Page 20 of Kingdoms of Tides and Twilight (A World of Sun and Shadow #2)

S elenia stood at the edge of the makeshift archery range, her breath coming out in small, visible puffs in the crisp mountain air. When Grayden had suggested that she learn archery, she had been incredibly excited.

She watched as Jurel demonstrated the proper stance for shooting, his muscular frame cutting an impressive figure against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Her heart fluttered in her chest, a mix of excitement and nervousness coursing through her veins.

“Are you ready to give it a try?” Jurel asked, turning to her with an encouraging smile that made her knees weak.

Selenia nodded eagerly, stepping forward to take the bow from him. As their hands brushed during the exchange, she felt a jolt of electricity run through her. Jurel's touch lingered for a moment longer than necessary, his dark eyes meeting hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.

“Remember,” he said, his voice low and husky, “keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.”

Selenia tried to focus on his instructions, but found herself distracted by his proximity as he moved behind her to adjust her stance. His hands on her shoulders were firm yet gentle, guiding her into the correct position. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, smell the earthy scent of leather and pine that clung to him.

“Like this?” she asked, her voice coming out breathier than she intended.

Jurel nodded approvingly. “That's it. Now, draw the string back to your cheek.”

Selenia followed his instructions, feeling the strain in her arms as she pulled the bowstring taut. Jurel's hand came up to steady her elbow, his touch sending shivers down her spine.

“Take a deep breath,” he murmured, his lips close to her ear. “Focus on your target, and when you're ready, release.”

Selenia tried to concentrate, but her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions. She let the arrow fly, watching with disappointment as it sailed wide of the target, disappearing into a nearby snowbank.

“That's alright,” Jurel said, his tone encouraging. “It takes practice. Let's try again.”

As they continued the lesson, Selenia found herself torn between the thrill of Jurel's attention and a nagging sense of unease. She couldn't shake the memory of his reaction when they first arrived at the camp, the way his face had fallen when he saw her. It was as if her presence was an unwelcome complication in his carefully ordered world.

“You're improving,” Jurel remarked as one of Selenia's arrows grazed the edge of the target. “You have a natural talent for this.”

Selenia beamed at the praise, her cheeks flushing with pride and exertion. “Do you think I could become as good as you someday?”

A shadow passed over Jurel's face, so quick Selenia almost missed it. “With enough practice, perhaps,” he said, his tone carefully neutral. “Though I hope you'll never need to use these skills in battle.”

The comment caught Selenia off guard. “Why not? I want to be able to defend myself, to fight alongside you and my brothers if needed.”

Jurel's eyes darkened slightly. “It's not a woman's place to be on the battlefield, Selenia. Your brothers would never allow it, and neither would I.”

Selenia felt a flicker of irritation at his words. “I'm not some delicate flower that needs protection,” she argued. “I'm just as capable as any man here.”

Jurel's expression softened, but there was a patronizing edge to his smile that made Selenia's stomach twist uncomfortably. “I know you're strong, Selenia. But there are other ways you can contribute, ways that don't put you in harm's way.”

Selenia bit back a retort, instead focusing on placing another arrow. As she drew back the string, she tried to channel her frustration into her aim. The arrow flew straight and true, embedding itself near the center of the target with a satisfying thud.

“Excellent shot!” Jurel exclaimed, genuine pride in his voice. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a brief, celebratory embrace. Selenia melted into his touch, her earlier irritation momentarily forgotten.

As they continued practicing, Selenia found her thoughts drifting to the future. She imagined herself by Jurel's side, no longer just the little sister of his commander but a true partner. In her mind's eye, she saw them facing challenges together, building a life in the Snow Lands.

“What are you thinking about?” Jurel asked, noticing her distant expression.

Selenia hesitated, suddenly feeling shy. “I was just wondering...what do you think will happen after all this is over? After we defeat the Shadow Queen?”

Jurel's face grew serious, his gaze fixed on the distant mountains. “I suppose we'll need to rebuild, strengthen our defenses. There will always be threats to face, enemies at our borders.”

“But what about...us?” Selenia pressed, her heart pounding. “Have you ever thought about settling down, starting a family?”

A flicker of discomfort passed over Jurel's features. “Selenia,” he began, his tone cautious, “you know my duty is to the Snow Lands, to your brothers. I can't afford distractions.”

Selenia felt as if she'd been doused with ice water. “Am I a distraction?” she asked, hating how small her voice sounded.

Jurel sighed, running a hand through his hair. “That's not what I meant. I just...my life is here, in the camp, training soldiers and defending our borders. It's all I've ever known, all I want to know.”

Selenia nodded, trying to hide the hurt his words caused. She had always dreamed of adventure, of seeing the world beyond the Snow Lands. The thought of being confined to a military camp for the rest of her life felt suffocating.

“I understand,” she said, forcing a smile. “Let's keep practicing. I want to hit the bullseye before we're done.”

As they resumed their lesson, Selenia threw herself into the task with renewed vigor. She focused on the physical sensations—the tension in the bowstring, the strain in her muscles, the biting cold of the wind on her face. It was easier than dwelling on the growing sense that perhaps she and Jurel wanted very different things from life.

The sun was beginning to dip towards the horizon when Jurel called an end to their practice. Selenia's arms ached pleasantly from the exertion, and despite the emotional turmoil churning inside her, she felt a sense of accomplishment.

“You did well today,” Jurel said as they packed up the equipment. “You're a quick learner.”

Selenia smiled, warmth blooming in her chest at his praise. “I had a good teacher,” she replied, looking up at him through her lashes.

Jurel's expression softened, and for a moment, Selenia thought he might kiss her. Her heart raced as he leaned in closer, his hand coming up to brush a stray lock of hair from her face. But at the last second, he seemed to think better of it, pulling back with a rueful smile.

“We should head back,” he said, his voice rough. “It'll be time for the evening meal soon.”

As they walked back towards the camp, Selenia found herself hyper-aware of the space between them. It was as if an invisible barrier had sprung up, keeping them just out of reach of each other. She longed to bridge that gap, to take his hand in hers, but something held her back.

“Selenia,” Jurel said suddenly, stopping in his tracks. “I...I'm glad you're here. Even if I didn't show it when you first arrived.”

Selenia's heart leapt at his words. “Really?” she asked, hope blossoming in her chest.

Jurel nodded, a conflicted expression on his face. “It's complicated. Having you here, it makes me want things I can't have, things that don't fit with the life I've chosen.”

“Maybe you don't have to choose,” Selenia suggested, taking a step closer to him. “Maybe we could find a way to make it work, to have both.”

For a moment, Jurel looked tempted. His eyes searched hers, filled with a longing that made Selenia's breath catch. But then he shook his head, the walls coming back up behind his eyes.

“It's not that simple,” he said softly. “We have responsibilities, duties to fulfill. We can't always put our own desires first.”

Selenia felt as if she'd been punched in the gut, but she forced herself to nod. “I understand,” she said, even though part of her wanted to scream that she didn't, that she couldn't accept a life defined solely by duty and obligation.

As they resumed their walk back to camp, Selenia found herself at a crossroads. Part of her wanted to fight for Jurel, to prove to him that they could find a way to reconcile their different dreams. But another part, a small voice growing louder by the moment, whispered that perhaps this wasn't the grand romance she had imagined it to be.

The camp came into view, bustling with activity as soldiers prepared for the evening meal. Selenia caught sight of Renya and Grayden across the yard, their heads bent close together in conversation. The easy intimacy between them, the way they seemed to fit together so naturally, made Selenia's heart ache with a mixture of envy and longing.

“Thank you for the lesson,” she said to Jurel as they reached the edge of the camp. “I really enjoyed it.”

Jurel smiled, reaching out to squeeze her shoulder affectionately. “Anytime,” he replied. “You're a natural with a bow. Who knows, maybe someday you'll be teaching me a thing or two.”

As he walked away, Selenia watched him go, her emotions a tangled mess. She loved Jurel, or at least she thought she did. But for the first time, she found herself wondering if love was enough, if shared feelings could bridge the gap between two fundamentally different visions of the future.

Shaking off her melancholy thoughts, Selenia squared her shoulders and headed towards her brothers. Whatever doubts and uncertainties plagued her heart, she was still a princess of the Snow Lands, sister to the ruler and the light bringer. She had a role to play in the coming battles, a duty to her people and her family. For now, that would have to be enough.

As she joined Grayden and Renya, Selenia pushed thoughts of Jurel and their complicated relationship to the back of her mind. There would be time to sort out her feelings later. For now, she had a war to prepare for, a world to save, and a family to support. And perhaps, in the midst of it all, she would find her own path, one that led to a future as bright and boundless as the snow-capped peaks surrounding them.