Page 14 of Kingdoms of Tides and Twilight

As Renya moved to take her seat, Grayden moved to follow, clearly intent on sitting next to her. However, King Triston's voice cut through the air, halting Grayden in his tracks.

“Prince Grayden,” Triston called, his tone brooking no argument. “Let the two women talk. You and I have an alliance to discuss.”

Grayden hesitated, his eyes flickering between Renya and Triston. Renya could feel his reluctance through their newfound bond, a mixture of frustration and anxiety at the thought of being separated from her. She gave him an encouraging smile, trying to project calm reassurance through their connection. With visible effort, Grayden nodded and made his way to sit beside King Triston, though his eyes never left Renya.

As she settled into her seat, Renya couldn't help but think,'Honestly, it's like having a toddler.' Immediately, she felt a pang of guilt for the uncharitable thought. She knew Grayden was struggling with their bond, fighting against instincts he barely understood. She wasn't sure why she was able to stay so clear-headed while he seemed lost in his desire, but she was grateful for her relative composure.

Princess Esmeralda turned to Renya, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “I've heard from my brother that you and the prince are fate-bound,” she said, her voice low and conspiratorial. “I hope you don't mind that he told me. I've always found fated couples to be incredibly interesting and have studied the lore a bit.”

Renya smiled shyly, her fingers absently tracing patterns on the ornate tablecloth. “I have to admit, I'm really not sure what it entails exactly,” she confessed. “I don't know how much you've learned about me from your brother, but I grew up in the human realm. Grayden told me his parents were fate-bound, and I understand the general idea but...” she trailed off, unsure how to articulate her confusion.

“What is it, Renya?” Princess Esmeralda prompted gently, her eyes warm with understanding.

Renya took a deep breath, steadying her tone. “He seems to be feeling much more than I do,” she admitted, guilt evident in her voice. “I feel like I'm disappointing him somehow.”

Another kind smile graced Esmeralda's face, and she leaned in closer, lowering her voice to ensure their conversation remained private. “I take it that you two haven't... sealed the bond yet?”

Renya's brow wrinkled in confusion. “No, is there another ritual or—”

Princess Esmeralda chuckled softly, the sound like tinkling bells. “Sorry Renya, I didn't mean to confuse you. I know how new this must be to you.” She paused, choosing her words carefully. “Not much is known about fated bonds, and our memories and stories have been lost with the fading, but from what I've learned, I do know that until the bond is sealed, your prince will feel quite desperate to claim you.” She gave Renya a pointed look, her meaning clear.

Renya's eyes widened as understanding dawned. “Oh...oh!” she exclaimed, heat rising to her cheeks.

Princess Esmeralda reached out, placing her hand gently atop Renya's. “Given his...outbursts...I figured he hasn't made your bond official. Once he does, he should be...less possessive of you. That is one of the few things I've learned throughout the years. With each subsequent mating, he'll feel more confident in his claim to you. It varies for each person, too. The physical side could be more demanding on him than on you.”

Renya's blush deepened, but before she could respond, servers arrived bearing trays laden with an array of mouthwatering dishes. The aroma of freshly cooked seafood and exotic fruits filled the air, making Renya's stomach growl in anticipation. Grateful for the distraction, she began filling her plate, suddenly ravenous.

As she sampled the various dishes, Renya couldn't help but glance over at Grayden. The moment her eyes found him, he stopped mid-conversation with King Triston and returned her gaze. It was as if he had sensed her attention, their bond allowing him to feel her eyes on him. The look he gave her was smoldering, filled with such intensity that it would have melted the hardest of hearts. His messy dark hair, chiseled jaw, and those piercing green eyes would have made any woman want him. A thrill ran through Renya as she realized that no other woman could ever have him. He was hers, and hers alone.

As the evening progressed, Renya could feel Grayden's urgency growing. Even when engaged in conversation with Triston, his eyes would constantly drift back to her, filled with desperation and hunger. She knew what he needed, but she also knew he didn't want to claim her in someone else's home. And if she was honest with herself, she didn't want it to happen here, either. She was nervous and hadn't had much time to get used to the idea of what was happening between them. While she loved him, everything was still raw, from the pain of their separation to the surprise of their mating bond.

After the meal concluded, King Triston excused himself and left the hall, his robes swishing softly against the polished floor.

“Take care of yourself tonight, Renya,” Princess Esmeralda said with a meaningful look, before she too departed for her own quarters.

Suddenly, Grayden and Renya found themselves alone in the grand dining room. The only sounds were the gentle rushing of the waterfalls and the pounding of Renya's heart in her ears.

Chapter Nine

Grayden rose from his seat, his movements slow and deliberate. He stalked towards Renya, his eyes never leaving hers. She felt like prey being hunted, her breath catching in her throat as he approached. He didn't take his eyes off her as he crossed the distance between them, each step measured and purposeful.

Renya took a deep breath as he reached for her, strong arms encircling her waist and pulling her close. But instead of claiming her lips as she half-expected, Grayden planted a chaste kiss on her forehead. The tenderness of the gesture, in stark contrast to the desire she could feel radiating from him, brought tears to her eyes.

Taking her hand in his, Grayden led them back through the winding corridors towards Renya's room. The journey seemed both endless and far too short, tension building with each step. When they finally reached her door, Grayden paused, his hand hovering over the shimmering water curtain.

Renya looked up at him, her voice barely above a whisper. “Aren't you coming in?”

At her invitation, Grayden didn't hesitate. He stepped through the watery barrier, pulling Renya gently along with him. As soon as they crossed the threshold, the curtain of water reappeared behind them, sealing them off from the rest of the world.

Grayden's eyes roamed the room, obviously taking in details he had missed during his brief, chaotic visit earlier. But his gaze always returned to Renya, drawn to her like a moth to the flame. He moved towards her with the grace of a predator, tilting her chin up with gentle fingers. His lips met hers in the softest of kisses, a stark contrast to the passion that had consumed him earlier.

“Are you going to stay here with me tonight?” Renya asked, her voice trembling slightly with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.

Grayden's expression softened, a look of tender concern replacing the hunger in his eyes. “Renya, I know this is a lot and what I'm feeling is...intense. I'm sorry if I've scared you or made you feel uncomfortable. I don't know why I'm feeling so lost without you.” He moved to the bed and sat down, his gaze dropping to his boots. “But if you'll let me, staying in here with you would be less painful for me. I'll even sleep on the floor. I just need to know you're here and you're safe.”

Renya's heart swelled with affection. She crossed the room to stand before him, taking his face between her hands. Grayden's cheeks were flushed against her palms, his skin warm to the touch. She gently forced him to look up at her, meeting his gaze steadily.

“Esmeralda said that from what she'd learned, it's normal for you to feel like this until...well, until we've been together,” Renya explained, a blush creeping up her neck.

---