Page 28 of Kingdoms of Tides and Twilight (A World of Sun and Shadow #2)

R enya couldn't remember the last time she'd slept so well. She opened her eyes gingerly, finding Grayden's face mere inches from hers. His arm lay draped across her stomach, pulling her close like a child clutching a beloved teddy bear. His warm breath caressed her cheek, his face unlined and peaceful in slumber. She inched closer, eliciting a quiet moan from him. He pushed against her involuntarily, his hardness straining against her stomach. It seemed he woke ready every morning.

Sensing her slight movements, Grayden's eyes fluttered open.

“Morning.” His lazy smile accompanied the subtle lift of her leg over his hip as he ground against her. Renya's lips parted, her breath quickening. “Sleep well?” he asked, continuing his gentle assault as he gauged her reaction.

“I did,” she managed breathlessly. “I—”

Her words dissolved into a gasp as he palmed her breast and nipped at her neck. Coherent thought slipped away like a child's escaped balloon.

Grayden's eyes darted across her face, drinking in every nuance of her expression. “Gods, I need you. How did I survive before you came through that portal?” He parted her thighs with his own and captured her lips in an artful kiss. Renya had kissed many men, but none like Grayden. His kisses were neither messy nor sloppy, but purposeful and perfect. He knew when to tease and when she craved him hard and fast. Whether it was the bond or just him, she couldn't say. She lost herself in his kiss, the world narrowing to just the two of them and their bodies moving against the sheets.

Grayden entered her slowly, drawing a low groan from Renya. He filled her completely, careful to keep the last inch of his length outside to avoid hurting her. His rhythm was slow and languid, perfect for their morning coupling.

Renya reached her peak almost immediately, Grayden following close behind with a quiet grunt as he spilled inside her.

“It's never not good with you,” she panted, rolling onto her side and propping herself up on an elbow to watch him recover.

He turned to meet her gaze. “I didn't know what I was missing until you. My encounters before—they seem so hollow and meaningless. It's like I didn't truly live until I was with you.”

His confession struck her deeply. She wondered if she, too, hadn't truly lived until meeting him. Those other men—boys, really—paled in comparison to the magnificent specimen beside her.

He traced a single knuckle along her arm, raising goosebumps in its wake. “As enjoyable as this is, I suspect we'll be missed if we don't make it to breakfast.”

Renya sat up, clutching the sheet to ward off the chill. The fire had died during the night, and now that their passionate inferno had subsided, the cold air bit at her skin. She forced herself out of bed, her legs protesting as she crossed to the bathroom. A simple, small stone tub awaited her. Grayden followed, eyeing the modest bathing arrangement.

“Well, that's no fun,” he quipped.

She grinned, understanding his implication before playfully shoving him out. “Let me get ready! If I don't eat soon, I'm going to get hangry.”

“Hangry?”

“Yes. Angry because I'm hungry.”

“Ah. Quite clever, that.”

Ignoring him, she turned on the tap and began to freshen up. The scent of campfire clung to her hair, and she felt as if a layer of ash had settled into her pores.

After scrubbing herself clean, Renya returned to the main room wrapped in a towel. Grayden stood fully dressed, cutting a handsome figure in a navy tunic adorned with gold filigree. The elkten pin gleamed on his breast, his sword strapped across his back as if anticipating an imminent attack.

She brushed past him to the trunk, carefully selecting her attire. Remembering Selenia's words about Twilight Kingdom fashion, she opted for a light blue silk dress embroidered with cream snowflakes and a removable white fur collar. The skirt's large slit revealed tight matching trousers underneath. She braided her hair meticulously, securing it with snow clips. Her engagement ring caught the light, drawing Grayden's appreciative gaze as he began shaving weeks of stubble.

“You look radiant,” he said, admiring her reflection as he wielded the razor.

“You always say that.”

“Because it's always true.”

Smoothing her skirt, she slipped on silk shoes before her eyes fell on her dagger. Frowning, she grasped it and tucked it into her bralette. Grayden emerged from the bathroom just as she adjusted it, stopping dead in his tracks.

“Gods, that's sexy.” He circled her, shamelessly peering down her dress to glimpse the jeweled hilt. He swallowed hard, unable to tear his gaze away.

“We should leave before we never do,” she said, sensing his rising arousal.

“Agreed, and quickly, lest you end up needing to dress all over again.”

Finding the dining hall proved challenging, requiring directions from two attendants before they succeeded.

The hall's grandeur matched the rest of Twilight Castle, though Renya felt it lacked the warmth and coziness of Snowden Lodge. They crossed the room together, Grayden's hand resting gently on the small of her back.

At the head of a long, polished table sat two women. Queen Kalora rose regally as they approached, her long gown flowing to her feet. Renya noted the queen's impressive height, easily half a foot taller than herself. Kalora's simple crown glittered in the chandelier's light, its dark gemstones reminiscent of the twilight sky. Her burnt orange dress, trimmed with golden suns and moons and adorned with owl feathers, accentuated her olive skin. Though she appeared barely older than Renya, the queen must have been considerably older given her teenage daughter.

Julietta wore a chartreuse dress adorned with peacock feathers, a matching headdress perched atop her piled strawberry blonde curls. The gowns' elaborate elegance made Renya feel decidedly plain in comparison.

Selenia sat beside Julietta, nearly unnoticeable. Renya's worry deepened. Selenia typically commanded attention, yet now she sat with downcast eyes. Renya's heart ached, angry at herself for neglecting her friend's welfare. She vowed to address it after breakfast.

Queen Kalora approached, and they exchanged polite bows. As Grayden kissed the queen's hand, violent jealousy seized Renya. She longed to smack the queen's hand away and stake her claim on Grayden. The feeling subsided quickly as Grayden's presence washed over her. His voice echoed in her mind:

Not even one-tenth as beautiful as you, Little Fawn.

She gasped, locking eyes with an equally startled Grayden. This was no figment of her imagination.

I don't think you're imagining it either, Renya.

Composing herself under Queen Kalora's scrutiny, Renya grasped for a compliment. “Your gown is breathtaking.”

“Why, thank you,” Kalora replied, her sweet voice tinged with firmness. “Yours is quite unusual. Are trousers common in the Snow Lands?”

Before Renya could respond, Grayden intervened, his arm encircling her waist. “Renya is more than a princess of the fallen Sun Realm. She's the prophesied light bringer, destined for greatness. Her attire ensures she's prepared for whatever our world might throw at her.” His gentle squeeze sent a wave of gratitude through Renya, which Grayden visibly processed. Clearly, they had much to learn about their bond's complexities.

“What a heavy responsibility,” Queen Kalora mused, gesturing to the chairs before her. As they sat, she appraised the couple. “Gillbert informed me you are fate-bound.”

Though not phrased as a question, Renya felt compelled to answer. “We are, Your Highness.”

“Please, no need for formalities. Address me as Kalora, and my daughter as Julietta.” Julietta offered a shy nod of greeting.

“Your parents were fate-bound as well?” Kalora asked Grayden.

“Yes.”

Kalora looked thoughtful. “Perhaps there's a familial aspect to the bond, or it's related to inherited magic. Renya, what do you know of your parents?”

“Very little, I'm afraid. I was raised in the human realm by my aunt.”

Julietta's head snapped up, her eyes wide with excitement. “The human realm? Really? Is it true no one has magic there?”

Renya chuckled at the girl's enthusiasm. “That's right. No magic. It's quite dull, honestly.”

Julietta's words tumbled out in a rush. “I think it would be amazing. No magic, no feelings of inadequacy or insecurity. No worry about your magic fading—”

Kalora cut her off. “My daughter's magic faded incredibly fast. Born powerful, her abilities diminished more quickly than anyone could have predicted. While most fae gradually lose their magic, Julietta's vanished within a moon cycle.”

Julietta's gaze dropped, a blush creeping up her cheeks. Renya's heart went out to the clearly embarrassed girl.

Seeking to change the subject, Renya asked, “Grayden mentioned you might help train me in my powers?”

Queen Kalora's eyes raked over Renya as if searching for a physical manifestation of her magic. “That depends on you. Only the wielder truly knows how their magic works. I can help you access your powers, but you must learn to weave your own magic.”

“I understand. Any help would be greatly appreciated.”

Kalora nodded as a servant arrived with steaming plates for Grayden and Renya. Famished, Renya restrained herself from devouring her meal immediately. The sight of bacon filled her with childlike glee. She savored the salty crispness, fighting the urge to close her eyes and moan, knowing Grayden's reaction to such a display.

“I'm happy to assist in any way. Shall we begin this afternoon?”

Renya nodded as Grayden squeezed her hand beneath the table. This was why they'd come. A weight lifted from her shoulders. Everything would be okay.

Her gaze drifted back to Selenia, and her heart clenched. Almost everything would be okay. She'd help her friend, too.

As breakfast concluded, Kalora and Julietta excused themselves after finalizing plans for Renya's afternoon lesson. Grayden rose, giving Renya a quick peck. “I need to send a hawk to Phillippe about our safe arrival. The Twilight guard captain wants to discuss strategy and available resources. Care to join me?”

Renya tilted her head toward Selenia, who sat absentmindedly tracing the rim of her glass, oblivious to the others' departure.

“Ah. Perhaps you're better suited for that,” Grayden conceded, clearly embarrassed by Selenia's predicament but relieved Renya would handle it. “We should also discuss this morning's discovery.” His pointed look mirrored her astonishment at their bond's new gift.

As Grayden's boots echoed down the hall, Renya moved to Julietta's vacated seat beside Selenia.

“Selenia.”

The girl looked up, eyes brimming with tears. Renya's heart swelled with protective, almost maternal feelings for this motherless teenager.

“Can we talk about it?” She kept her voice low and supportive, hoping Selenia would confide in her.

“Yes. But not here.” Selenia glanced around as if expecting eavesdroppers. “Let's go to my room.”

Selenia's quarters mirrored Grayden and Renya's. They settled into armchairs by the fire, the castle's drafty chill seeping into the room despite the moderate climate outside.

Renya watched Selenia stare into the flames, waiting for her to break the silence.

“Jurel doesn't want to be with me anymore.” Her confession quivered on her lips as tears spilled down her cheeks, her usual sparkling demeanor crumbling like a shield of brittle armor.

“Oh, sweetie,” Renya murmured, sliding to the floor beside Selenia's chair and patting her knee sympathetically. “What did he say?”

Selenia's shoulders shook as she continued. “He doesn't want marriage or to settle down. He loves me, but not enough to change his lifestyle. He doesn't want a home or children.”

“And you do.”

She sniffled. “With all my heart. It was so lonely after my parents died. I love my brothers, but I want my own family. I don't want to feel like a burden.”

“Selenia, you could never be a burden. Your brothers adore you. I wish I had siblings like them. You might bicker, but you'll always have each other's backs.”

Selenia met Renya's gaze, her eyes red-rimmed. “I thought he'd eventually want marriage.”

Renya hesitated, torn between hope for change and protecting Selenia from false expectations. She took a deep breath. “I know you love Jurel, and he loves you. But sometimes, things just aren't meant to be.”

Selenia scoffed. “Easy for you to say. Your relationship is nothing but meant to be.”

Renya couldn't deny the logic. She stood, moving her chair closer to Selenia's. “I know it's hard to hear, given what your brother and I have. But things weren't always perfect for me. I had my own issues to overcome, and I wasn't looking for any relationships before meeting Grayden. Remember how I mentioned my trust issues?”

Selenia nodded, wiping her tears on her sleeve. Renya turned to the fireplace, watching the dancing flames as she began her confession.

“Before coming through the portal, I lived in a city called Los Angeles. I had a writing job, reporting on a senator's campaign.”

Noting Selenia's confusion, she clarified, “Sorry, that probably makes little sense here. Basically, I was working with a powerful man who promised to help my career, introduce me to contacts, and advise me. I was trusting and na?ve.”

Selenia's hand found Renya's knee, sensing the story's direction. The gesture gave Renya strength to continue.

“One day, he asked me to stay late in his office, claiming he wanted me to ghostwrite his autobiography. When I arrived, his true intentions became clear.”

Selenia's grip tightened, offering silent support.

“He attacked me. He tried to force—”

“Oh, Renya,” Selenia sobbed, pulling her into an embrace. “I'm so sorry.”

Renya melted into the hug before continuing. “I got lucky. I grabbed a lamp and struck him, stunning him long enough for me to escape. He chased me, but there were photographers outside from a press conference. My torn shirt led them to assume we'd been intimate.”

She took a steadying breath. Recounting the story was difficult, but her heart no longer raced with panic as it once had. The memory felt distant now, as if she were watching it happen to someone else.

“My point is, even when things seem bleakest, you never know what life has in store. I never imagined having a relationship, yet here I am, engaged and mated to your dumb brother.”

Selenia managed a small smile. “He is dumb. But Renya, asking you to marry him was the smartest thing he's ever done.”