Page 12 of Mountains of Mist and Magic (A World of Sun and Shadow #4)

G rayden kept his arm around Renya protectively as they entered the sublevels of the lodge. He could feel her nerves through their bond and tried to send calming energy towards her. She looked up at him and then her mouth lifted in an appreciative smile.

I'm glad you're here with me.

There's nowhere else I would rather be, Little Fawn.

They approached the cell carefully, and Grayden made sure to keep Renya behind him. As soon as the golden bars came into view, they could see movement in the shadows of the cell.

“Why, if it isn't my daughter and my dashing son-in-law.”

Cressida came into view, slinking towards the front of the bars. The second she touched them, hot sparks of white magic flittered and spat out at her. She hissed as one of the sparks hit her cheek, burning before it went out.

Grayden tried not to let her sickeningly sweet voice get to him. Every time he heard it, he wanted to reach through the bars and strangle her until her face turned red and the light behind her eyes extinguished.

His anger instantly disappeared as the image of a blonde babe swaddled in a white fur blanket entered his mind. Then his mind flashed, and he saw a majestic elkten, drinking from a pond peacefully. He was puzzled for a split second, until he realized that Renya was feeding him soothing images down their connection.

It worked. He breathed deeply and watched as Cressida appraised Renya. Renya shrunk back behind Grayden, suddenly nervous.

She knows. She knows about the baby.

How?

I don't know.

A shrill laugh came from the cell. “Why, I can't believe it! I'm going to be a grandmother. How precious! Who knew you had it in you, sweet prince?”

This time, not even Renya could stop him. He raced to the cell and a bit of ice came forth from his outstretched fingers, freezing the bars as he reached in and grasped Cressida by the neck.

She sputtered and laughed again, and then Grayden felt Renya pull him back. The white-hot magic of the bars instantly burned again, and Grayden looked at his fingertips, amazed that he had managed to bring forth a bit of magic.

Cressida massaged her throat, glaring at Grayden. Renya put her hand on his arm, pulling him back. He desperately wanted to know what kind of magic Cressida possessed that allowed her to sense his wife's pregnancy. Renya, however, just ignored Cressida's observation, neither confirming nor denying the accusation.

“We're here to find out what you know,” Renya said, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “If you know nothing, then you're worth nothing to us. And I'll dispose of you.”

Cressida inched back to the bars, still wearing her tight leather outfit from the battle. Her hair was unkempt, and she looked like she had aged several years in the month she had been in their custody. With no make-up, no hair dye, and no elaborate jewelry, she looked every bit her age.

“What would you like to know?” she purred, still eyeing Renya carefully. Grayden resisted the urge to force Renya upstairs and handle this himself. But he knew Renya was competent, and that it was she who had the best chance of getting information from the former Shadow Queen. But he also worried about their child. It was going to be a hard balance for the next six months, between letting Renya continue to grow in her power and confidence, versus keeping her and their baby safe.

“The information you promised right as I tried to stab you in the chest,” Renya fumed.

Cressida moved even closer to the bars, careful not to touch them this time. “I want something in return.”

“No!” Grayden snarled.

Cressida simpered slightly. “Fine. Kill me then. My knowledge will die with me.”

Renya sighed, and Grayden could feel the rush of anger and then the helplessness she felt.

“What do you want?” Renya asked.

“Freedom. After the magic is restored, I want you to promise to release me.”

“Absolutely not!” Grayden didn't care what Renya's opinion was. They could leave the magic broken as far as he was concerned.

“But if I prove myself?” she asked, her voice as slippery as a snake. “If you find that, perhaps, you can trust me?”

Renya hesitated, and Grayden could hardly believe it. “You're not actually contemplating this?”

What choice do we have?

We could kill her.

Grayden! You promised to let me handle things. I'll handle this. You must trust me.

Fine.

He didn't like it, but he knew Renya would wear him down anyways. He'd just have to make sure to pay extra close attention to Cressida. Perhaps he would see if Cyrus had any way of ensuring she was telling the truth. The faster Renya was reunited with her father, the better. As much as leaving the Snow Lands saddened him, he couldn't be separated from Renya. And there was no one else to lead the Sun Realm once her father was gone. She was the sole heir.

Besides, it would be good for Phillippe. He would make a good ruler, and if things kept progressing with Esmeralda, he would need to make a home for her, and the winter encampment was no place for her long term. She was used to the tropical heat of her kingdom, and Grayden knew the only reason she stayed in the Snow Lands was for Phillippe. At least in the lodge she would be warm and secure. Besides, what kind of woman wanted to live with her brother forever?

A pang hit him as he considered Selenia. A grown woman now living with her two brothers. Of course, she had Sion. They could either stay at the lodge or move to the village. Or, if they were able to restore the magic, he could even build them an ice palace. He chuckled inwardly at the thought.

Renya's commanding voice brought him back to the cold and dank sublevels.

“Fine. Tell us what you know.”

“Well...it isn't exactly what I know, but how to find out what we need to know.”

“I told you, Renya. More tricks!” Grayden's irritation was at an all-time high.

“Not a trick. There's a reason for all of my actions. Getting the dragons, acquiring magic...it's all to pay the debt.”

“Debt? What debt?” Renya looked at her mother, fire in her eyes.

“The debt to bring back the magic. There's a toll that must be paid, and it requires great quantities of magic. I had acquired quite a bit...but I was going to return it.”

“It wasn't yours to take,” Renya snarled.

“It wasn't yours either, daughter.” Cressida looked sternly at Renya while reminding her of the source of her own power.

“Much of my magic comes from the sun. My father's realm.”

“That's true...but there is darkness in your magic as well.”

Grayden changed the subject as soon as he saw the doubt enter Renya's face. “How do we make this payment?”

“That's the thing.” Cressida licked her lips, eyes gleaming in the soft light in the room. “I don't know exactly.”

Grayden growled under his breath.

“But I know how to find out. We need to go back to the Sun Realm.”

At least that's convenient , Grayden thought.

“Okay, tell us what we're looking for and I'll get it,” Renya said.

“That's another problem. I need a certain book. But there's magic protecting it. Only magic I can break.”

“And just how will you break this magic without your powers?” Grayden already knew where this was going.

“I might need them back for just a bit,” Cressida grinned, her smile practically reaching her ears. “Just for a teeny, tiny bit.”

“Fine.”

“Fine? Renya, you can't be serious!”

“I'll have my father there. He will know exactly what to do and how to contain her.”

“Oh yes, good old daddy,” Cressida mocked. “Long live King Cyrus.”