Page 58 of Kingdoms of Tides and Twilight

“I sympathized as much as I could. Our engagement came at a bad time, I'm afraid. I think us being fated and engaged is hard for her, especially when she wants a family of her own. I think it's hard for a lot of people.” Renya thought back to the quick rush of jealousy she had picked up from Esmeralda at the Tidal Kingdom.

“How is she now?”

“A little better, I think. I—I told her what happened to me back in my world and how it affected my relationship with you at the beginning.”

“I wondered what was going on. While I was meeting the captain of the guard, I thought I felt you panic for a split second. I tried to help relax you a bit.”

“I felt it. I didn't realize it was you. Thank you.”

He brushed off her gratitude, since it was unnecessary. “That must have been hard for you.”

Renya went back into the bathroom to check on the bath water. Grayden got up from the bed, removing his boots. She stepped back into the main room. “It was. But not as hard as it used to be. But I think Selenia understood that sometimes we get dealt a bad hand of cards, but we just have to return them to the dealer and start fresh.”

Grayden looked at her before pulling his tunic over his head and tossing it on the ground. “I'm guessing that's a human expression?”

“Sorry, yes. But anyway, I think it will take some time, but she'll come around. I don't know if Jurel will change his mind—”

“He won't.”

“—but I think she'll be okay either way.”

Renya disappeared into the bathroom and unbraided her hair, preparing to submerge herself in the minuscule tub.

She called out to him from the bathroom. “What happened during your meeting with the captain?”

Grayden stepped inside the bathroom, sitting down on a small bench near the tub. “We had a great talk. They've been perfecting a new type of armor that is lighter and stronger than any before. It should make coming up head-to-head with a dragon a little easier. It won't be an instant death, at least.”

“That sounds encouraging,” she said sarcastically.

“Honestly, I've been trying not to think about it. One day at a time. We'll figure it out.”

“Together,” she agreed. She slipped into the hot water and suppressed a whimper. Her body was in worse shape than she thought. All the magic had been resting inside of her, a part of her. Pushing and pulling it out took its toll. She was glad Grayden had insisted she rest tonight.

He watched her, entranced, as she began washing her hair. She lathered up the soap and began rinsing away the sweat that had accumulated on her scalp from the effort of bringing her magic forth. Grayden sighed loudly and she turned towards him.

“I hate that pathetic excuse for a bathtub.”

She laughed, splashing a bit of water towards him. “How long do you plan to stay here?” Their accommodations weren't bad, but she was starting to miss Doria and the cozy comfort of the lodge.

“I think perhaps a week more or so. I want to be sure you've learned all you can from Kalora. I'm also planning on returning to the camp on the way back. About half of the Twilight Kingdom soldiers will travel towards our encampment. They'll train with our men. The landscape is pretty impenetrable to outsiders. They are safer there than here and can train away from prying eyes. Unless Phillippe lets in another spy...”

“You have to forgive his mistake.”

“No, I don't.”

“Grayden,” Renya warned. “He didn't do it intentionally. Also, how are you sure the Twilight soldiers are trustworthy?”

“Orien vouched for them all personally. He's the captain of the Queen's Guard and oversees their armies as well. He seems like a decent man. Fair, perhaps a bit standoffish, but he didn't give me any reason to doubt his loyalty to Queen Kalora.”

Renya started to drain the tub. She stood up, and Grayden's eyes flickered over her body appreciatively. However, he handed her a towel, and she wrapped it around herself after drying off. Grayden followed her into the main room as she searched the trunk for another nightdress. She slipped the pale pink gown over her head and found a robe. She had barely fastened it when there was a knock on the door. Grayden strode towards the heavy door and opened it. A maid stood there, a large tray in hand. Grayden took it from her quickly and muttered his thanks. Renya caught the young woman glancing at Grayden's bare chest and the way his trousers hung low on his hips before he shut the door.

Annoyed, she scolded him. “Don't answer the door without a shirt.”

His eyebrow lifted. “Why?”

“Because she was ogling you!”

“I assure you, she did no such thing. What does ogling mean?”

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