AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Look,” I interrupted, unable to take it. “You can skip over the part where they were so in love and so happy and all of that. I get it. They were so happy that it was a horrible tragedy when his brother murdered her.”
Rychel looked surprised. “Well, it was a tragedy. Especially because Tabar killed their baby. But they weren’t in love and I’m really not sure they were ever happy. I mean, I don’t think Draven was. I’ve heard Nodori was pretty happy with him. But Draven... Well, he’d known Nodori since they were kids. They grew up together. I think he’d always viewed her as a sister. They were almost the same age. Not a wife.”
“Ew,” I managed.
“Ew,” Rychel agreed. “But he definitely cared for her. That’s not in question. He would have done anything to protect her. Well, you know my brother.” She shrugged. “Anyhow, Nodori gave birth to their baby–successfully. A Siabra baby.”
My ears suddenly seemed to open up. “What? How was that possible?”
“It wasn’t supposed to be,” Rychel agreed. “And yet no one had stopped trying. Tabar was furious. Eaten up with jealousy.”
“And he blamed Lyrastra,” I said, understanding.
“Of course. Men always blame women for anything to do with a failed childbirth. It’s unfair and irrational, but there you have it. And Tabar was extremely unfair and irrational. It was basically bred into him.”
“I can’t believe he’d kill a baby. His own nephew. Or niece.”
“Niece,” Rychel said quietly. “It was a girl. He went into the bedchamber a few hours after the baby had been born and... Well, I don’t think you need a description.”
“Draven must have been devastated,” I said softly.
I thought of how I had accused him back in the forest about murdering infants. He had brushed off the accusation so easily. But then, he’d had years to harden himself to his grief.
“He was. Grief-stricken and furious. He changed that day, Morgan. Everyone agrees. He had always been softer than Tabar. Much more open. Kinder. I suppose that was why he was matched with Nodori. After all, he was never supposed to be in line to the throne. But that day he changed. He found Tabar just as he was about to kill Lyrastra, and he just...struck him down. Tabar tried to fight back, but he was no match for my brother. Not that day.”
“Your brother?” I said. “Weren’t they both your brothers?”
Rychel’s face darkened. “I don’t think of Tabar as my brother. Not anymore.”
“I can’t believe Draven was banished for doing what he did when he was only trying to avenge his family and protect Lyrastra. It seems, well, kind of justified,” I admitted.
“I agree. I think most of the court did, too. Killing a Siabra child was the worst crime imaginable. Everyone was horrified. Tabar might have gotten away with killing Nodori. He was the crown prince, so who knows. But killing the child–that was unforgivable. Still, there are rules for this sort of thing and Sephone had to follow them when it came to punishing Kairos.”
“So she was glad when Draven... Kairos, I mean... eventually came back?” Even though it was with me.
“Of course. He brought the chalice with him, for one. That thing is legendary. And also, well, he represents hope.”
“Hope?” I wasn’t sure I understood. “You mean, if he becomes the next emperor.”
“He’d definitely make a better one than Tabar would have. But no, I mean because he’s one of two people who showed they were capable of producing a Siabra child. And the other is dead.”
Nodori. Draven’s wife. What had his daughter’s name been? Had she even had a name? I decided I wasn’t going to ask Rychel that. Not now.
“My guess is that Sephone is hoping his breeding power won’t have been a fluke, that he’ll win the Blood Rise, become emperor, get married and hopefully start having babies.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Breeding power?”
“I know, right? He’s my brother, need I remind you?” Rychel snickered. “But still, it’s just a fact. That said...” Rychel tapped her lip consideringly. “The Queen Regent might have other plans, too.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, she and Avriel...” Rychel gave me a significant look.
“You mean they...? Oh!” I wasn’t that surprised. I had seen the smile on her face when she looked at him. “But he’s one of Draven’s competitors. Is that allowed?”
“For the Queen Regent overseeing the Blood Rise to be fucking one of the competitors is probably frowned upon. But the court is pretending they don’t know. And it’s not as if my brother would ever complain about something like that.”
It seemed unfair to me. As if it would give Avriel an unfair advantage.
