Page 39 of Kingdoms of Tides and Twilight

His hands, always so gentle despite their strength, moved to the elkten pin securing Renya's cloak. As the heavy fabric fell away, Grayden's mouth found her neck, his breath hot and urgent against her skin. Renya sighed, melting into his touch, realizing just how much she had missed this intimacy during their journey.

Their cloaks and boots soon joined the growing pile on the floor, discarded without a second thought. Renya's fingers traced a path up Grayden's chest, savoring the solid warmth of him beneath the fabric. She tugged at his tunic's collar, drawing him closer before helping him pull it over his head.

As Grayden's chest was revealed, Renya couldn't help but marvel at his form. He was like a Greek statue come to life, all chiseled muscle and perfect proportion. Her hands explored the planes of his pectorals, feeling them flex slightly under her touch. The chill of her fingers against his warm skin elicited a subtle shiver from him, a reminder of the temperature difference between them.

With swift, eager movements, Grayden removed his trousers, pushing them past his hips and stepping out of them in one fluid motion. Renya's breath caught as she realized he wore nothing underneath, her gaze drawn inexorably to his arousal. Grayden's eyes followed her line of sight, darkening with desire as he caught her staring.

His hands found the hem of her shirt, tugging it upwards with barely contained impatience. As the cool air of the cabin hit her exposed skin, Renya felt a thrill of anticipation course through her. That morning, hoping for just such an opportunity, she had chosen her undergarments with care. The sheer, red lace she now wore was a far cry from her usual practical choices, selected from the items she and Selenia had picked out in the village before the Sky Lights Festival.

Grayden's eyes widened as he took in the sight, appreciation and hunger warring in his gaze. His fingers reached out, almost reverently, to trace the delicate lace covering her breast. A low groan rumbled in his throat, the sound sending a shiver of delight down Renya's spine. She felt a surge of feminine pride, pleased that her efforts had garnered such a response.

With aching slowness, Grayden's fingers traced a path along her collarbone before sliding the straps of the bralette down her shoulders. His touch was feather-light, a stark contrast to the urgency she could feel pulsing through him. He tugged gently at the fabric, and Renya obligingly turned, allowing him access to the laces at her back.

The moment the garment was loosened, Grayden all but tore it from her body, spinning her back to face him with an eagerness that left her breathless. The cool air of the cabin caused her nipples to pebble, and Grayden's appreciative gaze made her skin tingle with awareness.

“You are more perfect than you'll ever know,” he breathed, the awe in his voice making Renya's heart swell. He pulled her against him, the feel of skin on skin eliciting a soft moan from both of them. His hands slid down to cup her hips, fingers working deftly at the ties of her pants.

As the last of their clothing fell away, Renya felt a curious mix of shyness and power. Standing bare before Grayden, seeing the love and desire in his eyes, she felt truly seen and cherished.

Their lips met in a passionate clash, tongues sliding past each other before finding a perfect, synchronized rhythm. Renya moaned softly into the kiss, overwhelmed by the intensity of being with him again after their forced abstinence. The bond between them seemed to hum with renewed strength, as if celebrating their reunion.

Grayden guided her backwards towards the bed, his knee pressing into the rough mattress as Renya's head came to rest on the flat pillow. She parted her legs instinctively, welcoming him into the cradle of her hips. Just as she anticipated his next move, she felt a flicker of nervousness through their bond. The emotion was so at odds with the moment that it gave her pause, curiosity and concern momentarily overriding her desire.

But the feeling passed as quickly as it had come, replaced by a surge of love and passion as Grayden claimed her mouth once more. His tongue sought entrance, mirroring the motion of his body as he finally, blissfully joined them together.

The sense of completeness that washed over Renya was almost overwhelming. The desperation that had built during their separation gave way to a profound relief, a feeling of coming home. Grayden, sensing her emotions through their bond, slowed his movements, savoring the moment of reconnection.

“I want you so badly,” he murmured against her skin, his lips trailing fire along her neck.

“I always want you,” Renya gasped in response, her breath catching as he nipped gently at her pulse point. The sharp sensation radiated through her body, causing her inner muscles to clench around him, drawing him deeper.

Grayden's pace increased, each thrust bringing them closer to the edge. Renya felt the tension building within her, a coiling spring ready to release. When it finally broke, she pulled Grayden close, muffling her cries of pleasure against his neck. He followed her over the precipice moments later, his release filling her with a warmth that seemed to spread throughout her entire being.

As their breathing slowly returned to normal, Grayden rolled to the side, bringing Renya with him in one fluid motion. She found herself sprawled across his chest, his heartbeat strong and steady beneath her ear. His hands came up to massage her back, working out the knots and tension that had accumulated during their journey.

Renya sighed with pleasure as his skilled fingers worked their magic on her aching muscles. The bone-deep weariness that had plagued her began to melt away under his ministrations. As his hands moved lower, focusing on her backside and thighs, a louder moan escaped her lips.

Grayden's chest rumbled with a low chuckle. “Be careful, Little Fawn,” he warned, his voice a mix of amusement and renewed desire. “I want you to rest, but if you keep making those noises, I won't let you sleep tonight.”

Renya tilted her head to meet his gaze, a playful challenge in her eyes. “Do you promise?” she asked, deliberately letting out another exaggerated groan as his hands found a particularly sensitive spot on her inner thigh.

“You know I'm a man of my word,” Grayden replied, his tone low and full of promise.

As they lay there, tangled together in the small bed, Renya felt a sense of peace settle over her. Despite the challenges that lay ahead—the training, the journey to the Twilight Kingdom, the looming threat of the Shadow Queen—in this moment, she felt safe and loved. Whatever trials awaited them, she knew that together, they could face anything.

The fire in the small stove crackled softly, casting a warm glow over the cabin. Outside, the sounds of the camp gradually quieted as night fully descended. Renya closed her eyes, letting the steady rhythm of Grayden's heartbeat and the gentle caress of his hands lull her towards sleep.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Grayden woke before dawn, his internal clock as reliable as ever despite the exhaustion of their journey. He carefully extricated himself from Renya's embrace, pausing to admire her peaceful expression in the dim light. The sight of her, vulnerable and trusting in sleep, stirred a protective instinct so fierce it almost overwhelmed him.

As he dressed quietly, his mind wandered to the day ahead. The thought of Renya training with Phillippe filled him with a mix of pride and apprehension. He knew it was necessary, crucial even, but the idea of her being hurt, even in practice, made his jaw clench.

Stepping out into the biting pre-dawn air, Grayden made his way to the camp's kitchen area. He wanted to surprise Renya with breakfast, a small gesture to start her day of training on a positive note. As he waited for the food to be prepared, he found himself lost in thought, fingers absently tracing the sun mark on his wrist.

The camp was already stirring to life around him, soldiers going about their morning routines with practiced efficiency. Grayden observed them, his keen eyes picking up on small details—a slight limp here, a favored arm there. He made mental notes, already planning how to address these issues in future training sessions.

When the tray was ready, laden with dried fruits, pastries, and two steaming mugs, Grayden made his way back to their cabin. He paused outside the door, balancing the tray carefully as he listened for any signs that Renya was awake. Hearing movement inside, he pushed the door open, a gust of icy wind following him in.

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