Page 13 of Kingdoms of Tides and Twilight

“Grayden,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Are we...is it like with your parents?”

Grayden's warm hands continued their exploration of her body, sliding down to the top of her thighs. His fingers traced slow, maddening patterns up and down her leg, finding the bare skin exposed by the slit in her dress.

Renya shuddered with pleasure, a soft sigh escaping her lips. She knew the answer before Grayden even spoke, the truth of it resonating in her very bones.

“Yes,” Grayden confirmed, his voice low and intense. “Renya, I believe we're fated to be together.” His eyes locked with hers, and she could see the struggle within him, the battle between his desire to claim her and his need to explain. As his fingers continued their sensual dance along her skin, Renya felt something else emanating from him. It was a cocktail of emotions—wild exhilaration, profound joy, and an underlying current of fear.

Renya focused, allowing herself to open up to this new connection between them. Suddenly, she could feel what Grayden was feeling, his emotions washing over her like waves on a shore. Yet, somehow, she knew these weren't her own feelings. There was no denying it now—a bond had formed between them, invisible but undeniably real.

“Renya...” Grayden's voice was hesitant, a stark contrast to his earlier passion. “If you're disappointed or if you don't...don't want me...we can look and see if there's some way to sever our bond. I don't know if it's possible, but I'll do anything to make you happy.” The devastation in his eyes as he spoke tore at Renya's heart.

“Grayden, no,” she said firmly, cupping his face in her hands. “That's not what I want at all. I'm just trying to figure this out and you touching me is making it hard to think because...” she paused, gathering her courage, “I do want you.” The admission left her lips without a hint of embarrassment, a new confidence embroiled in her words.

Grayden's eyes shone with emotion, a myriad of feelings playing across his face. “Gods, I want you too,” he breathed, his voice husky with desire. “I want to take you in this exact moment, however and wherever I can. I need to make you mine, and soon.” His words sent a shiver down Renya's spine, but he wasn't finished. “But I also want to wait. I want to wait until we aren't in a borrowed room in someone else's palace. I want you on a bed of lotus petals with a fire burning in the hearth. I want you on my bed, under my furs where I can claim you and make you mine forever.”

Renya trembled at the intensity of his words, each one striking her like a physical caress. They were both a promise and a prophecy, painting a vivid picture of their future together.

“I want you however I can have you,” Grayden continued, replacing his fingers against her thighs with his lips. The heat of his mouth against her skin sent jolts of pleasure through her body. Renya pressed her thighs together, acutely aware of the growing moisture there. She choked back a sob of desire, and Grayden looked up at her, his eyes heavy-lidded with need. “So, what do you want, my sweet Renya?”

Before she could answer, a sharp knock at the door shattered the intimate atmosphere. The young girl who had brought Renya's clothing earlier appeared in the doorway, her expression impassive. Grayden let out a low growl, reluctantly pulling away from Renya's legs.

“None of that now,” Renya admonished playfully, finding her voice. “You can act like a beast later, in private.” The words left her mouth before she could stop them, and she flushed deeply, knowing the effect they would have on Grayden.

The girl, seemingly oblivious to the charged atmosphere in the room, announced that King Triston and Princess Esmeralda requested Renya and Grayden's presence for dinner. Having delivered her message, she turned on her heel and left without waiting for a response.

“Well, she's efficient,” Renya mumbled, still flustered from their interrupted moment.

Grayden, for his part, couldn't tear his eyes away from Renya. His gaze was so intense, so full of heat and longing, that Renya felt as if she were naked despite being fully clothed.

With a deep breath, Renya stood up, smoothing down her dress. Grayden remained seated on the bed, his eyes following her every movement. She could sense his desire to close the distance between them, to take her in his arms again, but he was visibly restraining himself.

“I don't know about you, but I'm starving,” Renya announced, trying to inject some normalcy into the situation.

“Me too,” Grayden replied, his voice low and husky. “I could feast on you for days.” His gaze darkened as it focused on her exposed thighs where the slit in her dress revealed a tantalizing glimpse of skin.

Renya rolled her eyes, a mix of exasperation and affection coloring her expression. “Seriously, Grayden. Can you handle a civilized dinner?”

He looked at her, swallowing hard before nodding. “Perfect,” Renya said, “because if I don't eat soon, I'm going to get cranky.”

She moved towards the door, and Grayden followed, rising from the bed with fluid grace. As they walked down the long corridor, Renya noticed him flexing his fingers repeatedly, as if trying to keep them from reaching for her. Taking pity on him, she offered her hand. Grayden grasped it like a lifeline, his fingers interlacing with hers as they walked side-by-side.

When they reached the main hall, a guard led them to a formal dining room. They passed through another waterway, the curtain of liquid parting to allow them entry. Grayden's grip on Renya's hand tightened as they stepped into the room, as if afraid she might disappear if he let go.

The dining room was a marvel of nature and architecture combined. It was better lit than Renya's guest room, everything bathed in a soft, seafoam green glow that gave the impression of being underwater. Against the back wall, the stone cliff that the palace rested on towered overhead, its rough surface a stark contrast to the polished floors and furnishings.

From the very top of the cliff, an impressive waterfall cascaded down, its crystal waters rushing towards a bed of rocks below. The waterfall fed into a large reservoir, its surface rippling with tiny waves. On each side of the pond, a steady stream branched out, running along the sides of the room before converging and plunging down another waterfall on the opposite side of the room. This second fall disappeared over a cliff, presumably flowing into the sea below. A small, ornate bridge arched over the rushing stream, allowing access to the dining area. The overall effect was breathtaking, making Renya feel as if they were dining in an underwater grotto.

Sitting nearest the waterfall at a table covered in gold place settings was King Triston. He had changed for dinner and now wore a grand pair of dark green robes that shimmered in the watery light. His sister, Princess Esmeralda, sat beside him, resplendent in a dress of fine orange silk. It was crafted in the same style as the one she had worn earlier, but instead of pearls, this gown was adorned with tiny reddish gems. As Renya and Grayden approached, she found herself captivated by the jewels. They seemed to glow from within, pulsing with an inner light that might have been a trick of the flowing water behind the princess, or something more magical.

Esmeralda caught Renya staring at her gown and smiled. “It's aragonite,” she explained, her fingers lightly touching the tiny gemstones. “It's found naturally here in our kingdom.”

“It's beautiful,” Renya responded, remembering her manners and giving a slight bow.

“You think so?” Esmeralda's smile widened. “Well then, you must have a necklace made of it. I have dozens.”

“There's no need to do that,” Renya protested, embarrassment coloring her cheeks. She was acutely aware that they had already benefited greatly from the Tidal Kingdom's hospitality, not to mention the chaos Grayden had caused in his desperate search for her.

“Nonsense,” Princess Esmeralda replied with a polite but firm smile. She gestured to the chair on her left. “Please, sit beside me.”

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