Page 27 of Realms of Shadow and Sun (A World of Sun and Shadow #3)

"No, Beauty."

The dragon looked up at Renya, ears back and stomping slightly at the ground. Renya sighed, trying to coax the dragon into the stall in the stables. It was the third time she'd tied up the dragon, and she tied the knots even tighter, hoping they'd hold this time.

Renya knew that Samatra and Thesand were incredibly uncomfortable with Beauty in their lands, so she promised to restrain her until they were ready to leave tomorrow. But Beauty managed to break free twice, terrorizing the village trying to seek out Renya. Grayden already made reparations to several market stall owners after Beauty went on an eating spree and devoured an entire stall of fish, and another of deer meat. The second time she got out, she managed to tear into the wall of the guest house Renya and Grayden were staying at, and Renya woke up to her nudging her awake, growling slightly at Grayden for being too close to her. Rubble scattered across the room, and Grayden promised to send funds to replace the walls of the guest house, too.

All in all, Renya knew they needed to return home to the Snow Lands and find a permanent solution for Beauty. It was clear that she wouldn't be separated from Renya, and the larger she got, the more problematic it was going to become.

"Should we try chains?"

Grayden came up behind Renya, putting his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.

At the suggestion, a low growl started in Beauty's throat, as if she understood exactly what Grayden was proposing.

"No, I'll just tie them tighter and add more ropes. I'm not sure what to do with her."

"It's clear that she's bonded to you,"

Grayden said, eyeing the dragon. She was growing bigger every day. "Did Cressida bond to any of the other dragons?"

"The adult male one,"

Renya said, scratching Beauty affectionately on the snout. "But it's not like it is with Beauty. She seems incredibly determined to be by my side at all times."

Beauty circled the stall before finally collapsing in the hay. She closed one eye lazily, but kept the other partially open, watching Renya's every move.

"I can't believe you have a pet dragon, Little Fawn."

"Not exactly what I was expecting either,"

Renya said, as Beauty's watchful eye started to droop.

"Do you think she's big enough to ride?"

"I could ride her, but she doesn't have any kind of harness or saddle. When I left the Shadow Realm, she couldn't fly with me on her back, but could carry me on the ground. Her wings are growing larger each day, though."

Already her wingspan had doubled in size since Renya last rode her.

Beauty's eye finally closed, and the soft sounds of a snoring dragon sounded through the barn. Renya walked towards the barn door, Grayden following. She latched it securely and then bolted it with an extra lock that was installed just to try and contain the troublemaker of a dragon.

"Are you excited to be going back to the Snow Lands?"

Renya asked, wiping her hands on her borrowed dress. This one was a pale blue silk, with tulle sleeves that went down to her wrists.

"I'm more eager to get you home,"

he said, stopping her on her path back to the Acropolis. He stood in front of her, trailing his fingers up her arm, and then tenderly cupping her cheek. Renya looked into his eyes, and saw love and affection pouring out.

"I love you,"

she said, snuggling down into his hard chest.

"Oh, Little Fawn. There are no words to describe what you mean to me. I'm completely and utterly yours, for all time. The moment you came for me, I ceased being just me. It's now us, forever."

Grayden kissed the top of her head as Esmeralda walked by, with Phillippe following behind. Renya noticed that Esmeralda was holding a bouquet of fresh flowers, and she had no doubt that Phillippe picked them from the meadow.

"Did you finally get that rabid beast back in her stall?"

Phillippe asked, catching up to Esmeralda as she made her way over to Renya and Grayden.

Renya untangled herself from Grayden and lightly pushed Phillippe on the shoulder. "She's not rabid, and she's not a beast."

She put her hands on her hips and stared him down. "She's my friend."

"A friend that could eat us all,"

Phillippe mumbled.

"She won't hurt anyone as long as I tell her not to."

Grayden glanced at the barn and then back at Renya. "Do you mean that? Can you control her?"

"I don't control her. We're just...friends."

Phillippe snorted. "Right...friends with a deadly dragon. Grayden, your mate is crazy."

"No crazier than you are, thinking you have a chance with Esmeralda,"

he retorted, and Renya watched as Esmeralda blushed again.

"What are you doing over here, Phillippe?"

Renya asked, wanting to get back inside with Grayden as soon as she could.

"Thesand invited us to inspect his army with him,"

Phillippe said.

"Then let us go,"

Grayden said, motioning to Renya.

"Actually,"

Esmeralda said, "I was wondering if I could speak with Renya. You are leaving tomorrow, and I don't know when we'll have a chance to catch up."

Renya was torn, glancing between Grayden and her friend.

You should go, Little Fawn. Go enjoy some time with your friend.

She nodded, but remembered that only she could hear what Grayden said. "I'll stay with you, Esmeralda."

Esmeralda looked thrilled. "Great! I packed some lunch for us if you'd like to relax by the lake."

"That sounds wonderful."

Renya gave Grayden a quick peck on the cheek, but he turned her back towards him for a heated kiss.

Phillippe made gagging noises, and Grayden pulled away. "You're just jealous,"

he said to his brother.

Phillippe looked at Esmeralda wistfully, and Renya realized that Grayden was right. Phillippe was incredibly jealous that Grayden had someone.

Grayden patted Phillippe on the back, as if he understood his feelings, and then they headed off in the direction of the Acropolis.

"Come,"

Esmeralda said, leading them away from the barn to a stone pathway lined with roses. They walked for a little while, the sun shining down on them. Renya felt peaceful, but she knew that the feeling wouldn't last.

They stopped under a cherry tree right next to the lake. Esmeralda spread out a teal-colored blanket and they both sat down.

Renya looked off into the distance, barely making out the mountain range that stood behind Snowden Lodge. She was enjoying her time at the Spring Lands, but she couldn't wait to be home again.

Esmeralda uncorked a bottle of elderberry wine and handed Renya a small glass. She continued to unpack the basket, pulling out little raspberry cakes with a thick icing and several different types of cheeses.

"This was so sweet of you,"

Renya said, grabbing one of the cakes.

"It was no trouble. Besides...I wanted to talk to you about something."

Renya knew what she was going to say before she opened her mouth.

"It's about Phillippe, yes?"

"Fates, am I so transparent?"

Esmeralda groaned, putting her hand to her forehead.

Renya chuckled. "No, not at all. But he certainly is."

Esmeralda looked pleased. "I like him,"

she admitted, quickly looking down at the soft grass lining the bank of the lake.

"I don't blame you. He's quite charming,"

Renya confessed.

"This might be awkward, but when we were children, my father hoped for me to marry Grayden. But his father refused."

Renya felt a tiny stab of jealousy but moved on quickly. Grayden was hers and hers alone.

Esmeralda continued, "but I'm so glad for it. Grayden is sweet and kind, but..."

"Broody?"

Renya guessed, a coy smile on her face.

"Yes. But Phillippe...he's so funny and carefree. I know he has his own burdens, but he makes me feel like I'm the only thing that matters."

"I'm happy for you, Esmeralda. But to be honest, I don't know a great deal about him, so I don't know how much help I can be."

"That's not it at all. I wanted to know...before your bond, did you feel something for Grayden? I think I'm falling for Phillippe, but a part of me still hopes that there's a fated mate out there for me."

Renya chewed the inside of her lip thoughtfully. "Yes, I suppose I did. Honestly, I was attracted to him the second I met him. He was handsome and noble, and I did feel drawn to him. I even loved him before our bond came. We had a solid friendship, and we tried to downplay our physical relationship, but looking back, I think I always knew he was for me."

Esmeralda looked deep in thought. "I'm definitely attracted to Phillippe, and the timeframe for me to develop a bond has passed. But...it's hard to let go of the dream, you know?"

Renya didn't know, but she didn't want to tell Esmeralda that. The last thing she was thinking of was developing a fated bond when she stumbled into this world.

"Esmeralda, I think that if you like Phillippe, you should go for it. You can't live life waiting for something to happen to you. This could be your chance for love and happiness. I loved Grayden before we became mates, and even if I had never been fated to him, I knew we belonged to each other."

"Thank you, Renya. That was exactly what I was hoping to understand."

"Of course. For what it's worth, I think you look really happy with him."

Another sweet smile from Esmeralda. "Well, enough about that! Tell me how Grayden proposed!"

"Renya...my Little Fawn..."

She closed her eyes as she felt him enter her, desperately seeking the connection they shared.

"Grayden..."

she moaned, unable to believe that she was really here, pinned beneath him. Renya couldn't stop herself from constantly running her fingers all over his body, just to make sure he wasn't a dream. Which in turn, led to more couplings. She wasn't complaining though. She needed him as much as he needed her. They used each other's bodies to convince themselves that they could never be parted again, desperately clinging to each other.

"Gods, Renya..."

Grayden continued, his eyes fixated on hers. A shiver went down her spine at the intensity in which he claimed her. "I can't ever live without you. Never leave me again."

She tried to reassure him, tried to say something, but at that point he angled his hips and she shook, pleasure coursing through her bloodstream.

Grayden followed behind her, relief shuddering throughout his body. He collapsed on the bed next to her, pulling her on top of him and keeping himself within her.

Renya sighed contentedly as he caressed her arms and placed a soft kiss along her neck. Her head against his chest, she listened to his heart pound, and then slow as he recovered from their exertions.

"I love you,"

he whispered, running his fingers through her now tangled hair.

She lifted up her head and planted a kiss along his jawline, feeling the thick hair that now covered part of his face.

"You should shave soon,"

she said absentmindedly, rubbing her palm along his chin and cupping his cheek.

"I'll do it tomorrow morning,"

he replied, his eyes closing.

"Wait,"

she whispered. "There's something I want you to do first."

He opened his eyes, staring deeply into hers. "Whatever it is, I'm happy to do it."

She struggled with the request, suddenly embarrassed as she pictured his scratchy face between her thighs.

You never should feel ashamed to ask me for anything that makes you feel good.

Renya blushed, knowing that he must have seen what she was thinking, but she didn't stop him as he kissed a trail down her stomach. Her breathing hitched as he moved between her thighs, his rough stubble tickling against her.

"Is this what you desire?"

he breathed, blowing gently against her folds. She nodded, squirming as he continued worshiping her body.