Page 19 of Kingdoms of Tides and Twilight (A World of Sun and Shadow #2)

R enya's bones ached with a deep, penetrating chill as she shifted uncomfortably atop Frost's back. The excitement of horseback riding had long since faded, replaced by a weary resignation. She found herself longing for the warmth and security of Grayden's presence behind her, but necessity had placed her on this dull, plodding mare that struggled to keep pace with the others.

Her eyes drifted to Grayden, who rode beside her. She observed his vigilant gaze as it scanned the horizon before inevitably returning to her. It was a pattern she'd come to recognize: a sweeping assessment of their surroundings, then back to Renya, with occasional glances towards Selenia. The intensity of his attention both warmed and unsettled her.

“Are you faring okay, Little Fawn?” Grayden's voice cut through the whistling wind, his emerald eyes piercing through her as if he could read her very thoughts.

Renya shifted again, wincing slightly. “I'm okay...just sore everywhere.” The words had barely left her lips before she caught the smug grin spreading across Grayden's face. He winked playfully, pursing his lips in a way that made her heart skip a beat.

“Don't worry, we'll stop soon,” he assured her, his eyes flicking to the sun's position. “It'll be dark within the hour.”

As if on cue, Selenia's mount trotted up beside them, her riding cloak billowing dramatically behind her. “I'm hungry,” she announced, fixing Grayden with a pointed look.

Grayden sighed, a mix of exasperation and fondness in his voice. “You always are. There looks to be a clearing up ahead. We'll stop there for the night.”

The group made their way to the clearing, relief washing over Renya as Grayden helped her dismount. Her legs felt like jelly, and she was grateful for his steady support. As they began unpacking, Dimitri finally caught up with them. Renya felt a wave of gratitude for the healer's presence. While she had managed to stitch up Grayden after the tygre attack, the thought of having to tend to any more serious injuries made her stomach churn. Now that Grayden was her mate, the idea of causing him even the slightest pain was almost unbearable.

Selenia approached, her fiery hair whipping in the wind as she pushed back her hood. Renya handed her a waterskin, which the younger woman accepted eagerly. After a large gulp, Selenia's face contorted in disgust. “Bleh! That's just water!”

Renya couldn't help but chuckle. “What did you think it was?”

“To be honest, I was hoping for some fireale,” Selenia admitted, handing the waterskin back with a dramatic sigh.

As they made their way through the snow to help with the tents, Selenia's sharp eyes took in the sleeping arrangements. “There's only two tents?” she asked, her tone a mix of surprise and suspicion. “How is that going to work?”

Grayden's response was swift and matter-of-fact. “Simple. I'm going to share with Dimitri, and you'll share with Renya.”

Selenia's relief was palpable. “Okay, as long as I don't have to share with you,” she quipped, eyeing Grayden. “Or worse, you and Renya together...”

Grayden's annoyance was clear in his clipped tone. “I can control myself and so can Renya.”

“Sure, whatever,” Selenia retorted, grabbing her sleeping roll and disappearing into the first tent.

Renya turned to Grayden, unable to hide her disappointment. “We're sleeping separately?”

A hint of a smile played at the corners of Grayden's mouth. “You're the one who wanted her to come with us.”

Dinner was a subdued affair, the group's exhaustion tangible in the quiet that settled over them. Renya and Grayden sat side by side, their knees touching throughout the meal, a small comfort in the face of their impending separation.

Saying goodnight at the tent flap proved more difficult than Renya had anticipated. The bond between them seemed to pull tighter, making the prospect of parting, even for a few hours, almost painful. They lingered in the frigid air, neither wanting to be the first to break away.

“It won't be for that long, Little Fawn,” Grayden murmured, his hand coming up to gently stroke her cheek. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver through her that had nothing to do with the cold. “As soon as we get to the mountain camp, I'll make it well worth the wait.” He pulled her in for a tender kiss, both reverent and gentle, before reluctantly releasing her. Renya could feel his eyes on her as she crawled into the tent beside his sister.

Sleep proved elusive for Renya. She tossed and turned, her body aching from the cold and the absence of Grayden's comforting warmth. She hadn't realized how quickly she'd grown accustomed to the inferno of heat his body produced. Shivering beneath the pile of furs, she strained her ears for any sound from outside the tent. Without Grayden by her side, a creeping anxiety took hold, making every rustle of wind sound like a potential threat.

Selenia's occasional snores punctuated the silence, the younger woman seemingly unbothered by their surroundings. Renya envied her ability to fall into such a deep sleep, remembering a time when she too had been less aware of the world's dangers.

After what felt like hours of restless attempts at sleep, Renya felt an inexplicable pull drawing her outside the tent. Moving with careful stealth so as not to disturb Selenia, she slipped out into the night. The sight that greeted her was both expected and comforting: Grayden's dark figure sat by the fire, his gaze fixed on the dancing flames as he nursed a steaming beverage.

“Couldn't sleep?” she asked softly as she approached.

Grayden looked up, his eyes softening at the sight of her. “Too much on my mind.” He patted the spot next to him on the log, and Renya gladly accepted the invitation. The moment she was within reach, Grayden enveloped her in his arms, his body heat instantly chasing away the chill that had settled in her bones. He placed a soft kiss on her temple, and Renya felt the tension in her body begin to melt away.

“What are you thinking about?” she prompted gently, sensing the weight of his thoughts.

Grayden's hand moved to the sheath of his sword, a habit Renya had noticed more frequently since her return. It was as if he was constantly preparing for battle, ready to defend her at a moment's notice. The thought both warmed her heart and filled her with a sense of unease.

“The alliance with Triston,” he began, his voice low and contemplative. “Getting the other kingdoms together. Ensuring we are training our men properly. Trying to figure out how to defeat an army of dragons. How to best protect you and Selenia.”

The length of his concerns made Renya's heart ache. “I wish I could help you,” she said, feeling suddenly inadequate in the face of such monumental challenges.

Grayden turned to her, his gaze intense and sincere. “Your presence is enough help. You give me strength. Hope for the future. You are the most important thing in my life. Trust me, Little Fawn, you are the reason I keep fighting.”

Renya snuggled deeper into his embrace, finding comfort in the solid wall of his chest. After a moment of comfortable silence, she ventured a question that had been lingering in her mind. “Do you think about our future?”

“Of course I do,” Grayden replied, his fingers absently tracing the length of his sword sheath. “I think of our future a lot. I can't wait until the Shadow Queen is defeated and we can feel safe at the lodge. I can't wait to show you off to the people of the Snow Lands, dance with you at a grand ball, and wake up beside you every morning.”

The picture he painted made Renya's heart swell with longing. “I certainly wish I could wake up beside you tomorrow.”

A confident grin spread across Grayden's face. “Ah, can you not sleep without me, Little Fawn?”

“I can't,” Renya admitted. “You're like my own personal fireplace.”

Grayden's laughter rumbled through his chest. “I was hoping you'd miss something else.”

“That too,” Renya conceded, rising to her feet with reluctance. “I better head back to bed. I know tomorrow will be another long day of riding.”

The next four days seemed to stretch endlessly, each hour a test of endurance as they pushed further into increasingly inhospitable terrain. While Selenia and Grayden appeared to adapt more easily to the biting cold, Renya felt its effects acutely. Her hands and feet remained in a constant state of numbness, her cheeks perpetually flushed from the harsh wind.

Each night, before they retired to their separate tents, Grayden would remove Renya's boots by the fire, his strong hands working to massage feeling back into her frozen feet. These tender moments of care made their nightly partings all the more difficult. Renya yearned to sleep in Grayden's arms, to feel his warm breath against her neck as she burrowed into the safety of his embrace.

The journey proved more challenging than any Renya had undertaken thus far. As the path grew steeper and rockier, the horses' progress slowed, requiring more frequent rests as they ascended to higher elevations.

On the fifth day, Renya awoke with a renewed sense of determination. Barring any unforeseen complications, they were set to reach the mountain camp by evening. The thought of a reprieve from their grueling travel filled her with a mix of relief and anticipation.

The ascent to the camp consumed half the day, the trail becoming a series of increasingly tight switchbacks as they climbed higher and higher. The thinning air began to take its toll on Renya, leaving her gasping for breath even as she simply sat atop her mount. Her lungs burned with each inhalation, the frigid air seeming to settle in her chest and triggering frequent coughing fits.

In some sections, the snow gave way entirely to vast sheets of ice, forcing them to dismount and lead their horses across treacherous terrain. Frost, true to her obstinate nature, refused to obey Renya's commands, necessitating Grayden's intervention. As she watched him struggle with the stubborn mare, Renya felt a pang of longing for Starlia's steady temperament.

As the sun began its descent towards the horizon, they finally approached the pass leading to the camp. The scent of woodsmoke reached Renya's nostrils before any visual signs of the encampment came into view. Cresting the final slope, an awe-inspiring sight unfolded before them.

An enormous mountaintop loomed ahead, its face split by a crevasse that stretched several stories high. The natural contours of the surrounding terrain had concealed it from view until this moment, making its sudden appearance all the more dramatic. As they drew nearer, Renya's eyes widened at the sight of a vast, snow-covered landing that opened up before them, flanked on either side by majestic mountain slopes.

A hawk circled overhead, its piercing cry cutting through the thin air before it descended to land on a large, man-made perch. Another of its kind already rested there, its keen eyes surveying the bustling camp below with lazy interest.

Renya's gaze swept across the open area, taking in the sheer scale of the operation. Hundreds of soldiers milled about, engaged in various activities: sharpening weapons, practicing archery, tending to cooking fires, and sparring with one another. A herd of horses, their coats thick and shaggy from life at the timberline, grazed on sparse vegetation at the camp's edge. Along the outskirts, several dozen wooden cabins stood resolute, their backs pressed against the harsh, jagged mountain face.

The reality of the camp far exceeded Renya's expectations. She had envisioned a modest field of tents housing perhaps a few dozen men. Instead, she found herself facing a well-established, efficiently run training facility that, despite its remote location, hummed with purpose and activity.

Before Renya could fully process the scene before her, a blur of crimson and velvet streaked past, accompanied by an excited cry.

“Jurel!” Selenia's voice rang out as she raced towards one of the campfires. Renya's eyes quickly found the young man in question, his face a mask of shock as Selenia launched herself into his arms. A flush of embarrassment colored Jurel's cheeks before fading as he awkwardly returned the embrace.

Renya glanced at Grayden, noting the tightening of his jaw at the display. Sensing his discomfort, she decided to attempt the calming technique he had used on her after her nightmare. Focusing on the serenity of their snow-covered surroundings, she took a deep breath, channeling a sense of tranquility. With careful concentration, she directed this feeling towards Grayden, towards that special place inside her where their bond resided.

Her mating mark tingled and pulsed as she maintained her focus, regulating her breathing. To her amazement, she watched as Grayden's shoulders visibly relaxed, a look of confusion followed by peace crossing his handsome features. His breathing fell into sync with hers, and after a moment, his eyes met hers, understanding dawning in their depths.

Renya offered a guilty smile, but Grayden's response was a warm laugh as he dismounted. He helped her down from her horse, pulling her close and placing a quick, affectionate peck on her icy cheek.

“Thank you, Little Fawn,” he murmured, his hands at her waist drawing her hips flush against his. “I know that was you.”

“I'm enjoying this mating bond,” Renya admitted, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “I can manipulate your emotions a bit too easily.”

Grayden's gaze darkened, taking on a sensual edge. “Can you tell what I'm feeling now?” he asked, his voice low and husky.

Renya leaned into his warm embrace, her body responding to his proximity. “Yes. Because it's pretty much what you always feel,” she breathed.

Grayden tipped her chin up, his intent clear as he leaned in. “You're not wrong, my mate.”

Just as their lips were about to meet, a booming voice cut through the air. “Grayden!”

They both looked up to see a powerfully built man striding towards them, a large sword at his hip and a metal breastplate adorning his chest. As he drew near, he dipped into a low bow before Renya, making a sweeping gesture with his arm.

“Mistress Renya, it's so nice to finally meet you,” he said as he straightened, taking her gloved hand and pressing a kiss to the leather. “We received a hawk from Almory telling us of your return to our lands.”

“It's nice to meet you too,” Renya replied, her eyes darting to Grayden for guidance on the proper etiquette. But Grayden's attention remained fixed on his brother, his voice carrying a note of correction.

“Not mistress. My mate.”

Confusion clouded Phillippe’s eyes as they flickered between Renya and Grayden. Renya took the moment to study him more closely. He stood a few inches shorter than Grayden but was more thickly muscled, his body a testament to rigorous physical training. Unlike Grayden's unruly locks, his jet-black hair was cropped close to his scalp. His skin tone was darker, likely a result of extended exposure to the elements.

As the man's mocha-colored eyes continued to dart between them, seeming to search for some visible sign of their bond, Grayden pulled down his glove to reveal the glistening sun mark on his wrist.

The sight left the man momentarily speechless, his mouth agape as he struggled to process this revelation. When he finally found his voice, it was thick with disbelief. “You're...fate-bound? How? And your mark is the sun? Does this mean—”

“That Renya is who I thought she might be? Yes,” Grayden confirmed, a note of pride in his voice. “She's not just my mate but a princess of the Sun Realm.”

Renya felt heat rise to her cheeks at Grayden's words. The title of 'princess' still felt foreign to her, a mantle she wasn't sure she was ready to bear. Despite her regal attire—the sweeping velvet cloak and jeweled snowflake clips adorning her braid—she still saw herself simply as Renya. Writer. Light bringer. Mate of Grayden. These identities were far easier to accept than 'princess.'

Grayden squeezed her hand reassuringly as the man—whom Renya now realized must be Phillippe—regarded her with renewed interest. Without warning, Phillippe stepped forward and pulled her into a bear hug. Through their bond, Renya sensed Grayden's tension spike. Instinctively, she channeled calming energy towards him, feeling his muscles relax as Phillippe released her.

“Well, that means you're pretty much my sister,” Phillippe declared, clapping Grayden on the back. His eyes twinkled mischievously as he added, “If this ugly brute ever gives you a reason to cry, just come see your big brother and I'll straighten him out.” He punctuated his words with a wink, eliciting a low growl from Grayden.

Eager to diffuse the building tension, Grayden steered the conversation in a new direction. “So, Phillippe, tell me how the training is going,” he prompted, his tone making it clear he was ready to focus on matters of strategy.

Phillippe's demeanor shifted, becoming more serious as he surveyed the camp. “There’s a matter about some maps that I need to discuss with you privately, but other than that, the new recruits are doing well,” he reported. “Jurel and Charly have been training them hard, and another batch of recruits from the eastern borderlands arrived two days ago. Honestly, I'm impressed you were able to pull so many men together.”

“I can be pretty persuasive,” Grayden replied, a hint of pride in his voice.

Phillippe chuckled. “Of course you can. How else could you have managed to convince such a pretty woman to be your mate?”

Before Grayden could retort, Selenia approached the group, Jurel close behind. His face still bore a faint flush from their earlier greeting. Selenia threw her arms around Phillippe, who returned her embrace warmly. Watching their interaction, Renya felt a pang of envy mixed with admiration for the close-knit family before her. She couldn't help but wonder what it might have been like to grow up with siblings, to have that built-in support system even after losing their parents. Her own childhood, with only Aunt Agatha for company, suddenly seemed even lonelier in comparison.

“How long are you planning on staying here?” Jurel asked, his eyes never leaving Selenia. Then, turning to Grayden with a hint of disapproval, he added, “And Grayden, why in the Gods' names did you bring the women with you?”

Renya caught the fleeting look of hurt that crossed Selenia's face at Jurel's words. She felt a surge of protectiveness towards her new sister-in-law, wishing she were close enough to give Jurel a sharp elbow to the ribs for his thoughtless comment.

Grayden's voice was steady as he explained, “This isn't just a visit to check out the recruits. We are stopping over and resting for a few days before we go through the pass to the Twilight Kingdom.”

Phillippe's eyebrows shot up in surprise. “The Twilight Kingdom? Why are you going there?”

“I know we haven't had time to talk,” Grayden began, his tone patient, “but Renya has her full powers back and we need someone to help train her.”

“Kalora?” Phillippe guessed, understanding dawning on his face.

Grayden nodded, glancing at Renya. “Exactly. My magic is too weak, and I hardly know anything about her magic. We haven't even really seen a physical manifestation of it since she came into her powers.”

Phillippe's brow crinkled. “Then how do you know she has them?”

Frustration welled up inside Renya. She was tired of being talked about as if she weren't present, as if her powers were some abstract concept to be debated. “Because I created a cave-in,” she interjected, her voice sharp with irritation as she crossed her arms defensively.

Phillippe's eyes widened, impressed. “I'm sorry for questioning you, Renya,” he said, his tone genuinely apologetic. “I'm just surprised, that's all. You bring us and our people hope. That's something new for us of late. We haven't had much hope at all, and here you are, powerful and a descendant of the Sun Realm. It's just...almost unbelievable.”

Renya felt her anger dissipate, replaced by a mix of understanding and frustration. She sighed, uncrossing her arms. “I understand. I'm just frustrated because I'm supposed to have these magical abilities but all I've managed to do is knock down a cave, and that was by accident.”

Phillippe's expression softened. “Don't worry, Queen Kalora can help you. She knows more about the origins of magic than any of us.” He patted her arm reassuringly. “You'll be pushing Grayden around with your magic soon enough. I can't wait for that day.”

“She'll be able to kick your ass too,” Grayden added, shooting Phillippe a pointed look.

“Now, now, boys,” Selenia interjected, her laughter cutting through the tension. “Let's not let Renya see how our family really is. She might leave us for good. I don't know why she stays with Lord Boring anyways.”

Grayden's lip twitched, a mischievous glint entering his eye. “It's the sex,” he deadpanned.

Selenia's eyes went wide with horror. “Oh my Gods! Grayden! That's disgusting! Why would you say that to me?”

“Maybe now you'll keep your mouth shut for a while,” he replied, looking entirely too pleased with himself for having finally bested his sister in their verbal sparring.

Selenia stomped away in mock outrage, Jurel following close behind as if tethered to her by an invisible string.

Renya looked up at Grayden, torn between the urge to scold him and the desire to laugh at the siblings' antics. Deciding to play along, she rose on her tiptoes to whisper hotly in his ear, “It's definitely the sex.”