Page 9 of Kingdoms of Tides and Twilight (A World of Sun and Shadow #2)

G rayden rose from his seat, his movements slow and deliberate. He stalked towards Renya, his eyes never leaving hers. She felt like prey being hunted, her breath catching in her throat as he approached. He didn't take his eyes off her as he crossed the distance between them, each step measured and purposeful.

Renya took a deep breath as he reached for her, strong arms encircling her waist and pulling her close. But instead of claiming her lips as she half-expected, Grayden planted a chaste kiss on her forehead. The tenderness of the gesture, in stark contrast to the desire she could feel radiating from him, brought tears to her eyes.

Taking her hand in his, Grayden led them back through the winding corridors towards Renya's room. The journey seemed both endless and far too short, tension building with each step. When they finally reached her door, Grayden paused, his hand hovering over the shimmering water curtain.

Renya looked up at him, her voice barely above a whisper. “Aren't you coming in?”

At her invitation, Grayden didn't hesitate. He stepped through the watery barrier, pulling Renya gently along with him. As soon as they crossed the threshold, the curtain of water reappeared behind them, sealing them off from the rest of the world.

Grayden's eyes roamed the room, obviously taking in details he had missed during his brief, chaotic visit earlier. But his gaze always returned to Renya, drawn to her like a moth to the flame. He moved towards her with the grace of a predator, tilting her chin up with gentle fingers. His lips met hers in the softest of kisses, a stark contrast to the passion that had consumed him earlier.

“Are you going to stay here with me tonight?” Renya asked, her voice trembling slightly with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.

Grayden's expression softened, a look of tender concern replacing the hunger in his eyes. “Renya, I know this is a lot and what I'm feeling is...intense. I'm sorry if I've scared you or made you feel uncomfortable. I don't know why I'm feeling so lost without you.” He moved to the bed and sat down, his gaze dropping to his boots. “But if you'll let me, staying in here with you would be less painful for me. I'll even sleep on the floor. I just need to know you're here and you're safe.”

Renya's heart swelled with affection. She crossed the room to stand before him, taking his face between her hands. Grayden's cheeks were flushed against her palms, his skin warm to the touch. She gently forced him to look up at her, meeting his gaze steadily.

“Esmeralda said that from what she'd learned, it's normal for you to feel like this until...well, until we've been together,” Renya explained, a blush creeping up her neck.

Grayden's eyes widened, a mix of relief and curiosity crossing his features. “Really?” he asked, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. “My parents never mentioned anything about that...”

Renya couldn't suppress a small smile. “Can you blame them?”

Grayden laughed, the sound rich and genuine. “No, I guess not. As a child I would have been mortified...hell, even as an adult I wouldn't have wanted to hear about it.”

Renya giggled, trying to imagine how awkward that conversation might have been. She was embarrassed enough talking about it with Esmeralda.

“Renya,” Grayden said, his tone serious once more. “Are you sure it's okay if I stay here with you tonight? I promise, I won't do anything to make you uncomfortable. I meant what I said, I want this to be right for us. But...I don't think I could leave you alone in this room tonight.”

Her face softened with understanding. “Of course,” she replied, her voice warm. “In fact, I need you too.”

“You do?” he asked, relief evident in his voice.

“Yes,” she said, looking into his warm eyes. “I just...this is a big step for me, and I'm a bit nervous.”

Grayden nodded, understanding written across his features. “About what happened the night before you went back through the portal—I'm so sorry. I should have never—I mean, I thought—”

“Grayden, please don't apologize,” Renya interrupted, placing a finger gently on his lips. “What happened between us was just as it should be.”

He smiled, a genuine, heartfelt expression that lit up his entire face. She could sense his nervousness too, but there was also a deep certainty that they would face this new chapter together.

“So, if it's okay with you...can I just hold you tonight?” Grayden asked, his voice soft and full of emotion.

“Just let me get dressed into a nightgown or something,” Renya replied, glancing around the room. Her eyes fell on a nightdress hanging on the back of an ornate chair. As she approached it, she swallowed hard. The garment was far more revealing than anything she had worn in this world. In the human realm, it might have been considered tame, but she imagined Grayden might struggle to maintain his control. The nightgown was made of white silk with delicate straps at the shoulders and a plunging v-neckline. The hem stopped mid-thigh, leaving little to the imagination.

Feeling suddenly shy, Renya moved to the other side of the room to change. She debated retreating to the bathroom, but that felt strange given their connection and all they had experienced together. Grayden watched her cross the room, his gaze intense. Just as Renya was wondering whether to ask him to turn around, he made the decision for her. He moved to the far side of the bed and began removing his boots, his back to her.

Grateful for his consideration, Renya quickly slipped off her dress and sandals, then pulled the flimsy gown over her head. She released her hair from its ponytail, running her fingers through the strands in lieu of a brush. Catching sight of herself in the mirror, she took a deep breath, preparing herself for what felt like a monumental moment.

Barefoot, she turned back towards the bed, her stomach fluttering with nervous energy. Even though Grayden had promised nothing would happen tonight, it still felt charged with significance. Maybe it was the pure white of the nightdress, or the fact that this was their first night together in a real bed. Or perhaps it was the knowledge that they were now bound and promised to each other for life.

As Renya approached the bed, Grayden finished removing his shirt, his back still turned to her. She watched the play of muscles across his shoulders as he set the garment aside, admiring the strength evident in every line of his body. Then, slowly, he turned to face her.

The moment their eyes met, Renya could see Grayden's desire, evident in the tightness of his expression and the way his gaze raked over her form. A thrill of power surged through her, knowing she could elicit such a reaction from him.

Grayden moved towards her, his steps slow and cautious. Rather than feeling like prey being stalked, as she had earlier, Renya now felt like a delicate creature he was trying not to startle. When he was close enough to touch, he reached out, brushing her hair back from her shoulder. His fingers grazed her skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake.

“I'm sorry about the nightgown,” Renya began, gesturing to the revealing garment. “It's the only thing in here, but I know it must be hard on you—”

“Renya,” Grayden interrupted, his voice low and husky. “One day soon you'll be completely mine. I can handle the temptation now. At least, I'm going to try.” He sighed, resting his hand over her heart. “I might be desperate to claim your body right now, but my connection to you is deeper than anything physical. I love you. Even before you became my mate, I loved you. I think a part of me has always loved you, even before you came into my world. I was hollow and empty, just going through the motions in life. When you finally came to me, my entire existence changed. My lands, my magic, my title—they're not my priority anymore. Your health, your safety, your happiness—that's what I care about.”

Tears welled up in Renya's eyes, threatening to spill over. She had been certain of his feelings, but hearing him declare his love so eloquently made her heart swell with emotion. The analytical part of her brain, the one nurtured by her independent aunt, wondered if it was too soon for such intense feelings. But her heart recognized the truth in his words, feeling the depth of his love through their bond.

“Oh Grayden,” she said, moving into his arms and resting her head against his chest. The steady thump of his heartbeat was comforting, grounding her in the moment. “I love you too. Even before the bond, I wanted to be with you.” She looked up, meeting his gaze. The love shining in his eyes was almost overwhelming in its intensity.

Grayden leaned down, pressing his lips to hers in a kiss that was both tender and passionate. His hands caressed her shoulders as she parted her lips, deepening the kiss. Slowly, he guided her backwards until her knees hit the edge of the bed. Renya allowed herself to fall back onto the soft mattress, pulling Grayden down with her.

He settled beside her, his muscular chest just inches from her. Renya turned to face him, drinking in the sight of him. His face was marked with stubble; he obviously hadn't shaved for many days. Unable to resist, she reached out, running her fingers along his jaw, feeling the coarse hair beneath her fingertips.

Grayden leaned into her touch, covering her hand with his own and pressing it more firmly against his cheek. After a moment, he brought her hand to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on her palm before setting it on the bed between them. Propping his head up on his elbow, he gazed at her with an expression of wonder and adoration.

Renya stared back, feeling the deep connection between them humming like a live wire. She wanted to break the silence, to express the surge of emotions swirling within her, but found herself content in the quiet moment. Slowly, her breathing evened out, and she felt Grayden relax as well. This is good , she thought. Grayden seemed more in control of himself the longer they spent together.

“Grayden,” Renya said softly, breaking the comfortable silence. “What are we going to do about Cressida?”

Grayden rubbed his chin as he considered her question, his fingers tracing patterns on the sheet between them. “I'm not sure yet,” he admitted. “I imagine that not only unlocking your power but losing it is a huge blow to her. She desired your power and now you have it, and she doesn't.”

Renya frowned, a flicker of worry crossing her features. “What good is my power? I have no idea how to even use it.”

Grayden reached out, his thumb gently smoothing the crease between her brows. “I'll train you,” he promised. “Selenia can help, too. When she could control her magic, she was really quite astounding with it. We'll teach you all you need to know. Hopefully Cressida's fear of you with your magic will be enough for her to take some time to regroup.”

Renya chewed her lip, still nervous about the prospect of wielding magic. But Grayden's reassurance soothed her fears somewhat. “I'm so thankful you're here with me,” she said softly, her eyes meeting his.

Grayden's expression softened, his hand coming up to cup her cheek. “Renya, there is nowhere in the world I'd rather be than here with you. Being in bed with you is nice too,” he added, a playful glint in his eyes.

She laughed, the sound light and carefree. It was a welcome return to the playful banter they had shared before she went back through the portal. Everything between them had intensified when she returned, and while her feelings for him were strong and sure, she had missed the ease they once enjoyed together in their travels. She supposed once he claimed her, his intensity would drop, and he would once again be free to joke and laugh with her without the constant undercurrent of desperate need.

Renya yawned, the events of the day finally catching up with her. Grayden noticed immediately, his protective instincts kicking in. “You have to be exhausted, Little Fawn,” he said, moving the blankets so she could crawl under the covers. “You've traveled through two portals and walked all the way here. Your strength is unmatched, just as your beauty is.”

She smiled brightly at the compliment as he gently turned her to face away from him. Once she was situated with her head on the pillow, he wrapped his arms around her and pressed himself against her back, comforting her in his warmth.

Renya snuggled deeper into his embrace, feeling safe and secure for the first time in days. She was nervous about what the future held, but it was the kind of nervousness that came with unexpected joy, the anticipation of something wonderful on the horizon. Grayden kissed the shell of her ear, his hot breath making her shiver. “Goodnight, my love,” he whispered, and she felt herself drifting off to sleep, cocooned in his arms and their shared love.