Page 40 of Mountains of Mist and Magic

“Phillippe, you're not making any sense,” Sion said, his voice tinged with frustration. “If you care for Esmeralda, why is that a problem?”

There was a long pause, and Esmeralda held her breath, straining to hear.

“Because I've never felt this way before,” Phillippe finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “It terrifies me. And I'm...well, you know my history with women.”

“That's in the past,” Sion countered. “Esmeralda knows who you are now.”

“Does she?” Phillippe's voice was heavy with doubt. “I feel like I'm deceiving her somehow. She deserves someone better, someone who hasn't...been with half the women in the kingdom.”

Esmeralda's heart raced. She knew of Phillippe's reputation but hearing him speak of it so plainly made her stomach churn.

“You're being too hard on yourself,” Sion said. “Esmeralda cares for you, that much is obvious. And you clearly care for her.”

“That's the problem,” Phillippe groaned. “I can't give her what she wants. I'm not the man she thinks I am. I don't think I can ever be that man.”

Tears sprung from her eyes as she ran towards her room, seeking refuge in her borrowed chamber. Phillippe's words echoed in her mind: “I can't give her what she wants.”

Chapter Twenty

“Are you sure, father?” Renya looked up at him, already noticing more dark circles under his eyes. Those that knew him before said that he had aged in the human world considerably, but it was nothing like what was happening now. The burden of maintaining unity among the kingdoms, cloaking his own city, and his past use of magic were taking a heavy toll on him. This made her more determined than ever to train with him extensively and assist in ruling the Sun Realm as soon as possible.

“Yes. I'm sure. I've reinforced the library with magic so she can't do anything more than summon books. Do you hear that, Cressy?”

Cressida looked over her shoulder at the small bookcase, lips pressed tightly together, and her teeth clenched.

Renya chuckled inwardly at her mother's annoyance, glad to see that there was someone who could get under her skin as easily as she got under Renya's. If her mother made one more crack about her relationship with Grayden, or some sexually suggestive comment, Renya might just end her for good.

Cressida looked at Renya, and Renya tried to drop her smile, but it was too late. Cressida had seen her enjoyment of her father's mockery.

“Did our daughter tell you she's pregnant?” Cressida sneered in retaliation.

“What the hell?” Renya screeched, mouth agape. “You don't go around telling people that!”

Cyrus's eyes immediately softened as he looked at Renya. “Is that true? Am I going to be a grandfather?”

Renya glared at Cressida, fighting the urge to stab her with the knife she still carried with her in her bralette. Then she looked back at Cyrus, surprised to see that his eyes were misty. She sighed deeply. “Yes. I'm pretty sure. Although, I suppose it's been confirmed now.” Another sharp look at her mother.

“You have two distinct traces of magic within you,” Cressida said simply. “He was bound to find out sooner or later.”

It was Cyrus's turn to direct his anger towards his former mate. “My magic is spread a bit thin thanks to the messes you've made in this world.”

Cressida snorted, running a chipped nail down one of the book's spines. She had finally changed out of her black leather, but in a simple brown gown, with frizzy, graying hair and no make-up, she wasn't as ferocious looking as she once was.

Cressida removed the book, opening it and skimming the contents. “I've been doing my best to restore our world to what it once was.”

“You say that, but I don't see it,” Cyrus argued.

Cressida didn't respond, replacing the book and plucking another from the shelf.

Cyrus grabbed Renya's arm gently and led her away, just out of earshot of Cressida.

“I'm sure you would have rather told me yourself—”

Renya stammered. “I was going to, I swear—”

Cyrus waved his hand. “Hush, daughter. I'm not angry. I'm...just so happy.” He pulled her tightly into his chest, and Renya let herself relax against him for a split second. It felt so good to have an actual father, and one who seemed to accept everything about her and loved her unconditionally.

He pulled away, then looked at her. “How do you feel about it?”

---