Page 48 of Kingdoms of Tides and Twilight

Sion gritted his teeth. “I care not for materialistic things, unlike you.”

Brandle’s lips curled into a smile, but Sion knew from experience that it was no such thing. “As much as I’d love to chat with you about the finer things in life, our queen has a request of us.”

Both of them? Sion was instantly on edge. He hoped to get a hawk or falcon to Grayden to warn him of Cressida’s plans to ambush them at the Twilight Kingdom. The task would be much more difficult with Brandle alongside him.

“What is it?” Sion asked, trying to calm his heart and keep his features disinterested.

“There is something our majesty requires from the human realm. She wishes for us to cross into the Snow Lands, through the portal there and retrieve it.”

Confusion came across Sion. “Didn’t she destroy the Snow Land portal? Didn’t she fear that Agatha would come back through?”

Brandle sneered. “How our queen accomplishes her goals is none of your concern. But, the old bat is no longer a problem. Queen Cressida bound her to the human world, so she can’t travel through the portal. She’s stuck in that hell for good.”

“I wouldn’t be so flippant about it, Brandle. I seem to recall just last week our queen was threatening to banish you there.”

Hatred crossed Brandle’s face, and Sion knew he touched a nerve. He watched as Brandle quickly pushed it down. “Worry about your own hide, Sion. Once our queen tires of your…skills…she’ll be done with you. I’m family, however. My place is beside her.”

Sion ignored him. He would be glad when Cressida finally relinquished her hold on him, even if she killed him. “So, when do we leave for this mission?”

“At dawn,” Brandle said, a sinister grin crossing his face. “Oh, and Sion? Since you’re going to be gone for a while, our queen told me to fetch you and bring you back to her bed. Once you return from our mission, you are to vacate this room and take up permanent residence in her chambers.”

Sion could barely swallow the horror down.

Chapter Twenty-Six

The air rushed from Renya's lungs as Selenia wrapped her in a bone-crushing hug. The younger woman's excited chatter filled the crisp morning air, her words tumbling out in a torrent of enthusiasm.

“Let me see it again!” Selenia demanded, gently grasping Renya's hand to examine the ring. The delicate silver band glinted in the pale sunlight, its snowflake centerpiece catching the light. “It's so beautiful,” she sighed, before a mischievous glint entered her eye. “But seriously, how come I didn't get our mother's ring?” She planted her hands on her hips, adopting an exaggerated pout.

Renya felt Grayden's arms snake around her waist from behind, his solid warmth a comforting presence at her back. His chest vibrated against her as he spoke, “You got everything else of hers. Mother left it for me, along with a note.”

A thoughtful expression crossed his face, one Renya had come to recognize as his 'piecing things together' look. “I've wondered if she and Father suspected I might be fate-bound. Father never pushed me very hard into a marriage alliance, even though it was well within his rights. And Mother left the ring to me...maybe they knew something I didn't.”

Phillippe scratched his head in an exaggerated gesture of contemplation. “Nah, they just liked you best,” he quipped, earning a playful punch from Grayden.

Renya couldn't help but smile at the siblings' easy banter. She noticed the change in Grayden's demeanor since their return from the hot springs, his mother’s ring securely on her finger. The tension that had simmered between him and Phillippe seemed to have evaporated, replaced by a lightness she hadn't seen in him before.

As they gathered for a quick breakfast before their departure, Renya's mind wandered to the journey ahead. The protective embrace of the mountains would soon give way to the harsh arctic winds of the open terrain. She layered her clothing carefully, hoping to ward off chill she knew awaited them.

“Well, it's time to get going,” Grayden announced, his eyes scanning the sky. “If we make good time, we might reach the Twilight Kingdom by this evening. I know Renya hates our travel sleeping arrangements.”

Heat rushed to Renya's cheeks at his words, and she caught Selenia dramatically covering her ears, her face scrunched in mock disgust.

The farewells were a flurry of embraces and well-wishes. Phillippe's hug surprised Renya with its warmth. “Take care of my brother,” he murmured, his voice gruff with emotion.

“I'll do my best,” Renya promised, tightening her arms around him briefly. The easy acceptance of this makeshift family warmed her heart, easing some of the homesickness that still lingered.

As they prepared to mount their horses, Renya noticed Selenia and Jurel engaged in an intense conversation nearby. Not wanting to interrupt their moment, she called out to Grayden, “Could you help me up on my horse?”

Selenia shot her a grateful look before turning back to Jurel, their heads bent close together as they spoke in low tones.

Finally, the time to leave had come, and Renya looked back as they left the mountain camp behind, sad to leave the little cabin.

The moment they emerged from the protective cocoon of the mountain pass, the wind hit them like a physical force. Renya gasped as the icy air bit at her exposed skin, grateful for the layers she'd donned.

Frost's hooves crunched confidently in the snow as they began their descent. Grayden led them along an eastern route, warning, “The terrain is a bit steeper here.”

Renya's breath caught in her throat as she took in the view. From their lofty vantage point, the Snow Lands stretched out before them in a dazzling expanse of white. The rising sun painted the sky in hues of pink and orange, its light reflecting off the snow in a breathtaking display.

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