Page 80 of The Protective Gryphen

He wasn’t sure how long he was studying them, but when he looked up, the men were almost done.

“This is so sad,” he admitted, getting their attention.

Gryphen glanced over.

“What is, Baby?” he asked.

Ian explained.

“She was writing to him, and he was missing, or off doing knight things. She was pregnant and waiting here.”

“Does it say if he came home?” Gryphen asked, knowing how many families of soldiers waited for their loved ones, and they never returned. “I mean, I know he eventually did since he’s buried in the crypt, but did she keep waiting?”

Ian read the second page.

The whole time, he put himself in Ceit’s place. He would have done the same thing, waiting for Gryphen.

As he finished the next page, he shook his head.

“I don’t know. It just says that she was still waiting for a while. She’s about halfway through her pregnancy, and still no sexy knight returning.”

Graham listened, enjoying having company here. This place was incredibly quiet when you were here alone.

“Oh, shit,” Ian finally said.

Gryphen turned.

“What?”

He pointed to the third paper.

“Something bad happened between the second entry and the last one here. She cursed him and the castle.”

Gryphen was fully interested now, and so was Graham.

“What does it say, Lad?” Graham asked.

Ian read the short journal entry to them.

My Lord Ravensmire,

Word has come back, and the truth is now out. I have been given the news, and it is devastating. I’ll be birthing my child soon, and once I have, I have been told I am to leave Ravensmire.

Finally, I received word from you, and your steward. There are no words to describe how much your letter hurt me, and I will never forget the words in it.

So this is it.

I am to be thrown away, and even though I gave you a child, we are done.

Well, I curse you and your life.

I hope that you feel nothing but loneliness and pain as you age. I pray that when you walk these halls, you hear me weeping in agony over your choices.

I went to the local witch, and she cursed you for me. You shall know no peace, and you shall walk through the blood and bowels of the fallen until the day you die.

Your heart shall be fractured, and you will never have peace as blood haunts you. All of your heirs shall have that same curse until the end of time.

Never forget that this is your punishment for betrayal, and that I was the real lady of Ravensmire.

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