Page 24 of Kingdoms of Tides and Twilight (A World of Sun and Shadow #2)

“W ake up, Little Fawn.”

Renya groaned, pulling the fur over her head as consciousness reluctantly returned. Her entire body throbbed, a testament to the grueling training session with Phillippe. Every muscle felt as if it had been stretched to its limit, then pummeled for good measure. She attempted to roll over, but even that small movement sent a wave of discomfort through her side.

With monumental effort, she managed to turn towards Grayden's voice and cracked open an eyelid. The dim light of the cabin felt like daggers to her sleep-addled eyes.

“Go away,” she mumbled, her voice muffled by the furs. “I'm tired and sore.” The words were half-joke, half-plea. She squeezed her eyes shut again, trying to ignore the gentle strokes against her back, even as her body instinctively leaned into his touch.

Warm lips pressed against her mouth, and for a moment, Renya tried to push him away. But as always, her resistance was short-lived. Almost against her will, she found herself responding, her lips moving against his with a mind of their own.

All too soon, Grayden broke away. Renya finally opened her eyes fully, blinking away the last bit of sleep that clung to her eyelashes. He sat on the edge of the mattress, already fully dressed, his eyes twinkling with amusement and something else...anticipation?

“Is it time to go?” she asked, finally convincing her tired limbs to cooperate.

“Yes, but not to the Twilight Kingdom. It's still late evening.”

Confusion settled in on Renya's face. “Then why are you waking me up?” she asked, already preparing to burrow back under the inviting warmth of the furs.

Before she could retreat, Grayden scooped her up with ease, settling her onto his lap. The sudden change in position sent a fresh wave of soreness through her muscles, but the warmth of his body was too comforting to resist.

“Because I promised to take you to see the springs,” he explained, his voice low and tinged with excitement.

Renya's mind flashed back to their earlier conversation. “That was before we found out about the spy,” she reminded him, concern creeping into her voice.

“I know,” Grayden acknowledged, his hand rubbing soothing circles on her back. “But I think it will make your muscle aches better.”

The prospect of soaking in hot water suddenly seemed incredibly appealing.

Renya sat up straighter, her eyes scanning the cabin for her discarded clothes. She spotted them across the room where she'd hastily shed them earlier, eager to escape under the warm covers after the tense dinner.

The memory of the campfire meal brought a frown to her face. Grayden's lingering irritation with Phillippe had cast a pall over the gathering, and Phillippe had barely acknowledged her, guilt radiating from him. Only Selenia had kept the conversation flowing, her excited chatter about the Twilight Kingdom and her training session with Jurel filling the awkward silences.

“Are you sure it's safe?” Renya asked as she pulled on a pair of softly lined leggings and a baby blue tunic. The fabric felt cool against her skin, a stark contrast to the lingering warmth of the furs.

Grayden nodded, his expression reassuring. “I think we'll be okay. The springs are only a couple of miles away, and they're pretty secluded. Very few people know they're there. And the people that do know won't bother us.”

Renya nodded, bending to tuck the steel blade into her boot. The weight of the dagger was becoming familiar, but the cold press of metal against her leg still sent a small shiver through her. It was a constant reminder of the dangers that lurked beyond their temporary haven.

Grayden retrieved her thickest cloak, its midnight blue fabric trimmed with pristine white fur. As he pinned the ends together with his elkten emblem, a soft smile played at his lips.

“What is it?” Renya asked.

“I just love seeing you with that little pin,” he admitted, his eyes warm with affection.

The memory of her time in the Tidal Kingdom surfaced, and Renya's hand unconsciously went to the pin. “I almost lost it,” she said softly. “Sion said Cressida would take it from me and punish me over it. He said she's still angry at your refusal of her.”

Grayden's forehead creased as he fiddled with his own emblem. “I really thought she just desired my lands and my lineage.”

“Apparently not,” Renya replied, pulling on a pair of dark leather riding gloves. “You seemed to have wounded her pride. Sion gave it back to me after the cave collapsed. I used it to get safe passage within the Tidal Kingdom as well.”

Pride swelled in Grayden's chest, the emotion so strong that Renya could feel it echoing through their bond. “I'm glad it served you well, Little Fawn.”

“It did,” she affirmed, her voice soft with gratitude. “Even in your absence, your name protected me.”

As Grayden slung his sword over his shoulder, Renya braced herself for the chill that awaited them. The moment the door opened, a blast of icy air rushed in, cutting through her layers and raising goosebumps on her skin. She stepped outside, following Grayden's lead as they made their way through the quiet camp.

The night air was crisp and clean, carrying the scent of pine and snow. Around them, the camp was mostly still, save for a few men talking in hushed tones around smoldering campfires. Their faces glowed orange in the firelight, reminding Renya of the jack-o-lanterns she used to carve with Aunt Agatha. The memory brought a bittersweet pang to her heart.

As they passed the armory and kitchen cabin, Renya's eyes were drawn to the small barn where the horses were kept. She spotted Frost's beautiful coat and moved towards the stall, but Grayden's hand on her arm stopped her.

“We're riding together this time,” he said, leading her to Damion's stall. He handed her a curry comb, and Renya set to work brushing the stallion's coat while Grayden expertly saddled him.

Once they were both settled on Damion's back, Grayden urged the horse into a leisurely pace along the outskirts of the encampment. They skirted the edges of the rocky terrain before passing through the large crevice in the mountain wall that marked the camp's boundary.

Beyond the camp, a profound silence fell over them. The only sound was Damion's steady breathing and the soft crunch of snow beneath his hooves. As they descended the mountain trail, the path gradually leveled out, leading them towards a still forest. The trees, their silver bark barely visible beneath a thick layer of snow, grew sparsely in the high elevation.

Renya closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. The crisp scent of pine filled her lungs, evoking memories of Christmases past and the brief time she'd spent in the Pacific Northwest. For a moment, homesickness washed over her, but it was quickly replaced by a sense of rightness. This world, so different from the one she'd left behind, was becoming home.

As they entered a large clearing, Renya's eyes widened in wonder. The snow-covered ground reflected the moonlight, bathing everything in a soft glow. Steam rose from the center of the clearing, hovering in the cold air like a misty veil.

Grayden brought Damion to a halt, and they dismounted, their feet sinking into the soft snow with a satisfying crunch. Renya approached the edge of the pond, crouching down to get a better look. She peeled off one glove, her fingers already protesting the cold, and cautiously dipped her hand into the water.

A gasp of surprise escaped her as warmth surrounded her hand, the stark contrast to the frigid air sending a pleasant shiver up her arm. Before she could fully process the sensation, strong arms wrapped around her shoulders from behind. Grayden's chin came to rest on top of her head, and she felt, rather than heard, his contented sigh.

Renya leaned back into his embrace, savoring this moment of peace and solitude. With their impending journey and the looming threat of the Shadow Queen, such moments were precious and rare. She closed her eyes, focusing on the steady beat of Grayden's heart against her back, allowing it to ground her in the present.

After a long moment, Renya broke the silence, her voice tinged with playful sarcasm. “Well, was your plan to get me out here and freeze me to death? Because if that's the case, you should have just left me in the forest when you first found me.”

Grayden's laughter rang out, deep and joyous. Renya realized with a start that she'd never heard him laugh quite like that before. Even in the face of their challenges, he seemed different—lighter, more carefree.

“You first,” he said, releasing her and leaning against a large rock outcropping, his arms crossed and a challenging glint in his eye.

Renya surveyed the heated pool before her. Large boulders and rocks surrounded it, creating a natural shelter from the harsh mountain elements. As she drew closer, the faint scent of sulfur tickled her nose.

Taking a deep breath, Renya decided to be bold. She unclasped her cloak, draping it over one of the large rocks at the pool's edge. She could feel Grayden's gaze on her, hot and intense, as she continued to undress.

She removed her gloves and carefully extracted the dagger from her boot, placing it within easy reach at the water's edge. Her boots followed, landing with a soft thud in the snow. As more of her skin was exposed to the biting cold, Renya's movements became faster, eager to submerge herself in the inviting warmth of the spring.

What had started as a teasing show for Grayden quickly became a race against the elements. With a final, swift movement, she shed her undergarments and practically dove into the water. The transition from freezing air to scorching warmth was so abrupt it nearly took her breath away.

As she submerged herself to her neck, a sigh of relief and pleasure escaped her lips. The hot water immediately began to work its magic on her sore muscles, easing away the aches from her training session. She turned to Grayden, unable to keep a smug smile from her face.

Not to be outdone, Grayden began to undress, his eyes never leaving hers. Renya watched, mesmerized, as he shed his layers. Even in the frigid temperature, his body was a marvel, all corded muscle and quiet strength. For a moment, she allowed herself to simply admire him, marveling at how this man—this powerful, kind, sometimes infuriating man—had become such an integral part of her life in such a short time.

“Okay, you've proven your point,” she called out, her voice a mixture of admiration and impatience. “You're all kinds of masculine. You can brave the cold. I get it. Now come in here and kiss me.”

Instead of carefully entering the water as she had, Grayden moved to the far end of the pool and dove in headfirst. The splash sent a cascade of water around Renya, momentarily obscuring her vision in a cloud of steam. For a second, panic fluttered in her chest as she lost sight of him.

Then, suddenly, strong arms encircled her waist from behind, pulling her close. Grayden's body was already warm, and Renya couldn't hold back a moan of pleasure as his hands began to work at her shoulders, kneading away the tension. The combination of the hot water and his expert touch was heavenly, and Renya felt herself truly relaxing for the first time in days.

His calloused hands, hardened by years of wielding a sword, moved across her skin with surprising tenderness. Every few minutes, he would pause his ministrations to place a soft, wet kiss against her back, each one sending a shiver of delight down her spine.

The peaceful moment was shattered by the sharp crack of a breaking branch. Renya felt Grayden tense behind her, his hand already reaching for the blade he'd left at the pool's edge. Her heart hammered in her chest as she scanned the tree line, searching for any sign of threat.

A flash of white caught her eye, and she let out a relieved laugh as a small rabbit darted across the clearing, its nose twitching curiously. Beside her, she heard Grayden's sigh of relief as he replaced his sword in its sheath.

“I was worried there for a second,” he admitted, moving back to her side and resuming his gentle massage.

Renya turned to face him, taking in the sight of his wet hair, tousled and glistening in the moonlight. His eyes, impossibly green, met hers with an intensity that made her breath catch. He leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to her collarbone before his hands resumed their exploration of her body, starting with her fingers.

As he worked, Renya closed her eyes, losing herself in the sensations. The warmth of the water, the soothing pressure of his hands, the crisp mountain air on her face—it all combined to create a moment of perfect contentment.

Suddenly, she felt something cold and hard slide onto her finger. Her eyes flew open in confusion, looking down to see Grayden silently slipping a slender ring onto her hand.

For a moment, Renya's mind went blank with shock. She looked up, meeting Grayden's gaze. His eyes, usually so confident and sure, now held a mix of uncertainty and hope that made her heart clench. Through their bond, she could feel his heart racing, his emotions a swirling mix of anticipation and fear.

A thousand thoughts raced through Renya's mind in that moment. It was too soon, wasn't it? She'd only known him for such a short time. She'd never even considered marriage before. Everything in her life had changed so rapidly, she'd barely had time to process it all.

But as quickly as these doubts surfaced, they were washed away by a wave of certainty. She knew, with a bone-deep surety, that she would never love anyone else the way she loved Grayden. The idea of spending her life with anyone else was unthinkable. Suddenly, marriage didn't seem like a scary, archaic concept. It felt right. Natural. Inevitable.

As the seconds ticked by, she could feel Grayden's anxiety rising through their bond. Before she could find her voice, he broke the silence, his words barely audible over the whisper of wind across the water.

“Renya?” he asked, his voice uncharacteristically timid, his eyes searching hers for any hint of her thoughts.

“Yes,” she breathed, her voice thick with emotion. “Yes, I will marry you.”

The transformation on Grayden's face was instantaneous. Joy, relief, and love washed over his features, and before Renya could say another word, she found herself caught up in his embrace. This wasn't his usual controlled, gentle hug. This was wild, almost desperate, as if he was trying to pull her into himself, to merge their very souls. A rain of kisses fell upon her face—her hair, her eyelids, the tip of her nose, her forehead—before finally claiming her lips in a kiss that left her breathless. It was tender yet passionate, gentle yet demanding, a perfect reflection of the man himself.

When he finally pulled back, his hand came up to cup her cheek, his thumb tracing her cheekbone with reverence. “I promise,” he said, his voice low and fervent, “I will spend the rest of our lives devoted to your happiness.”

“You better,” Renya replied, her tone light but her eyes serious as she pressed her hand against his, leaning into his touch.

For the first time since he'd slipped it on, Renya took a moment to really look at the ring. It was a delicate silver band, intricate braids of white metal weaving around its circumference. At its center sat a large snowflake, a perfect match to her hair clips. Even in the soft moonlight, it sparkled and gleamed, catching the light as she turned her hand to admire it from every angle.

“It was my mother's,” Grayden said quietly, a note of uncertainty creeping back into his voice. “If you want something new or something else, we can—”

“Absolutely not,” Renya cut him off firmly. “It's perfect.”

Relief washed over Grayden's face. It was clear that while he wanted her to be happy, this ring held special significance for him. The fact that she loved it seemed to lift a weight from his shoulders. Grayden pressed his forehead against hers, his eyes closed as he took a deep, steadying breath. Renya felt the intensity of his emotions through their bond—joy, relief, love, and a fierce protectiveness that made her feel simultaneously cherished and slightly overwhelmed.

The water stilled around them as they stood like that, the steam rising around their hips, creating a cocoon of warmth in the frigid night air. Renya tilted her chin up, capturing Grayden's lips in a kiss that quickly ignited into something more passionate. She pressed herself against him, the heat of the water nothing compared to the fire building between them.

Every intimate encounter they'd shared so far had been slow, gentle, almost reverent. But now, Renya felt a burning need that demanded more. As if sensing her urgency, Grayden's mouth left hers, trailing a path of searing kisses down to the hollow of her throat. A moan escaped her lips, echoing in the quiet night. Her fingers tangled in his hair, still damp from his earlier dive into the pool.

Without warning, Grayden scooped her up, one strong arm supporting her bottom. Instinctively, Renya wrapped her legs around his waist, her ankles locking behind his back. Water cascaded down her skin, but she barely registered the cold, too caught up in the heat of the moment.

Grayden groaned, the sound rumbling through his chest. “No matter how many times I have you,” he murmured against her skin, “it's never enough.”

Their coupling was intense, passionate, a physical manifestation of the commitment they'd just made to each other. Renya lost herself in the sensations, every touch, every movement amplified by the bond they shared. When they reached their peak together, Renya buried her face against Grayden's neck, muffling her cries of pleasure.

As their heartbeats slowly returned to normal, Renya clung to Grayden, reluctant to let go. The reality of what had just happened—not just their lovemaking, but the proposal—was starting to sink in. A mix of emotions swirled within her: joy, excitement, but also a twinge of apprehension at the enormity of the change in her life.

Grayden gently set her back in the water before making his way out of the springs. Renya watched as he efficiently set about building a fire, the play of muscles in his back a distraction from her tumultuous thoughts. He retrieved a few rough towels from the saddlebags and held one out to her.

Renya emerged from the water, quickly wrapping the towel around herself. She moved to stand in front of the fire, grateful for its warmth as she dried off. As she moved, the ring on her finger caught the firelight, drawing her attention once again. She found herself pausing to admire it, still hardly able to believe this was real.

Grayden, already dressed, came to her side with her clothes. His eyes followed her gaze to the ring, a soft smile playing on his lips.

“So,” Renya began, pulling on her tunic with slightly trembling hands, “when should we get married?”

“I was thinking of the Winter Solstice,” Grayden replied, his voice filled with quiet excitement. “It's the most sacred time in the Snow Lands. The celebrations go on for days, and it would be great to coincide with our wedding. We could use the opportunity to present you to the people as their new queen.”

Renya froze, her mind stumbling over his last word. “Queen?” she echoed, a note of disbelief in her voice. “Since you aren't a king, how can I be queen?”

Grayden's expression turned serious. “I think it's finally time for me to step into the role my father held,” he explained. “When it was just me, it made sense to keep things the same. But now that I'm going to have you beside me as my wife, it makes sense. Plus, if anything happens to me, you'll be queen in your own right and will rule the Snow Lands.”

A frown creased Renya's brow as she processed this new information. “Wouldn't Phillippe replace you?” she asked, thinking of Grayden's capable older brother.

Grayden shook his head. “He doesn't have magic, Little Fawn. It's unfair, I know. But no one in our world would accept him as the true leader. Plus, he doesn't want it. He doesn't want to be the one to make the tough decisions.”

“But I'm practically a stranger to your lands,” Renya protested, a hint of panic creeping into her voice.

Grayden took her hands in his, his thumbs tracing soothing circles on her skin. “I'm marrying you because I love you and I want to be bound to you for all eternity, both through our bond and in front of the Gods,” he said softly. “But I also know that if anything happens to me, you'll do whatever you can to keep our lands safe and secure.”

Our lands . The phrase echoed in Renya's mind, driving home the reality of her new situation. This was real. She would be a queen soon. The thought terrified her more than any battle with Cressida ever could.

“When is the Winter Solstice?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“In about a month.”

Renya felt her knees go weak, and she had to steady herself against Grayden's arm as she pulled on her boots. A wave of dizziness washed over her as the full weight of everything settled on her shoulders. It was all happening so fast. She'd barely had time to accept her lineage, her magic, their bond, and now their marriage and becoming a queen. Her heart raced, and she felt as if she was being crushed under the weight of responsibility. Was this how Grayden felt every day? How did he cope?

“You're scared, Little Fawn,” Grayden said softly, pulling her upright and meeting her eyes with an intense gaze. “I can feel it through our bond. What's bothering you?”

Renya struggled to find the words to express the whirlwind of emotions inside her. “When I was younger, my world was so simple,” she began, her voice trembling slightly. “Even up until the last few months, I thought I knew exactly how my life was going to go. I'd work my way up at the newspaper I reported for, become editor, and settle down with a nice house on the ocean in Malibu. I'd convince Aunt Agatha to move in with me when she couldn't continue to care for herself, and that would pretty much be it. Maybe I'd get married, or maybe not.”

She paused, searching Grayden's face. His expression was patient, encouraging her to continue. “But now...I'm full of magic I don't know how to use, I'm instrumental in fixing a broken world I've barely spent any time in, I'm fate-bound and I hardly even know what that means...and now I'm going to get married and become queen in a month.”

Grayden was quiet for a moment, his hand absently rubbing his jaw, the stubble there darker and fuller than she'd ever seen it. He looked older, more weathered here in the mountains, the weight of his responsibilities etched in the lines around his eyes.

“I wish I knew what I could do to help you,” he said finally, his voice heavy with concern. “There's no rush to marry. I'm sorry if I put any pressure on you. And if you don't want to be queen, I understand. The only thing that matters to me is that we're together.”

Renya felt a rush of affection for him, touched by his willingness to put her comfort above tradition and expectation. “Being with you isn't what scares me,” she assured him, leaning into his embrace. “The thought of being with you forever is the only thing that makes sense to me right now. I just...I don't know. Maybe I'll feel better when I finally figure out my magic.”

Grayden nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. “I'm sure you will,” he said, his voice filled with conviction. “Right now there's a huge piece of you that you don't understand. Fates, even with the gradual loss of my magic I've felt unsure. It's an important part of who we are. You'll learn how to wield it, and I know you will be a sight to behold.”

His words, filled with such faith in her, helped to calm some of Renya's fears. She nodded, allowing herself to believe, if only for a moment, that she could live up to the destiny that seemed to have been thrust upon her.

Grayden put his arm around her shoulders, guiding her away from the dying fire and back towards where Damion waited patiently. As they walked, he pressed a kiss to her temple, his voice low and filled with promise.

“Whatever happens, you'll always have me.”

As they mounted Damion and began the journey back to the camp, Renya found herself lost in thought. The ring on her finger felt both foreign and right, a symbol of the new life she was stepping into. She was scared, yes, but also excited. Whatever challenges lay ahead—mastering her magic, becoming a queen, facing the Shadow Queen—she wouldn't face them alone. With Grayden by her side, she felt like she could conquer anything.

The pre-dawn sky was just beginning to lighten as they approached the camp. Renya leaned back against Grayden's chest, drawing strength from his solid presence. She didn't know what the future held, but she was ready to face it—one day at a time, with the man she loved by her side.