Page 31 of Mountains of Mist and Magic

“That won't be necessary,” Cressida's silky voice cut through the chaos. She stood calmly in her cell, one hand extended to pat Brutus's snout. “Brutus, that's enough. Leave.”

The dragon blinked, letting out a questioning howl that reverberated through Renya's bones.

Cressida nodded, her face a mask of serene control. “Take Belinia and Berline with you. Go to the mountains and stay there until I've called for you.”

“Renya, release Belinia,” Cressida commanded, her eyes flicking to the restrained dragon. “You won't be able to hold her for more than a few minutes.”

As if to prove Cressida's point, Belinia thrashed violently, snapping several strands of magic. Renya felt each break like a physical blow, her strength waning.

Be careful, Little Fawn, Grayden's voice echoed in her mind, laced with concern.

I think it will be okay. She could have escaped easily, but she didn't, Renya replied, her thoughts tinged with uncertainty.

Grayden frowned, but he didn't question her judgment.

Renya glanced at her aunt, who also looked skeptical, but then nodded at Renya as well. They both pulled their magic into themselves, the effort leaving them gasping. The remaining bonds around Belinia disappeared with a sound like shattering glass.

“Good,” Cressida said, as the dragons disappeared from the sublevels. The beat of their wings echoed through the tunnels, growing fainter as they took flight. “Now, you can either invite me into your home, and give me a guest room where I can stay and you can watch me, or I can call my dragons back and disappear right now through this tunnel. The choice is yours.”

Renya's stomach turned. She could never trust Cressida. But...she could have easily escaped on the back of Brutus, yet she didn't...

Renya heard Grayden in her head, trying to argue what an insane decision that would be, but she tuned him out, looking at her aunt. Out of all of them, Agatha knew her sister the best, and knew what she was capable of. Renya liked to think that it was possible that Cressida could be redeemed, but it was a risk she wasn't prepared to take on her own.

“Auntie?” Renya met Agatha's eyes and understanding flashed between them.

“You know how I feel, Renya. I've never been able to kill her, even back in the Sunset Lands. She's my sister. Can we trust her? I honestly don't know. But the choice has to be yours.”

Phillippe had finally stopped hacking at the bars of the enclosure. “I vote we kill her. This is the third damn dragon attack I've witnessed.”

Grayden glared at his brother. Renya just put her hands to her head.

“I'm trying to think,” she said, rubbing her temples.

“There's no rush, Renya. We can fill in the tunnel and leave her here a bit longer,” Grayden offered.

“That won't work, boy,” Agatha said. “Her dragons are here. She can basically free herself any time she wishes. So, in my mind, it doesn't really matter. But letting her into the lodge? That decision is not mine.”

Before Renya could give her answer, Almory and Dimitri entered the room. Both men seemed shocked at the damage and horrified at the scene before them. Esmeralda trailed behind, a bit breathless. Bringing up the rear was Tumwalt, who looked like a scared, lost lamb. Renya wasn't sure what her aunt saw in him, but it wasn't any of her business.

“Does anyone need healing?” Dimitri asked, quickly appraising the group.

“I do,” Cressida crooned. “I need my powers back.”

“Stuff it,” Grayden responded.

“I don't think anyone is seriously injured. Probably just some minor bruises and scratches. Phillippe's got some burns from the sparks on the magic bars—”

“I'm fine,” Phillippe quickly answered, cutting Renya off mid-sentence.

“We need to see if Sion and Selenia—” she continued.

“They're okay,” Tumwalt answered. “I saw them on the north hill.”

“Well, other than some bruises and scrapes it sounds like we're all okay.”

But as soon as Renya uttered the words, she wondered if anything would ever truly be okay again.

Chapter Sixteen

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