Page 17 of Mountains of Mist and Magic (A World of Sun and Shadow #4)

W ith Brandle's demise, Sion already felt a great deal better. He hadn't realized just how much the knowledge that the oily snake was beneath their feet affected him. He also knew that Renya and Grayden would be furious if they found out what he'd done. Thankfully, Beauty had given him the perfect cover. Brandle's body was recovered in the mountains, but Beauty had seen to it that all evidence of Sion's contribution to his death was gone. The entire lodge assumed that Beauty had been the one to take his life, and the only person who knew otherwise was Selenia.

Sion knew she would take the secret to her grave.

But now, they had even bigger problems on their hands. Cressida was still contained in the sublevels, but was moved into a room. She was still locked up, but in more of a bedroom than a prison. It irritated him to no end that she was still alive, and now comfortably set up in a suite. The only thought that kept him sane was that eventually she'd meet her end too. Just like Brandle. Sion would just have to be patient, and wait until Renya and Grayden got the information they needed out of her.

Besides, if letting her live a little longer brought back magic, and allowed him to be fully fated to Selenia, it didn't really matter. He would pick that outcome over Cressida's death any day. Sion's love for Selenia overcame all, even his need for revenge. Loving her had changed his outlook on a great many things.

Now was the time to move forward. Grayden and Renya had called a meeting, and everyone (including Cressida, much to Sion's annoyance) was seated in the council room.

“The first stop needs to be the Sun Realm,” Renya stated. “Considering what she said.” Renya nodded towards Cressida, who was bound by magic.

“Ahh, finally I'm getting the respect I deserve,” Cressida chimed in.

“Can we please gag her?” Grayden asked.

“Enough bickering,” Agatha scolded. “This isn't helping.”

Sion looked at Cressida, who was smiling smugly. Perhaps Grayden was right, and he should take it upon himself to figure out if there was some kind of spell to silence her. Or better yet, eliminate her...

Selenia grabbed his hand underneath the table, as though she knew what he was thinking. He squeezed her soft fingers, and then traced a thumb over her knuckle. He felt her body shudder slightly, and her lips parted. Sion smiled to himself, thinking how fortunate he was to have her. He resisted the urge to look at Cressida; he wouldn't allow her to rob him of his happiness with Selenia. He continued to hold on to Selenia's hand, knowing how difficult it must be on her, too, knowing he had slept with Cressida. Sion and Selenia were sitting together at the long table, separated from Cressida, but it didn't matter. Breathing the same air as her made him want to retch when he thought too much about it. He buried the thought, and turned his head towards Selenia, and she gave him a soft smile in return.

“Ahhhhh, look! My old lover has found a new plaything! Tell me, sweet Grayden, how do you feel knowing that your sister is being bedded by the same man who graced my sheets?”

In a flash, Sion had his dagger out and climbed down the table, aiming for her throat.

Both dark and light magic hit him, and he was forced back into his chair by Renya and Agatha. Fuming and unable to move, his blood boiled.

“I think we will have to gag her,” Renya said, glaring at Cressida.

Sion couldn't take it anymore. The second he was released from his magical bonds, he left the room, storming outside. He needed to clear his head, needed to be out of that room with that witch. His mind was so full of anger that he didn't even look at Selenia when he left.

He entered the great hall and headed towards the door to the gardens and stables. Reaching for the handle, he pushed the door open, and the cold air hit him, cooling his hot cheeks and seething blood. He counted each breath he took, trying to remind himself that it didn't matter; everything was in the past. But the flood of memories hit him, and for a second he was right back in Cressida's bed.

Shaking the snow off his furs, Sion stomped through the snow, heading for the stables. He didn't really have a destination in mind, but his feet led him to a safe space. Pushing open the barn doors, he smelled the familiar scent of hay and horses. It soothed him almost immediately. He walked past Starlia and Nectaria, Damion and Lightning. A soft nicker sounded from a few feet away, and he turned to see Talia. She was nudging at the latch on her stall, trying to get it up. The stubborn mare had almost succeeded, but at the last minute a fly buzzed around her head and she got distracted. All the progress she had made with the lock was gone as the metal slipped back into place. Sion fixed the latch, making a mental note to remind the groom to make sure they were locked securely in the future.

Talia looked at him expectantly, and he chuckled and grabbed a crabapple from the bucket in the corner and offered it to her.

Sion's heart felt lighter already. He had grown up around animals and found their presence comforting. He stroked Talia's velvety nose, and she licked his hand. Not necessarily normal behavior for a horse, but Talia was a funny one. She got into mischief more than any animal he had ever seen, and she was stubborn to a fault.

The perfect horse for Renya , he thought, chuckling out loud.

“What's so funny?”

He turned, knowing she'd find him soon enough. Selenia shut the door to the stables behind her and walked towards him. She was wearing an emerald dress with a spotted white and black fur trim, and the color reminded him of the solstice celebrations. Her hair had bits of snow clinging to it, and she was shivering slightly, having not bothered to grab a cloak.

Sion put his arms out to her, and she moved into his embrace. He kissed the top of her head, the melting snowflakes wetting his lips.

Selenia looked up at him, and he saw the trace of tears in her eyes. Sion rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip.

“Don't cry, my darling. It's alright.”

She kissed the pad of his finger, and then moved farther into his chest and nuzzled against him. He sighed softly, feeling her chest expand with each gentle breath she took. Soon their hearts seemed to beat together, and their chests moved as one.

Nothing else mattered. Just this. This quiet moment, with the two of them together. Nothing but the sound of the whistling wind whipping through the cracks and crannies of the stable, the hushed patter of horse hooves. An occasional neigh and the rustling of hay.

“I wish we could stay like this forever,” he whispered into her ear, nipping at her earlobe tenderly. He felt her shiver, and he knew it wasn't from the cold.

“Oh, Sion.” Selenia looked up at him and her eyes darted around his face, as if she wanted to commit every scar, groove and feature to memory. “I love you.”

Sion brought his head down, rubbing his nose against hers. “And I love you, my Little Fox.”

Sion helped Selenia pack that night. He wished he could have allowed her some time to rest before leaving the comfortable boundaries of the lodge, but the sooner they got to the Sun Realm, the sooner they could transfer Renya's mother to Cyrus. Selenia had filled Sion in on the plans that had been made after he stormed out of the cabinet room. They would all go to the Sun Realm, meet up with Cyrus and allow Cressida access to the library, while under the strict supervision of Renya, Agatha, and Cyrus. Then, depending on what they found, they would either journey back to the Snow Lands, or trudge ahead to wherever their quest took them. But under no circumstances would Cressida come back to the Snow Lands. Ever.

Sion's shoulders had relaxed when he heard the plan, and a giant weight was lifted off his shoulders. He wouldn't have to see her ever again. He could move on with his life...and with Selenia.

And if they managed to fix the magic...

He could be truly fated to her.

It made him want to rush out of the lodge right that second and ride straight through until he hit the Sun Realm, and then read every single book in their stores until he found the answers they needed. But instead, he looked around Selenia's room, and watched her once again pack up her belongings. It made him sad, in a way, to know that her adulthood so far had been nothing but difficult journeys and loss. That was no way for anyone to live.

Sion looked on as she packed more practical clothes, thick mittens and dark and warm fabrics. Then simple, thin garments for the Sun Realm. No jewelry. Selenia used to love jewelry, loved to get dressed up. But now she dressed practically, no longer a naive girl but a woman. A woman who understood the reality of their world.

An idea struck him at that moment.

“Selenia, I'm going to go grab a few last-minute things from my room,” he said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek. “I'll be back in a little while to say goodnight.”

“Fine,” she said absentmindedly, as she continued to fill her trunk.

Sion left her quarters, but he didn't head towards his own room. Instead, he moved quickly down the hall and around the corner to Grayden and Renya's room. He knocked on the door quietly, with no response. He knocked louder, and then heard a commotion on the other side of the door.

“Quick, hand me my pants.” Sion could just make out Grayden's words through the door, and he rolled his eyes, now knowing more than he wanted to about his friend's evening activities.

Grayden opened the door, shirtless, with his hair wild and sticking up at odd places.

“What?” he barked.

Sion chortled. “I need a favor if you can pull yourself away from your mate long enough to assist me.”

Grayden grumbled a bit and then disappeared back into his room. A few minutes later he came out fully dressed. He moved into the hall, and then shut the door behind him.

“What is it?”

Sion looked around the hall. It was deserted, but he didn't feel comfortable discussing what he wanted to ask Grayden in the hall.

“Can we go to your office?”

He thought Grayden would whine, but instead he just led Sion down the stairs and to his study.

The two men entered the room, and Grayden immediately pulled out some fireale from a shelf and two glasses. He filled both glasses to the brim, and then sat behind his desk, pushing the other glass towards Sion.

“What's this for?”

Grayden grunted. “Lately, anytime anyone asks me for something, I find that I need a good, stiff drink afterwards.”

Sion didn't say anything, but took a drink of the fireale, letting it warm his insides. He didn't care why Grayden needed the drink, but he was glad for it. The alcohol helped to steady his nerves and increased his confidence a bit.

“Out with it, Sion.”

Sion rubbed the rim of the glass, wishing he had a few more minutes to let the alcohol take full effect. But finally, he blurted out what was on his mind.

“Grayden—I want—I need—”

Grayden raised his eyebrows.

“I've come to ask your permission to marry Selenia.”

It wasn't exactly shock that hit Grayden's face, but more like surprise followed quickly by understanding.

“I see.”

“I know she's your sister, and you didn't find out about our relationship under the best circumstances—”

“Of course I give my permission.”

Sion's jaw dropped slightly before he closed it. He had expected to grovel, to prove his worth for her.

“Don't look so surprised, Sion. You're like a brother to me. And you're fated. Of course you should be married. And if rumors are to be believed—” Grayden gave him a bit of a stern look— “You've already been taking certain liberties with my sister.”

Doria. Sion's face burned as he remembered his clothing that had been left behind on the floor, in plain sight. Of course, the household staff would have enjoyed that piece of gossip.

“I promise you, Grayden. I haven't compromised her—she's still a maid—”

Grayden waved his hand. “I don't want to hear about it, and what happens between the two of you is private. Just please be careful until you're wed. I don't want the servants in my office bothering me about these things—especially when my little sister is involved.” His stern face easily returned to one of levity. “Well, come on then.” Grayden stood up and moved to the door.

“Where are we going?” Sion asked, following Grayden out the hall and down a stairway towards Almory's workshop.

“If you're going to marry my sister, you need a ring.” Grayden unlocked the door opposite Almory's rooms and stepped inside. Sion followed.

It was a small room but filled to the ceiling with all kinds of artifacts, heirlooms, and memorabilia. Sion instantly recognized the crown belonging to Grayden's father, sitting on a velvet cushion in a glass case. He realized now that he had never once seen Grayden wear it.

Every corner of the room was stuffed with antique weaponry, gold bars, and paintings so old that they were nearly dust.

Grayden went to a small dark wood cabinet and opened it. He pulled out a few tiny boxes, and then passed them to Sion.

“I gave my mother's wedding ring to Renya, and I won't apologize for it. My mother left it for me specifically, and I think deep down she knew it would be important to Renya. Selenia has most of our mother's jewelry already, but there are a few pieces I kept as part of Selenia's dowry. She was young when our parents died, as you recall, so there's a good chance she doesn't remember some of these pieces.”

Sion opened up one of the little cases. Inside the gray velvet box was a dainty yellow gold band with a large emerald in the center. It was very pretty, but it didn't scream Selenia to him.

“Not the one, huh?” Grayden punched him playfully in the ribs, reading his lack of enthusiasm correctly.

The next ring was one made of sapphires, but it too didn't meet the mark.

Sion opened the last box and instantly knew it was the perfect ring. Inside was a heart-shaped dark ruby, nearly the same shade as Selenia's hair. The band was encrusted with aragonite, and he couldn't help but remember legends about some kind of magical power infused within the stone.

It was the perfect ring.

Grayden smiled. “I would have picked that one too.”