Page 28 of Mountains of Mist and Magic (A World of Sun and Shadow #4)

T riston sat in his room, staring out of the window. The sun was high in the sky, even though it was nearing midnight. He didn't know how the residents of the Sun Realm managed to sleep with the bright lights outside.

Although he wasn't sure if he'd be able to sleep during the night, at this point.

He had no idea what was happening to him. He'd come to the Sun Realm to break his bond with Julietta, but now...he was afraid of losing her. Which was exactly the reason he wanted to sever their connection to begin with. He thought about the way she'd comforted him earlier, thought about how good it felt when she held him. He hated to recount what happened to him as a child. After Julietta had calmed him down, she'd gone back into the dining room and relayed the story for him, letting him stay peacefully behind, safe inside the parlor.

Triston knew Julietta was shy, but she had done it for him. His heart squeezed a bit, and he found himself needing to talk to her. Just to make sure she was alright. At least, that was what he told himself, as he left his room, roaming the corridors, searching for her. Almost as if he was possessed, he moved past several doors, knowing she wasn't inside. When he reached the room at the end of the hall, he knew she was near. He just...felt it.

It must be their bond.

Triston knocked on the door lightly and then felt foolish. He shouldn't seek her out. If they were going to break their bond, he needed to stay away from her. He turned quickly, but the door opened.

“Triston?” Julietta stood wrapped in a blanket, her bare toes just peeking out of the borrowed nightgown. It lacked the ribbon necklines that usually adorned her own gowns. Her hair was loose, the curls laying prettily against her shoulders, indicating she hadn't been sleeping either. He'd spent enough time with her to know that when she woke up in the morning, her curls were a disaster. They stuck up in every direction, almost as if they had a mind of their own.

He loved it. It was endearing to him.

Triston shuffled his feet. “I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking. I shouldn't—I'll go back to my room.”

“No, please come in.” Julietta bit her lip. “I—I think we should talk.” She moved aside, and he entered her room. Her sweet scent of sandalwood hit his nose, permeating throughout the borrowed room. It was uniquely her, and now he was so in tune with it that he would recognize the scent anywhere.

Julietta perched on the bed, her hands lacing and unlacing nervously. He longed to rush to her, to take her in his arms and comfort her; take away whatever thoughts were racing through her head. But instead, he moved to the far corner, trying so hard to resist the pull he felt. It was as if he was no longer in charge of any part of his body, and instead, every single part of him belonged to her, and longed to be reunited.

“I...I don't know how to say this,” she murmured, looking at her feet. He followed her gaze, glancing at her toes again. They were petite and perfect, just like her. “But...I'm not sure if we'll be strong enough to break the bond.”

The pull finally overcame him, and he stalked towards her. Her eyes widened as he came near, and he knew she felt the same rush of relief he did.

As if being near each other was the only way they could breathe.

He joined her on the bed, his hands on his thighs, itching to touch her. “I agree.”

Julietta shifted nervously, and he was glad they were on the same page. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that...he needed her. He wanted her. She belonged to him. Why would he give up the gift he had been given? She was sacred, made by the Fates just for him. If legends were true, her soul was created at the exact same moment as his own, two halves of the same coin.

“Good,” she responded, smoothing her nightgown. “I think we need to confide in someone then. Perhaps Renya? And maybe Grayden? Someone who can help us, make sure we don't give in to our urges. To make sure we actually go through with it.”

Triston's stomach lurched. She still sought to break their bond? After everything they had been through?

He swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady. “Yes...Grayden. Renya. Sounds good.”

“Triston?” Julietta's brow wrinkled as she studied his face. He wanted to meet her eyes, but he couldn't. If he looked into them, he'd be lost. He would push her back against the sheets and claim her. Then it would be too late, and they'd be mated and neither one of them would be strong enough to break their connection at that point. He contemplated it for a split second, but then pushed the thought out of his head. He'd never take advantage of her like that, and the thought sickened him. He knew she wouldn't resist, but using their physical bond to tie her to him like that was wrong.

“Something is bothering you. Tell me,” she implored. “I know we aren't fully mated, but I can still sense that you're upset.”

He debated telling her. Begging her to reconsider. But his pride and fear got the better of him, and he stood up, heading towards the door.

“I'm just tired. We'll meet with Grayden and Renya tomorrow.”

Julietta and Triston sat in the parlor, facing each other. Triston thought it wise not to sit directly near her. She was wearing another borrowed dress, and it clung to every single curve she had. Her body was shaped like the hourglass in his study back at the Tidal Kingdom, and he had no idea how he would go back there and look at it without thinking of her. The dress she wore was a bright teal, bringing out her eyes and her soft complexion.

Triston's muscles tensed, his body rigid with nerves. He didn't know why he should be nervous; this was what needed to be done.

Wasn't it?

Grayden and Renya walked into the room. Grayden's eyes sparkled with intrigue, but Renya wore a small, knowing smile. Had Julietta told her of their bond?

Renya and Grayden squeezed into a large chair across from them. It was really too small for both of them, but Renya just squashed against Grayden. It reminded Triston of how it must feel to be fully mated. They shared everything, even a chair.

Grayden spoke first, his hand resting protectively on Renya's stomach. Triston's eyes widened as realization struck him. Renya must be expecting a babe. Another surge of emotion went through him, and he tried to sort out his feelings quickly. Why should he care if Renya was carrying Grayden's child? But the second he saw the pride in Grayden's eyes, he envisioned Julietta with a rounded belly, his own baby growing inside of her.

“So, what's going on?” Renya asked, her voice gentle.

Triston was still wrapped up in his own thoughts, but Julietta answered.

“There's been...a...well...a surprise.”

“I take it you two are together?” Grayden's eyebrows shot up. Renya elbowed him in the side.

“What Mr. Subtle means to ask is, what's going on and how can we help you?”

There was a long pause, and Triston pulled himself out of his own inner turmoil to answer. He saw the red creeping up Julietta's cheeks and figured he should at least be the man in this situation, since he would never be the man in her life.

“When I was at the Twilight Kingdom, Julietta and I discovered that we are fate-bound.”

An even longer silence permeated throughout the warm, open air of the parlor. Then, absolute astonishment.

“You're kidding me!” Grayden's outburst was far louder than Renya's exclamation of, “Oh, wow!”

While Grayden just gave Triston a knowing look, Renya went over to Julietta and gave her a sweeping hug, whispering something in her ear.

“So...this is exciting!” Renya beamed, going back to sit with Grayden. “Unexpected, I'm sure! But, another fated mating! What a blessing!”

Triston's face remained impassive, while Julietta's lips turned down at the corners.

“Okay...maybe not such a blessing...” Renya's smile faded.

“We wish to break the bond,” Julietta said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Why in the God's name would you do that?” Grayden exclaimed. Renya smacked him again. Unlike the last time, this hit was a bit harder, and he grunted a little.

“Ouch! Why are you doing that?”

“So you stop saying stupid things!”

“I don't!”

Renya just rolled her eyes and looked from Triston to Julietta. “This decision...is...mutual?”

For the first time during the conversation, Triston looked directly at Julietta. Her eyes met his, and he sighed, seemingly to feel her reluctance. She wasn't sure either, and he had never felt so much relief in his life. The knot in the pit of his stomach loosened, and he let out a huge exhalation of air.

But then Julietta spoke. “Yes.”

And the knot returned, followed by the sensation of hot anguish surging through him.

Renya's brow crinkled, but then she nodded. “I see. Well, I don't even know if it's possible. My father did it, but it cost him greatly. The price was the use of his magic for many years. Triston, I don't mean to sound...insensitive, but you don't have much in the way of magic, do you?”

Triston's jaw clenched, his shoulders hunching slightly. “I have a little more than I did before Cressida returned it, but...my powers are little compared to others.”

His father would be so ashamed. Out of everyone in the room, he had the least amount of magic running in his veins.

“I have magic enough,” Julietta interjected. “Cyrus did it alone with his magic.”

“Julietta, are you sure you want to do this? You just got your powers back.”

“I'm sure.”

“I guess there's nothing left to do other than talk to my father. But I can't help but think that this feels...unnatural.”

Triston was in full agreement. But he kept his mouth shut and tried to ease the massive ball of fire that seemed to be boiling in his belly.