Page 17 of Realms of Shadow and Sun (A World of Sun and Shadow #3)

Renya woke up with renewed determination. She would get Cressida to trust her, and somehow learn how to defeat her. She must have some kind of weakness or fear they could exploit.

Renya washed in the small stone tub and got dressed quickly. Margot appeared with her breakfast tray, and Renya didn't waste any time in scarfing everything down. She'd definitely need her strength if she was going to try and become the ally and heir Cressida sought.

"Anything else, Miss Renya?"

Margot asked, her kind eyes searching Renya's face.

"Actually...I need some make-up."

"Make-up?"

Margot looked at Renya, confused.

Renya held out her arm, where her mating mark sparkled in the light. Margot gasped as she took in the meaning.

"You're fated to your prince?"

"Yes, but Cressida thinks she's broken my bond. I need your help in covering it up."

Renya's voice trembled slightly, the weight of her deception making her nervous.

Margot disappeared, and then came back a few minutes later with a light-colored powder. She helped Renya apply it, adding several layers until she was satisfied that it wouldn't rub off.

"Thank you, Margot. I know I can trust you."

Margot smiled and backed out of the room.

Renya fixed her hair and took a few deep breaths before leaving the room. Her chambers were like a small sanctuary in the castle, and every time she left them she feared what would happen. At least Cressida never came in here, always sending someone to fetch Renya. Other than their training sessions, Renya hardly saw her.

She walked to the throne room, her heart pounding with each step. Cressida was already waiting for her. Usually, she was late and made Renya wait for her, so instantly Renya was on edge.

Cressida's face was ashen, and her entire body seemed to hum with untamed magic. The air crackled with tension, and Renya had to resist the urge to turn and flee.

Renya approached her, but was careful to stay several feet in front of her. Usually she'd stare Cressida down, but she remembered her promise to her father and dipped her head downward respectfully.

Cressida walked over to Renya, and wrenched her chin up.

"It appears my prisoners are gone,"

she hissed at Renya. "I'm assuming you played some kind of part in their escape?"

Renya's heart beat faster. She looked into Cressida's violet eyes, trying to think quickly. "Which prisoners?"

she asked, dropping her eyes demurely.

"Don't play dumb with me, girl!"

"I couldn't betray you if I wanted to. I'm bound to you now, and I promised not to fight. I pledged my loyalty to you."

Each word felt like a betrayal, but Renya kept her face impassive.

Cressida relaxed instantly, remembering the blood promises. She let go of Renya's chin, her nails leaving small marks against Renya's skin.

"Sion and Cyrus are gone. If you know anything, I command you to tell me."

Cressida moved to her throne and sat down.

Renya kept her face blank and emotionless, though inside she was rejoicing at their escape. "I don't know anything. I was in my room all night. And as far as I'm concerned, I don't care what happens to them. Sion clearly left to save his own hide, and I have no allegiance to a man that would abandon his only daughter in the human world."

Cressida's eyes flashed to Renya's, no doubt looking for sincerity on her face. She must have been pleased with what she saw. "You don't wish to know more of your precious father?"

Renya treaded carefully. She knew too much flattery would make Cressida suspicious, but she had to act like her mating bond was broken and she was still bound in loyalty.

"No. I suffered in the human world. I was...attacked. I had no magic, and part of me was missing. My father—if you can even call him that—ripped me from my rightful place in this world."

Cressida pursed her lips, and Renya hoped she hadn't taken it too far.

"Magic should never be locked away,"

Cressida agreed, tapping her nails against the throne. Renya noticed that it was a habit for her. "We are nothing without our magic."

"It was horrible in the human realm. I never felt like myself until you freed the magic inside of me."

This, at least, wasn't entirely a lie. Renya did feel more complete with her magic, though she knew it wasn't Cressida she had to thank for that.

Surprisingly, Cressida nodded. "I understand that. Let's get training. I still have much to teach you, daughter."

The word 'daughter' sent a chill down Renya's spine, a mixture of longing and revulsion.

Their practice session lasted much longer than usual. Cressida was still harsh, but at times, she was more patient with Renya. Renya couldn't help but wonder if her act was working, if Cressida was starting to see her as more than just a tool.

"To weave magic, you need more than just your thoughts. Your magic is the magic of the Sun Realm, so your powers will always prefer the light."

Renya looked at her, confused. "What does that mean?"

"There's light and dark magic. Not in the sense you're thinking, of evil and good magic. But dark magic tends to be more earthbound. It uses the forces in the ground and darkness of night. My magic is far more powerful here in the Shadow Realm. Yours is more powerful in kingdoms and lands where the sun plays a dominant role. The Sun Realm, obviously. The Tidal Kingdom. The Spring Lands."

Renya chewed the inside of her cheek thoughtfully. It was only a day since she pledged to get closer to Cressida, and she already pieced together some valuable information. She filed away this knowledge, hoping it might prove useful in the future.

"What other types of magic are there?"

Renya asked. She wanted to directly ask about Grayden's magic, but she didn't dare. As far as Cressida was concerned, Grayden no longer held any claim over Renya's heart.

"There was earth and fire, but that magic has all but disappeared."

"What happened to the Sun Realm?"

Renya asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Cressida shot her a warning look, and Renya halted her questioning quickly. The subject was clearly off-limits, and Renya made a mental note to approach it more carefully in the future.

"I want to show you how to properly shield yourself,"

Cressida said, changing the subject.

Renya braced herself, knowing that Cressida had no qualms about hitting Renya with her magic at full force. She quickly let her magic flow, and tried to imagine a web of her magic around her, like Kalora had tried to teach her at the Twilight Kingdom.

As soon as Cressida unleashed her magic, Renya got flustered and dropped her shield. She closed her eyes and braced herself for the impact, but it never came. When she opened her eyes, she saw Cressida pulling her magic back into herself. Renya tried to hide her surprise. Perhaps Cyrus was right, and Cressida would start to trust Renya.

"Perhaps it's best if we took a break. You're obviously worn out."

Renya nodded and tugged at her sleeve. She was perspiring heavily from the warmth of her magic, and she was nervous that too much moisture would cause the make-up covering her mating mark to melt.

"Come. I want to show you something."

Cressida moved towards Renya, and grabbed her hand. Renya wanted to pull back, disgusted by her hard, boney fingers, but she didn't even have time to react before Cressida spun and her dark magic transported them.

It was a strange sensation, almost as if Renya's belly button was being pulled towards her back while she was spinning quickly. It only lasted a second, but it was jarring.

When the world stopped spinning, Renya looked around. She was in a damp, darkly lit room with a massive door in front of her. A pulsating sensation radiated from the door, and Renya realized it was enforced by magic.

"Where are we?"

she asked Cressida, trying to keep the nervousness out of her voice.

"You'll see soon enough,"

she replied, as she unlocked the magic encasing the door with a flick of her fingers.

Cressida moved through the door and Renya followed behind, entering a long, dank passage. The walls were wet and dripping, and puddles of muddy water lined the stone walkway. Renya skirted around them and shivered as they walked farther down the path. The air grew colder and damper with each step, and Renya felt as if they were descending deep into the heart of the mountain.

"Perhaps we'll need to have some warmer clothing made for you,"

Cressida said, watching Renya's teeth chatter.

Renya didn't say anything, but her spirit lightened slightly. She couldn't care less about what she was wearing, but Cressida's offer was another step in the right direction. Perhaps this would be easier than she thought.

"Is my Aunt Agatha really your sister?"

Renya asked, trying to make conversation as they continued down the narrow path.

Cressida pursed her lips, and Renya wondered if she made a mistake bringing her up.

"Yes. How did you know that?"

Renya didn't miss a beat. "Her magic...it's dark like yours."

"Smart girl,"

Cressida said, looking intensely at Renya. "Yes, and she betrayed me."

Renya didn't apologize, but she didn't defend her aunt either. "It was really miserable in the human world. I was isolated, and I felt like a part of me was missing."

This, at least, was the truth.

Cressida looked at her, and Renya thought for a second she detected a tiny amount of pity on her mother's face. "That's how I felt when you took my magic."

"I never asked for it,"

Renya said cautiously, treading a fine line between sympathy and defensiveness.

Cressida sighed and continued moving forward through the passageway, ducking her head as a large stalagmite protruded from the ceiling.

"Watch your head,"

she warned Renya.

Renya tried another approach. "When I was in the human realm, a man attacked me. I got away, but it ruined my life. I lost my job, my friends and had to move away. If my magic wouldn't have been locked inside of me, it could have ended differently."

Cressida stopped in her tracks, her shoulders slightly hunched. She didn't turn around, but continued walking. Renya wondered if she was gaining any sympathy from her mother. Surely, no mother could bear to hear that her child was attacked?

After a few more minutes, Cressida turned back to Renya. "Men can't be trusted,"

she said, her indigo eyes flashing. "They'll betray you as soon as they get a better offer. Be glad you don't have to worry about having a mate anymore."

Renya struggled to keep the disgust off her face. There was no one in this world that she trusted more than Grayden. "At least I don't have to worry about that,"

Renya agreed, but the lie tasted like ash in her mouth.

Cressida looked pleased. Before Renya could say anything else, they turned the corner and entered a large antechamber. Two guards stood in front of a huge, heavy door. Renya could smell rotting flesh and could hear roars. The hair rose on the back of her neck, and for a second, she thought about turning and running.

This was where Cressida kept her dragons.

The guards opened the enormous doors, and Cressida slipped inside. "Come,"

she ordered Renya.

She stepped inside hesitantly, not sure why Cressida would bring her here. Renya's eyes were as big as a dinner plate as she took in the sight before her.

Four dragons were encased in a large glass cage. The enclosure was massive, stretching from floor to ceiling and spanning the width of the cavern. Within, a miniature ecosystem had been created, with rocky outcroppings, a small pool of water, and even a few stunted trees. The glass was thick and cloudy in places, marred by claw marks.

Renya instantly recognized the reddish-colored one with the orange eyes that carried her into this realm. He wasn't the largest, though. As Renya carefully skirted alongside the wall, as far away from the glass dome as she could, another dragon, this one even larger and with fuchsia scales, snorted into the air. Renya's legs shook at the sound, and she was instantly transported back to the night where she was separated from Grayden. She held her breath and then inhaled deeply, trying to fight down the rising panic.

Cressida moved forward, closer to the encasement, and beckoned Renya to follow.

"Brutus, Belinia and Berline,"

she said proudly, pointing to each as she named them.

Berline was a bit smaller than Brutus, with teal scales that shimmered under the glow from the torches.

Behind the juvenile, a tiny dragon, about the size of a miniature pony, poked its head out.

Renya let out a gasp, hardly believing her eyes. The littlest dragon crept closer to her, swishing its tail and keeping its pink eyes locked on Renya. Unlike the other dragons, it walked on all fours and reminded Renya of a tall alligator. Its scales were a midnight blue, and it didn't have wings.

Cressida gestured towards the smallest dragon. "She just hatched two days ago."

The dragon finally approached the glass, and peered at Renya intently. Renya hesitantly touched her hand to the glass, and the dragon snorted and then made a deep noise that Renya swore was akin to purring.

"She likes you,"

Cressida said, astonishment heavy in her tone.

Renya stood there, mesmerized by the baby dragon. The creature continued to pace in front of the glass, keeping her eyes locked on Renya. "Does she have a name?"

"No, not yet."

A voice came from the far corner of the enclosure. Renya jumped at the male's voice, while Cressida just groaned.

An elderly man appeared as if from nowhere, walking towards the spot where Renya stood.

"Who do we have here?"

he asked in a gravelly voice. Renya took in his appearance and surmised that he wasn't from the Sun Realm. His attire was completely foreign, different and more primitive than anything she saw during her time here.

"She's none of your concern, Travers."

Cressida's tone was harsh and contained an air of finality, as if any further questions about Renya would not be tolerated.

Travers glanced at Renya again, but quickly looked at the baby dragon.

"Well, whoever you are, it appears as if she's quite taken with you."

He flicked a dirty thumb towards the smallest dragon, who was prancing around the edges of the glass enclosure, trying to get Renya's attention.

Cressida watched the dragon, her eyes narrowing, but then turned thoughtful. She turned and looked at Renya, then back at Travers. "Do you think she'd permit her to approach?"

Travers nodded, stroking his grizzled beard. "She already looks like she's trying to bond. I've never seen one take to someone so quickly."

"Renya, come here,"

Cressida said. It was the first time she'd ever addressed Renya by her name. It sounded strange coming from Cressida's mouth, although Renya knew there must have been a time when she heard it frequently. She reached inside, trying to find some memory of this woman, but nothing came. She only saw the piercing blue eyes of her father that were identical to hers.

Obediently, Renya walked over to Cressida, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and excitement. "It seems as though this baby dragon is trying to bond with you. Do you know what that means?"

Renya shook her head, still surprised at the civil tone Cressida used. She was so used to hearing her saccharine voice, insults rolling off of her tongue.

"When dragons are young, they are able to imprint. Some imprint on their parents, some siblings. And sometimes, other creatures. Brutus, as you might have noticed, has imprinted on me,"

Cressida explained. "I'm interested to know if this small female will imprint on you."

Renya bit her lip, considering the implications. She was intrigued, and did want to see the little dragon up close. But the other dragons were incredibly frightening. The memory of their destructive power during the battle at the Twilight Kingdom was still fresh in her mind. "How does it work?"

"You'll need to enter the enclosure and walk up to her slowly. You'll know instantly if she imprints on you."

Cressida's voice held a note of anticipation that Renya had never heard before.

It was just as Renya feared. She'd have to get in the glass cage with the other dragons. Renya hesitated, her instincts screaming at her to refuse. But then she squared her shoulders. She must continue to impress Cressida. This would be a perfect way to show her mother just how brave and valuable she could be to her.

Cressida instantly acknowledged Renya's resolve with a small nod, a flicker of something like pride in her eyes. "Good. I knew you would be unafraid."

With Traver's assistance, Renya entered the dragon's territory slowly through a small, hinged opening in the glass. The dirt floor was soft underneath her feet, and she moved along the edge of the glass wall, taking small, tentative steps. The air inside the enclosure was warm and humid, filled with the musky scent of the dragons.

Brutus, Cressida's bound dragon, glanced at her lazily before looking directly at Cressida. The Shadow Queen gave a quick jerk of her jaw and Brutus ignored Renya, and then snorted into the air and made a loud, visceral roar. The other two adult dragons looked at him, and then went back to what they were doing.

Renya walked slowly over to the pink-eyed dragon, her pulse thumping and her heart hammering like it might burst through her chest. The other dragons continued to ignore her, but the littlest instantly took notice. She didn't take her eyes off of Renya, her gaze intense and curious.

Unsure of what to do, Renya approached her and slowly reached her hand out. The dragon looked at her, unblinking and then cocked her head, the way a well-trained dog might. Then, without warning, she pushed her snout underneath Renya's outstretched hand and purred contentedly.

Surprised, Renya stroked the dragon's nose, its small scales still pliable, unlike the older dragons. A smile crept up on her face and the dragon nuzzled Renya's hand, emitting a happy, chirpy sound. As she touched the dragon, Renya felt a warmth spread through her, a connection forming that she couldn't quite explain.

"That's it!"

Cressida said excitedly, her voice slightly muffled through the glass.

Travers clapped his hands, watching the scene before him. "You've done it! She's imprinted on you."

Renya continued to pet the dragon, feeling an attachment to the creature instantly. Upon closer inspection, she noticed tiny wing buds jetting out from her back. The dragon's pink eyes gazed up at her with what seemed like adoration, and Renya felt a surge of protectiveness wash over her.

"She's a beauty,"

Renya said, admiring the creature. Her midnight blue scales shimmered in the torchlight, and her lithe body moved with a grace that belied her young age.

"Then that's what we shall name her,"

Cressida responded. "Her name is Beauty."

As Renya stood there, bonding with the newly named Beauty, she felt a strange mix of emotions. Joy at this unexpected connection, fear of what it might mean for her future, and a glimmer of hope that this might be a way to get closer to Cressida and uncover her weaknesses.

Cressida watched the scene with an unreadable expression, but Renya thought she saw a softness in her eyes that hadn't been there before. "It seems you have a way with dragons, daughter,"

she said, her voice holding a note of approval.

Renya looked up, meeting Cressida's gaze. For a moment, she saw not the Shadow Queen, but a glimpse of the mother she might have been. It was confusing and unsettling, but Renya pushed the feeling aside. She had a mission to focus on, and this new development with Beauty might just be the key she needed.