Page 91

Renya took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Grayden's with an intensity that made him pause. “I went to do it, and she said something that stopped me. Remember Kalora's tales about the first fae? And how the magic faded as the Gods left? Cressida said she knows how to bring them back, how to restore the world to what it once was.”

As Renya continued to explain Cressida's claims about gathering magic to restore the world's balance, Grayden listened with growing amazement and skepticism. The implications were staggering, but could they trust Cressida's words?

“This is true, Little Fawn,” he said gently, “but there's nothing we can do about that. We need to kill Cressida, and then the magic she took will return to wherever it came from.”

She sighed. “Are you willing to live in a world where fated bonds have died out? Think of what we share. Can you deny that experience to others? What if there’s a way to restore everything? What if we could restore your magic completely? Allow Esmeralda to find her fated mate? Allow Sion’s bond to your sister to materialize? For Julietta to regain her powers? For the snow in your lands to cover the ground completely? The glaciers to stop melting? Are you willing to ignore the possibility that we could make it right?”

“Renya, I'd love to believe that's true. But the prophecy says that—”

“Yes, I know,” she interrupted. “That the sun betrays. But that's already happened. My father betrayed my mother when he broke their bond and hid me away. What if this entire time, the prophecy had nothing to do with Cressida? What if it was all about bringing back what's been lost to our world? Grayden, please.”

Looking into her eyes, Grayden saw the desperation there, the burning desire to fix a broken world, to save everyone in it. His Renya, with her pure heart and generous spirit, wearing her ferocity like a cape. He didn't trust Cressida, but he trusted Renya with his life.

“If this is what you need to do, Little Fawn, I support you,” he said finally. “I'll be there with you each step of the way. I just have one demand before we go gallivanting off on another adventure.”

“What's that?” she asked cautiously.

A smile tugged at Grayden's lips, love and admiration for this remarkable woman overwhelming him. “For Fates' sake, would you marry me already?”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Renya's heart fluttered as she gazed ahead, her eyes locking with Grayden's. He stood at the altar, a vision of regal charm in his pressed tunic, his usually unruly hair miraculously tamed for the occasion. A smile tugged at her lips.I'll have plenty of time tonight to mess it up, she thought mischievously.

Beside her, Cyrus walked with measured steps, ready to give her away to Grayden. The tradition was foreign to both men, but Renya had insisted her father walk her to the altar. Cyrus had agreed without hesitation, eager to give Renya whatever she desired. His dedication was a poignant reminder of the time they'd lost, and now he embodied every bit the doting father she never knew she was missing.

A sense of euphoria washed over Renya as she realized she no longer needed to look over her shoulder or fear Cressida tearing her away from Grayden. Her mother—if she could still be called that—was bound deep within the sublevels of the lodge, her magic neutralized. She’d been forced to give up all the magic she acquired over the past twenty-five years, and little by little, fae around their world regained some of their powers. But, disappointingly, nothing else seemed to change. No new fated bonds came forward, and Grayden’s lands still warmed.

The sole surprise had been Julietta. Her full powers had surged back the moment Cressida released them, revealing that they had been stolen in Julietta's infancy. Renya's gaze drifted to the far side of the forest, where Julietta sat with Kalora. She smiled, warmed by the sight of mother and daughter bonding as Kalora guided Julietta through her newfound abilities.

As they continued down the long, rose-lined pathway, Renya's eyes swept over the gathering of friends and family. Samatra and Thesand had made the journey, as had Margot from the Shadow Realm, accompanied by her son who had chosen flight over fighting in Cressida's war.

Passing Esmeralda and Phillippe, Renya noted the exquisite flower headpiece adorning Esmeralda's hair. Recalling Phillippe's earlier presence in the garden, Renya's lips curved in a knowing smile. It seemed her brother was actively pursuing the Tidal princess's affections.

When they approached Sion, he offered a respectful bow. Though his side remained bandaged, the contentment in his eyes was unmistakable. Selenia stood at his side, her unwavering presence a testament to their deepening bond. Both had struggled with the news of Cressida's survival—Sion yearning for her death to erase his scars, and Selenia's anger perhaps surpassing even his. Yet today, their faces shone with genuine happiness.

A gentle sniffle caught Renya's attention. To her left, Doria dabbed at her eyes with a delicate handkerchief, overcome with emotion.

As Cyrus guided her past her aunt and Tumwalt, they finally reached the altar. Before her stood Grayden, with Almory at his side, resplendent in ceremonial robes that struck Renya as a curious blend of solemnity and whimsy. He looked like a cross between the Pope and a circus performer, and Renya held in her giggle the best she could.

I don't know what a pope or a circus is, Little Fawn, but I trust you'll tell me later, Grayden's amused voice echoed in her mind.

Hush, we need to pay attention, she chided gently, turning to face Almory.

The ceremony was brief, spanning less than five minutes, which suited Renya perfectly. While she understood the significance for Grayden of being married in the same spot as his parents, she felt as though their bond had been cemented since the moment she stepped through the portal.

As Almory pronounced them man and wife, a hush fell over the snowy forest. All eyes turned towards the left of the altar, and Renya's breath caught in her throat at the sight.

Three elkten stood there, majestic and serene, as if they were honored guests at the wedding.

Grayden's hand found hers, their fingers intertwining as they gazed at the ethereal creatures.

“Our union has been ordained since the beginning,” he whispered, his breath warm against her ear, “and it will last until the end.”