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 the final part 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 53 to the epilogue. You're welcome to catch up and come back to listen to our thoughts or follow along now.
Speaker: So part three has a little opening and it says in a record kept by the Acolytes regarding Queen Althea's death and burial, we learned that she didn't receive a funeral as she rightly deserved yeah she was basically usurped and the new queen didn't allow any celebration so the acolytes took the good queen to their temple to burn a funeral pyre and released her to the ancients and then when all that remained of her was ash we prepared for the worst such an ominous quote and also then it goes in
Speaker: then it goes in And this is kind of like an in-between. like Yeah, it's like another little just like list prologue to the part. And it says the five decrees of Cressida the Vicious.
Speaker: ah It's just five little ah bullets, I guess. Curfew is in effect. Citizens must be inside from dusk until dawn. Anyone in defiance will be shot on sight.
Speaker: Raids are also in effect and canass and they can arrest anyone who doesn't comply with the search. And if a traitor is found, the entire family is brought in for questioning.
Speaker: also titles and belongings of traitors will be redistributed to those loyal to cressida it also says that anyone that turns in patriots will be well compensated and that anyone that refuses to swear fealty will be executed okay definitely cressida the vicious ah so chapter 53 we start with runes runes perspective Soren's army quickly takes the city and rounds up people that were traded the new rule, for information and for execution.
Speaker: And Rune also says that pretty much once they tortured the information out of you, they killed you and they killed you because they had no use for you. Many accept the oath of loyalty, but Rune kind of senses that some witches are feeling that easy about all the executions and tortures going on.
Speaker: And Rune is basically trapped in her room and constantly watched, even restrained, almost twenty four seven Yeah, and the only one allowed to visit her is actually Seraphine because she's kind of powerless to help Rune.
Speaker: like But then again, like, so is everyone, but still. And Seraphine kind of confirms the witch's fear, but that they won't turn on Cressida with an army at her back. Like, she's like, yeah, there's people that...
Speaker: don't like there that would that would support us but and she suggests that if Cressida's support is weakened then they may turn on her but Rune suggests that they kill her or tell Soren about Cressida's plans to kill Rune yeah like Rune is suggesting that they kill Rune yeah or that they tell Soren about Cressida's plans so that you know he she doesn't get killed when Sorin intervenes.
Speaker: Yeah, I guess. The only problem with that, though, is that Rune hasn't seen Sorin, as Cressida pretty much kind of been keeping him away other side the island. It hasn't been Rune, but Rune's pretty sure that Sorin is.
Speaker: Honestly. Yeah, honestly. And they know Cressida would retaliate, causing Rune to panic a little. So, yeah, because she's like, at this point, she's fully PTSD from the whipping. So she's like, anything kind of sets her It makes her nervous.
Speaker: Seraphine thinks that the best plan is to find and destroy Elowen and Annalise's bodies. But Rune points out that no one knows where those are kept. Yeah, so Rune kind of plans to wait for Sorin's return soon to talk to him, but Seraphine has a better plan.
Speaker: So at dinner, and worrying about, like, the consequences of failing, Rune waits for Seraphine's signal as traitors are brought to beg before Cressida. And, like, some witches enjoy it, but others kind of like, seem bored of it, reminding Rune kind of of the private purdings that they used to host, and it she's like, we're still in hell. It just has different drawings.
Speaker: Like, it's Which is literally, it's back and forth and back and forth. it was It was originally bad with the Raiders, and then was bad with the New Republic. Now it's bad. So that is Cressida. So like, Brune and Seraphine believe that witch is too scared to show their fear of Cressida. And when Harrow is brought in, oh they know of at least one, Juniper.
Speaker: Now granted, we know it's Harrow because it's the spymaster. Right. But Brune is like, she just looks kind of familiar. Yeah. She actually recognized the name, too. Yeah, she's like, the name's not so familiar. She's like, it couldn't be the one in the same. um But Juniper is there at Cressida's side, and she has gone pale and has a death grip on the table as she looks at Harrow on her knees.
Speaker: yeah Juniper ends up leaving the dining hall, and Rune notices that her guards are asleep. And Seraphine suggests, hey, Rune, why don't you challenge it, Juniper? Mm-hmm.
Speaker: So Cressida was kind of distracted by Harrow. Rune, again, we said, like, looks familiar. Yeah. Rune kind of slips out, intending to escape through the kitchens to steal a knife for casting before stealing a horse to escape.
Speaker: Yeah. Unfortunately, Juniper disrupts those plans when Rune discovers her looking super upset and frightened. and Yeah. She's like, it looks like she's seen a ghost.
Speaker: She says she was, like, about to throw up, too. So Juniper explains that she recognized the spymaster, But her parents told her they sold her and she was never able to find her despite searching everywhere.
Speaker: so heyo was wrong. Juniper was looking her. you When Rune learns that the spymaster's name is Hera, because I guess before she wasn't really paying attention to the name, she wonders if it's the same one that is Gideon's friend. Yeah. She can't help Juniper though and turns to Lee when Juniper reminds her, you're the crimson moth.
Speaker: Saving people is what you do. And at this point, she literally was like, not anymore. Yeah. She was like, no more. but Because she just got whipped. Yeah. She just wants her out.
Speaker: But also, she hasn't really been Crimson Moth since she got the partner. I don't know if Alex died, really. Yep. um So Juniper points out that Harrow is friends with Gideon and could be forced to tell Cressida where he is.
Speaker: And Rune's like, oh, well, Cressa already told me that she's to stop at nothing to find Gideon, so... Crap. Yeah. Yep. So, she decides, you know, this will be final rescue.
Speaker: Because she remembers those threats that Cressa made. That sounds familiar. That was one more rescue. So, she'll rescue Hera for Juniper and Gideon on the condition that Juniper say she never saw Rune.
Speaker: Yeah. You like when they ask? You don't know where i am. Don't know where i went. We didn't see each other. And she agrees.
Speaker: So Rune steps into the kitchens and plans to use her original plan of Harrow instead of Seraphine like it was. She runs into Sorin though who is like excited to see her and is like wondering at her escape from Gideon because he still thought she's been kidnapped this whole time.
Speaker: Yeah. Before she can say anything he kisses her And she pushes him off. Ugh. And when she pulls away from his touch, she tells him that they're over. And Soren reminds her of the deal that was made. And since Cressida is back in power, Rune belongs to him. Blech.
Speaker: Blech. gross nasty and rune tries to point out that cressida manipulated everything because she uses everyone like she goes into saying that like she was planted outside of his off the blocks and all this stuff like it was manipulated from the but beginning yeah and he's like this is like this is like more and more upset yeah so obviously getting upset by that he starts advancing at rune and like backing her into a corner ah
Speaker: She tries to escape by like running around him, but he grabs her and like slams her against the wall. And her back. Yeah. Yeah. So she's like blinded by pain and feeling just disgust at his hands on her.
Speaker: She senses Soren trying to undress her, kind of knowing what his intentions are. yeah And so she looks at Soren and she knows he's a, he's a,
Speaker: He's a soldier. Yeah, so hes he's got a gun. So notices his pistol. She grabs for it and remembers Gideon's words to not think twice. Don't hesitate. Just shoot.
Speaker: Then she puts the gun to his head and fires. Bye-bye, Soren. Bye-bye. Bye-bye. Honestly. I'm glad he's gone.
Speaker: Yeah. I hated him. Yeah. So Rumi actually uses Soren's blood to cast Ghost Walker. and slips into the prison unnoticed. Ooh. Trusty ghost walker. Mm-hmm.
Speaker: She sees Harrow in shackles being escorted by two witches ahead of her. Mm-hmm. And as they stop at the gate, Rune sneaks one of the witches' casting knives before stepping through. Mm-hmm. And since Cressida kind of blew up the original Bloodguard headquarters, interrogations were now held in the first ring of the prison. Mm-hmm.
Speaker: And, like, as Harrow is being put into a cell, Rune slips in, like, right before the doughpe door is locked. Mm-hmm. Knowing that time is running out before Cressida learns that Rune killed Soren, she reveals herself to Harrow.
Speaker: She, like, wipes off the casting. Yeah. She offers Harrow freedom as long as she doesn't slow Rune down, and she agrees. Mm-hmm. Oh, teaming up. Who would have thought that Harrow would have teamed up with the Crimson Maw?
Speaker: She actually, like, Rune says at this point, like, she recognizes that Harrow kind of has respect for her. Yeah, she's just like, okay. Yeah. So Rune and Harrow escape, aided by trusty Ghostwalker, as Rune explains the guards are looking for Sorin's killer.
Speaker: And Harrow shares that the Bloodguard has moved west and likely took Gideon with them, and they plan to, like, rearm at the rookery. And with Cressida back in power, Rune realizes they'll probably keep Gideon as long as possible, just as a resource. Yeah.
Speaker: Mm-hmm. So they enter stable and steal two horses, with Rune concealing both. before telling Harrow to escape the city. And she needs to get off the island too, obviously, but she has to make a stop first at Wintersea to get Nan's spell books for learning and for the connection.
Speaker: Right. That still gives her to Nan. Harrow says that she was wrong about Rune, and Rune thinks it sounds like an apology. love this. Okay, some Harrow redemption here. we love it.
Speaker: So as Rune approaches Wintersea, she notices that blood guard soldiers are all outside. But she sneaks around until she hears a familiar noise and goes to the stable to greet Lady.
Speaker: Lady. I'm so i so glad nothing happened to her. I know. i was like, if anything happens to that horse, um I'm writing a strongly worded letter to Kristen. Me too.
Speaker: So she leads Lady out to the overgrown labyrinth to wait for her as she climbs up the house using the ivy on the building. She reaches the window to her casting room and climbs in, careful not to make a sound.
Speaker: Luckily, it hasn't been destroyed and it looked exactly as she left it. Which was, I don't know if you realized, it was when she was packing up to leave with Alex. Oh. It was before he died. I know.
Speaker: We don't need to talk about it. Sorry. Sorry. After lighting a match, Rune grabs Lady's whistle and some money that was there, and she turns to the spell books to decide which ones to take with her.
Speaker: As she's sorting books into piles, one falls and lands with a thud. Not hearing any movement below, she sits to look through the book. here It seems to be very old and has a summoning spell listed.
Speaker: Power enough to supposedly summon the ancients? But then Rune hears a creak from outside the room and closes the book. And when she hears another closer, ah latch clicks, she blows out the candle and then someone steps into the room with her.
Speaker: um my God. Oh my God. Also, how weird is it The spell book just falls out. it's one that has a spell to summon the ancients.
Speaker: It's fate. Fate. So we switched to Gideon's point of view in chapter 57. Soldiers are packing up Noah's things at Wintersea as he commands any witch to be shot on sight.
Speaker: Oh, Lord. oh As Gideon rubs the disshackled wrists, the guards look at him and one is a recruit that Gideon had taken under his wing, Felix. He was like a scrawny boy that like kept getting beat up and everyone's like taking bets like he's not going to make it.
Speaker: And Gideon's like he has pi he has the drive. So he took him under his wing and taught him like how to take a punch and actually how to throw him back too. Yeah. He said he noticed Felix would always get back up.
Speaker: Yeah. So Gideon realizes that he could have been left behind, you know, at Crestus Mercy, but he was now a valuable asset. Since he had proved to be sympathetic to witches, though, he was obviously kept restrained.
Speaker: Yep. So as Noah's urge to flee now, Layla ensures his safety and tells the others to leave since Soren's army has been spotted close by. Gideon kind of hears a thump and looks up, but only Layla noticed it.
Speaker: Like they make eye contact and Gideon like raises eyebrow and they kind of like unspokenly. Well, she looks at, she like, looks at him and it like kind of tilts her head and she like walks over and was like did you hear that too but Gideon even turned to the guards right next to him yeah and like did you hear that and they're like what so she walks over and Gideon suggests that he goes up with her since he knows the house better I'm sure does so Layla removes his chains and takes him upstairs where they split off to search opposite ends of the hall when Layla goes into the first room
Speaker: Gideon heads straight for Rune's bedroom due to where he heard the sound and just kind of a general knowing. He checks the room and the smell reminds him of Rune.
Speaker: About to leave, he remembers the false wall leading to Rune's casting room. He presses on it and notices a freshly extinguished candle as he steps in, but then is quickly knocked on the head.
Speaker: Love it. but Gotta love that surprise. then we switch back to Rune. Having hit the intruder, Rune turns to run but is tackled.
Speaker: And as they struggle, Rune is able to pin the intruder down and hold a knife to their throat. Uh-oh. When the person speaks, though, Rune recognizes it as Gideon and removes the blade.
Speaker: He immediately flips them and demands for her to prove that she's Rune. Like, he does not believe that. he's like, how do I know you're not just using her voice and her face? Yeah. Yeah. So she recounts their last conversation and can kind of feel his happiness like radiating off of him.
Speaker: But being pinned by him has hurt her back and she kind of stiffens. Well, the wounds were reopened. Yeah. So she's like, she's happy, but it's pain. Yeah. Yeah. So Gideon pulls away, not knowing.
Speaker: And Rune wants to explain, but she doesn't want him to see and be disgusted. So Gideon relights the candle and notices Rune's state before she can cover it up. You know, her clothes got a little disheveled which harrow had pointed out when yeah ah she was like what happened there she she goes looks like someone tried to have their way with you and she goes he's dead now yeah so there's that's where the respect from harrow came yeah yep but uh so she's still um all messed up looking so uh
Speaker: Gideon obviously is demanding to know the name of who hurt her and she kind of freezes unable to explain it she's like the words aren't really coming um but she ends up just being able to state that she killed him doesn't matter what his name is she killed him Gideon fixes her hair as Rune shares her concern over Gideon's potential death yeah he got asked why she's here like if she had left but then they hear noises outside remembering the blood guard nearby Gideon goes to close the door Just like Alex always forgot.
Speaker: Yep. Rune pointed that out. But Noah walks in and sees them in there. No. So he commands Rune to be shot outside and he goes, I'll deal with the witch's whore. Ugh. No.
Speaker: i Oh, screamed. I was like, you bastard. I hate you. I hate it. So this enrages Rune and she grabs a discarded knife as she faces down Noah's gun.
Speaker: Yeah, she's like holding it ready to go. She's like, I'll get She taunts Noah and Gideon warns her as Layla tells her to lower the knife. Rune throws it instead with it landing in Noah's shoulder, causing his shot to go up.
Speaker: Like it goes wide. Mm-hmm. So she goes to attack Noah further and is pulled away by Lila. She's pinned to the ground with a knee to the back, reopening her wounds further.
Speaker: Gideon begs Layla not to do it, but she reminds him that she helped bring Cressida back to power and that she killed her father. Yeah. And Gideon points out that Layla's father killed Rune's grandmother as well and compares them.
Speaker: Like, come on. Like, come on. Like, it's just all this stuff. Like, It's just the same. Yeah. So Layla leads Rune outside and dismisses the other soldiers, forcing Rune to her knees.
Speaker: And Rune kind of reflects that Nan's rose garden is a good place to die. She's like, at least it's here. Yeah. So hearing Layla ready her pistol, Rune thinks of Gideon and prepares for the end.
Speaker: She was like, at least I got to see him one more time. Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker: We switch back to Gideon's point of view. And Noah's taunting Gideon, course. And it makes him realize that Noah wanted Rune. Yep. The mean things that he said at the card game where he was like talking smack about Rune, that was because Rune basically turned him down. a hundred percent.
Speaker: So Gideon taunts Noah back, stating that Noah's really just jealous that Rune loved him instead and that wants her dead, that Noah wants her dead. because she didn't pick him. That's total like, can't have her, no, I can't.
Speaker: Yes, it's just stupid. It's so dumb. God. Having not heard a gunshot, Gideon knows that we will somehow find a way to live. As he's restrained, Gideon rants about love not being a weakness.
Speaker: He says, know, love can't be controlled. Love can't obey unjust laws. Love will always oppose tyrants. And that that's why love is the true enemy of the regime. o And Noah approaches Gideon and he can't help but compare it to Nicholas Creed at this point.
Speaker: But what Noah says next causes Gideon to freeze. Noah proposes trade. Returning Gideon to Cressida and returning for the prisoner, she asks. No. This guy is cool.
Speaker: He is disgusting. So the guards grab Gideon to escort him out after Noah, but Felix passes a key into his hand. Our boy? yeah so as he's walked out front he frees himself and disarms the other guard before darting ahead to catch up to noah oh my god he's like avoiding bullets at this point and he pins noah at the wall and punches him he like punches him over and over yeah he's like not letting up and knowing that he needs to save room he leaves under more direct fire that's literally the only thing that stops him from killing noah i think at this point i think so too
Speaker: Gideon escapes and finds Rune on her knees with Layla about to shoot. He calls for her to stop, which startles her, causing the shot to go off, but it misses Rune. Thank God. Man, the Creed siblings are not able to just fire under pressure. No.
Speaker: At all. Which, hey, good for us. I'm not complaining. Layla pulls another gun, holding both of them at gunpoint, and Gideon tries to reason with her, but she asks for time to think.
Speaker: Interesting. She offers 15 seconds and states that Gideon now owes her double. Almost to their escape, bullets begin to fly. So Rune runs a little slower since her hands are bound and when she stumbles twice, getting in his shot both times, like when he like stops to help her. Yeah, like as he's picking her up is when he gets shot each time. And so he ends up grabbing her to carry as he runs and she kind of relaxes, but he quickly kind of starts to flow due to his injuries. i mean, he's losing a lot of blood. He was shot like in the hip, in the shoulder.
Speaker: Yeah. and Yeah, and if he's running while carrying someone. It's a lot. Oh. So he heads to the woods to lose, like, potential pursuers, but knows he's just slowing them down.
Speaker: So he's trying to convince her and to split up. he's like She refuses to leave him, though. She's like, I ain't going nowhere. He's like, you run ahead. I'll catch up. And she's like, no, you aren't. yeah We'll get captured. She's like, how are you going to catch me, find me in these woods? Yeah. We're staying together.
Speaker: So he starts to say something in case he doesn't make it, but then he collapses. No, no. We push back to Rune's point of view and Rune notices Gideon's bleeding once he falls and yells at him for his stupidity. Yep.
Speaker: Hearing a horse nearby, Rune stops and tries to heal Gideon. He gives her permission to use his blood and it's so cute. She's like, I need your permission. He's like, what was like yeah and she's like for your blood to help you and he's like oh yeah sure it yeah like very dismissive of it and she knows these like healing things because of her with juniper yeah she like remembered she was like i hope i'm remembering this right yeah um So Rune tries her best to cast the right spell marks, which is honestly kind of difficult because her hands are still bound. Yeah. They're the witch manacles, but they're, you know, still tied up. And she, like, doesn't feel like it's going to take hold, but then it, like, all of a sudden does.
Speaker: Gideon rests his arm on Rune's back, and she flinches at the pain from her wounds. Yeah. Rune kind of brushes it off, and then Lady appears nearby. Yeah. Yay! Yay! So she remembered her whistle and used it to summon Lady. Like at some point during the run? Yeah, at some point. I don't know.
Speaker: So they help one lady and make their escape. So Rune and Gideon arrive back at Bart Wentmoltz's family summer home. It was nearby, took away in the woods, and likely empty due to the aristocracy fleeing. Good.
Speaker: They search through the house in silence for first aid supplies and food. Letting Gideon rest in a chair in the kitchen, Rune is worrying about the smell wearing off and his wounds needing help. more help than she can provide she's like there are bullets lodged in there we gotta dig that out and i can't i can't help with that suddenly she hears voices and ruins her torch light like spell marks two young men enter in the middle of a heated moment oh and rude recognizes bart oh my gosh i'm here for his gay love okay okay
Speaker: So Park recognizes Rune like immediately as she pulls a gun him. He's like, oh God, you're alive. Yeah. And she's like, yeah. So gun to him, like to prevent him from alerting anyone.
Speaker: And the other young man with Bart raises his hands immediately, but looks kind of more plainly dressed. And Bruno reflects on Bart as always being kind of dismissed despite his family's station. Like, he's kind of... I mean, he was one of the top contenders on Verity's list for her. So, like, he had good connections. His standing was great.
Speaker: But she kind of senses that the man in front of her is not the Bart that she came to know. Yeah. Yeah. Her little parties. Yeah. So we learn that Bart is alone in the house with his maid, Vess, and the other man introduces himself as Antonio Bastille, a cook for the Wentholz family. i love Antonio.
Speaker: He notices Gideon's stay and offers the help as he's, quote, trained in the healing arts. When Rune tries to threaten him, and that like if Gideon's harmed, she's like, Gideon's harmed.
Speaker: You're known for, buddy. Yeah. He reveals that he took an oath before the ancients. And Bart shares that Antonio had been an acolyte at the Temple of Ancients. yeah That was where Rune summoned the air and remembers the ruins, the ruins of the yeah area over there, where Gideon was hiding out, wondering if Antonio had been there.
Speaker: Granted, I guess we didn't know he was hiding back there, but yeah. yeah So she apologized for the destruction, but Antonio undresses Gideon to reveal the wounds, and he notices Rune's spell marks and he realizes that she's a witch.
Speaker: I love it because he's like, you're witch. And Gideon's immediately like, despite being heavily injured and like yeah struggling, he still tries to protect her. He's like, have a problem with that, I'll end you by new right now.
Speaker: Like, bro, you busted. It's so sweet. But he actually thanks her for her work because it actually saved Gideon's life, like in order for Antonio to help.
Speaker: Oh, yay. So Antonio requests help from Rune and Bart, and Rune wants to stop Bart from leaving the room, but ah Antonio, like, stops her with a dentals hut with a gentle touch, and he's like, we all need to trust each other.
Speaker: You are in a position to damn him as much as he is to damn you. Which, o true. Rune kind of assumes it's about their relationship and realizes that Bart could never be himself either to his family's expectations. Yeah.
Speaker: She wonders if his personality from before was basically all an act and applauds him mentally as another master of pretending. Yep. She's like, I recognize the con artist.
Speaker: Mm-hmm. So sits with Gideon as Antonia digs out the bullets and works on him. Mm-hmm. When it's all done, they sit and have a glass. Gideon and Rune both decline.
Speaker: Rune's like, i remember last time I'm on the bed. Yeah. Bart shares that his family is on the continent and that he wouldn't leave because Antonia wouldn't leave. Antonia's like, this is my home. I could never leave it.
Speaker: Aww. So, Rune warns about the danger of Cressida finding them, but Bart had nowhere else to go. you know, they wanted to live out the rest of their days beside each other.
Speaker: No more hiding. Oh, I love that. mean, it's not necessarily like you're being out in the open because there's no one around to see it, but still. Hey, live your truth. we Love it.
Speaker: So, Gideon actually pipes up about living in a world where they could be together. Ooh. And Barton Rune thinks it's ridiculous, but Antonio is like enraptured. He's like, tell me more. yeah i like, I love this idea. Let's go.
Speaker: So Gideon goes on to share his idea of a place where and everyone can be equal. And Rune calls it naive and points out his lack of support against either Cressida the Blood Guard.
Speaker: So they'd have to face both. Yeah. Yeah. And she's like mentally, she's planning to take a train as far away as possible and then sail away even further to escape. Like she's like, I'm paying someone sail me or I'm sailing myself or I'm getting away. yeah Gideon proposes a third option to Antonia, gathering support from people that don't want to be ruled by witches or the Holy Republic.
Speaker: One thing to love, of all of those that enjoy the purgings and the witches who swore allegiance to Cressida. Thoughts of Cressida always send her into a panic now. And so Rune gets up to leave, but Gideon follows her into the hall.
Speaker: He asks if there might be witches willing to defy Cressna. And Rune kind of reluctantly offers to summon Seraphine, not promising if there will be more, but Gideon accepts that at least.
Speaker: yeah he's like And what is good? Yeah, and she's like, seriously? did I guess everyone wants a witch? Yeah. So Rune tries to reason with Gideon pointing out that Alex was right and the only safe bet is to leave.
Speaker: But Gideon refuses to accept that and states that the third path needs to be forged ah as if ah but then as it hasn't existed before.
Speaker: So she thinks it's foolish for them to face two armies for this, but Gideon just calls her a coward. Ugh. Yeah. Yeah. So later, Rune is pacing on the roof and realizing that Gideon's right, but she just kind of wants to survive at this point.
Speaker: Mm-hmm. Rune uses an old spell used to share her location with only Seraphine. Mm-hmm. An older lady, Bess, interrupts Rune and leads her to the guest room that was made for her. She offers Rune some new clothes and mentions the bathhouse not being ready yet, but that there's a nearby hot spring for Rune to wash in. Right.
Speaker: Yeah, so before- Not enough time right now, I think, but she's like- you know So before Bess can leave, Rune asks her about the schedule for the local train station. Bess kind of warns her of rumors that the station may be shut down soon, because obviously Cressida doesn't want people leaving. So Rune changes her mind and requests that Bess buy her a ticket for whichever train is going furthest northwest.
Speaker: And Bess agrees as Rune hands her that little bag that she grabbed from her casting room. ah So we switch to Gideon's perspective. Gideon returns to find a skeptical Bart compiling a list of potential allies. So he's still skeptical, but he's kind of willing to work.
Speaker: He watches Rune storm off, worried about her, as he remembers her different behavior lately, kind of assuming it has to do with someone's attack on her before she killed him. Antonio brings Gideon back to the present, about to go off to bed, but Gideon shares his concerns about Rune.
Speaker: Yeah, he kind of worries that he can't help fix her, but Antonio tells him that she's the only one who can fix herself. there yep and antennae suggests being less afraid and trusting her and himself then like like gideon's got to trust himself yeah it's not it yeah and then he suggests something to kind of help gideon sleep like it's like a tonic and gideon agrees as he needs as much rest as possible to face whatever is coming so gideon wakes the next morning and he smells room but he figures it was a drain due to his you know sleeping tonic
Speaker: He had dreamed that Rune came into his room and watched her sleep, but that he pulled her into good bed with him held her close. He dismisses it, though, as he knows that he can't touch her, you know, skin to skin, due to Cressida's curse. Mm-hmm.
Speaker: So as he head downstairs, he overhears Harrow demanding to see him. Harrow? How does she know he's there? Right? And he asks if she's come to arrest him, but she wants him to come back with her since the blood guard seems directionless after his defection. yeah And as Gideon worries about Noah killing him and not wanting to haunt witches anymore, there's a new arrival at the door.
Speaker: Seraphine has arrived, and the Harrow pulls Gideon's gun on her, or rather, behind her. Gideon tries to intervene, but Harrow explains that the other witch is Juniper, the witch who left her to die after Juniper's parents I don't care if you're here.
Speaker: We know she didn't leave you to die. She's searched for you everywhere. Stop! So again, Gideon tries to stop her, but she pulls a knife on him, comparing this situation to Gideon and Cressida being the same room. She's like, if Cressida was here, you would not be holding back.
Speaker: That's fair. Fair. But Rune steps in front of Juniper and explains that she's the reason Harrow is free. And Harrow doesn't believe it, but she does lower her weapons.
Speaker: so So Bart arrives in a baby blue robe. And in gray. It's got his little family dress. like I'm just like, okay, signs are there.
Speaker: Inviting everyone to join them for breakfast. Love it. He's like, hey, lunchtime ladies. Antonio scans the guests to make accommodations and he notices Seraphine who shakes her head a little at him.
Speaker: He like tilted his head and she just shakes her head.
Speaker: he goes to take care of his weapons though you know no weapons at breakfast yeah as they go out to the garden to wait for food so Gideon tries to talk to Rune but she's already name in a deep discussion with Seraphine and kind of passes him by and as he follows them out he notices what looks like a healing scar coming from the back of her collar yeah like it's a red mark and he's like it looks like a scar that's healing yeah wonder how she got that don't think you knew but I know.
Speaker: So we switch back to Rune's point of view. And unable to sleep the night before, room did in fact flip into Gideon's room. Who? She believes that there are only two choices. To have Gideon taken from her or to leave before it can happen.
Speaker: She quickly shuts down the voice inside of her that tells her her third option, asking him to come with her.
Speaker: She's brought back from her memories Borg. art and turns to admire him for a moment the way one con artist admires another love it i love this quote so as everyone sits down in the peaceful garden it looks like witches and patriots have kind of sat with their own still kind of unable to fully trust one another and then gideon makes instructions and harrow asks what his plan is kind of tantrumy too she's like so what's your plan yeah crossing her arms like all right yeah grow up his room says he doesn't have one yeah
Speaker: like yeah fair really good but he does say he has a proposition first he believes that he can get soldiers to come to their side because he knows them and what drives them and that there are others on the witch's side who may agree and just want to live in peace when juniper questions how to trust this he points out that he just gave away witch's enemies secret yeah they're rudderless you know Bart agrees and points out that there's no way to trust that people won't just go back to hating each other too. Like, how do you just dispel that hate?
Speaker: And Seraphine joins in adding that Cressida's army it's in disarray as well due to Soren's death. Okay, kind of. Sit for tat there with the information.
Speaker: So she goes on to explain that there are witches that are troubled by Cressida, but are still scared of her power and the fact that blood guard soldiers want to hunt them. So they still think Cressida is the better option at this point.
Speaker: I mean, understandably, after learning what Cressida did to Rune and no one was scared of Gideon, I would be terrified of her too. Right. So she thinks if someone offers a better option, though, those others will abandon Cressida who won't be able to kind of hold on to her power. Yeah.
Speaker: Two of them gone, she won't have any kind enforcement. There's no army at her back. One of them. So Rune kind of realizes that Gideon was hoping for this. Cracks within both enemies. But she worries that it still won't be enough.
Speaker: yeah Gideon suggests getting rid of Cressida's sister's bodies. And Harrow suggests just killing the missing heir. Rune, Jennifer, and Seraphine kind of all freeze.
Speaker: And Rune recounts Gideon's plan to kill the heir. She wonders if Gideon will still follow through with the suggestion. It is the most logical if he knew it was her. Because again, she doesn't know he was there.
Speaker: She don't know he knew. But Juniper quickly redirects the conversation. Good job. And offers to go back to Cressida to get the location of her sister's bodies and recruit more witches to their side. So, Carol questions Juniper and she shares that Cressida has no reason not to trust her.
Speaker: She'll get the location and report back. But Harrow offers to go with to make sure there's no treachery. Yeah, okay. Yeah, that's why you want to go with. You're going to spend time with But also, ma'am, you're going between literally just a prisoner.
Speaker: Facts. So Rune points out what's at stake if they fail, but Gideon tells her to go if that's what she wants. So Bess and Antonio kind of break tension by returning with food, and they bring in more guests.
Speaker: Ash, Abby, and others from the Arcadia. Oh my goodness. They were summoned there by Layla to help Gideon. They're like, what are you doing here? Abby's like, we just got a message from Layla saying that Gideon needed help, so came here.
Speaker: Which, like, sweet. Also, Abby... Okay, fine, I guess. But Layla... Layla! Okay. So as Rude watches Abby stare at Gideon, she's unable to stay and pleased.
Speaker: Well, yeah, she can't handle this. She was just like, cause she still thinks that they're like perfect for each other, which like, man, she got PTSD. Man, she killed her some stuff. and I know, but still. I know.
Speaker: So she wants to believe in him, but can't due to Cressida's cruelty and can't stand by to watch them fail. Like she can't stand to just sit here and watch everything to crap.
Speaker: Cause then she'd lose everyone she cares about. Exactly. So she heads to the hot spring fest mentioned for some privacy. and as she gets in the water room kind of feels foolish for her reaction to gabby and gideon like obviously getting jealous but she's like i'm not that girl yeah i'm stronger than this but she puts her face into the like falling water and lets the tears fall she's just let's go let's go it says like she sobs yeah and i'm like girl, who's in there? Well, she hasn't... Sobbing in the shower. I feel you. Like, at this point, the only time that, like, she's cried about Cressida beating her was during the beating.
Speaker: Yeah. She really hasn't, like, she's been alone, but, like, this could be the first moment that she's, like, everything's hitting her. Yeah. Mm-hmm. It's really all hitting her because Gideon's back.
Speaker: She's seeing him. Yeah. He's proposing a future where i can be together, and she's like, oh it all hit. So... We switch back to Gideon's point of view and distracted by the arrival of the new guest Gideon finally notices that Wun's gone but she slipped away.
Speaker: Vess shares that she likely went to the hot springs to help peel her wounds. Gideon kind of like he's he's like what wounds? Yeah what what and he wasn't aware and when Vess kind of tries to backpedal Juniper tells Gideon that Wune had been flayed to the bone.
Speaker: um my god to the bone? ah Yeah. Yeah. she shares that yeah she shares that crescent almost killed rune by whipping but that she was able to help survive with like her healing curses or healing spells so surprised that rune didn't share any of this with him he's like well way caught off guard yeah yeah well she's like she says it very softly too and like every like everyone here's everyone kind of stops and turns to her she's sharing that no one knew
Speaker: She kept it to herself. Yeah. Juniper, Seraphine, and Rune are the only ones that know. Well, and Vess, because she had to help her change that one. She said she helped, like, dress her wounds. Yeah.
Speaker: She was like, oh, I'm so sorry. I thought you knew about it.
Speaker: But Seraphine shares that Rune did it intentionally in order to break Gideon's curse. And then he remembers his dream and realizes that it was real. Aww.
Speaker: ander And Seraphine states that the only reason she's alive is because she told Cressida who the missing heir is.
Speaker: so knowing Seraphine won't outrun secret, but worried now that Cressida knows, he rushes to go find Rune at the hot spring. No. Yeah.
Speaker: As he approaches her, he sees the full extent of Cressida's damage. He accuses her of avoiding him because of this, and she rushes to cover cover herself. He wants to know why she didn't tell him and realizes how scared she is.
Speaker: Like, she's, like, shaking. She's petrified. And Rune shares it's because she's Cressida's sister. But Gideon doesn't care. He's like, I really don't care. He's like, so? Yeah.
Speaker: And this surprises Rune, and Gideon asks to see her back. And she reluctantly agrees, and Gideon hurts at what he sees. I mean, I would if you saw that on your loved one. ah I don't think know. know.
Speaker: Brune thinks that she's hideous and Gideon denies it like immediately. You are the kindest, cleverest, bravest girl I've ever met. My heart.
Speaker: He kisses her scars and yet feels no pain, but he recognizes the pain we've faced for him to be able to feel that.
Speaker: And he's like, why would she risk herself? For Gideon. He's like, why would she risk herself for me? Yeah. And she shares because she didn't want him to suffer.
Speaker: but Also because she fell in love with a witch hunter and then Gopeti loved her back.
Speaker: like to hear So she takes his shirt off after getting his permission. We love it. Love it. And plus if her spell worked. And there's no pain in Gideon's brand. Yeah.
Speaker: Because that's how she could tell too. it wasn't just Gideon like stiffening in pain. The brain on his chest grew hot and like glowed up. And she shares that it was worth it just for this. And he feels he wants to be worthy of Rune.
Speaker: Yeah. As they kiss, Rune asks him to run away with her. Gideon realizes they're back at the start and steps away. Rune can tell this is a no.
Speaker: Gideon can't leave to let Cressida win and destroy everyone. He's tempted. Yeah. Definitely. But he feels even more strongly about needing to stay to make their home a place for both of them to live together.
Speaker: He tries to urge her to stay and fight for their home, but she doesn't feel safe here anymore. Again, she's petrified PTSD. Yeah. So she tries to leave and tries to stop her, saying they're the best pair to lead them down the new path.
Speaker: A witch and a witch hunter. I mean, honestly, who's going to show the world their world better how to get along than someone who literally used to hunt the other like yeah so brune still worries about what could happen if they fail but gideon wants her to see what could happen if they succeed and run goes she'll kill us both then it'll be an honor to die at your side gideon says that oh stop it i'm dead i'm so i'm oh my heart
Speaker: We don't need any more of this like it's been my honor. Yeah. We don't need any more of that. She can't handle losing him above the others, but she know ah he knows that she's strong enough. She's decided to leave, though, and knows that he won't come with her.
Speaker: She says goodbye and goes to leave. It kills Gideon, but he lets her go.
Speaker: So we switch back to Rune's perspective. As Rune leaves Gideon behind, she feels broken inside. She understands his reasons for staying, but it still hurts. And Bess had bought her a ticket for a train that leaves that night, and she has to get back to leave in time.
Speaker: Yeah. So Rune rushes past Abby um in the hallway, who looks as if she wants to stop her. know And she thinks that Abby is free to, she like now is like, oh, well, Abby's free a person to pursue Gideon.
Speaker: And she can't bear stay here a moment longer. la so we switch back to Gideon's perspective so Gideon returns to the cottage and Harrow is surprised to see that he didn't leave with Rune and he knows that deep down is still the same it wouldn't appreciate his leaving for her she'd eventually hate herself for making him leave he's like the woman I love with her wouldn't appreciate her leaving yeah so hara suggests following rune to make sure she makes it okay because apparently there are hounds hunting rune how does hara know this stuff she's like been in the cottage this whole time uh is her missing ear somehow hearing all this she's got a cochlear implant that tells her information i'm sorry is she part which they can hear things i don't know it's weird just don't know knows things wondering if this change in heart has anything to do with juniper
Speaker: harrow responds that she's on the side of whoever pays her most there you go gideon realizes that he never paid harrow for his information but she points out there's more than one way of payment friendship or as gideon thinks it's him it was a killing of witches oh because she hated witches so much but that's fair Gideon arrives at the train station in disguise and finds it just absolutely chaotic.
Speaker: The train is going to shut down that night and everyone is trying to get on the last train out. So Gideon's able to spot room despite her disguise because it's like the same one that she used on the Arcadia. and he's like It's like slightly altered but it's still all the same.
Speaker: And plans to leave once she's on board. As she's about to get on, though, he hears a dog bark and sees it head towards Rune. Oh, no. So he decides to step forward and entangles himself in the hound's leash. That'll stop him.
Speaker: Yep. So he blocks Rune from the officer's vision and argues with the handler. Seeing Rune safely on board, Gideon buys time for the train to actually, you know, leave.
Speaker: Suddenly, another soldier approaches and settle the commotion, and then a third there recognizes Gideon. so He sees the train begin to pull away and then gets led away by the witch that recognized him.
Speaker: Oh yeah, it was a witch. Yeah, yeah. So the hound chases after the train, but they'll never catch it. So we Gucci. And then the witch finds Gideon's gun and uses it to get him to like move down the tracks.
Speaker: So we switch to Rune's point of view and Rune is struggling to find a seat on the overcrowded train. She's like, they must have... either oversold the train capacity or the station masters just took pity and let people on she sits and examines her reflection with before the train pulls away wondering who she really is again when she looks in the reflection apparently she's like spells don't work yeah reflection so she saw her actual self yeah but she's sitting here she's like who am i who am i again okay there's almost a ledge i can take that right
Speaker: She realizes that she doesn't see any of Nan, obviously, but that she doesn't recognize any features shared by Cressida and her sisters. She does seem to recognize the features from somewhere, though.
Speaker: but buries the hope that it starts to form because she said she she recognized those characteristics on three little things on three faces recently so as the train starts to move rune is resolved that nothing will make her turn away from this chance of freedom switch back to gideon's point of view gideon is led to the empty rail yard by the witch knowing that rune is safely away He tries to buy time for a possible escape by taunting the witch about Cressida.
Speaker: He refuses to accept Cressida as his queen, and the witch continues to threaten. Hearing a train approach, though, Gideon ducks, but finds the witch's knife at his throat.
Speaker: As she taunts him, Gideon hears a gunshot. but feels no pain. The witch is dead, and the person keeps firing on the witch until they're out of bullets. I mean, they gotta to make sure that person's dead, I guess.
Speaker: Rune! It was Rune! She came back to David! Her illusion's gone now, looking more beautiful than ever. ki Yeah, he's like, her hair's in that.
Speaker: Looks like she's like, his rune. Speaking let's go back to her point of view. And Rune saw Gideon being put away at one point as the train was pulling away.
Speaker: Pushing past the doors and causing a scene. She's like, scream to get the back door open. She ends up jumping off the train and running to Gideon. She was like the fastest she's ever run in my entire life. Yeah, she's like, just run.
Speaker: Good job. Good time. After angily wondering what he's doing there, he demands to do the same. She said it was last chance at freedom, and Gideon explains that he was there to make sure he took it.
Speaker: He's why are you here? You're supposed to be on the train. And she was like, are you here? missed it. You missed it. You missed it. You missed my seat. So, however, ah hear the hounds barking, and they realize they're off to a state. So Gideon pulls them deeper into the rail yard by sliders to fire at them.
Speaker: They hear another train found, they realize they're trying to heading for them. And Gideon exclaims, that it won't stop, but it has to go down it passes through. Mm-hmm.
Speaker: understanding and checking on to what his plan is, Rune finds it ridiculous, but it's their only chance. So, they struggle to keep up with the train, but Gideon makes it on, and Rune misses her chance.
Speaker: The last car pulls up beside her, and she realizes that this is her, like, legitimate last chance. Yes. She thinks of this as if it were a heist, and reminds herself she's the Crimson Moth,
Speaker: Yes, she yes. Yes, yes. So there were a moments the moment reminds her that that is who she is. And she takes her moment and leaps for the train.
Speaker: At the last second, she grabs on and smacks it to the railing. Yeah, she's like, my knees hit that hard and my knees felt that so bad. Yep. So as bullets fly past, Rune realizes she's been running for herself, not Cressida.
Speaker: And Gideon emerges and returns fire until they're safely out of range. Woo! yeah the room and make it one of the train cars and room realizes that giving in has proved that they're better together room further realizes that she shouldn't have asked getting into leave with her that it would be going against his conscious conscience that he had become alex and put getting in her position yeah i can't believe her yeah so room blurts out at this point that she wants three children remembering her vision of Gideon playing with his kids.
Speaker: And it wasn't until she stared at her reflection that she realized they were her kids as well. Oh my god! They're babies! So when Gideon kind of misunderstands and offers to help her find a way to escape still, she grabs onto him and offers him terms instead.
Speaker: Brune shares that she wants to be Gideon's wife and he realizes that she wants kids with him. ah Rune, being married to you would be the honor of my life.
Speaker: Okay, I'm fine with one more honor. Like, oh my god.
Speaker: He says he'll happily be extorted by her if she'll stay and fight in exchange for marrying her. i Gideon asks about her dream on the Arcadia and she shares the details as things between them become tweeted. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
Speaker: So Rune guides Gideon's hands to kind of recreate her dream, and they slowly undress each other as they move between train cars until they arrive in a sleeper car.
Speaker: So then Rune wants to know what Gideon thinks about when alone, and he shares his desires. And so they make love as if they may not survive tomorrow.
Speaker: So right Gideon's point of view, they get off at the next stop and borrow horses to ride back to the one-told cottage. And I say borrow because Rune does leave some money. Yep. As they get near Gantress, they notice that it's been abandoned and decide to go inside to retrieve the spell books that Rune needed, that she failed to get when they got captured the first time.
Speaker: So walking through Rune's ransacked home, Gideon remembers being there when Nan was arrested the first time. And Rune vows. This will be my home again. So as Rune collects her things from her room, Gideon hears noise from below.
Speaker: Rune also hears it and Gideon tells Rune to stay in her casting room as he investigates the noise. He also says, like, I know if she wants to follow me, she's going to. And he's like, so I don't even turn to look, I just go.
Speaker: So he finds it coming from the basement and follows the noise, drawing his gun as he opens the door to the boiler room. The light he brought with him shows Layla chained to a pipe, and using a wrench to make noise.
Speaker: Instead of being at the rookery, she was left there as punishment for letting them escape. Noah had left to be discovered by Crestless soldiers. This is evil.
Speaker: I do want to point out, though, that the other soldiers didn't know because Noah had sent them on ahead. like, I know that if any of these soldiers had stayed behind, they would have obviously had a problem with this because they definitely respect Lula.
Speaker: I hate this part. And Gedanian says, like, doesn't Noah know what they've what soldiers do during wartime to a women. And she's like, yeah, that's why he left me here. Yeah. Like, come on. guinging To your own sister. Your sister. and must So as Gideon examines her chains and tries to free her, Roon emerges.
Speaker: As I'm sure you remember, have a spell for picking locks. LMAO. I just, I can't. It's so funny because of the first book. and Pick lock, pick lock, pick lock, pick lock, pick lock.
Speaker: Yeah. So we switch back to Rune's perspective, and the trio returns to the Wendtolt cottage and notice the Bloodguard soldiers outside. Oh, no. Rune hops off to try to handle it, like the officers, when they're suddenly surrounded. She's like, handled worse.
Speaker: But nope, now they got you surrounded, guys. But Felix stops the soldiers, recognizing Gideon and Layla, and shares that they were sent to hunt Gideon and Rune. Oh? Gideon's like, um, okay.
Speaker: Okay. But apparently they switched sides and are now awaiting orders. Gideon thinks they mean from Layla, so turns to her. But she turns to Gideon, expecting him to leave.
Speaker: She's like, well, Captain, why no? While the soldiers all gather to discuss, you know war plans, news from Jupiter. Jupiter. Every time. it happens News from Juniper and Hera arrives.
Speaker: Annalise and Elwyn's bodies are hidden at the crossroads. This is where three rivers meet and there's a giant whirlpool in the middle. And Cressida plans to renew the spell, preserving their bodies during a new moon.
Speaker: So the plan is set. Layla will take the Arcadia crew and soldiers to the rookery and take it from Noah. Bart and Antonio will stay to wait for Harrow, Juniper, and any other witches that they recruited.
Speaker: and Gideon, Rune, and Seraphine would go to the crossroads to destroy the bodies before Cressida arrives. Boom, plan. Good plan. However, Rune still needs a counterspell for whatever is protecting them and heads off to search for an answer.
Speaker: Rune hasn't been able to really find anything and is considering creating her own spell when Antonio enters. antonio and Which she's like, she created Ghost Walker, but she said took her money to perfect the casting. And she's like, I'll have that time. Yeah.
Speaker: Yeah, days. So knowing that they may not be able to break the protection spell, Brynn kind of steals herself against potentially stealing their bodies to destroy later. She's like, feel gross about it, but whatever. I feel gross about it.
Speaker: Whatever to stop this. Yeah. As Antonio leans over to help, Rune notices a medallion around his neck that shows wisdom. It's the ancient that he was consecrated to as an acolyte. Merr?
Speaker: what rune remembers the spell to summon an agent and asks antonio if he actually believes that it's possible she's like you don't actually believe that right and antonio shares it was true that wisdom was queen althea's closest advisor and why her reign was so successful unfortunately queen's sister winoa roseblood had spread hatred among althea's court And the idea that humans were beneath witches.
Speaker: Yeah, she was like spreading the rule and saying that like they didn't have the right to rule because they were just like better better. So despite the ancients vowed to never return to aid the humans, Wisdom pitied Althea and came once summoned.
Speaker: So discarding Althea's idea exiling Wonella and leading to a civil war, right Wisdom suggested that Althea called a council where she could point out that Wonella's ideology was heresy. Right.
Speaker: Unfortunately, that council was used to turn on Althea and her supporters and kill out all of them, which allowed Winoa to take power and establish the Roseblood dynasty. Wisdom had found Althea's body and bound herself to a human form until she could fix the problem that she had caused.
Speaker: Doesn't sound like a curse, but... We know. We know. So Antonio asked why Nan would have a book of Arcana spells if they had been outlawed.
Speaker: But Rune really doesn't know. Yeah. And we learn about the resurrection spell. A couple of things. It requires a close family member, a parent, a sibling, or a child.
Speaker: The caster must use the kin's flesh, fresh blood, to draw the spell marks on the dead and then pierce the victim's heart with a knife. The marks will drain the life from the victim into the dead, and because of this, the victim must be alive at the beginning of the spell.
Speaker: The spell will cost the life of the family member and will corrupt the witch who cast it. Yeah, like, refutably corrupt them. Yes. Rune realizes that people may kill her if they learn this, to best prevent the resurrection. Right.
Speaker: Antonio asks, what changed her mind? And Rune reveals that, get the world you're willing to fight for. oh Brune bruon asks if acolytes can officiate weddings and if Antonio would marry her and Gideon after everything.
Speaker: He agrees. la la Sorry. Well, he's supporting marrying them. No, I know, but... But still, we love him and Bart.
Speaker: We love it. We love my... Our gay lovers. We love the gay boys. That's what I meant. Suddenly... um You're good. Suddenly they hear music and follow it see where everyone is gathered.
Speaker: Look like like they're having a party. And there's music zi and dancing and even some of Rune's former socialite friends. What? Like Charlotte Dong is there with her husband, Elias Creed, who is Layla and Noah's brother. And points out, she's like, I always suspected that Charlotte was sympathizer. Yep. Maybe Elias had always been against it. Mm-hmm.
Speaker: So Bart shares that they have nowhere to go after their homes were ransacked or able to evade capture. Yeah. So like, if they don't round it up, they're here. They're here. Bart dances Antonio away from one last party together and everyone stands the crowd, noting Harold and Jennifer's absent still.
Speaker: She's like, what are they going to think of this time of party here? Right. As she notices Gideon, who leaves his conversation and heads for her, stating that she owes him a dance, because since this is a real party.
Speaker: Remembering their banter from long ago, Rune says that Gideon accused her of refusing to be seen with riffraff, and she taunts him. She's like, oh, you're someone more scandalous, thank you. And he says, can be scandalous.
Speaker: And he leads her away. I do also have to say that whenever they bring back the old, like, back to the quote in the first book, where it's like, I'll take you to a real dance, and then we'll dance there. And she's like, a name the...
Speaker: He's like, name the time I'm going to be there. he's like, I'll call you bluff. Careful, I might call you bluff. It's here. It's here. I cried my eyes out when they brought that back. Oh, my God. and So as they dance, and Rune enjoys herself, she realizes that the world they want already exists right here.
Speaker: And she wishes that Alex could see it. At the end of the song, though, Gideon kisses Rune in front of every everyone, and Rune kisses back. Yep. So the group heads to the crossroads and Layla splits off with her group.
Speaker: The other socialites stayed with Bart to help organize searches nearby and Antonio decided to join Rune's group at the crossroads. Along the way, Rune speaks with Antonio about love, who believes that love is the highest power.
Speaker: At sundown, they arrive at the crossroads and notice a rope bridge connected to a small island in the center of the whirlpool. So Gideon and Rune head to the island and will signal Seraphine if they need her.
Speaker: Gideon goes first to kind of test the bridge and it moves, but he never falls. Once safely over, Rune crosses, slipping on the wet wood, but making it over for Gideon to pull her onto the land.
Speaker: They search for the bodies and then Rune finally finds them in a shallow pool with Cressida's fading casting mark above it. Rune sees their bodies up close and realizes these are her sisters as well. Yeah. Attempting to drag them from the water, Rune is blasted back, showing that the bodies are still well protected.
Speaker: As they turn to signal Seraphine, they notice that Antonio and Seraphine are held at gunpoint while Juniper's hands are bound and held at knife point by Cressida. yeah Hera is there as well and apologizes to Gideon.
Speaker: Cressida had made her choose and Rune realizes that this was a setup. Oh no. Harrow had told them that the spell was fading, it very clearly wasn't. Yeah. So Rune realizes Juniper was probably betrayed while trying to recruit witches and explains to Gideon that Cressida would have killed Juniper had Harrow not turned on them.
Speaker: And at this point, Gideon pulls his gun, but Rune knows they're surrounded and won't survive because Gideon is expendable. Yeah, Cressida doesn't care. Yeah. So Cressida approaches them and Gideon tries firing on her,
Speaker: but she's protected by a magical shield. Rune knows that they won't survive and remembers the everlasting spell as a way to hopefully protect her friends. She remembers her dream from the stone circle and realizes that it was a vision of now.
Speaker: Gideon is trying to protect Rune and still find a way for her to escape, but refuses to see the futility of it. Before he can waste all his ammo, Rune stops him and asks for Gideon's trust. remembering what's required for the resurrection spell brune stops to tell gideon i want to tell you i want you to know i am so grateful so lucky to have loved you even if it was only for a little while
Speaker: you
Speaker: she raises gideon's gun to her heart and says that this is how she wants to die with him the pointing out that this is the only way She begs for his help despite his pleading against this.
Speaker: It's either you or her. Don't let it be her. If you love me, you won't let it be her. And with one last kiss and a cry from Gideon, he pulls the trigger.
Speaker: I'll be right back. I'm crying. Yeah, she's actually crying. I'm fine. ah It still hits so hard. i I couldn't imagine killing me.
Speaker: Oh my god. i can't think about it. Stop it. so Pain erupts in Rune and Cressida screams as Gideon catches Rune and lowers her to the ground. He cradles her body and Rune notes how both gentleness and strength could be bound up together in one man.
Speaker: Gideon regrets what he's done but Rune shares that he saved her and spared everyone. As the cold settles in and Rune closes her eyes in goodbye to Gideon and their potential future together. Rune unable to speak.
Speaker: remembers the alteration to the spell she casts to break Gideon's curse. Cressida can never harm Gideon again. So as Cressida approaches still, Gideon holds her closer and declares his love for her.
Speaker: a Remembering Antonio's words from earlier about paths diverging from those we love, she touches Gideon's chest and tells him, come find me in the next world, as she dies.
Speaker: I'm crying now. Sorry. Sorry, I had to cope with those parts.
Speaker: We switch to Gideon's point of view, and he senses that Rune is gone. Gideon's obviously annoyed and frustrated by Cressida's presence, but he just doesn't care anymore.
Speaker: Cressida arrives and threatens Gideon, but when she casts a spell to throw lightning at him, it bounces off and strikes Cressida instead. The witches that came with Cressida seem to get uneasy after this, and as Cressida fires a gun at him,
Speaker: you know still unharmed, Gideon remembers the witch's armor spell that Rune had cast before. Yep. Amazed. Still by Rune, he realizes he's protected against Cressida.
Speaker: She, in her last moment of death, still protecting him. Yep. So, attempting to drown, attempting to drown Gideon by throwing the whirlpool him. She, like, literally pulls up the water and tries to pull down.
Speaker: She drenches herself instead, almost knocking her off the island. Mm-hmm. Cressida continues to throw whatever she can at Hidan and the other witch's casting knives. she like Yeah, she she like summons the yeah casting knives to fly at him.
Speaker: And the soldier's firing on him, but he remains safe, protected by Rune. Since the bullets are just like bouncing off his shield or whatever, soldiers stop firing and run for cover because it's like bouncing back at them. And Juniper is able to break away from her guard along with Harrow.
Speaker: Gideon threatens Cressida with no mercy, but she refuses. He grabs her wrist and crushes it until she drops her knife. He begins to strangle her, is stopped by Seraphine.
Speaker: What? So Seraphine and Antonio approach with Juniper, Harrow, and other witches protecting the bridge's entrance. Antonio sets her end down next to Seraphine, who is near Gideon holding on to Cressida.
Speaker: Seraphine asks for Gideon's trust when Cressida notices the spell book Antonio brought is full of arcana spells. Cressida taunts Seraphine, saying that she wouldn't corrupt herself by casting such a spell, but Seraphine reveals that she cannot be corrupted.
Speaker: Seraphine reveals herself to be Wisdom, one of the ancients. We knew it. You were right, Bray. We knew it. We knew it. So, using Cressida's blood, Seraphine puts spell marks on Rune and Gideon smells magic.
Speaker: Ancient and powerful. Yeah, like before, Cressida has a very specific rose scent. Ruin smells like the sea. He's like, this is something old. Yeah. And so Antonio then pins Cressida's arms as Wisdom says, true power is divine and her judgment is final before plunging the knife into Cressida's heart.
Speaker: Turned you, Ruin! The marks on Ruin's body begins to glow and Gideon feels the pressure of like the magic around him. Cressida stops moving. as Rune inhales a breath.
Speaker: yeah Literally, literally. Oh my God. I screamed. I'm not going to lie. i peeked ahead to make sure that Rune was still alive. I was way too emotionally distraught at the fact that she died. I didn't even consider.
Speaker: So we switch back to Rune's perspective. Rune comes back to life and is grateful for the stars she notices. Okay. This is me. Zoe Knight. Yeah. Yeah. see Zoe Knight. She's Rune.
Speaker: Percy. Okay. In wonders over everything that gives her life. And when Gideon calls out to her, she finally feels warm again. a and then Rune notices her symbols for witch's armor and everlasting are still on Gideon's cheeks.
Speaker: oh um So Rune blurts that Alex wanted Rune to tell Gideon that he loved him before dying, but he had never had the chance to tell him. Seraphine mutters over Cressen's body as it bursts into into flame, and they agree to burn Elowen and Annalise's bodies as well.
Speaker: Once they're gone, Seraphine looks at the coast and they notice they all notice six figures waiting there glowing. Oh my gosh. So Seraphine walks toward them, starting to glow, but stops to say goodbye to Rune in an otherworldly voice.
Speaker: She tells Rune that Kestrel would be proud before leaving to be with her sisters again. They all disappear once reunited, returning to their rest away from the source.
Speaker: So we switch to a rookery's point of view. We kind of like, it's not like... It's not overstated, but they're at the rookery. So Layla enters the rookery's mess hall, dragging a captive behind her.
Speaker: We learn that the soldiers following her have started calling themselves the Cascadian Army. The hostage is thrown to his knees before all the Bloodguard soldiers eating air. It's no creep. ah So she states that no one is to be hunted or executed for being a witch by order of Commander Gideon Sharp.
Speaker: Commander. just want to say... So she offers the soldiers a choice to enlist in the Cascadian army, give up their uniform and return home or be imprisoned like Noah will be.
Speaker: With no questions, Layla instructs them to gather after eating to receive new instructions or be dismissed. She leaves with her soldiers, keeping an eye on the men in there.
Speaker: We're at the epilogue. Oh my God. It's three months later. Rune stares outside Wintersia at a line of carriages. She leaves the ballroom, passing her friends, and sneaks into her room.
Speaker: She heads for her casting room and stands by the window in there, vowing to never take the small things for granted. As she's about to climb out the window to escape, Gideon's voice stops her, calling Rune out on her life.
Speaker: He knows her so well. He does. So she notices his messed up cravat. well Her in the dang cravats. Thinking she can distract him for an escape with a nightstorm suggestion.
Speaker: Gideon reminds her that people are there to celebrate her, the new parliamentarian.
Speaker: She fixes his cravat and still tries to push for an out. We learn that Cascadia is now ruled by a house of commons and that she was elected to represent her district. It's made up of 13 seats with six going to witches and seven to non-witches.
Speaker: As Gideon tries to convince her back to the party, she starts to kiss him using her old distraction techniques. Gideon catches on, though, and asks what she's really afraid of, stating that she has nothing to worry about.
Speaker: But Rune worries that everyone may not like the real Rune winters. But Gideon reassures her that it's not possible and that they'll keep trying if this fails. As he fixes her hair, he notices the casting scar on his ring finger, which matches hers and their wedding, which Antonio did officiate.
Speaker: He casts a spell for, or she casts a spell for speaking the truth and binding them to their words as they spoke their vows. Like, how freaking cute is that? How freaking cute. Gideon draws Rune out of her room and they go to face their guests, the Crimson Moth and her army commander.
Speaker: also love it. He's like, all right, fine. He's like, this is my good deal. This now. We'll do that night swim later. Yeah. That's the end of the book. Oh my god, it was so amazing. It was so freaking good.
Speaker: So let's discuss the theories we called. I knew Seraphine was wisdom from the get-go. Yeah, you were right. You were right. knew it from part two. Yeah, fine. But, yeah. I'm just happy they had a happy ending. i was completely thrown when Rune was killed, so i was just like, don't know. Yeah. That was gonna happen. Yeah.
Speaker: Who was your favorite character from this part? Honestly... All of the smaller side characters. I couldn't pick one. Ash, Antonio, Bart, Felix. And I do have to shout out Layla and Abby Redemption. Gotta get in their props.
Speaker: Layla for sure love her, my homegirl. ah Mine is definitely Antonio. Yep, love him. I love him. And honestly, Layla. Because in this part, she redeems herself so much. So hard. She gives them a chance to escape.
Speaker: Twice. Twice. And then, like, twice and then like comes back and like ends up helping them like i'm obsessed yeah what was your favorite twist rune coming back from the train to save gideon yeah because she was like dead set she literally says nothing will stop me from this and i was like the ptsd in her i figured she was just gonna go and i was like how is this gonna end like i can't see this not ending that way yeah um mine is obviously rune being brought back yeah um because grantmed I, know she's the main character.
Speaker: you it was her being brought back. Like, her dying, I mean, it had the vision and everything. They kept talking about how killing her would be the best solution, so i kind of figured it was coming, but I didn't see it coming. Yeah. But then her being brought back, i was like, oh my god. Yeah. and yeah um Also, have to shout out, like, Gideon would want to propose a third path of witches and the non-witches living together, because he was so, you know, anti-witches for so long.
Speaker: Yeah. What was your favorite quote? So, again, had a couple. Um, my number one though was even in death. I love you are a wonder. Gideon thinks about Rome because he's like, she's still protecting me. I love it.
Speaker: My heart. I also love when Gideon and Antonio were talking and Gideon says, I'm afraid I won't be able to put her back together. And Antonio goes, can't put it back together. Only she can do that. Because it's so true. You can't heal someone else. Only they're the ones that are able to heal themselves to where they need to be.
Speaker: Yeah. I have three because I'm a mess. So all of mine are really good though. So like the first one is, it might look like weakness on the surface, but in truth, it's tougher than steel.
Speaker: Love can't be controlled. Love can't obey unjust laws. Love will always oppose tyrants. It's just... It's poetic. Beautiful. Next one. Because for the first time in her life, she was completely herself.
Speaker: And that was worth everything, even dying for. it because she was trying to find herself the whole book. Yeah. it's like a good wrap up. It's a good full circle moment. And then the last one is obviously the one that Antonio said. came back.
Speaker: The full quote. Sometimes our paths must diverge from those we love. But if love is the highest power, our paths will converge again. if not in this world, and then the next.
Speaker: um I love it. I love it. I know it's the end of the book, but. We actually still have some questions that were left unanswered. And we thought that we would just include these because it's important. Yeah.
Speaker: So mine is what happened to Aurelia Cantor and her kid. Like they just left off into the world and then we were just like, okay. Forget the new world. Like it would have been a nice mention for her to come back to like.
Speaker: And to see Rune become parliamentarian and stuff. I mean, she's a Sybil. That's what I'm saying. And speaking of Sybil things, we're just going to glance over the fact that Rune is a Sybil.
Speaker: Right? Right. no one uh and it is literally never really addressed like rune even says like it's a vision but she doesn't play like oh i'm civil like really did he talk about that he recognizes that she looked just like aurelia so but he never talks to her about it so like still again still a question man unanswered i more just kind of want to know a little bit more like in the future stuff like i want to learn more about rune as the roseblood heir like Is she more powerful? True.
Speaker: You know, um, what about this new world? You know, it's the house of commons. What happens during the transfers of transfer of power? Like, does it hold through, you know does it happen when we're Gideon's kids are grown up? Like what happens there?
Speaker: I need more. I need more. Kristen, really write it. Please. need more. Even if it's just a small novella, I need it. I need more. No, give me a five book.
Speaker: series please i just need more of your writing it's beautiful i need more of your writing i need more of your world like if other authors can write more books in their worlds please just give me more give me a layla book Yeah, I want all the characters.
Speaker: Give me all the books, please. Okay. Well, we will see you next week. With a new book. We are starting Shield of Sparrows. Yay, can't wait. Thank you for listening.
Speaker: And be sure visit us again next week for a new story. 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. While you're there, you can like and follow to stay up to date for the next books we'll discuss.
Speaker: Thank you for stopping by for our tale. The library is now closed. Bye-bye.
