possibility, Rune tells Gideon to step aside and let them leave. well And with Aurelia and Meadow outside, Rune admits that she overheard Gideon's conversation with William.
Speaker: Okay, finally, communicating. a So he kind of claims that it's what she would do if the positions were reversed, but she denies it, that she'd escape, not betray. Right.
Speaker: Gideon points out her privilege of not having to worry about leaving reign of witches behind her. She argues that she can't side with him because he's fundamentally against her. Exactly. Not every witch is a monster, Gideon.
Speaker: Most of us aren't. But Gideon points out that no one tried to stop the cruelty of the witch queens. Yeah. And Rune can't really argue against that, but wonders if she must sacrifice herself as payment.
Speaker: You know? Like, is that really fair? Yeah. and rune realizes that gideon would never choose her over his beliefs and that she must see her plan through so she tells gideon not to following her knowing that he won't listen yeah rune and aurelia arrive at the stone circle after doing their best to avoid gideon's potential tracking like he's following exactly such as like the sources have told them like We avoided him.
Speaker: Rune feels that the stones are special and reflects that the cult ancients believed that the ancients could be summoned through these stones. That they had been gone too long to be summoned back. Like basically they've been asleep too long now that they won't hear the calls or something like that. yeah Rune doesn't believe it though thinking the power she feels is due to it being used by like powerful witches in the past. Always a skeptic.
Speaker: Kind of like that like residual magic. So nearby, there are ruins of a temple that belong to the cult of the ancients. And they quickly cast the summoning spell, and then they wait, falling asleep, knowing they have 12 hours for the spell's work.
Speaker: Yeah. So we switch back to Gideon's point of view, and Gideon is hiding in those ruins, overlooking that circle of stones. He was led here by a hunting hound that followed Rune's scent from the spell she cast on his jacket.
Speaker: Come on, bruh. Having watched them cast a summoning spell, Gideon watched them go to a cave, but nothing happened. And after a while, he sees movement in the clearing. you know and it's rude.
Speaker: What? Glowing and walking, kind of as if in a trance. What? She climbs into the summoning circle and lays down. The white lights that surround are going to settle on her body until the crimson moth casting mark disappears.
Speaker: And all the lights finish. And Gideon realizes that this means that Rune is the missing roseblood heir. we were right. It's obvious. I mean, yeah, but still, like, the fact that he's the one that sees that first, though. He's the one who knows for anyone.
Speaker: Yeah. la So we switch back to Rune's point of view. And Rune is dreaming of Gideon again. it's different from her dream on the boat.
Speaker: Not so steamy. They're standing in the rain as he faces her with a gun. ah Despite the look in his eyes showing he doesn't want this, he fires. Rune wakes and realizes that she's drenched and laying in the summoning circle.
Speaker: What? What? She's like, we want to sleep in a cave. Why am I here? Why am I here? And Rune is glad it was just a dream, but thinks it feels the same as her vision of Pity and playing with his kids.
Speaker: Like it's eerily similar yeah but she like brushes it off yeah i'm like girl come on so aurelia approaches and they notice rune's casting mark is gone and rune worries that she didn't cast it right but aurelia thinks it could be due to whatever is blocking her from seeing her too like that yeah i mean they said it was ancient magic blocking them so it's like maybe eventing her for being summoned as well yeah well they're So Meadow waits and is hungry, but they continue to wait just in case get little bit of extra time.
Speaker: Rune hopes that her failure means that Cressida won't be able to find the heir as well either. Yeah. And Rune shares her plan with Aurelia to get them off you off the island using Dawn's Arya, but that they need provisions first.
Speaker: Right. So then we slip back to Gideon's perspective. And as Gideon returns to the capital, he struggles with this new information. It's bad if Cressida finds out But he also faces Noah's deadline. Because he promised to bring both the heir and ah crimson moth in.
Speaker: And, you know, Gideon could arrest Rune and explain she's also the heir, you know, accomplishing both. But then Noah would kill him. Yeah. But then Noah would kill Rune.
Speaker: But if he lied, Noah might kill him. So. It's like a lose, lose, lose, lose all the way around. here It really is He thinks he could like talk his way out of an execution with Layla's support, but he knows that Rune would hate him for handing her over to Sorin. Right.
Speaker: But if he doesn't betray Rune, Cressida will rise to power and Hidion would be executed. So before he said he, before he's like, he's like, before can make a choice, he has to talk to someone.
Speaker: Right. Where is he going? So we switch back to Rune's perspective and Aurelia and Meadow hide from like patrolling Bloodguard soldiers as Rune checks the boat. After swimming to it and climbing aboard, she also loses Gideon's pistol here in the water. And she's like, ah, two beds is in. Yeah.
Speaker: She discovers that Alex had actually stocked it with water, but they still needed food. Always prepared, Alex. Yep. With the markets closed, Rune remembers Gideon mentioning food at his place. So she's like, okay, I'll run back there, grab that, and then leave.
Speaker: Yep. She thinks they can make it last and finds the key in her pocket. Remember that she took it from Gideon. Knowing it's risky, she slips back into the water and decides to head for Gideon's apartment.
Speaker: Yep. So switching back to Gideon's perspective, Gideon arrives at the cemetery and stops at the graves of his family members. Remembering his burial of his brother recently, Gideon starts to kind of talk to Alex, you know, asking for forgiveness. Yeah.
Speaker: Harrow approaches him to share that she's followed his orders and has soldiers patrolling the harbors and waiting for his command. Looking at Harrow, He realizes that she's worried about him and kind of tries to like reassure her.
Speaker: And she tries to turn and leave and then Gideon asks about her story, you know, regarding the loss of her ear. And she at first is like, oh, I'll tell you another time. And she's like, he goes, we may not have another time. like, i may not be allowed. So you want to tell me, might well tell me now.
Speaker: So she shares that she was sold as a child because her family was poor and had a lot of children to a family of witches. who had a daughter named juniper that taught her how to read and write and they grew very close and gideon quickly realizes that harrow loved juniper like it wasn't they like would climb in the trees and like beside poetry and all this stuff together so harrow states that juniper's family cut off her ear when they found out and they locked her the cell
Speaker: Juniper never came for her and she wasn't free until the witch queens had been killed. Yet, she still didn't feel free. Gideon tries to comfort her and she reminds him to remember whose side he's on.
Speaker: Which is also sad because she's like, I mean, nothing was ever said between Juniper and I, but
Speaker: I'd kind of hoped. Yeah, she hoped that she came back to rescue her. And like that that that kind of like betrayal in her eyes. Yeah. It's just so sad. So we switch back to Rune's perspective.
Speaker: And Rune found the food at Gideon's and is about to leave when Gideon appears. And he's like, were you going to leave without saying goodbye? okay Rune is casually like in the doorway.
Speaker: So when Rune draws her casting knife because lost Gideon's pistol, Gideon kind of advances towards her. Holding the knife away from them, Gideon accuses Rune of dreaming of him again. Have you been dreaming of me?
Speaker: She's like, for what? He lets go and Rune lowers a knife and Gideon gives her his jacket. She's like, why be nice to me? Stop it. Rune runs her hand at Gideon's chest to try to lower his guard and escape him.
Speaker: She grabs her hand and holds it there, asking if she'll miss him. Unaable to answer, Gideon asks where she'll go and she says, somewhere you'll never find me.
Speaker: I'm like, girl. And getting closer, Ruth states, I'll miss you the way a fox misses the wolf's snapping jaws. um And she raises her knife to Gideon's throat and still, but he leans in and kisses her. He calls her bluff.
Speaker: Like, she's not going to do it. Yeah.
Speaker: Knowing that she's weak to his kisses and needs to stop, Gideon actually surprises her by putting another gun into her hand, making her promise not to lose it. He tells her not to hesitate as if someone tries to stop her. Yeah, he realizes that she doesn't have the gun when she was using the knife.
Speaker: Yeah, that's why he approached herself. He was like, boom. She gives him her casting gun in return, and he says that he'll give her 20 minutes. But she's like, I can't make it to the harbor in time, in 20 minutes.
Speaker: But it's something. So taking the food and leaving, stops to turn back to Gideon. She tries to tell him something, but he stops her, telling her to go. She's like, I wish.
Speaker: And he goes, nope. Nope. Nope. Go. Knowing it's her only chance at safety, Rune runs. Rune expects to be followed, but finds no one trailing her.
Speaker: She arrives at the harbor, and it's filled with blood guard soldiers. Aurelia shares that they doubled after Rune left. Yikes. Meta begins to cry, alerting nearby soldiers to their location.
Speaker: Knowing that they have hounds, they run away, but are almost discovered. Yeah. Aurelia... raises her stolen gun to shoot but rune knows that that will alert everyone nearby and their cover will be completely blown yeah but before she can stop aurelia the guard is called off saying that they're needed on the other side of town so it was like my god perfect timing yep and so their escape path to alex's boat is now clear yeah so we switch back to gideon's uh point of view for 45 and he's trying to give room as much time as possible
Speaker: He waits about an hour before heading into headquarters and ordering soldiers to the main harbor. He knows Rune won't go that way ever since he accused her of it. And Gideon looks at a map of Cascadia, the name of the island for the revolution, to try and figure out where Cressida would be hiding her sister's bodies.
Speaker: Worried about Rune's safety if and when Cressida finds out, decides to destroy or hide which is bodies to prevent resurrection. He's like, if i can't destroy them, then I'm at least going take him with me where President can find him.
Speaker: Fair. As he gathers supplies for searching and destroying the bodies. It's like dynamite. He's looking like Layla stops him, saying that they didn't find any trace of witches on any ship in the main harbor.
Speaker: And here, at the end, um this was all he was sorry for. The look on Layla's face. My heart. Like, he is so sad that he disappointed her.
Speaker: Yeah. Like, he he's like like, that's what he's the most sorry about is his betrayal of his friend. Yeah. Because they were partners. They're besties. Mm-hmm.
Speaker: So Layla asks why he would lie, he thinks, because I love her.
Speaker: And then Layla won't let him explain, and shoulders come in, followed by Harrow, who thinks, you know, punches are all the same. Gideon asks if he isn't tired of his bitterness and some hate and kind of says, you know, it's harder not to harden your heart despite everything.
Speaker: If you live in the darkness too long and eventually you won't recognize the light, you become like the monsters you hate. Okay, Batman. Batman and Bane, yeah.
Speaker: Totally. So Hera leaves after Gideon tries to say that they're free because decide what we become. Layla tries to get her inspiration from Gideon he just apologizes to her the soldiers seem hesitant to arrest Gideon commands them to as he intentionally deceived them so everyone could escape he's like no no no you gotta arrest me I intentionally deceived you I did all this and the post escape like you gotta do it which like Alex Gideon's starting to redeem himself he's
Speaker: This is where it starts. I'm hoping he's realizing that this is giving him closure with Alex as well, because he's, he was still completely shocked by how Alex helping it had been helping him the whole time.
Speaker: He's like, I, after everything, what they're growing up with really. So it's just, yeah, it's a lot. He's following his younger brothers with this.
Speaker: So at this point, Noah, is with Gideon, and he's hit Gideon with his gun a few times before he sentences Gideon to execution for sympathizing with witches. No.
Speaker: You know, he thinks it's going to have Gideon executed publicly due to his status as a war hero, to make an example. Ugh. Gross. Hate you. So Gideon wonders at the underlying tension between him and Noah.
Speaker: Assuming, you know, Noah was actually jealous of his relationship with Nicholas Creed. He's, like, thinking, like, how could this kid come from nicholas tree the man who like iris who turned my life around yeah idol then he's like maybe that's why though because his father took such a special interest in me maybe he's jealous of the wrong that he shared yeah potentially being stronger than theirs 100 so as gideon is led to himself noah tries to hurt gideon by telling him he wasn't in room's league but gideon just says he knew yeah he's like and um well aware well aware
Speaker: That's our men. you know they They say that all the time. So frustrating. Like, stop it. Stop it. You are in our league. We chose you for reason.
Speaker: Chapter 46 goes back to Rune's point of view, and Rune is out in the open water, having escaped using Ghost Walker on the ship. She also uses Tempest, connected to a compass, to help fill the sails in the directions that they need to go.
Speaker: Awesome. So Rune looks back, expecting pursuit, but there is nothing. And she thinks about how Alex is staying with her again by having the ship for her to use.
Speaker: um He's like, symbolically there, helping her escape. She, like, sends a thank you, like, to the stars, and she's like, I hope it finds its way to them.
Speaker: And as they leave the waters of the New Republic, she glances back for a last look at her home. She plans to tell Seraphine about running away in hopes that she'll join her too. And Gideon's words echo in her mind.
Speaker: And despite her victory at eluding him, she feels pain. Yeah. That's tough. After five days only open waters, they make it to Umbria near Sloan's estate.
Speaker: Oh, God. Rune slips into the water, intending to sneak in for more supplies and to find Seraphine. Aurelia stays at the boat in Meadows and she doesn't want to risk running into Cressida knowing her cruelty. She's like, I don't want a chance that. Yeah.
Speaker: And like on the way over, Rune had taught Aurelia how to sail so that they could like take turns and sleep and stuff. Halfway to the shore, Rune hears the sails and turns back to see Aurelia pulling up the anchor.
Speaker: oh my God. What? Oh, Aurelia throws something to Rune in the water explaining she found it on the boat. Like early on, like shortly after they left. but couldn't show Rune as she would have turned around. She held on to this for five days.
Speaker: Yeah. And Aurelia is taking the ship and sailing her and her daughter to safety.
Speaker: You
Speaker: horrible, horrible person. I mean, I get your urge to protect your child, but like, come on. The person just saved you. And your child. Yeah. Literally rescued your child.
Speaker: Her guy got you out, and she literally helped sail you across the wall. like oh Yeah. So Rune grabs the box before it sinks and realizes her escape is now gone.
Speaker: Feeling the cold of the water, continues to go to shore, and she's like, okay, I'll figure out a plan when I get to shore. Yeah. Once on land, she opens the box, and she instead looks like a jewelry box.
Speaker: to find a note with a coin on a chain inside of it. The coin has the word cascadia, and Queen Althea's likeness stamped on Rue knows that Althea reigns at a time of peace, and rumored to be seen walking with the ancient wisdom.
Speaker: These coins were destroyed after the revolution, just like the old maps, but someone had apparently saved this one and turned it into a necklace. She said, like, they either have had to have saved it or they found it in the back of a drawer.
Speaker: yeah Or, like, it was just. It was just, like, stumbled upon. Yeah. Or it was saved, which, like, either is, like, crazy. What are the odds? So Rune reads the note and it says, Rune, I hope you find the freedom you're looking for.
Speaker: Yours, Gideon. And Rune realizes this means that Gideon put it there on the boat, knowing she'd used that boat to escape.
Speaker: But she can't understand why he didn't come after her Like, er what? Then she remembers the guards being called off right as they were about to be discovered, realizing that Gideon had stayed ahead of her.
Speaker: like She used to be five steps ahead of him, but he knew he was ahead of her. And so this means he's going to be accused of being a sympathizer and be executed.
Speaker: and because it used to not always be execution, but after the After everything. yeah yeah So she realizes she's like, I messed up. I messed up.
Speaker: Rune wonders how long he planned this and wishes that she had asked him to come along. Rune hopes that he'd been able to <unk>d been able to stay alive long enough and plans to return back to the island using one of Storm's boats.
Speaker: They're all larger, but a witch could use spells to manage it. She decides to sneak into Larkmark and steal one of Cressida's spellbooks. Oh, my God. Okay. Okay.
Speaker: You sure about that plan? Yeah. You sure about that? Yeah. Okay. And Rune is sneaking through the mostly empty palace and overhears plans for Soren to sail for the new Republic soon and that he's, like, in Calis.
Speaker: And she worries she might be too late and that Cressida had left already, but hears nothing in her room's. Upon entering, Rune notices the scent of Cressida's old magic and a partially packed suitcase on the bed.
Speaker: Hmm. Rune looks through the spell books to see what's useful and sees one about love curses. Uh-uh. Remembering Gideon's brain to being cursed, she looks back at the book and finds True Love's Curse, which is an arcana spell.
Speaker: It inflicts pain on the victim if they try to touch their true love skin to skin.
Speaker: True love?
Speaker: I'm sorry if that was loud. well So they thought the spell was about Rune specifically, but it was to keep him from his huge flesh.
Speaker: Which was so brand new, guys. Okay, sorry. Sorry for the freak out. We're just happy. Yes. The Rune continues to read and learns that it will not wear off They'll break unless the victim's true love uses their blood in a sacrificial act.
Speaker: Ooh. Jeez. So Rune quickly scans the three counterspell symbols before hearing the door creak in Cressida's voice. sun Yikes.
Speaker: Rune goes and hides behind the curtains, but didn't have enough time to put the spell books back that she had pulled out. Yeah. So knowing that she could escape out the open window near her, Rune can only think about breaking Gideon's curse.
Speaker: She thinks about how Gideon is worth a risk for all he endured under Cressida and for sacrificing himself so she could escape. So Cressida kind of walks up to the curtains and she's like standing there for a minute like intimidating her like she knows and then pulls back the curtains exposing Rune and the spell book she's holding and accusing Rune of being unlucky in love.
Speaker: Rune counters that she thinks she thinks Cressida. Rune counters in things. Or Rune counters that thinks to her. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. So Rune counters that, like, thinks to Cressida, she knows that Gideon actually loves her.
Speaker: but she didn't like hearing that. And so Cressida slams Rune's head back. Oh, she did not like hearing that. And threatens Rune, but Rune knows what Cressida is capable of and is ready to face it. Oh.
Speaker: My girl. My very sweet girl. So Cressida drags Rune back into the room and the center of some small marks that she casts. There's another witch there that Rune recognizes as Juniper, who just looks at Rune with pity.
Speaker: Rune is trapped inside the circle of marks as Cressida circles her, holding a magical that looks like lightning. Jeez. Ugh. Cressida taunts Rune as she whips her back, saying that she'll hunt Gideon down.
Speaker: And when Rune tries to remind her of her need for the Alliance, Cressida informs her that Sorin is away in Calise and still believes Rune is kidnapped. Oh, God. And she says she'll even make Sorin believe the kidnappers killed Rune so that he'll be even more sympathetic to her cause. Oh, no. Evil.
Speaker: Yes. Evil. Rune is, like, holding herself on the floor, like... arms and knees, like, protecting herself as best she can. From, like, her internal softer bits.
Speaker: Yeah. Cressida continues to just whip her back, Rune begins to kind of lyn lose consciousness until she notices her blood gathering beneath her on the floor. She thinks back to Gideon's curse and the counterspell marks that she saw in the book.
Speaker: Hoping that this situation is going to be enough of a sacrifice, she draws the symbols needed. And with the spell being cast, Cressida thinks Rune is trying to counter what's being done to her. Yeah, she's like, oh, you think you can counter spell me? You're not strong enough. Yeah.
Speaker: But Rune quickly alters the spell by adding two more symbols and feels them connect to the original spell. When another lash lands at her back, Rune collapses to the floor and Cressida approaches, pulling out her knife.
Speaker: As Rune is about to pass out, Seraphine bursts in, demanding Cressida listen to her. She shares the news that Rune ah ro He's Cressida's sister.
Speaker: can't.
Speaker: Oh my god. I'm dying. Okay. Rune wakes and smells the sea kind of mixed with faded magic. And a voice tells her that she's been in and out of consciousness for a couple of days now as Rune realizes that they're on a ship.
Speaker: And Juniper is revealed to be the witch speaking with her and has also been the one healing her. With all of her skin, like like, with all of her skill and healing, she warns Rune that it'll be sore for a while, but at least she's alive.
Speaker: Rune remembers Seraphine's revelation and thinks that that's why Juniper helped, to keep her alive, progressives plan. Despite the pain in her back, Rune gets up and goes to look out the porthole.
Speaker: She sees Soren's ship surrounding them as they approach Cascadia. Noticing her reflection, rune wants to know what her back looks like and goes to lift her shirt rune looks at herself and thinks the scars obviously look hideous she's like it's so hard you know like especially having gone through that going through any type of trauma that puts damage on your body it's hard to see that and not go back to that Yeah. And so it's not just hideous in the fact that it's marked your body. It's hideous because it constantly reminds you of that trauma. It's so hard.
Speaker: So Serafine enters as Rune finishes covering herself. And she realizes that Serafine knew this whole time and never told her. Yeah. Cause Serafine was at something circles. Yep.
Speaker: And everything Rune knew about herself and everything she loved has now been taken from her. And she wonders why Serafine never said anything. And she explains that she andre and Kestrel thought it was sacred, if no one knew.
Speaker: But Rune thinks she should have known, at least. She's like, I can keep a secret. like she Like, obviously, she kept the secret that she was a Crimson Moth. yeah Yes.
Speaker: Like, come on. God. Seraphine understands her anger and goes to explain what had happened. Seraphine was called in to help with Rune's delivery, and when she touched her, something awoke inside her. Aww.
Speaker: She knew she had to get Rune away from the toxicity of the royal family, so she made everyone think that Rune had died at birth and gave her Kestrel to raise. Rune wanders back to Seraphine's image and how she has an age, asking if she's cursed.
Speaker: Seraphine says she can't move on until her task is completed. so ominous. And Seraphine remembers when Rune was just a baby and how she brought her to Kestrel, how angry she'd been.
Speaker: Yeah, she was like... Kestrel did not work. Yeah, she was like, if you went through all the trouble to steal baby, the least you can do is raise it yourself. Yeah. Like, okay, man.
Speaker: So, Seraphine notices some similarities between the two, despite sharing no blood relation. she's like, I know aren't related, but I keep looking for her in you, and I see you, so it's like carried her with you. Which, like, sweet. And, you know, Ketro didn't want to raise Rune, but it wasn't safe for Seraphine to raise her, so, know, she eventually agreed but by the time seraphine returned from dropping off room and like shortly after that was exiled by the queen but she had to find safety first obviously before she could do anything um so she actually returned after that ah and at that time gestral had fallen in love and would not let her take her own yeah she was like she's friendly with the letter opener yeah
Speaker: ah They both missed Kestrel and suddenly hit a boom of cannon fire. They were firing on the harbor. The siege had begun. oh no. So we finally get a Gideon chapter. We switch back to his perspective.
Speaker: Gideon knows that today's the day that he's going to But unable to kind of tell how long he'd been held. Yeah, he was like, i couldn't tell the past few times just by meals and stuff. He goes, but um Someone let him know. But a gun literally told him, like, today's the day, bud. Yep.
Speaker: So his cell is unlocked and the bag is thrown over his head. Trying to stay calm, he realizes how old afraid he is but refuses to fight back. Yeah, he's like, don't struggle, just be gone. And as he's let out of the prison gates, he wonders about the crowd that's going to be at his execution.
Speaker: Because probably going be a big one, probably. Yeah. He wonders if it was worth it and thinks that, yes, ruined. It was worth it. It's one of my favorite quotes. He hears moving noises and the prison shakes, but the guard just hurries him along before turning him down the hidden alley.
Speaker: He's like, okay, this is going to be it. This is how I get It's going to be a closed doors killing. Just swept under the rug. Thing is the end. The hood is pulled off and Layla frees him.
Speaker: What? Gideon asks about the noises and Layla confirms that they're under attack. And Gideon's like, oh, Soren? And he's like, we don't know. It literally just started. And Gideon thinks that this means Rue didn't end things with Soren. Oh, no. And followed through with supporting Cressida. Oh. And as they both approached the harbor, they noticed the blood guard soldiers fleeing.
Speaker: And Gideon stops one and is told that their enemies are invisible. So they can't shoot them. And they were told to retreat. Which, like, fair, but, like, yeah find cover yeah guess i don't know i mean if they guess they're told to retreat they gotta retreat and so yeah but the sound of more gunfire leila and gideon make their way closer to the fighting and see that the remaining soldiers are being picked off as they fire blindly at this like invisible enemy which again they found cover because gideon's like they're just standing out in the open yeah like at that point go ahead and retreat like come on yeah
Speaker: Gideon looks out into the water and sees Thorn's ships in the water and some smaller boats carrying soldiers and witches to land, protected by magical shields. Uh-oh. He sees Cressida's boat, and it seems like she's holding court on board.
Speaker: And he wonders how on earth this happened. Yeah. With Layla urging them to fall back, Gideon struggles to think that Rune hadn't followed through and broken the engagement, knowing that she wouldn't have lied about that.
Speaker: Yeah. Layla finally gets Gideon to leave and then run away from Burning Harbor. So switching back to Rune's perspective, Gressida took back the palace easily with the soldiers and the aristocray having <unk> aristocracy I can't speak.
Speaker: i Aristocracy? Or you can say aristocrat. Aristocrats. Frick. We are having a struggle. Struggles. Start this over.
Speaker: Okay, so...
Speaker: So, Cressida took back the palace easily, with the soldiers and of her skrats having fled, and the citizens staying kind of locked up in their homes. And as Cressida approaches the thrones, she proclaims that they'll retake the city, and anyone that doesn't swear loyalty to her will be killed.
Speaker: Okay. Psycho. Okay. go All the witches present kneel and swear fealty to her. They're like chanting Nina to the queen.
Speaker: But Rune is the last one standing. Cressida stares down Rune, which causes her to flashback to her torture until she eventually kneels as well, proclaiming long live the queen.
Speaker: Oh my god. And that's the end of part two. Really? That's where you end it? Kristen, I have some words for you. Kristen. How can you do this to me?
Speaker: Oh my God. This book. Okay. um We're going to jump into our questions and then we can discuss a little after that. um Who was your favorite character for this part? um Gideon.
Speaker: I was not expecting him legitimately to one, honestly, I did not expect him to get ahead of Rome. She is always so methodical and plans ahead.
Speaker: And I love him. He's a planner. he is very strategic and logical, but yeah, he's a man and he struggles to see really farther down the line. I'm sorry. Like most men.
Speaker: so I also do want to shout out to Layla for friend Gideon. Layla. I really liked Layla in this part. Yeah, she is. don't know what's in there for sure. you She was a homegirl. She literally came in and gave Gideon a chance and then Saved him. Saved him after he very obviously betrayed them.
Speaker: So my favorite for this part was probably Rune because of her tenacity throughout this part. Yeah. She truly doesn't give up as hard as it is for her. Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker: It's like leave Gideon and like escape off the island. She's like, I've got to do it. It's one thing after the other for room, especially like, cause at the beginning of this part, she gets back and finds out her home has been taken. Yes.
Speaker: You're right. everything. Her home's been taken. She already lost Alex. She's, she's lost everything, we want but continues to push through. At the end of this, you know toward the end she loses her identity.
Speaker: Yeah. You know? That's why it's like everything has been taken from her this point. And that's like, she still hasn't lost hope in this part, which I think that's why she's my favorite. Yeah. But I do also have an ol honorable mention to Juniper.
Speaker: Yeah. Because of the fact that she's like helping Rune. And we also find out like she was, you know. She cared for her growing up. Yeah. So, like, we found that little backstory out, and I really like that, and I like that Juniper is, like, her little interaction with Rune, Rune can tell that she's sincere. Yeah. Mm-hmm.
Speaker: She's, I mean, because Rune's like, oh, she's just keeping me alive for Cressida, but still, like, can kind of see in her eyes. Yeah, she can kind of, she can still read her well. Mm-hmm. What was your favorite twist? Um, I lost my mind when Aurelia left Rune. That,
Speaker: that i I didn't see that coming because... I didn't either. i thought she just helped you and your daughter escape. It really made me upset.
Speaker: Like, also finding out Noah was the good commander, i i did kind of what... I was listening to it in my car, and I went, I went, I knew.
Speaker: That's funny I was like, dang it, Whitney! yeah But, yes, I think that the biggest twist was Aurelia just being like, I have to look out for my daughter, which... fair but also didn't see that coming yeah so you what was yours mine was giddy and helping run escape yeah he had so consistently been against and had been so consistent in his plan there was no inkling him like in his point of point of view chapters there was no inkling of the fact that he was going to be unable to turn her in until he learned about the risk of her identity
Speaker: But like, even then he was still struggling with it. You know, he was still like, I can still turn her in. But he didn't want her to die. Cause loves her. literally wasn't until he put gun in her hand when she was stealing his food that I was like, Oh, sir. And he's like, I'm giving you 20 minutes. i was like, sir.
Speaker: Okay. What was your favorite quote? Okay. I know we have, We are so bad. book is so well written. It is so hard for us to pick one. So I think just moving forward, we're probably going to have to pick at least a minimum of two. It's going to have to be like, what are your favorite quotes?
Speaker: Yeah. Because this is just like too hard. as yeah out i mean, she such a good job writing this book. So my number one was how easy it would be to step into his arms and let him warm her completely. Yeah.
Speaker: Because that's just so sweet. Because having that in a relationship, having that safety and that comfort and that warmth, not literally just like temperature wise, because Worm was, you know, dripping wet in the kitchen and he was warming her.
Speaker: But it's just having that is.
Speaker: Having that connection with another person and being able feel safe. It is so special. And having that is amazing. I'm so happy I have that. Me so lucky.
Speaker: We are lucky people. yeah I also, guess actually three in total. Lord, okay. To be fair, I probably had like 15 and narrowed it down. Yeah. so these are just the three that really stuck with me.
Speaker: um I know a lie that over and over will destroy a person. Because that's true. You're not looking your truth. You're not being authentic to yourself. It will destroy you yeah who you are as a person.
Speaker: And then also, we both love this one though. Her heart had gone rogue long time ago. Yep. just love that. No, yeah. That was on my list of favorite quotes because, and then I saw you had it. So I was like, I don't have to put it. Perfect. yeah So I technically have two because these kind of like really resonated, I think for a lot of people yeah like me and a lot of people.
Speaker: And it's, Did a person change depending on their circumstances? Or was there something permanent about everyone? Something steadfast and true despite their circumstances?
Speaker: And I just think that kind of resonates with a lot of people because it's like, are we a product of our environment or are we a product of just... Are we product of our circumstances or is there something true to our being, something in our essence that makes us who we are?
Speaker: Yeah. So, I mean, it's the age old nature versus nurture question. And I really like that. I do too. I love discussing that too. My next favorite quote what was, one it's so good.
Speaker: What's difficult is refusing to harden your heart despite having every reason to, despite knowing the odds are against you. Because true. yeah Like is like, it is so hard to accept the heart and move through it rather than just taking the easy way out and just letting it alter you.
Speaker: Because it is easier to let things change you like that and to just accept hate and blank and point fingers. It's just, it's, it's the easier thing to do, it doesn't, that doesn't make it the right option.
Speaker: Exactly. Mm-hmm. What is your biggest question or theory from this part? We both kind of had like this kind sense of thing because like at the beginning of part two, like with the mention of Althea wisdom and all of that, as soon as I heard Seraphine talk about her completing her tasks and then like,
Speaker: and then like I'm sorry, but, like, I... She's been eternally young. She's known man since man was a child. So, like... Yeah, I think Seraphine is wisdom.
Speaker: The math and math thing for that. So, yes, agree. Seraphine is the ancient wisdom. I think so, too. Like, I started seeing... Yeah, that's my guess. Yeah. And my also kind of, like, question from this part was, like, with Rune's dreams and visions and...
Speaker: Yeah, about the game with the kids and then and on the game with Gideon in the rain. Yeah, like if she truly is like a Sybil, like. Yeah, can she see things like that, you know? So, I don't know. yeah But she also like really doesn't think about that, so. Like she doesn't question it, which is what kind of makes me angry because like even Gideon questions of it, but he doesn't mention it to her. And I don't like that.
Speaker: Yeah. I just need to know how they're going to have a happy ending. I am a little too all over the place. I consumed part two.
Speaker: i had to keep reading. I read part two in like two hours. Yeah. It was insane. i I just need to know what's going to happen. They're apart. Beans trapped.
Speaker: Crescent to the city. Like what is happening? There is a lot. There's a lot going on. There's, there's what? There's, There's like 20, 30 chapters left.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: This book is so good. So good. ah ah Okay. Well, we'll be back next week with part three and we'll be actually finishing the series then because only a duology.
Speaker: I'm not ready to say goodbye. I'm not either. This is like on par with Hunger Games. This is easily top five series for me. I think so. Same.
Speaker: Thanks, guys. Thank you for listening and tune back in next week for part three. And if you have a story you want us to tell, you can let us know on one of the platforms listed in the description.
Speaker: And while you're there, you can like and follow to stay up to date for the next story. Thank you for stopping by our tale. The library is now closed. Bye-bye.
Speaker: you
