Page 66 of Kingdoms of Tides and Twilight

He nocked an arrow, took aim, and let it fly. The shaft whistled through the air, but the rider deflected it with a casual wave of their hand, dark magic shimmering around them.

“Fall back!” Grayden shouted to the nearby soldiers. “Protect the castle entrance!”

As the men scrambled to obey, Grayden felt a surge of panic through his bond with Renya. He couldn't make out specific details, but he sensed danger within the castle walls.

Torn between his duty to lead the defense and his desperate need to protect Renya, Grayden made a split-second decision. “Diggory, take command here. I need to check on the castle's interior defenses.”

Diggory nodded, understanding the unspoken concern for the royal family and guests. “Go, my prince. We'll hold the line here.”

Grayden clapped him on the shoulder before turning back towards the castle. As he ran, he dodged debris from the crumbling walls, narrowly avoiding a falling stone arch. The sounds of battle grew more intense, and he could hear the terrifying screeches of dragons getting closer.

Suddenly, a group of Shadow Realm soldiers burst through a breach in the western wall. Their armor was as black as night, seeming to absorb the light around them. Grayden drew his sword, its familiar weight offering a small comfort.

The first soldier charged at him, blade raised high. Grayden parried the blow, the impact jarring his arm. He countered with a swift strike to the soldier's exposed side, finding a gap in the dark armor. The man fell with a cry, but two more took his place.

Grayden fought with all the skill and strength he possessed, his sword a blur of motion. He dispatched one opponent after another, but for each one that fell, it seemed two more appeared. The fatigue of battle began to set in, his arms growing heavy with each swing.

A crossbow bolt whizzed past his ear, embedding itself in the stone wall behind him. Grayden ducked and rolled, coming up in time to block another sword strike. He could feel sweat stinging his eyes, the smoke making it hard to breathe.

Through it all, he remained acutely aware of Renya's presence in his mind. Her fear and determination fueled his own, giving him strength when his muscles screamed for rest. He had to keep fighting, had to clear a path back to her.

As he felled another Shadow Realm soldier, Grayden felt a sudden spike of terror through the bond. Something was very wrong. He needed to get to Renya, now.

“Retreat to the inner bailey!” he shouted to the nearby Twilight Kingdom soldiers. “We need to regroup and strengthen our defenses!”

The men began to fall back in an orderly manner, covering each other's retreat. Grayden fought rearguard, his sword flashing in the firelight as he held off the encroaching enemy.

Just as they reached the inner bailey gates, a deafening roar split the air. Grayden looked up to see one of the dragons perched atop the highest tower of the castle, its rider barely visible in the darkness.

A chill ran down his spine. The battle was far from over, and the worst was yet to come. As he helped barricade the gates, Grayden reached out through the bond once more.

Stay safe, Renya. I'm coming.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Renya grabbed her dagger, but before she could move, dark blue tendrils spread from Kalora, and the room went completely dark. Renya wanted to scream, but she felt Kalora grab her hand and drag her down the hall in the direction of the sublevels. While their guards took on the intruders, Kalora and Renya raced to catch up with Selenia and Julietta. Just as they rounded the final corner, they heard Selenia scream.

Renya halted, the sound piercing through her heart. Up ahead, a Shadow Realm soldier was brandishing a sword right towards Selenia.

“No!” Renya screamed and pulled deep inside her. Her magic burst out of her fingertips, the gold wisps hanging in the air but not doing anything. The soldier looked at Renya's failed magic and laughed, and charged at Selenia, his sword aimed for her chest. Selenia's eyes went wide, and Renya froze, unable to believe the scene before her.

Renya heard the impact of the sword, heard the steel break through flesh.

But it wasn't Selenia's.

Jurel stood there, sword through his chest, mouth open and eyes fading.

Kalora plunged her weapon into the side of the Shadow Realm soldier's stomach, and he fell to the ground.

Renya ran to Jurel as he fell. Selenia sank to the floor, in shock.

“Selenia, help me stop the bleeding,” she said, cutting the fabric of the skirt that partially covered her trousers with her dagger.

Selenia stared, unable to comprehend what she saw. Jurel lay flat on the ground, blood pooling behind his back.

“Selenia, did you hear me? Pull out the sword, and I'll apply pressure.”

But before Renya or Selenia could act, Kalora put her hand on Renya's shoulder. Kalora silently shook her head. Renya then realized the hopelessness of the situation. There was no healer nearby, and no modern medicine. He was losing blood much too fast.

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