Page 23 of Mountains of Mist and Magic

I'm glad you're here with me.

There's nowhere else I would rather be, Little Fawn.

They approached the cell carefully, and Grayden made sure to keep Renya behind him. As soon as the golden bars came into view, they could see movement in the shadows of the cell.

“Why, if it isn't my daughter and my dashing son-in-law.”

Cressida came into view, slinking towards the front of the bars. The second she touched them, hot sparks of white magic flittered and spat out at her. She hissed as one of the sparks hit her cheek, burning before it went out.

Grayden tried not to let her sickeningly sweet voice get to him. Every time he heard it, he wanted to reach through the bars and strangle her until her face turned red and the light behind her eyes extinguished.

His anger instantly disappeared as the image of a blonde babe swaddled in a white fur blanket entered his mind. Then his mind flashed, and he saw a majestic elkten, drinking from a pond peacefully. He was puzzled for a split second, until he realized that Renya was feeding him soothing images down their connection.

It worked. He breathed deeply and watched as Cressida appraised Renya. Renya shrunk back behind Grayden, suddenly nervous.

She knows. She knows about the baby.

How?

I don't know.

A shrill laugh came from the cell. “Why, I can't believe it! I'm going to be a grandmother. How precious! Who knew you had it in you, sweet prince?”

This time, not even Renya could stop him. He raced to the cell and a bit of ice came forth from his outstretched fingers, freezing the bars as he reached in and grasped Cressida by the neck.

She sputtered and laughed again, and then Grayden felt Renya pull him back. The white-hot magic of the bars instantly burned again, and Grayden looked at his fingertips, amazed that he had managed to bring forth a bit of magic.

Cressida massaged her throat, glaring at Grayden. Renya put her hand on his arm, pulling him back. He desperately wanted to know what kind of magic Cressida possessed that allowed her to sense his wife's pregnancy. Renya, however, just ignored Cressida's observation, neither confirming nor denying the accusation.

“We're here to find out what you know,” Renya said, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “If you know nothing, then you're worth nothing to us. And I'll dispose of you.”

Cressida inched back to the bars, still wearing her tight leather outfit from the battle. Her hair was unkempt, and she looked like she had aged several years in the month she had been in their custody. With no make-up, no hair dye, and no elaborate jewelry, she looked every bit her age.

“What would you like to know?” she purred, still eyeing Renya carefully. Grayden resisted the urge to force Renya upstairs and handle this himself. But he knew Renya was competent, and that it was she who had the best chance of getting information from the former Shadow Queen. But he also worried about their child. It was going to be a hard balance for the next six months, between letting Renya continue to grow in her power and confidence, versus keeping her and their baby safe.

“The information you promised right as I tried to stab you in the chest,” Renya fumed.

Cressida moved even closer to the bars, careful not to touch them this time. “I want something in return.”

“No!” Grayden snarled.

Cressida simpered slightly. “Fine. Kill me then. My knowledge will die with me.”

Renya sighed, and Grayden could feel the rush of anger and then the helplessness she felt.

“What do you want?” Renya asked.

“Freedom. After the magic is restored, I want you to promise to release me.”

“Absolutely not!” Grayden didn't care what Renya's opinion was. They could leave the magic broken as far as he was concerned.

“But if I prove myself?” she asked, her voice as slippery as a snake. “If you find that, perhaps, you can trust me?”

Renya hesitated, and Grayden could hardly believe it. “You're not actually contemplating this?”

What choice do we have?

We could kill her.

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