Page 24 of Mountains of Mist and Magic

Grayden! You promised to let me handle things. I'll handle this. You must trust me.

Fine.

He didn't like it, but he knew Renya would wear him down anyways. He'd just have to make sure to pay extra close attention to Cressida. Perhaps he would see if Cyrus had any way of ensuring she was telling the truth. The faster Renya was reunited with her father, the better. As much as leaving the Snow Lands saddened him, he couldn't be separated from Renya. And there was no one else to lead the Sun Realm once her father was gone. She was the sole heir.

Besides, it would be good for Phillippe. He would make a good ruler, and if things kept progressing with Esmeralda, he would need to make a home for her, and the winter encampment was no place for her long term. She was used to the tropical heat of her kingdom, and Grayden knew the only reason she stayed in the Snow Lands was for Phillippe. At least in the lodge she would be warm and secure. Besides, what kind of woman wanted to live with her brother forever?

A pang hit him as he considered Selenia. A grown woman now living with her two brothers. Of course, she had Sion. They could either stay at the lodge or move to the village. Or, if they were able to restore the magic, he could even build them an ice palace. He chuckled inwardly at the thought.

Renya's commanding voice brought him back to the cold and dank sublevels.

“Fine. Tell us what you know.”

“Well...it isn't exactly what I know, but how to find out what we need to know.”

“I told you, Renya. More tricks!” Grayden's irritation was at an all-time high.

“Not a trick. There's a reason for all of my actions. Getting the dragons, acquiring magic...it's all to pay the debt.”

“Debt? What debt?” Renya looked at her mother, fire in her eyes.

“The debt to bring back the magic. There's a toll that must be paid, and it requires great quantities of magic. I had acquired quite a bit...but I was going to return it.”

“It wasn't yours to take,” Renya snarled.

“It wasn't yours either, daughter.” Cressida looked sternly at Renya while reminding her of the source of her own power.

“Much of my magic comes from the sun. My father's realm.”

“That's true...but there is darkness in your magic as well.”

Grayden changed the subject as soon as he saw the doubt enter Renya's face. “How do we make this payment?”

“That's the thing.” Cressida licked her lips, eyes gleaming in the soft light in the room. “I don't know exactly.”

Grayden growled under his breath.

“But I know how to find out. We need to go back to the Sun Realm.”

At least that's convenient, Grayden thought.

“Okay, tell us what we're looking for and I'll get it,” Renya said.

“That's another problem. I need a certain book. But there's magic protecting it. Only magic I can break.”

“And just how will you break this magic without your powers?” Grayden already knew where this was going.

“I might need them back for just a bit,” Cressida grinned, her smile practically reaching her ears. “Just for a teeny, tiny bit.”

“Fine.”

“Fine? Renya, you can't be serious!”

“I'll have my father there. He will know exactly what to do and how to contain her.”

“Oh yes, good old daddy,” Cressida mocked. “Long live King Cyrus.”

Chapter Thirteen

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