Chapter 103: Betrayal

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The rectory rose above the University of Mirage, perched atop a hill adjacent to the magnificent Temple of the Moon Goddess, which signified the place as not only a religious sanctuary, but the true capital of both Valoria and the Church.

Mom was keeping in step with me as we followed Troy up the paved pathway leading up the hill. She sighed deeply, picking at a loose thread on her blue chunky-knit sweater.

o

She was upset about something. I believed wholehearted ly it had to do with the fact we were all sitting ducks while Ta sia hid somewhere nearby, waiting to strike.

“Did you know the White Queens split with the Church of the Moon Goddess?” I asked as we continued what felt like a

slow, endless climb towards the rectory.

“Yes, I did. That ended with my reign, however. We estab lished new ties with the Church shortly after you were born.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Mom laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, sweetheart, I did. It was taught in school. You just never listened.”

I frowned, tucking a loose lock of hair behind my ear. “I did listen-”

“Not often enough,” she teased, giving me a knowing

smile.

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I had a feeling karma for being a total pain in my parents’ ass was going to catch up to me as the years went by. I could already see the gleam of mischief in the eyes of Oli and Will. Charlie was our angel, at least for now.

“Troy, why didn’t Dad want to come with us today?” I asked as we neared the rectory.

Troy turned to us, meaning to part with us and go to the rectory himself while we met with the High Priestess of the Church.

“He and Rowan are putting a force together to find Hay den and Carl. I’m meeting up with them later and then—” he paused, looking from me to Mom. “I’m going to be going with your dad to locate them-and Ta’sia.”

“What?” I roared, which startled several people minding their own business as they sat on the benches along the path

way.

“We can talk about it later, Maeve,he said with force, and

in front of Mom, too.

I felt heat prickle across my cheeks, running my tongue along my lower lip as I thought of a retort, but Mom took my hand and began to lead me away toward the temple.

“We’re already late, honey-”

“You’ re not going AN,chapter_version=chapter_version +1 WHERE until we have a chance to talk about this, Troy!” I said over my shoulder, giving him my best “mom look” that I had been practicing in the mirror the past few days.

Troy was oblivious to it and seemed heavily distracted. He

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had barely said a word to me about the stranger who had come to the gala. He had barely explained what he had found in the journal last night, too. Both he and Dad were being ex ceedingly secretive.

He turned toward the rectory without saying a word, and I turned my head back to the temple, vexed beyond a responsi ble doubt.

“I’m willing to assume the Priestess will need to speak to me more than she needs to speak with you, honey. You can join him after we show both of our faces, at least.”

“Hopefully, there’s a darkened corner where I can ring his

o

being too

neck-”

okay with Dad being distant and se cretive, but I’m

tell they had hurt her. She didn’t reply, the silence loud

“I’m sorry, Mama.”

understand

you do it? Be married to a man who-who does things, alone?

I trust your father. Just like I hope you will trust Troy’s judgment here. We may be White Queens, but they are men. And we have to let them be

times.”

as we walked up the steps to the

I found rather ironic. She walked with grace, and talked with grace, but her words were often harsh and sharpened

Mom and me was obvious. Maybe those ties Mom was talking about hadn’t been met with as much support as I

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we were already familiar with. Mom seemed to grow in annoyance as I glanced at her, her arms folded over her chest as Grace went over the Church’s use

your problem with us?” I said, done

by my question, and

the same Goddess, Priestess,” Mom said shortly. “We have the same rites, the same texts. I believe your attitude has more to do with the fact the White Queens are an extension of the

said, pagans. Witches, if

this woman’s tone toward my mom. I didn’t even know how to

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lash out. She stood calmly, peering at Grace with

I am more interested in what you want to know about the moonstone. Such a pagan thing, I would say, for you

Grace, who had balled her

fists.

gray-blonde hair that was pulled back into a tight bun at the nape of her neck. She was taller than Mom but not taller than me, and I had to look down at her slightly as she spoke. She looked all

need it

on the moon

pressure. I was thankful to have her back to her full health. She seemed to glow in the light coming through the glass

moonstones as singular, which

over my skin as I

have

her tone soft

expression, hoping the flush prickling across my cheeks didn’t give anything away. I couldn’t

“Then where is it?”

important to the Church to

her tongue along her lower lip, looking thor

rights to all the relics related to the Moon Goddess, regardless of whose possession they are

Damian

could to stay upright as Mom stared blankly at Grace, tilting her head

know what

yourself. The Church lays claim to all artifacts related to the

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began to

moon dial. Mom followed.

working with?

when Mom

not speak

hear us? Is this where you’re

is the Moon Goddess, Queen Maeve.

understand and powers she refuses to use for good. Had the Church not

you

her grand scheme the entire time. Grace was the High Priestess. She was part of the High Elder Council. She was the head of the

she?” Mom bit out,

it, her robes trailing behind her as she turned into a

my voice echoing on the walls despite my attempt to

forces left the Tem ple untouched during their invasion, while they wrecked prac

the

now. I followed, looking over my shoulder at the corridor where Grace had

Tasia?” I asked as we stepped outside, the bitter chill of the air biting against my cheeks as we walked across the large, ornate garden toward the

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