Page 34 of Realms of Shadow and Sun (A World of Sun and Shadow #3)

Sunlight streamed through the open window of Selenia's borrowed room, accompanied by the melodious chirping of birds. The opulent space boasted gold trim and velvet furnishings, with dark mahogany woodwork adorning everything from the four-poster bed to the wardrobe cabinet. Julietta rummaged through Selenia's trunk, her curiosity heightened.

"What's this large package?"

Julietta asked, pulling out a wrapped parcel.

"I completely forgot about that!"

Selenia exclaimed, taking the package. She unwrapped a corner, revealing the gown to her friend. "I got it at the market in the city. It's for Renya—a wedding dress."

Julietta's eyes widened. "Selenia, that's so thoughtful! It's gorgeous,"

she said wistfully, carefully inspecting the fabric.

"I'll give it to her tonight. She and Grayden decided to put off the wedding until after the battle. With everything that happened back at the lodge, it slipped my mind."

"This is the second time you've alluded to something big happening at your home. You can trust me, Selenia."

"I know. It's just...unbelievable."

Selenia now understood Grayden and Renya's experience. Fated mates were rare, and hers was particularly unorthodox.

"Well, I suppose the story actually begins in the forest near your castle..."

Julietta listened, wide-eyed, as Selenia recounted her encounters with the Murcurial.

"What did she do, Selenia? To make you forget Jurel?"

Selenia gazed out the window, watching the chiffon curtains flutter in the breeze. "I haven't forgotten, exactly. But it's less painful..."

"What happened?"

"She...she unlocked my fated bond."

"What?"

Julietta's voice pitched higher than Selenia had ever heard it.

"Yes...I'm—I'm fated to Sion."

"Sion? That handsome man you were riding with?"

Jealousy coiled in Selenia's stomach, and she breathed deeply to calm her involuntary reaction to Julietta's comments about her mate.

"Yes. It's awkward because it's only one-sided. Whatever that witch did, it was only on my end. He doesn't feel the bond like I do."

"Selenia, that must be so difficult, to love someone who doesn't love you."

Selenia bit her lip. Did she love Sion? She certainly felt attracted to him, wanted him, cared for him...was this love? And did he love her? She knew he desired her, and there were those tender moments when they traveled together...

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Selenia rose and opened it.

"Renya! I thought you'd be busy preparing."

Renya entered, smiling at Julietta. "It's so nice to see you again, Julietta."

She turned back to Selenia. "No, I don't think there's much left to do at this point. Sion and Grayden are forcing Brandle to summon Cressida as we speak. I just wanted to check on you and see how you're doing."

She gave Selenia a pointed look.

"I'm doing okay. Really,"

Selenia added as Renya's face scrunched in disbelief.

"If you need someone to talk to, I'm always here. And probably someone who understands the most."

"I appreciate you so much, Renya. I'm so glad we're going to be sisters. Speaking of, I have something I've been meaning to give you."

Selenia retrieved the wrapped dress from the trunk.

"Selenia, what's this—"

Renya gasped as she unwrapped the gown. "Selenia, this is incredible."

Her fingers danced along the rosettes and smoothed the fabric. "But surely, you'll want to keep such a magnificent gown for yourself—"

"It's a Sun Realm wedding dress."

Renya's jaw dropped, and Selenia noticed a slight sheen in her eyes.

"Selenia, this is so thoughtful. I can't believe it."

"I wanted you to feel like the princess you are on your wedding day. Here in our world, it's tradition for the bride's mother to make her wedding gown. I knew that wouldn't be the case for you, but I still wanted you to have something special from your first home."

A few tears trickled down Renya's cheek. Selenia glanced over to see Julietta's eyes were misty as well.

"This is the sweetest gift I've ever received,"

Renya said, crushing Selenia in a tight hug.

"I know my brother is quite the gift-giver where you're concerned, so I doubt that. But I'm glad you like it."

Selenia paced the halls, sleep eluding her. Anxiety coursed through her, fear that something would go wrong tomorrow, that the people she cared about would be taken from her. The memory of Jurel's death before her eyes haunted her, and she envisioned the same fate befalling Grayden, Renya, or...Sion. The image of him lying in a pool of his own blood drove her from her room in a panic.

Though she didn't know where Sion was staying in the palace, she couldn't remain in her room any longer. She thought about waking up Julietta, but she was sharing a room with Kalora and Selenia didn't want to take any chances of messing up the much-needed rest those participating in tomorrow's battle would need.

After perusing a small reading room at the end of the hall, Selenia decided to return to her room, a book tucked under her arm.

She saw his shadow first, rounding the corner. Before his face came into view, she knew it was him. Selenia watched as Sion walked past her bedroom, made a motion to knock on the door, then walked away without following through.

"Sion!"

she whispered loudly, rushing down the hall, her bare feet padding against the stone floor.

"Selenia? What are you doing out here?"

He turned to face her. He wore only a loose pair of trousers, his chest bare. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, as if he hadn't slept well in days.

"I'm—I'm just scared for tomorrow,"

she confessed, closing the distance between them until only a couple of feet separated them. "I'm worried for everyone."

He reached out as if to stroke her cheek but quickly withdrew his hand. "You don't need to worry, Selenia. Our plan will work."

She tilted her face up to him, studying his handsome features in the darkness. "What were you doing outside my room?"

Sion lowered his eyes, shuffling his bare feet slightly.

"Sion?"

she pressed, waiting for his answer.

"Honestly, I'm not sure, Selenia. I was worried that this might be my last night in this world, and I couldn't stop thinking of you, and how much I regret that I can't feel our bond."

Selenia took a step closer, their foreheads nearly touching. "How I wish you could,"

she murmured, gazing into his dark eyes.

"Believe me, Selenia. I know I might not feel fate-bound to you, but I definitely want you."

His voice was husky, filled with desire. Selenia swallowed hard, looking at the man before her. She'd never felt so desirable, so wanted or needed. Her knees felt weak, and she thought she might collapse from the wanting she felt within.

Sion reached out and stroked her cheek, her skin tingling at his touch. Her insides felt like they were on fire, as if she would die if he stopped touching her. She stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his.

Unlike their hurried and lustful kisses before, this was gentle and tender. She felt Sion explore her mouth, his hands circling her and pulling her hips towards his. She felt his length hard against her and moaned softly, knowing she was playing a dangerous game with this man who desired her.

She pulled away. "Do you want to come into my room?"

she asked shyly. She wasn't sure she was ready for this next step, but she also knew she couldn't say goodbye to him like this.

A pained look crossed his face, and then he ran the back of his fingers along her jawline before tracing her bottom lip with his thumb. "Selenia—I won't take your innocence. Not like this. Not when I can't guarantee that I'll still be alive tomorrow night."

Tears stung her eyes at his rejection. She turned to retreat to her room, mortified that she'd thrown herself at him.

Before she could shut the door, he gently grabbed her arm, pulling her back into his warm embrace. "But that doesn't mean I can't be with you tonight in other ways,"

he said, his voice low and dark as he moved into her room and closed the door behind them.

The moment the door closed, he moved towards her, kissing her hungrily.

"Fates, you possess me, Selenia Snowden."

He began trailing warm kisses from her lips down her neck. He breathed in deeply, and Selenia sighed, craving the lavish attention he gave her.

"You are incredible, my darling,"

he murmured, slipping her nightgown off her shoulder and kissing her collarbone. "So sweet, so innocent. Pure and good, like the snow in the meadow."

Her body responded, desire pooling between her thighs. She let him guide her back towards the bed, falling gently backwards. Sion adjusted her so she rested comfortably on the pillow, and he leaned over her, his lips moving along her hairline.

"Sion, I need—I need—"

"What do you need, my darling girl?"

"You,"

she gasped, trying to pull him on top of her.

He moved between her thighs, still fully clothed. "I won't take from you, my Selenia. But I can certainly give."

She met his eyes as he gently began caressing her thigh. Her entire body clenched with need as she whimpered his name.

"Hush, my darling. My sweet one."

He brought his mouth back to hers, deepening their kiss, exploring her with exquisite precision. Selenia had never been kissed so purposefully before.

She gasped as she felt his fingers trace the outline of her undergarment, and she lifted her hips, giving him access to remove them.

"No, my Little Fox. I won't claim you. Yet."

She shivered at his phrasing, heat rising as she imagined giving herself to him completely.

He continued to tease her, stroking her lightly before moving up to caress her breasts. She moaned into his mouth, and she felt him smile against her. "Is this what you need?"

She nodded, her voice lost. He raised himself above her, and then without warning, pushed his hips against hers. She could feel him, feel his hardness pressing against her center.

"Sion, what are you doing?"

she gasped.

"Shhhhh...tell me if you want me to stop, Selenia."

He tilted his hips slightly and pressed again, and she felt his length hit her in just the right spot.

"Don't leave me. Please don't leave me."

She knew her plea meant more than just asking him to continue and hoped he understood as well.

"I never want to leave this bed, Selenia."

He gave her another scorching kiss, then thrust against her, this time a bit harder, and circled her nipple with his fingertip.

Suddenly, her entire body seized, and pleasure radiated throughout her. She trembled, not fully understanding what was happening but knowing it was the start of something amazing. She let the sensation course through her, making her toes curl and her fingers tingle.

Sion stopped kissing her. "Open your eyes, Selenia."

She opened them, not realizing they had closed. Her eyes met Sion's, and she knew, knew with all of her heart...He might not feel their fated bond, but she knew deep down that she was loved.