Page 8 of Mountains of Mist and Magic (A World of Sun and Shadow #4)

J ulietta was nearly beside herself. She spent the entire evening in her room, torn between chasing down Triston and sealing their bond, or crying into her pillow over the rotten turn of events Fate had afforded her. How could she be mated to a man who seemed to have absolutely no feeling? He was so measured, so stern and moderated that Julietta hardly believed he was real. He acted as if he were some kind of statue, barely alive. Even his reaction to their mating bond was hardly expressive.

It wasn't fair. The only good thing about her powers was that they had opened up the potential for a fated mating, but now she was fated to the coldest, most unfeeling man she'd ever encountered.

A knock at her door interrupted her self-pity.

“Come in,” she said, her voice hoarse and scratchy.

Her mother strode into her room, wearing a green satin dressing gown over her pale nightgown.

“I was worried when you and Triston didn't come to see me. I figured you would want my blessing for your marriage.” She looked at Julietta, then surprise crossed her face. “But something tells me that isn't what we're going to discuss tonight.” Kalora sat down on the bed, and Julietta hung her head in her hands, watching as a tear dripped from her cheek and landed on the rug underfoot.

“What happened, my child?”

Julietta sniffed, and then wiped her nose on the sleeve of her own nightgown. Normally she would display better manners in front of her mother and queen, but at this point, she didn't care.

“I can't be mated to him. He's...cold and incapable of emotion. I've never seen him smile or laugh...there's something inherently wrong with him. Not to mention, he doesn't want to be fated to me either.” There was a slight pang in her heart when she mentioned the last part. Julietta could tell that she was the last person he wanted to be mated to. The horror on his face seemed to match her own.

Her mother's expression morphed into one of sadness, and then silent understanding. “Do you know how Triston and Esmeralda's parents died?”

Julietta jerked her head up. “No, I never really thought about it.”

Kalora motioned to the spot next to her on the bed, and Julietta joined her. Kalora smoothed back the untidy curls that had tangled along Julietta's face.

“I only tell you so that perhaps you can come to understand your mate a little better.”

“He's not my mate,” Julietta responded. Kalora just looked at her and gave her a sad smile.

“When Triston was a young boy, he accompanied his father and mother on a journey to the mountains on the far side of the sea.”

Julietta's eyebrows arched. She'd never heard of such a place. “What? There are no mountains on the other side of the sea.”

“There are places that have been shrouded in mystery, places that are said to be full of ancient fae magic. Out of all the legends, the forbidden mountains are said to be the most dangerous, as well as the most disputed.”

A chill ran down Julietta's spine, and goosebumps spread along her skin.

“Why haven't we explored this place before? This could help us bring back magic! There could be clues, or weapons, or—”

“Because even its existence is highly unsubstantiated. No one has ever been there—at least, no one who has lived to tell the tale. There have been mentions of the mountains in some of the fae literature, but every single mission to find them or uncover their secrets has ended in death or destruction.”

“And...this is what happened to Triston's parents?”

Kalora nodded, her eyes downcast in grief. “I was good friends with Queen Isadora, Triston's mother. I am even godmother to Esmeralda. King Obleron, Triston's father, was growing increasingly worried about the magic fading from the lands, and his people had a legend about the mountains—that they could restore anything lost. He was in poor health and was very concerned about leaving Triston behind to rule—especially as his son no longer possessed usable magic. So, he hoped to restore his health, or at least his son's powers.”

“They never made it?”

“No. A mist came upon them, and they lost their bearings. Their ship was found weeks later, run aground on the beach of one of the Tidal islands. King Obleron and Queen Isadora were nowhere to be found. Triston was later found alive on a small island, starving and near death.”

Another stray tear fell down Julietta's cheek, and the feelings of self-pity she had earlier suddenly embarrassed her. To lose both parents that way—no wonder he was guarded.

“Triston never spoke of the incident—never revealed what happened to his parents. To my knowledge, he has never told another soul exactly what transpired on that voyage. So perhaps, just perhaps, you can see why he became the man he is.”

“But how can I break through such a rough exterior? Is it even possible?” Julietta bit the inside of her cheek.

Kalora glanced at her daughter. “If anyone can help him, it would be the woman who's fated to be his match.”

Julietta couldn't ignore Triston forever. After her mother's tale, she wasn't sure exactly how she felt. While she understood why Triston was aloof, that didn't mean that she liked it or could even stand it. Which was why she was incredibly nervous about dinner that evening. She had stayed in her room most of the day, trying on different gowns and rearranging her hair. She knew she didn't want Triston as a mate, but she also wanted to look nice. His instant rejection of her had wounded her pride a bit. She'd always lacked confidence and felt inferior most of her life. In the second they were matched, the disappointment in his face brought back every moment she'd had in her life where she hadn't measured up. She thought back to her tutors, and how she couldn't keep up with the complex political strategies they threw at her. She recalled her dancing lessons, when her instructor told her mother that it was no use, that she had two left feet and there was no point in giving her more lessons. And most painfully, she thought back to that conversation she had overheard between her mother and Gillbert, where Queen Kalora had voiced her disappointment in Julietta's lack of powers and her own fears for the future of their kingdom.

At least in that, she and Triston were similar. Both magically inept in the eyes of their parents. But now that Julietta possessed her full magic, she tried to push away the thoughts that followed her around like a ghost. However, moments like the one in the throne room made her feel like that shy, embarrassed little girl again.

She finally decided on a dress of dark blue, embroidered with little moons and stars. She pinned her hair back, and then dusted some rouge on her cheeks. She rarely bothered with it, but she was determined to put her best foot forward, if nothing else than to ease her wounded pride.

She left her bedroom, heading for the dining room. She ignored her racing heart, trying to calm her breathing and dismiss her nerves. But as she got closer to the dining room, her heart took on an irregular rhythm and every part of her body started to tingle. Her cheeks flushed, and as her hand rested on the doorknob to the dining room, she considered running back to her bedroom and hiding away until Triston departed their castle.

“There you are, my daughter!” Her mother approached rapidly, her crimson gown trailing behind her. She had an arrangement of ostrich feathers in her hair, and a ruby necklace hung delicately from her throat. “Let's head into dinner.”

Julietta had no choice but to push open the dining room door and step inside. At once she felt warmth in her chest, and it spread all throughout her body.

Triston sat on one side of the long dining room table, his arms folded in front of his chest. His tunic was a dark gray, and it made his eyes look even brighter. His long hair was pulled back in a tie made from the same type of ropes fishing nets were made from, and his face morphed into a pained look once he locked eyes with Julietta.

Again, the feeling of inadequacy surged through her, and she fought the urge to cry. But instead, she sat down opposite Triston, and gave him a blank look, giving away nothing. She wouldn't let him know how his refusal hurt her.

Her mother settled herself at the head of the table, looking back and forth between the pair. No one else joined them, and Julietta knew this would be a most awkward dinner.

“I hope you found your room arrangements suitable, King Triston?” Kalora asked. “I know our castle isn't as grand as it once was—”

“They're fine,” he replied, looking around the dining room. “I don't require much.”

Julietta snorted under her breath. He certainly seemed to find her lacking.

Luckily, her inelegant display was missed as the servers brought in dinner. She pushed around the food on her plate, scarcely eating. Instead, she watched Triston out of the corner of her eye, afraid to meet his gaze head-on. He was looking down at his food, seemingly disinterested in the meal as well. Only Kalora ate in earnest, ignoring the tension in the room. It was so quiet, Julietta swore she could hear the horses in the stable.

Finally, after the plates were cleared away, Kalora rose. “I'm off to bed. I suggest you two spend some time getting to know one another.” Kalora wasted no time in pushing through the door and leaving Julietta and Triston in silence.

Julietta kept her eyes downcast but raised them ever so slightly and watched Triston fold his arms across his chest uncomfortably.

Well, at least they were both uncomfortable. She felt a myriad of emotions, everything from lust to loathing. It was the oddest sensation, but she had once heard someone say that love and hate were two separate sides of the same coin.

The quiet dragged on, and after several minutes, Julietta finally stood to leave the room.

Triston looked at her, seemingly disinterested as she made her way around the table and then passed him, on her way out the door. But before she could open it, his arm was on her shoulder, spinning her around to face him.

He was standing close to her, closer than she'd ever been to any man before. His jaw was clean-shaven, and his skin was a few shades darker than hers.

But oh, his eyes. Julietta never realized how beautiful gray eyes could be. She looked at them now, drinking in their richness. She saw his pupils dilate and saw a flash of something she'd never seen before in a male's eyes. Desire? He couldn't...want her, could he?

“Don't go.”

His voice was monotone, with no inflection, no hint of passion or pleading. But in his eyes, she thought she detected something...more.

Her tongue suddenly felt tied to the roof of her mouth. No words came forth, and she just nodded. Triston gestured towards the table, and she sat, fiddling with her skirt so she'd have an excuse not to look at him.

He cleared his throat loudly, and Julietta finally looked up. Triston was back sitting across from her, his eyes still fiercely gray and intense.

“I know this was a shock to both of us, and I don't think that I behaved appropriately,” he said, his face blank as the words came out of his mouth. The phrasing sounded rehearsed, without a bit of sentimentality behind the hollow words.

She wanted to huff, but she was having trouble discerning her emotions again. Part of her wanted to smack him alongside the head, but another, more visceral part of her, wanted to run her fingers through his long, sun-bleached hair. She'd never found long hair on a man enticing before, but she found it incredibly attractive on Triston.

“Perhaps I did not as well,” she said demurely, trying not to stare at him too hard. “It was a surprise to me as well.”

“From your reaction, I gather there is another male in your life?” He frowned slightly when he said the words.

“Another? No, absolutely not!” Her cheeks reddened again. “I've never—I mean, there's been no one, I mean...” she trailed off, horrified that she'd let her inexperience slip.

“Ah...well...” Triston cleared his throat, obviously uncomfortable by her proclamation. “At any rate, I think we should look more into this idea you had of breaking the bond. There is a way?”

Julietta stifled her disappointment. She didn't necessarily want to stay mated to Triston, but his insistence to sever their ties hurt her.

“Yes. Cressida and Cyrus were fate-bonded, but Cyrus managed to break their connection. He lost his powers for a long time afterwards, but he was successful.”

“What type of magic is required? I don't possess any.”

Julietta wondered if perhaps that was the reason the bond didn't seem to affect him as much. But Grayden didn't possess his full powers, yet he loved Renya prior to their bonding. Perhaps that was the difference?

“Honestly, I'm not sure—”

“Who would know?”

“I—Cyrus would. In the Sun Realm.”

Triston's brisk manner just cemented the fact that she wanted to see their bond broken as well.

“Understood. I'll leave in the morning.” He got up and started to exit the room.

“Wait—I'm coming too.”

Triston stopped in his tracks, turning back to face her. “I prefer to do this alone.”

“You've made that perfectly clear,” she retorted, feeling a slight pressure in her temples as a headache started. “But since it's my magic that will have to be sacrificed, since you have none, I'll be going too.”

“Fine. Be ready in the morning.”

“Fine.”