Page 42 of Kingdoms of Tides and Twilight

He groaned before rising from the mattress. He held out his hand and Renya allowed him to pull her to her feet. Another gentle kiss and he was out the door.

However, before he could find Phillippe, chaos erupted in the camp. The impostor Sabin was gone, having either accomplished his mission or fled upon realizing his cover was blown.

As Grayden issued orders alongside Phillippe, sending men out to track the spy, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. They would face this threat as they had faced all others – together.

When Renya joined them, asking if they needed to leave, Grayden felt a surge of pride at her strength. Despite the danger, she remained calm and focused.

“Yes, I think we should leave tomorrow,” he decided, already planning their next move. “Sabin, or whoever he is, was here this morning for count so it'll take him several days to reach the Shadow Realm.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Cressida's ruby red heels clacked against the dark marble floors, each step a percussion of power and frustration. She paced back and forth in the throne room, her indigo eyes narrowed to dangerous slits, casting terrifying glances at anyone unfortunate enough to cross her path. The air around her crackled with tension, thick and oppressive like the moments before a devastating storm.

Ever since her return from the cave-in at the Tidal Kingdom, the Shadow Realm court had been walking on eggshells. Servants scurried out of her way, and even Sion had been conspicuously absent despite her repeated summons. The thought of his disobedience only served to fuel her already simmering rage.

Her gaze flicked to the ornate clock suspended between two ivory columns, its intricate hands moving with agonizing slowness. A sharp breeze whistled through the open-air room, a reminder of their lofty perch atop an unscalable cliff. The throne room, suspended high above the land below, was a testament to her power and ambition. Jagged ridges jutted out from the cliff face, a natural defense that, combined with her magic, made her domain impenetrable.

Finally, the sound of footsteps on the delicate sky bridge caught her attention. Brandle entered, crossing the glass walkway that hung precariously above the valley floor. Cressida felt a flicker of satisfaction at the barely concealed fear in his eyes as he approached.

“Is that idiot here?” she sneered, fury radiating from her very core. The air around her vibrated with unchecked magical energy, and she saw Brandle flinch almost imperceptibly. With great effort, she reined in her power, forcing it back beneath her skin. She wouldn't allow anyone, not even Brandle, to see her lose control.

“My queen...” Brandle began, his eyes darting nervously to her still-tingling fingertips.

“It's nothing,” she snapped, cutting him off. “Where is Geralt? I was told he was on his way.”

“Sion's magic was too weak to bring him up to the tower. They took the spiraling passage.”

Cressida's frown deepened, a new thread of suspicion weaving through her thoughts. She had given Sion enough magic to carry out her bidding. If he was using it elsewhere...Her fingers twitched, itching to wrap around his throat and squeeze the truth from him.

As the clock chimed, its musical sound echoing through the vast chamber, Cressida glided to her throne. The spindly structure of twisted black marble looked more like solidified smoke than a seat of power, but as she settled onto it, crossing her legs regally, there was no doubt about who was in control.

The sound of approaching footsteps drew her attention. Geralt's heavy tread contrasted sharply with Sion's quick, graceful gait. As they entered, both men bowed deeply before her. With a lazy flick of her wrist, she motioned for Sion to stand slightly behind her, a silent reminder of his place.

“Rise and tell me what you've learned,” she commanded, her voice cold and imperious.

Geralt stood, his eyes carefully avoiding her piercing gaze. “Just as you suspected, the girl is with Snowden. The older brother is mostly healed from the dragon wound, and the younger Snowden seems unharmed. The girl seems fine as well. They were all up at their winter encampment in the mountains.”

Cressida leaned forward slightly, her interest piqued. “The girl too? Snowden brought her with him to the mountains?”

“Yes,” Geralt confirmed, a hint of hesitation in his voice. “Rumor has it among the camp that they are fate-bound.”

The words hit Cressida like a physical blow. For a moment, her control slipped entirely, and thick, inky mist poured from her fingertips, plunging the room into shadow. The air crackled with raw power, a manifestation of the rage and...something else...that boiled within her. With monumental effort, she pulled the magic back, leaving the room in tense silence save for the whistle of mountain wind.

When she finally spoke, her voice was unnaturally calm, each word carefully measured. struggling to keep control. “I think it’s time we pay them a little visit. How well-armed is their encampment?”

“It’s actually fairly well held. With mountains all around, the base itself is protected by the natural terrain. Also, it’s so high up that I don’t think our dragons would be able to fly or make it up there. With our forces alone, it would be hard to invade. But, I do have another idea—”

“Then do share it. And quickly before I lose my patience.”

“One of the men said he overheard that the younger Lord Snowden and the girl are going to be heading to the Twilight Kingdom within the next few days. That would be a much easier victory.”

Cressida drummed her nails along the spidery throne. “The idea does have merit. Sion, tell the troops to be ready to travel within the next week.”

“Yes, my queen,” he said, slinking away towards the sky bridge.

“Oh, and Sion?” Cressida said, staring at him harshly. “I expect you to be in my bed tonight. And if you give me another excuse, I’ll have your head on a spike.”

Without waiting for a response, Cressida rose and swept from the throne room. Bringing forth her magic, she transported herself far beneath the high tower into the sublevels of her lands. She approached a thick door, reinforced by magic. With a flick of her fingers, the door disappeared only to reappear behind her.

---