Page 8 of Realms of Shadow and Sun (A World of Sun and Shadow #3)

"Absolutely not,"

Grayden growled, his irritation evident. His fist clenched on the polished surface of the war table. "I will not wait any longer to rescue Renya. I'm healed now—I'll go alone if I have to."

The council chamber fell silent, the weight of Grayden's words hanging heavy in the air. Torchlight flickered across the worried faces gathered around the table, casting long shadows that seemed to embody the gravity of their situation.

"Grayden, be reasonable,"

Phillippe pleaded, his dark eyes narrowed. "We'll need every soldier available to us if we want to have any real chance of defeating the Shadow Queen. If we separate our resources now, our Snow Land soldiers will be killed. We need to solidify all of our armies and make one targeted attack. We can't risk the men."

Grayden glanced around the table, fuming. The faces of his allies—friends he'd fought alongside and trusted with his life—now seemed like obstacles. How could they expect him to wait to rescue Renya? Every second they were apart was excruciating for him, a physical ache that ate away at his very core. There was so much to be done before they amassed the forces from the other kingdoms. Triston and Esmeralda were still negotiating with the Spring Lands, their diplomatic efforts slowed by centuries of mistrust and political maneuvering. The Twilight Kingdom was trying to recoup the losses they endured, their once-mighty forces decimated by the Shadow Queen's surprise attack. It would take weeks—if not months—to launch a full attack on the Shadow Realm.

The realization made Grayden's blood run cold. Months of Renya in Cressida's clutches. Months of not knowing if she was safe, if she was suffering. The thought was unbearable.

Kalora seemed sympathetic, her gentle eyes filled with understanding. But even she nodded in agreement with Phillippe. "I know how hard this is,"

she said softly, reaching out to touch Grayden's arm. He jerked away, unable to bear the comfort. Kalora continued, undeterred, "But we can't afford to lose any men—not if we want to have a chance at vanquishing her once and for all."

Grayden launched to his feet, seething in anger. The chair behind him toppled backwards, the crash echoing through the chamber. In one fluid motion, he grabbed the dagger from his boot and threw it at the middle of the table. The blade whistled through the air, embedding itself in the thick wood with a resounding thunk. It quivered there, a physical manifestation of Grayden's frustration and pain.

Without another word, he stormed out of the room, leaving the rest of the attendees stunned into silence. The heavy door slammed behind him, the sound reverberating through the stone hallway.

His boots thumped noisily against the stone floor as he strode away, each step fueled by a potent mixture of anger, fear, and desperation. He headed towards his chambers, his mind racing with half-formed plans of rescue and revenge.

Grayden had just started to climb the staircase when a familiar figure appeared at the top. Selenia stood there, her arms crossed, a knowing look on her face.

"Brother, yelling and threatening won't get Renya back any faster,"

she said, her voice firm but gentle.

Grayden exhaled heavily, the fight draining out of him at the sight of his sister. He continued up the stairs, brushing past Selenia and pushing open the door to his room. He didn't invite her in, but he didn't need to. Selenia followed him inside, closing the door softly behind her.

The room was dimly lit, the fading afternoon light casting long shadows across the floor. Selenia took a seat beside the fireplace, the flames casting a warm glow on her face. She looked at Grayden meaningfully, waiting for him to speak.

He sighed and sat opposite her, his eyes fixed on his boots while the fire crackled and hissed. The anger that had fueled him moments ago was fading, leaving behind nothing but weariness.

"I just don't know what to do without her,"

he said, his voice hardly above a whisper. The admission felt like defeat, a weakness he couldn't afford to show to anyone else.

Selenia's face softened, empathy shining in her eyes. "I know. I feel the same way about—"

she paused, swallowing hard before continuing, "I just, I understand. But Grayden, she's alive. She's resourceful and brave. She'll be okay."

Grayden's face turned crimson, embarrassment washing over him as he recalled his tantrum in the council chamber. Renya was alive, and he had proof—he'd felt a flash of anger through their bond this morning. It was faint, like trying to hear a whisper across a crowded room, but it was there. A reminder that she was still fighting, still holding on.

His gaze shifted to Selenia, and a wave of guilt crashed over him. While he ached for Renya, at least he knew she was alive. Selenia had to come to terms with the fact that Jurel was gone, lost forever. They'd sent his body back to the Snow Lands so he could be laid to rest with his father. Selenia had cried and tried to accompany his body, but Grayden would take no more risks where her safety was concerned. He was needed here, and he would trust no one else with her protection.

"How are you doing, Selenia?"

he asked softly, realizing he'd been so consumed by his own pain that he'd neglected his sister's grief.

She shrugged, avoiding his gaze and looking into the fire. The flames danced in her eyes, masking the pain he knew lurked beneath the surface. "I'm managing,"

she said after a moment, her voice barely audible over the crackling fire.

A movement caught Grayden's eye, and he noticed a small white ball of fur curled up in front of the fireplace. The snow-white kitten was sleeping soundly, oblivious to the weight of sorrow that hung in the room.

Selenia noticed his gaze and changed the subject, a ghost of a smile touching her lips. "Have you named her yet?"

Grayden looked at the sleeping kitten, a pang of longing shooting through him. "Sunshine, I think."

Selenia scowled, momentarily distracted from her grief. "Grayden, that kitten is whiter than Almory's beard. Sunshine? Really?"

He looked down at his boots again, noticing for the first time how the leather was starting to scuff and peel. He would need to replace them soon. "It was Renya's nickname,"

he explained quietly. "Her aunt called her that."

Instantly, a blush of guilt crept up into Selenia's cheeks. "Of course—I'm sorry. I didn't think."

Grayden shook off her apology, not wanting to dwell on it. "What are you going to name yours?"

he asked, changing the subject.

"It's a he, and his name is Puffin,"

Selenia replied, a hint of defiance in her voice.

Grayden realized the connection instantly. Jurel's animal guardian had been an arctic puffin. The name was both a tribute and a reminder, a way for Selenia to keep a part of Jurel close. He opened his mouth to comment, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Enter,"

Grayden called, not taking his eyes off of Selenia. He watched as she composed herself, slipping on a mask of calm that he knew all too well.

The door cracked open, and Julietta peeked her head in. Her blonde hair caught the firelight, shimmering like starlight. "Are you busy?"

she asked, her voice hesitant.

"No,"

Selenia answered for both of them, and Julietta waltzed into the room, her violet gown swishing around her ankles.

Grayden studied Julietta as she approached. She was more pale than normal, he realized, the strain of recent events evident in the dark circles under her eyes. But her eyes themselves were exuberant, shining with an excitement that seemed out of place in the somber atmosphere of the room.

"I have some good news,"

she gasped, slightly out of breath as if she'd run all the way there. In her arms, she cradled a heavy tome, its cover ancient and weathered. The book looked as if it might crumble to dust at any moment, yet Julietta held it like it was the most precious thing in the world. "I think I've found something useful in breaking the blood promise."

Grayden's eyes widened, hope seizing his heart with such force that it was almost painful. "Really?"

he breathed, hardly daring to believe it.

She nodded eagerly, her enthusiasm infectious. "This book references the breaking of spells. It says here that 'spells broken under the light will always come to right.'"

Grayden and Selenia looked at her, confused. The cryptic words hung in the air, their meaning just out of reach. Then, like a bolt of lightning, understanding struck Selenia. Her mouth dropped open in surprise. "The Sun Realm?"

she asked, her voice a mixture of awe and disbelief.

"I think so,"

Julietta confirmed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I think it's referencing one of the missing Sun Realm Scrolls. The prophecy is only part of them. They also contain the secrets to powerful magic. Mother said that they were lost, but I think—"

"We leave at once,"

Grayden announced, cutting her off. He was already on his feet, slinging his sword over his shoulder with practiced ease. The weight of the blade was comforting, grounding him in the face of this new hope. "I'll take any chance. If these scrolls still exist, I will find them."

Selenia stood as well, her face set with determination. "I'm coming with you,"

she declared.

Grayden opened his mouth to protest, but the look in Selenia's eyes stopped him. She needed this, he realized. A purpose, a way to channel her grief into action. He nodded, accepting her decision.

"You'll need supplies,"

Julietta said, her practical nature asserting itself. "And a plan. The Sun Realm has been lost for centuries. You don't even know where to begin looking."

Grayden paused, considering her words. She was right, of course. They couldn't just charge off blindly, no matter how much he wanted to. "Gather what you can,"

he instructed. "Maps, provisions, anything that might help us locate the Sun Realm. We'll meet in the library in an hour."

Julietta nodded, clutching the ancient tome to her chest. "I'll see what else I can find about the scrolls,"

she promised before hurrying out of the room.

As the door closed behind her, Grayden turned to Selenia. The siblings shared a look of understanding. This was more than just a rescue mission now. It was a chance to turn the tide of the war, to save not just Renya, but all the kingdoms.