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While Cressida's attention was fixed on Cyrus, Renya took a deep, centering breath. Her lungs expanded as she tried to calm herself and find a way out of this precarious situation.

Little Fawn? What's wrong?Grayden's concerned voice filled her mind.

Grayden!She reached for him desperately.I need you to help me like you did in the Twilight Kingdom. Calm me, help me center my magic.

To her relief, he didn't question her request. She felt his presence immediately, in that special place inside her, helping to regulate her breathing and slow her racing heart.

You can do this, Renya,he assured her.Do this, and then we'll get married.

The image of herself walking towards him, ready to pledge her soul for eternity, flooded her mind. A surge of emotion welled up within her, raw and powerful. Renya felt her magic stirring, like a slumbering beast awakening.

She closed her eyes, focusing inward. The world around her seemed to fade away—Cressida's menacing presence, Cyrus's frozen form—all of it receded as Renya delved deeper into her magical core.

There, she found a flare of energy, swirling and churning. It was wild, untamed, waiting to be harnessed. With Grayden's steadying presence as her anchor, Renya reached out to touch this whirlwind of power.

The instant she made contact, it was as if a dam had burst. Magic flooded through her veins, setting every nerve ending alight. She gasped, her eyes flying open, glowing with a strange light.

Cressida, sensing the change, whirled to face her daughter. “What are you—”

But Renya was beyond hearing. The magic continued to build, causing the air around her to crackle with energy. Her hair began to float, defying gravity, as if she were underwater.

“No!” Cressida snarled, realizing what was happening. She raised her hands, dark tendrils of her own magic reaching out to subdue Renya once more.

But it was too late.

With a primal scream that seemed to shake the very foundations of the earth, Renya released her pent-up magic. It exploded outward in a dazzling burst of light and color, shattering Cressida's hold like glass.

The force of it knocked Cressida backward, sending her stumbling. Waves of magical energy rippled through the air, causing the tower to sway as if caught in a strong wind.

As the initial burst subsided, Renya stood tall, her entire body suffused with a soft, pulsing glow. Tendrils of her magic, visible now as shimmering threads of light, wrapped protectively around both her and Cyrus.

Cressida's eyes widened in shock as Renya's magic continued to push against her own, slowly but surely freeing Cyrus from his paralysis.

“Impossible,” Cressida whispered, a hint of fear creeping into her voice for the first time.

Cyrus, feeling control return to his limbs, flexed his fingers experimentally. His gaze, filled with a mixture of awe and pride, never left Renya.

With a final surge of willpower, Renya's magic gave one last push. The paralysis spell shattered completely, releasing Cyrus from its grip, and in turn, moved to Cressida and bound her.

“Renya! You did it!” Cyrus exclaimed, his chin held high, eyes gleaming with pride. He rushed to embrace her, keeping his gaze fixed warily on Cressida. He smoothed Renya's hair and placed a tender, fatherly kiss on the top of her head.

Renya, still pulsing with magical energy, returned her father's embrace. She turned to face her mother, her eyes now holding a new strength and determination.

“It's time,” he said softly, nodding towards Cressida, who was struggling within the searing bonds of Renya's magic. She sputtered, managing to free her mouth.

“Renya!” Cressida cried, desperation coloring her voice. “You are my daughter! Don't listen to him! Assist me! Release me!”

With trembling hands, Renya pulled the dagger from her bodice. For the first time in her life, she saw genuine fear flash across Cressida's face.

“Don't do this, Renya,” Cressida pleaded, her voice softer now. “I love you, in my own way. Let me go. Let me be a mother to you.”

“Stop it, Cressy,” Cyrus warned, moving to stand behind Renya in silent support. “Don't listen to her, Sunshine.”

Renya took a deep, steadying breath and positioned herself directly in front of Cressida. She looked up at her mother, who stood slightly taller due to her high-heeled boots. The dagger felt heavy in her hand as she raised it, ready to end her mother's tyranny.

“Killing me won't bring the magic back,” Cressida hissed as Renya brought the knife down. The words caused Renya to hesitate, the blade stopping mere centimeters from Cressida's chest.

“Ending your rule will restore our world,” Cyrus growled, glaring at his former mate.