Page 2 of Mountains of Mist and Magic (A World of Sun and Shadow #4)

S elenia scrunched up her nose and rubbed her temples vigorously. The scent of musty parchment and aged leather filled her nostrils as she surveyed the towering stacks of books surrounding them. For the past week and a half, they'd been entombed in this library, surfacing only for dinner and...other activities.

With a dramatic sigh, she set down a particularly heavy tome. The loud thud echoed through the cavernous room, momentarily drowning out the incessant ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner.

Sion lifted his head, his tan skin glowing in the flickering firelight. Dark circles under his eyes betrayed their relentless pace.

“We're never going to find anything in these books,” Selenia murmured, combing her fingers through her mess of curls. She recalled Doria's offer to trim the unruly ends last week, but the memory of Sion's fingers playing with her ringlets, pulling them taut before watching them spring back, had changed her mind.

“We will, Little Fox,” Sion reassured her, his voice rough from disuse. “We just have to keep reading.”

Selenia's gaze drifted to the book before her, its pages brittle and yellowed with age. The faded script danced before her tired eyes. “These books contain nothing useful. Anything that dates far enough back to when the fading started is falling apart and illegible. Any material I can find that's remotely readable does nothing but mention great frosts or how many Arctic seals it takes to make a waterproof tent. There's nothing here of use.”

The fire popped, startling her. Selenia turned her head and looked out the window. Delicate snowflakes pirouetted in the air, a stark contrast to the stuffy warmth of the library.

“We still have over half of the books here to get through— Sion began, gesturing to the untouched shelves looming behind them.

“Sion, there's nothing here. I can—I can feel it. When I reach out, there's nothing.” Frustration entered her voice as she struggled to articulate the void she sensed.

Sion's eyes snapped to hers, blinking rapidly. “You mean, you're able to feel it with your magic?”

Her lips turned down into a slight frown. “Ever since Renya and Cyrus forced Cressida to return the stolen magic, I've felt stirrings. Before I stopped using my magic, I could sense things of importance. They felt...heavy. I could sense Renya's power before it was unlocked.” She shrugged, grasping for words to describe the odd sensation. “It's like...like feeling the back of your neck. You know it's there, you can feel it, but it's partially unknown to you.”

“That's incredible, Little Fox.” Pride tinged Sion's voice.

Selenia bit her lip, uncertainty clouding her features. The minute power she had regained didn't feel exactly like her magic, which was confusing. It wasn't dirty or tainted—just different. Like a familiar stranger.

“Incredible or not, it doesn't change the fact that I don't think there's anything here.” She began stacking books and journals, the tomes and leaflets of parchment forming precarious towers on the table. “We need to look elsewhere.”

“Where?”

“We need to return to the Sun Realm. Cyrus mentioned that Cressida spent countless hours in their archives, studying and searching. Their library is ancient—and it's been preserved throughout the years. If there's anything to be found, it's there.”

Sion ran his hands through his short hair, the strands barely long enough to muss. Selenia had learned to read this as a nervous habit, along with the other little signals that meant he was hungry, tired, grouchy or...aroused.

Which was quite frequent.

It seemed to her that every gentle kiss she gave him replaced a cruel kiss from Cressida. Every loving embrace erased the torture he'd endured. Yet, barriers remained. Sion loved to do things that brought her pleasure and joy; he loved to tease and excite her. But anytime she initiated intimacy, he drew away, fear clouding his warm eyes and his breath turning rapid. He only felt safe when he was in control.

Which was fine with her. After their night together before the battle, she realized just how naive she was. It was better to let him be in charge. And in time, she hoped he would let his guard down and welcome her in. She would be patient with him. It wasn't one of her virtues, but for him, her mate, she could do it. She would wait as long as it took for them to be truly and fully mated.

His words jolted her from her thoughts. “When do you want to go?”

“What?” she asked, still slightly distracted.

“When are we going to the Sun Realm?”

“We?” The disbelief was evident in her tone. She hadn't expected him to go, let alone take her with him.

“Yes, we. If you think I'm going to let us be parted, you need to reach down through that bond you feel and give it a good shake.”

Restlessness plagued Selenia, driving her from her bed. Cinching her velvet robe tight, she left her room. The plush rugs muffled her footsteps as she navigated the dark hallways. Sion was nowhere to be seen, prompting her quest towards the kitchen in search of something sweet.

As she passed the great hall, its monstrous space quiet, hushed voices reached her ears. Curiosity heightened, she craned her neck around the corner.

Instantly, she recoiled.

Too late. The vision of Tumwalt in a passionate embrace with Renya's Aunt Agatha was now forever burned into her mind. Tumwalt's weathered hands cupped Agatha's face tenderly, a stark contrast to his usually gruff demeanor. Agatha's eyes shone with an affection Selenia had never seen in the older woman before.

A mix of emotions washed over Selenia. Happiness for Tumwalt, along with the thought that Renya's aunt could probably do better. At least this tidbit would make for interesting gossip when Renya returned.

Abandoning her quest for a snack, Selenia retreated up the staircase. Each step was placed with care to avoid detection by the amorous couple below. The long gallery stretched before her, her mother's paintings keeping a silent vigil. At her door, a familiar sight greeted her: a large, log-shaped bundle.

Approaching Sion slowly, Selenia tried to discern if he was asleep. Even in the darkness, his eyes tracked her movement.

“You know, if you're truly guarding me, you've failed miserably,” she teased, watching him struggle to his feet. Stiffness in his movements betrayed lingering injuries. “I haven't been in my room for at least a quarter-hour.”

Sion stood before her, his tunic slightly open, golden skin glowing in the candlelight. Wordlessly, he opened the door and stood aside.

Moving inside the room, Selenia rose on her tiptoes, planting a tender kiss along his jaw. Stubble tickled her lips, and a slight purr rumbled from deep in his throat. The sound ignited a fire within her.

“Please, Sion,” she whispered, gazing up at him. A shiver ran through her as a draft ruffled her thin nightgown.

Indecision flashed across Sion's face, his jaw clenching as his eyes fixed on a point above her head. Finally, he gave a slight nod.

Hope fluttered in Selenia's chest. Perhaps tonight he would claim her, seal their bond, share their lives fully. But her heart sank as Sion removed his sword and settled into the chair by the fireplace.

Frustration bubbled up, manifesting in a childish pout and a tapping foot. This game of hot and cold was maddening.

“Selenia...” Pain laced Sion's voice, as if her mere presence overwhelmed him.

Steading herself, Selenia voiced the question that had been burning inside her. “Sion. Why...why won't you be with me?”

“Princess, I am with you. I'm yours. Completely and utterly.” His intense gaze bore into her, and she refused to blink, searching for any clue to his reluctance.

Uncertainty gnawed at Selenia. Once so confident, Sion's inability to feel their bond left her unbalanced. Taking a deep breath, she forged ahead.

“Why won't you claim me? Why won't you seal our fated bond?” The words tumbled out, raw with the anguish of rejection.

Sion's eyes softened. Rising from the chair, his heavy boots thudded across the floor. Gently, he took her hands in his. A tiny bit of lust surged between them, their connection pulsing through her blood.

“I want you, Little Fox. But—”

“But?” Fear wavered in her voice.

“But you're a maid—untouched—and I want us to truly connect. I'm yours—but I can't feel that you're mine without my side of the bond. And I won't take your innocence, not until we can be properly mated.”

“But we've done other things...”

A deep sigh rattled in Sion's chest as he pulled her close. His scent washed over her—masculine yet sweet, like cut hay under fresh snow. Cupping her cheeks, he gazed into her eyes. The heat between them intensified.

“I can't resist you, my darling girl. I try in every way that I can, but my resistance to your charms is getting thinner and thinner each day. Watching the way you come undone in my arms is therapeutic to my soul.”

Selenia bit her lip. “But you never get to—come...undone...” The words came out awkwardly, her inexperience evident.

A smile played on Sion's lips as he kissed the top of her head. “I take care of myself, my dear one. Don't worry about my needs.”

Curiosity overrode Selenia's uncertainty. “Show me,” she whispered, heat creeping up her neck and into her cheeks.

“Selenia—”

“Please, Sion. Show me what it's like for you. I just—I don't understand.” Selenia longed for her mother for many reasons, but now she missed the guidance of an older woman, someone to talk her through these things. Renya usually filled that role, but with the wedding and honeymoon, they hadn't had time to talk.

Sion looked torn. Finally, he nodded. Just the tiniest jerk of his head.

“Sit on the bed, Selenia. Don't come near me unless I tell you to. My control is...tested...when you're around.”

She did as he asked, sitting near the headboard of her bed, legs drawn underneath her, and eyes focused on her mate.

Sion looked at her, and his expression was hard for her to read. She thought she detected some embarrassment, but desire, too.

His fingers moved to his trousers, and he undid the buttons. Selenia held her breath as he pushed them down.

Fear gripped her heart as she took him in, seeing how hard he strained. It seemed to take no time at all for him to turn rock-hard, and she gulped when she realized that this part of his anatomy was meant to fit inside her. She'd felt him against her thigh and core before, but always with some kind of clothing separating them. But now...there was no hiding.

Eyes drawn to hers, he grabbed himself, moving his hand slowly up and down his length. She watched, hypnotized by the motion, shocked as tiny drops of liquid leaked out from the tip.

“Is that—your seed?”

“Hush, Selenia. I'll tell you everything you need to know when our time comes. But now—just watch. It's hard enough to resist you, but nearly impossible while your pretty lips are moving.”

She blushed again but looked on, watching his face morph into one of concentration. His hands moved quicker along his length, squeezing and pulling, his legs trembling a bit as he looked at her. The liquid drops beaded on the tip of him, and she longed to know if he felt what she did at that moment when her body seized up on itself.

Sion started to pant, working himself even harder. His cheeks were red, and the tip of his member was shiny with his fluid. He bit his lip, then urgently croaked. “Selenia, grab a towel.”

She got off the bed and ran to her bathroom, hearing him pant and strain in front of her bed. She moved back towards him, and he grabbed her arm, steadying himself.

“Unbutton your nightgown,” he commanded, his voice gruff and husky.

She did as he asked, moving aside the cotton, watching as his eyes became glued to her nipples; his expression darkened, and he took a huge gulp of air.

“Hand me the towel—now, Selenia!”

She did as he asked, memorized as he shuddered and groaned. He seized up, his face one of indescribable pleasure.

It was a look she knew well; one she wore when he'd buried his fingers between her legs.

Sion continued to shake, and she moved into him, holding out her arms as he collapsed into her waiting embrace. He panted, his shallow breath warm against her ear.

“How could I not want you?” he whispered, his voice shaky. He stroked her back gently and pushed her hair over her shoulder, then kissed her on the forehead. “I do this almost every night—thinking of nothing but you.”