Page 56 of Kingdoms of Tides and Twilight

Nothing happened. Well, not nothing exactly. Her head throbbed from clenching her eyes and teeth, and for a split second, she feared she might be sick all over the castle floor.

“Renya, you have to relax,” Grayden said. “I can feel your tension, and it's giving me a migraine.”

Tell me about it. It's even worse over here.

He looked at her, hearing her voice inside his head. He laughed, and suddenly Renya felt warm.

“There it is!” Kalora exclaimed excitedly.

Renya watched as a tiny trail of golden dust flew from her fingers. If she hadn't been staring intently, waiting for something to happen, she might not have noticed it.

“What did you do differently?” Kalora asked, approaching Renya. Her canary-yellow gown swished around her petite ankles, her slippers silent against the gray stone of the throne room floor. The chamber was empty, save for the single throne placed on a dais. It was made of glass, not clear and transparent, but a deep blue. Lapis lazuli stones decorated the edges, and plush cream velvet lined the seat.

“I'm not sure.” Renya bit her lip, trying to remember. Grayden had laughed down their bond. Was that it?

“Try it again.”

Renya focused, trying to relax yet search for the ball of light in her body. Suddenly, confidence overcame her, and she grasped the sensation of electricity vibrating throughout her. She concentrated on the feeling, then pushed it out through her fingertips. Golden sparks streamed out, illuminating the dimly lit room.

“I did it!” She looked at Grayden. He smiled, pride evident on his face. Renya beamed as she returned his grin.

You just needed confidence.

Renya looked at him.Was that you?

He just smiled in return.

Kalora looked thrilled. “Keep trying. I want you to be able to summon it at will, with no delay. Reach inside and feel the connection to our ancestors. Our magic is ancient, a gift from the Gods. Do you know the legend?”

Renya shook her head. Kalora looked at Grayden, appalled. “You didn't even tell your mate about the source of magic?”

Grayden looked embarrassed. “I can't explain something I don't even know.”

Kalora sat on the edge of the dais, her gown trailing at her side. She took a deep breath, as if building anticipation for her captive audience.

“In the beginning, the Gods ruled everything. All of our kingdoms, our seasons, and elements were governed by them. Each God possessed a special power, making them unique. The Snow Land God had the power of frost, wielding cold and ice over her domain. The Sun Realm God did the same, shining light over his lands and filling his corner of our world with sun. And so forth. But each God was lonely. Unable to find happiness ruling their lands alone, they came together and decided to fashion a mate for each of them, their perfect match in every way—this is where our fated bonds come from.”

Renya shivered at her proclamation, noticing a look of awe on Grayden's face.

Kalora continued. “The Gods were content with their Fate—which is what they called them. Eventually, the 'T' was dropped, and they became simply 'Fae.' This is our origin. As years passed, the Gods and the fae reproduced, creating children with powers. But just as the Gods struggled with loneliness, so did their offspring. So, the Gods ensured that every fae was created with a mate—a matching half to continue their lineage. But something happened, unknown even to the first fae, and the Gods disappeared, leaving their descendants to steward their world alone. Over time, the magic waned.”

“The fading?” Grayden guessed.

“Correct. The fae waited for the Gods' return, hoping they would restore their power. However, the first fae from the Sun Realm had a powerful connection with the Sun God. He loved her more than any other God loved their fae, and he left within her the secret to reviving the magic, hoping to reunite with her.”

At this, Renya's heart raced. Grayden's excitement was palpable through their bond, and they both had the same thought simultaneously.

The Sun Realm Scrolls.

“The secret is said to foretell the arrival of a woman from another world, with the power to restore the ancient magic. This part, I think you already know.”

“Yes,” Renya whispered, barely audible in the quiet recesses of the throne room.

“So, you see, that is how our magic came to be, and how fae were created. Now, Renya, I want you to try again.”

Renya squared her shoulders, determined. She pushed her braid over her shoulder and closed her eyes again. Calm. She needed to be calm. She breathed in and out. In and out. Her heart rate slowed, and her breathing steadied. This time, when she reached for her power, it came more quickly, and the light that erupted from her was brighter and lasted longer before fading.

“Bravo!” Kalora called. “It will get easier each time. Now that you've found where it resides in you, you'll be able to bring it forward much more easily.”

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