Page 14 of Realms of Shadow and Sun

Selenia noticed his gaze and changed the subject, a ghost of a smile touching her lips. “Have you named her yet?”

Grayden looked at the sleeping kitten, a pang of longing shooting through him. “Sunshine, I think.”

Selenia scowled, momentarily distracted from her grief. “Grayden, that kitten is whiter than Almory's beard. Sunshine? Really?”

He looked down at his boots again, noticing for the first time how the leather was starting to scuff and peel. He would need to replace them soon. “It was Renya's nickname,” he explained quietly. “Her aunt called her that.”

Instantly, a blush of guilt crept up into Selenia's cheeks. “Of course—I'm sorry. I didn't think.”

Grayden shook off her apology, not wanting to dwell on it. “What are you going to name yours?” he asked, changing the subject.

“It's a he, and his name is Puffin,” Selenia replied, a hint of defiance in her voice.

Grayden realized the connection instantly. Jurel's animal guardian had been an arctic puffin. The name was both a tribute and a reminder, a way for Selenia to keep a part of Jurel close. He opened his mouth to comment, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Enter,” Grayden called, not taking his eyes off of Selenia. He watched as she composed herself, slipping on a mask of calm that he knew all too well.

The door cracked open, and Julietta peeked her head in. Her blonde hair caught the firelight, shimmering like starlight. “Are you busy?” she asked, her voice hesitant.

“No,” Selenia answered for both of them, and Julietta waltzed into the room, her violet gown swishing around her ankles.

Grayden studied Julietta as she approached. She was more pale than normal, he realized, the strain of recent events evident in the dark circles under her eyes. But her eyes themselves were exuberant, shining with an excitement that seemed out of place in the somber atmosphere of the room.

“I have some good news,” she gasped, slightly out of breath as if she'd run all the way there. In her arms, she cradled a heavy tome, its cover ancient and weathered. The book looked as if it might crumble to dust at any moment, yet Julietta held it like it was the most precious thing in the world. “I think I've found something useful in breaking the blood promise.”

Grayden's eyes widened, hope seizing his heart with such force that it was almost painful. “Really?” he breathed, hardly daring to believe it.

She nodded eagerly, her enthusiasm infectious. “This book references the breaking of spells. It says here that 'spells broken under the light will always come to right.'“

Grayden and Selenia looked at her, confused. The cryptic words hung in the air, their meaning just out of reach. Then, like a bolt of lightning, understanding struck Selenia. Her mouth dropped open in surprise. “The Sun Realm?” she asked, her voice a mixture of awe and disbelief.

“I think so,” Julietta confirmed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I think it's referencing one of the missing Sun Realm Scrolls. The prophecy is only part of them. They also contain the secrets to powerful magic. Mother said that they were lost, but I think—”

“We leave at once,” Grayden announced, cutting her off. He was already on his feet, slinging his sword over his shoulder with practiced ease. The weight of the blade was comforting, grounding him in the face of this new hope. “I'll take any chance. If these scrolls still exist, I will find them.”

Selenia stood as well, her face set with determination. “I'm coming with you,” she declared.

Grayden opened his mouth to protest, but the look in Selenia's eyes stopped him. She needed this, he realized. A purpose, a way to channel her grief into action. He nodded, accepting her decision.

“You'll need supplies,” Julietta said, her practical nature asserting itself. “And a plan. The Sun Realm has been lost for centuries. You don't even know where to begin looking.”

Grayden paused, considering her words. She was right, of course. They couldn't just charge off blindly, no matter how much he wanted to. “Gather what you can,” he instructed. “Maps, provisions, anything that might help us locate the Sun Realm. We'll meet in the library in an hour.”

Julietta nodded, clutching the ancient tome to her chest. “I'll see what else I can find about the scrolls,” she promised before hurrying out of the room.

As the door closed behind her, Grayden turned to Selenia. The siblings shared a look of understanding. This was more than just a rescue mission now. It was a chance to turn the tide of the war, to save not just Renya, but all the kingdoms.

Chapter Nine

This time, Renya focused. Her hatred of Cressida was still deeply ingrained in every soul-shattering breath she took, but she used her fury to fuel her magic. The golden energy crackled at her fingertips, responding to the intensity of her emotions. She could feel it coursing through her veins, a living force that both terrified and exhilarated her.

Several days had passed since Sion suggested taking advantage of Cressida's teachings, and Renya felt more and more confident in her magical abilities. The raw power that had once been so unpredictable was slowly bending to her will. However, her relationship with Cressida was nothing but bitterness and intense detestation. Every lesson was a stand-off, a battle of wills that left Renya emotionally and physically drained. While Renya couldn't technically disobey her, she found it easier and easier to bend the rules of what she could get away with. It was a dangerous game, but one that gave her a small sense of control in her captivity.

The throne room, where they conducted their lessons, was bathed in a silvery light. Shadows danced on the walls, cast by the flickering of magical orbs that hung suspended in the air. The atmosphere was tense, charged with the conflicting energies of Renya's golden magic and Cressida's dark power.

“I'm not seeing control,” Cressida insulted, after Renya missed hitting an elaborate urn with her powers. Her voice dripped with disdain, each word carefully chosen to cut deep. “I want to see you aim and hit something for once.”

Renya's jaw clenched, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. The urge to lash out was overwhelming, a tidal wave of anger threatening to break free. Then, a thought struck her—a dangerous, rebellious idea.

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