Page 25 of Realms of Shadow and Sun (A World of Sun and Shadow #3)

Renya eased herself into the bath, a contented sigh escaping her lips as the warm water surrounded her body. The heat seeped into her muscles, gradually unraveling the knots of tension she hadn't realized she'd been carrying. It seemed there wasn't a single spot on her body that didn't ache, a testament to the passionate reunion with Grayden. Even her lips were swollen from his ardent kisses, and her scalp tingled where he had tugged perhaps a bit too enthusiastically on her hair in his fervor to claim her again and again.

Closing her eyes, Renya allowed herself to relax fully, savoring the simple luxury of a warm bath and the opportunity to get clean. More than that, she reveled in the joy of being reunited with her mate, their bond renewed and strengthened. She could feel Grayden's presence in her mind more acutely than ever before, their connection humming with vitality. She wondered idly if it was their physical proximity that enhanced their bond, or if it was the repeated joining of their bodies that had deepened their connection.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Without opening her eyes, Renya could picture the scene before her with perfect clarity: Grayden, naked and magnificent, towering over her. His muscled body would still be slightly damp with sweat, a testament to the vigorous activities that had occupied their time since their reunion.

"Move,"

he commanded, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine despite the warmth of the bath.

Renya opened her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest in a show of defiance. "No,"

she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I'm going to relax in this tub all by myself."

Grayden threw his head back and groaned, the sound a mixture of frustration and desire. "Why do you torture me, Little Fawn?"

In response, Renya sat up, allowing the bubbles to cascade down her chest, exposing her cleavage to his searching gaze. She watched with satisfaction as his eyes darkened with arousal, feeling an answering surge of lust pulse through their bond.

A sharp knock on the door interrupted the charged moment, eliciting a growl from Grayden.

"Should I go get it?"

Renya asked innocently, rising further out of the water and allowing droplets to trace tantalizing paths down her stomach.

"You are playing with fire, little one,"

Grayden warned, his voice husky with barely restrained desire.

Renya offered him a sweet smile, relishing the effect she had on him. With a final frustrated growl, Grayden turned and left the bathroom to answer the door, closing it behind him with perhaps more force than necessary.

Smirking to herself, Renya settled back into the bath to finish washing, taking particular care with her hair. She had just begun to rinse when Grayden returned, his arms laden with an assortment of flowing gowns.

"Those aren't your colors, sweetie,"

she teased, nodding towards the garments.

Grayden's laugh filled the room, deep and rich. "These are from Esmeralda. She thought you might need to borrow some clothing."

"Oh god, yes,"

Renya said fervently, grateful for her friend's thoughtfulness. She lifted herself out of the tub, accepting Grayden's steadying hand as she navigated the slippery floor. Before she could reach for a towel, Grayden had grabbed one and began gently drying her off.

"I can do that, Grayden,"

she protested halfheartedly.

"I know,"

he replied simply, continuing his ministrations with careful tenderness.

Renya sighed and allowed him to continue, sensing the underlying current of guilt that still lingered from their separation. If this small act of care helped ease that feeling, she was more than willing to indulge him.

As Grayden worked, Renya examined the clothes he had set on the counter. Several satin dresses in the distinctive style of the Tidal Kingdom caught her eye, along with a pair of sandals and some undergarments. A wave of appreciation washed over her; the thought of putting on her filthy nightgown after being clean was unappealing, to say the least. More than that, she had no desire to wear anything that reminded her of her time in the Shadow Realm.

After careful consideration, Renya selected a butter yellow gown. The front was relatively simple, with a modest scoop neckline and cording around the waist. The back, however, was far more daring, featuring straps crisscrossed in an intricate net-like pattern. The hemline dipped lower in the back, creating a slight train that trailed behind her as she moved.

"Do you mind?"

she asked, noticing Grayden's intense gaze as she dressed.

"Not at all,"

he replied, his eyes never leaving her. "Although if truth be told, I'd rather you be undressing."

Renya bit her lip, fighting the smile that threatened to break across her face. "Hold that thought, mister. We were invited to dinner tonight."

A low growl was his only response. With an indulgent sigh, Renya took his hand in hers and led him out the door.

Esmeralda and Triston were waiting for them outside. Esmeralda's face lit up as she took in Renya's appearance.

"Renya, you look gorgeous,"

she exclaimed, her eyes sweeping over the borrowed gown. "I knew yellow was your color!"

Renya beamed at the compliment, a warm flush of pleasure coloring her cheeks. "I appreciate you lending it to me."

"It looks much better on you than it ever did on me,"

Esmeralda insisted. "It fits you beautifully."

"I couldn't agree more,"

Grayden chimed in, his voice thick with admiration.

Renya's blush deepened, the heat creeping down her neck. She was saved from further embarrassment by the arrival of Phillippe, who cut a dashing figure in a borrowed tunic from the Spring Lands, not unlike the one Grayden wore. As always, his signature broadsword was slung across his back.

To Renya's surprise, Phillippe bypassed her and Grayden, making a beeline for Esmeralda. "You look radiant, Esmeralda,"

he said, his eyes twinkling as he brushed a gallant kiss across her knuckles.

Renya watched with interest as Esmeralda blushed under Phillippe's attention. While she was glad to see her friend enjoying herself, a tendril of concern wormed its way into her thoughts. She made a mental note to ask Grayden about his brother's reputation with women when they had a moment alone.

Triston, seemingly oblivious to the flirtatious exchange, led the way back into the acropolis and towards a large dining hall. The room was a breathtaking example of Grecian architecture, with grand columns adorned with intricate carvings and figures. The walls were painted a rich, earthy brown, accented with gold that highlighted the exquisite details of the columns.

At the center of the room stood a magnificent table of polished wood, surrounded by ornate chairs upholstered in luxurious velvet. The fabric featured an intricate pattern of vines that seemed to wind their way up and down the chair backs. The table setting itself was a work of art, with fine porcelain plates and silverware arranged on a crisp white tablecloth. Olive branches and fresh roses formed elegant centerpieces, lending the room the air of a grand celebration, as if a wedding was about to take place, rather than just a dinner.

As Renya took in the opulent surroundings, her fingers unconsciously sought out her engagement ring, twirling it absently. The thought of weddings brought to mind her own impending nuptials, and she wondered if Grayden would broach the subject again soon. They hadn't discussed their plans since the night of their engagement, and with everything that had happened since, it felt like a lifetime ago.

A soft breeze ruffled Renya's hair, drawing her attention to a set of large French doors that allowed ample natural light to flood the space. The sun had begun to set, casting a warm, golden glow across the room and intensifying Renya's growing hunger. She was more than ready for a warm meal and, hopefully, a peaceful night's sleep.

As she settled into one of the plush chairs, a slight shiver ran through her. The light dress, while perfect for the Tidal Kingdom's climate, offered little protection against the cooler evening air of the Spring Lands.

Grayden took the seat beside her, immediately claiming her hand and placing it on his knee, as if he couldn't bear to be without her touch. Esmeralda gracefully lowered herself into the chair on Renya's other side, and to no one's surprise, Phillippe quickly claimed the seat next to her.

The group's quiet chatter fell silent as Queen Samatra and King Thesand entered, still wearing the same attire from earlier. They took their places at the head of the long table, and Renya felt the weight of their scrutiny fall upon her and Grayden. She wondered what thoughts lay behind their appraising looks. Were they curious about the nature of their fated bond? Or perhaps they were more interested in her parentage, or the time she had spent in the Shadow Realm. Pushing aside her discomfort, Renya focused her attention on the meal being placed before her by an attentive servant.

The plate was a work of art in itself, featuring an array of colorful fruits and vegetables artfully arranged alongside a variety of legumes and a seeded bread that looked freshly baked. A bowl of fragrant rice, tinted a warm golden hue and releasing the distinctive aroma of saffron, completed the main course. To accompany the meal, the servant poured two drinks: a vibrant tea with a striking hibiscus flower floating on its surface, and a glass of what appeared to be elderberry wine.

Renya took a sip of the wine, her eyebrows rising slightly at its unexpected sweetness. As she sampled a crisp radish, she marveled at the intensity of flavors in every bite. Everything tasted incredibly fresh and bursting with natural goodness.

Queen Samatra, noticing Renya's expression of delight, smiled warmly. "Everything at the table was grown in our gardens,"

she explained, a note of pride in her voice.

"It's wonderful,"

Renya praised sincerely. Samatra's smile widened, and Renya felt a small surge of accomplishment as she sensed the ruler beginning to warm to her. Grayden squeezed her hand under the table, a gesture of support and pride that didn't go unnoticed.

As the meal progressed, King Triston turned to Grayden and Phillippe, his expression serious. "What are your plans now?"

he asked, getting straight to the heart of the matter.

Grayden's posture straightened almost imperceptibly as he answered. "I want to get Renya home to the Snow Lands as soon as possible. Once we're there, I need to speak with my advisors and retrieve my soldiers from the Twilight Kingdom. They've been helping with the rebuilding efforts there."

At the mention of the Twilight Kingdom, a pang of guilt shot through Renya. The memory of the destruction wrought there weighed heavily on her heart, and she couldn't help but feel responsible for the damage.

Not your fault, Grayden's voice resonated in her mind, firm and reassuring. You can't think like that, Renya. You never asked for any of this.

She glanced up, meeting his green eyes filled with compassion and unwavering support. The guilt didn't disappear entirely, but his words helped to ease its grip on her heart.

"At what point do you want to launch an attack?"

Thesand asked, his gaze fixed intently on Grayden.

Grayden's response was measured, revealing the careful strategist beneath the warrior exterior. "Ideally within the next moon cycle. My fear is that Kalora will start to lose her powers soon. She's one of the few leaders left with an arsenal of magic, and I worry the longer we wait, the more likely she will start to lose them. However, we should also wait until Renya's aunt is located. She's Cressida's sister and incredibly powerful. Like Cyrus, her magic is still intact after spending significant time in the human realm."

Thesand nodded, a gleam of excitement in his eyes as he rubbed his hands together. "We can gather our men. Our archers never miss,"

he said, his enthusiasm for the coming conflict evident in his voice.

"My soldiers are ready too,"

Triston added, his expression as stoic as ever. However, Renya noticed Esmeralda's downcast eyes and the way she picked at her food, betraying her friend's apprehension about the looming battle.

Before the conversation could progress further, a thunderous roar shattered the relative calm of the evening. The sound reverberated through the air, causing the delicate glasses on the table to tremble.

Bile rose in Renya's throat as her body instinctively tensed, terror coursing through her veins. Not again, she thought desperately. I can't go back there.

In an instant, the dining hall erupted into a flurry of activity. Grayden's sword sang as he pulled it from its sheath, the blade glinting in the fading light. Phillippe was on his feet in a heartbeat, his massive broadsword at the ready. Thesand pulled an arrow to his bow with practiced ease, while Triston produced a small but wicked-looking trident seemingly from thin air.

As the roar continued, Esmeralda rose from her seat, her eyes wide with panic. Before she could move, Phillippe stepped in front of her protectively, his body a shield between her and the perceived threat.

Grayden lunged towards the source of the sound, his blade held high and ready to strike. In that moment, time seemed to slow for Renya. Without conscious thought, she found herself moving, driven by an instinct she couldn't explain.

"No!"

The scream tore from her throat as she threw herself between Grayden and the approaching figure. An arrow whistled past her head, its trajectory aimed at the beast behind her. With a surge of power, Renya caught the projectile in a web of golden magic, stopping it mid-flight before shattering it into a million glittering pieces.

As the dust settled, Renya's eyes fell upon a familiar form. Beauty sat on her hind legs, another earth-shaking roar emanating from her throat before she dropped to all fours.

"It's okay, girl. I'm here,"

Renya soothed, her voice cutting through the tension in the room. She approached the dragon without hesitation, her hand outstretched to stroke Beauty's head. The dragon's rumbling purr of contentment filled the air, a stark contrast to the earlier roars of challenge.

Renya turned to face the stunned group, a mix of pride and nervousness coloring her voice as she made the introductions. "Beauty, this is everyone,"

she said, gesturing to the assembled company. Then, with a slight hesitation, she added, "Everyone, meet Beauty. My...dragon."

The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the sound of Beauty's contented purring and the soft rustle of scales as she shifted her weight. Renya stood tall beside her unexpected companion, her chin lifted in a gesture of defiance that dared anyone to challenge this new development. As she waited for the shock to wear off and the inevitable questions to begin, Renya felt a surge of warmth through her bond with Grayden—a mixture of surprise, pride, and unwavering support that strengthened her resolve.

Whatever came next, she knew she could face it with Beauty by her side and Grayden at her back.