Page 20 of Kingdoms of Tides and Twilight

Another kind smile graced Esmeralda's features. Renya found herself growing increasingly fond of and impressed by the Tidal Kingdom Princess. She exuded intelligence, thoughtfulness, and kindness.

“There's no cause for embarrassment, Renya. You've weathered numerous changes. It's only natural that you'll need time to absorb everything and adjust. But enough of that. Tell me about last night.” Esmeralda winked conspiratorially.

“Nothing happened.”

“What?” Esmeralda exclaimed incredulously. “Nothing?”

“Well, not 'nothing', but we didn't seal the bond.”

“How did he manage to resist? He looked ready to devour you at dinner.”

Renya chuckled. “He's rather intense right now. But before the bond, he was much calmer and just...simpler.”

“He will be again,” Esmeralda assured her.

“I hope so. The intensity is a bit much for me, but I do love him. We'll seal the bond when the time is right for us.”

“I'm happy for you. There's no need to rush before you're ready. That's the beauty of being fate-bound. He'll wait an eternity for you.”

Renya detected a note of wistfulness in Esmeralda's tone. Before she could inquire further, a chambermaid entered bearing sweet tea and biscuits.

Renya helped herself to a biscuit, slathering it with the thick, jam-like substance as Esmeralda did. She took a bite, and an explosion of sweetness danced across her tongue. It was like savoring the ripest berry, the flavor lingering long after she'd swallowed.

Esmeralda observed Renya's enjoyment of the jam and suddenly rose. “That reminds me,” she said, moving to a wardrobe against the side wall and rifling through the drawers. “I want to give you a necklace made of aragonite.”

Esmeralda continued her search while Renya protested. Finally, Esmeralda found what she was looking for and extended her hand. Renya examined the exquisite necklace. The reddish stones, polished and shaped into fine round beads, evoked the image of a pearl necklace. “I can't accept that,” Renya said.

“Nonsense,” Esmeralda insisted, placing the necklace on the table before Renya's small plate. “It's more than mere ornamentation. Aragonite is said to possess magical properties.”

Intrigued, Renya scrutinized the necklace more closely. She yearned to learn more about her own magic and the mystical forces that permeated this world she now called home.

“Legend tells of aragonite's power to help locate lost treasures. Our ancestors spoke of a mother with several young children. Her mate would be away for days, fishing and clamming to provide for his family while she tended to their home and offspring. One afternoon, exhaustion overtook her, and she succumbed to slumber beneath a tree in the rainforest. Upon waking, she discovered her youngest son had vanished. She scoured the area, as did all the fae in her village, searching for hours to no avail. Eventually, they feared the boy had drowned. The mother, devastated and enraged, approached the ocean's edge, intending to rail against the sea gods for claiming her child. As she gazed upon the waters, a small, sparkling gem caught her eye, glinting in the moonlight. Then another. And another. An entire trail of those beautiful crystals materialized, and the mother followed them along the shore. At last, the magical stones led her to a small ocean cave where her sweet son lay peacefully asleep.”

Renya absently twisted the beads between her fingers. “What a beautiful legend. I'm deeply grateful for this gift. I'll treasure it always.” She fastened the necklace around her neck, its weight nearly imperceptible.

“One never knows when they need to find something they thought was long gone.”

Renya blinked rapidly at her words. Where had she heard that before? Someone had recently uttered something similar about lost items returning...She grasped for the memory, but it slipped through her fingers like wisps of a fading dream.

Esmeralda sipped her tea, her gaze fixed on Renya as if sensing her momentary disquiet.

“I wish I had something to offer you in return,” Renya said, filling the awkward silence.

“There is something...” Esmeralda said quietly.

“What is it?”

“Details,” she said with a grin. “I long to know more about fated bonds. I...I had hoped to find my own one day but abandoned that dream until I met you and your prince. Perhaps, someday, it will happen for me too. Just hearing your story and knowing it's still possible gives me hope. Will you write to me?”

“Yes, I'd be delighted to. How should I send messages to you?”

“Your mate will know. I suspect my brother and your prince are forging an alliance even as we speak. They'll maintain regular correspondence, so we can easily stay in touch as well. I tend to be rather shy, so I don't have many friends. All that remains of my family is my brother, so it can grow lonely here.”

“I understand more than you might imagine. Before I came to be with Grayden and his siblings, I lived in near-total isolation. It becomes wearisome very quickly.”

“So, we are friends then?”

“Of course we are,” Renya answered with a warm smile.

---