Page 35 of Kingdoms of Tides and Twilight

Her mating mark tingled and pulsed as she maintained her focus, regulating her breathing. To her amazement, she watched as Grayden's shoulders visibly relaxed, a look of confusion followed by peace crossing his handsome features. His breathing fell into sync with hers, and after a moment, his eyes met hers, understanding dawning in their depths.

Renya offered a guilty smile, but Grayden's response was a warm laugh as he dismounted. He helped her down from her horse, pulling her close and placing a quick, affectionate peck on her icy cheek.

“Thank you, Little Fawn,” he murmured, his hands at her waist drawing her hips flush against his. “I know that was you.”

“I'm enjoying this mating bond,” Renya admitted, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “I can manipulate your emotions a bit too easily.”

Grayden's gaze darkened, taking on a sensual edge. “Can you tell what I'm feeling now?” he asked, his voice low and husky.

Renya leaned into his warm embrace, her body responding to his proximity. “Yes. Because it's pretty much what you always feel,” she breathed.

Grayden tipped her chin up, his intent clear as he leaned in. “You're not wrong, my mate.”

Just as their lips were about to meet, a booming voice cut through the air. “Grayden!”

They both looked up to see a powerfully built man striding towards them, a large sword at his hip and a metal breastplate adorning his chest. As he drew near, he dipped into a low bow before Renya, making a sweeping gesture with his arm.

“Mistress Renya, it's so nice to finally meet you,” he said as he straightened, taking her gloved hand and pressing a kiss to the leather. “We received a hawk from Almory telling us of your return to our lands.”

“It's nice to meet you too,” Renya replied, her eyes darting to Grayden for guidance on the proper etiquette. But Grayden's attention remained fixed on his brother, his voice carrying a note of correction.

“Not mistress. My mate.”

Confusion clouded Phillippe’s eyes as they flickered between Renya and Grayden. Renya took the moment to study him more closely. He stood a few inches shorter than Grayden but was more thickly muscled, his body a testament to rigorous physical training. Unlike Grayden's unruly locks, his jet-black hair was cropped close to his scalp. His skin tone was darker, likely a result of extended exposure to the elements.

As the man's mocha-colored eyes continued to dart between them, seeming to search for some visible sign of their bond, Grayden pulled down his glove to reveal the glistening sun mark on his wrist.

The sight left the man momentarily speechless, his mouth agape as he struggled to process this revelation. When he finally found his voice, it was thick with disbelief. “You're...fate-bound? How? And your mark is the sun? Does this mean—”

“That Renya is who I thought she might be? Yes,” Grayden confirmed, a note of pride in his voice. “She's not just my mate but a princess of the Sun Realm.”

Renya felt heat rise to her cheeks at Grayden's words. The title of 'princess' still felt foreign to her, a mantle she wasn't sure she was ready to bear. Despite her regal attire—the sweeping velvet cloak and jeweled snowflake clips adorning her braid—she still saw herself simply as Renya. Writer. Light bringer. Mate of Grayden. These identities were far easier to accept than 'princess.'

Grayden squeezed her hand reassuringly as the man—whom Renya now realized must be Phillippe—regarded her with renewed interest. Without warning, Phillippe stepped forward and pulled her into a bear hug. Through their bond, Renya sensed Grayden's tension spike. Instinctively, she channeled calming energy towards him, feeling his muscles relax as Phillippe released her.

“Well, that means you're pretty much my sister,” Phillippe declared, clapping Grayden on the back. His eyes twinkled mischievously as he added, “If this ugly brute ever gives you a reason to cry, just come see your big brother and I'll straighten him out.” He punctuated his words with a wink, eliciting a low growl from Grayden.

Eager to diffuse the building tension, Grayden steered the conversation in a new direction. “So, Phillippe, tell me how the training is going,” he prompted, his tone making it clear he was ready to focus on matters of strategy.

Phillippe's demeanor shifted, becoming more serious as he surveyed the camp. “There’s a matter about some maps that I need to discuss with you privately, but other than that, the new recruits are doing well,” he reported. “Jurel and Charly have been training them hard, and another batch of recruits from the eastern borderlands arrived two days ago. Honestly, I'm impressed you were able to pull so many men together.”

“I can be pretty persuasive,” Grayden replied, a hint of pride in his voice.

Phillippe chuckled. “Of course you can. How else could you have managed to convince such a pretty woman to be your mate?”

Before Grayden could retort, Selenia approached the group, Jurel close behind. His face still bore a faint flush from their earlier greeting. Selenia threw her arms around Phillippe, who returned her embrace warmly. Watching their interaction, Renya felt a pang of envy mixed with admiration for the close-knit family before her. She couldn't help but wonder what it might have been like to grow up with siblings, to have that built-in support system even after losing their parents. Her own childhood, with only Aunt Agatha for company, suddenly seemed even lonelier in comparison.

“How long are you planning on staying here?” Jurel asked, his eyes never leaving Selenia. Then, turning to Grayden with a hint of disapproval, he added, “And Grayden, why in the Gods' names did you bring the women with you?”

Renya caught the fleeting look of hurt that crossed Selenia's face at Jurel's words. She felt a surge of protectiveness towards her new sister-in-law, wishing she were close enough to give Jurel a sharp elbow to the ribs for his thoughtless comment.

Grayden's voice was steady as he explained, “This isn't just a visit to check out the recruits. We are stopping over and resting for a few days before we go through the pass to the Twilight Kingdom.”

Phillippe's eyebrows shot up in surprise. “The Twilight Kingdom? Why are you going there?”

“I know we haven't had time to talk,” Grayden began, his tone patient, “but Renya has her full powers back and we need someone to help train her.”

“Kalora?” Phillippe guessed, understanding dawning on his face.

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