Page 7 of Kingdoms of Tides and Twilight

Their last night together replayed in her mind with startling clarity. The heat in his gaze, the trembling of his hands as he touched her. Renya's cheeks flushed, her skin prickling with desire at the memory. They had both wanted more, the air between them charged with unspoken longing. Yet Grayden had held back, his honor a shield against his desires.

His restraint, his careful treatment of her, stood in stark contrast to the men she'd known before. Men who saw her as something to be conquered, not cherished. Grayden's gentle touch, his constant concern for her comfort and consent, was like a soothing balm to her soul—as refreshing and welcome as a cool breeze on a sweltering day.

She recalled the look of shock on his face when he realized he was her first. At the time, she hadn't understood his reaction. Now, she wondered if some part of him had sensed what she was only now realizing herself.

Yes, she'd had boyfriends before. But she'd always held back, always pulled away when things became too intimate. It was as if some hidden part of her had been waiting, reserving herself for someone special. For someone who would see her, truly see her, and love her completely.

The realization hit her with the force of a physical blow, leaving her breathless. All this time, she had been waiting for Grayden. Her body, her heart, her very soul had been waiting for this man from another world, a man she hadn't even known existed.

The longing for him intensified, a desperate, all-consuming need that threatened to overwhelm her. It wasn't just physical desire, though that burned hot within her. It was a soul-deep yearning to be in his presence, to feel the security of his arms around her, to lose herself in the depths of his green eyes. She needed his strength, his kindness, his unwavering support. She needed his love.

Renya's steps quickened, driven by this new understanding. Every moment away from Grayden now felt like an eternity. She had to find him, had to tell him how she felt. No more hesitation, no more doubt. She would give herself to him completely—body, heart, and soul. And this time, nothing would tear them apart.

Her boots were full of sand, and she decided to take them off and walk barefoot along the beach. Losing the tall boots helped cool her off and she walked in the surf, the glistening water lapping at her toes. A pink crab scurried past her, making its way out to sea, tapping its powerful claws as if to challenge her. She looked ahead and saw her path along the beach was blocked by an outcropping of rocks. Renya frowned. The tide must be coming in. She pondered if she should try and climb over the rocks, take her chances in the ocean, or find another way around. She was a strong swimmer, having grown up swimming in the warm ocean waters framing California’s coast, but she wasn’t sure how the water was here. If she got caught in a riptide or if there was a drop-off, she could find herself in big trouble. Renya hadn’t survived tygres, the nightmare dungeon, and the Shadow Queen just to be taken out by the ocean. She licked her parched lips and glanced at the rocks and looked at her bare feet and the tall boots she carried. Renya trusted neither to help her traverse the sharp rocks. She sighed and walked back towards the jungle, figuring it was the safest path forward.

Renya's feet sank into the damp earth with each step, vines and branches clawing at her clothes as she forged ahead. Her lungs burned, desperate for air in the thick, humid jungle. Still, she pressed on, Grayden's name a silent rhythm matching her heartbeat. Her fingers curled into fists, nails biting into her palms—a physical promise to never let him go again.

As she ducked under a low-hanging branch, a bead of sweat trickled down her temple, carrying with it a memory of her Aunt Agatha. Renya paused, her hand instinctively reaching out as if to grasp her aunt's arm. She could almost see Agatha's fierce expression, hear the quiet determination in her voice. She visualized Agatha, free from her bindings, hands weaving complex patterns as she searched for a way to open a new portal. The image was so vivid that Renya's own fingers twitched, mimicking the intricate gestures she'd seen her aunt perform.

For a moment, Renya stood still, caught between two worlds—the one where Grayden waited and the one where Aunt Agatha was trapped. Then, with a deep breath that filled her lungs with the earthy scent of the jungle, she pushed forward. Her path to Grayden was clear, and with each step, she dared to hope that Aunt Agatha might be blazing a trail of her own, one that could reunite them all.

Renya passed more palm trees and saw the same type of tree Sion picked a piece of fruit from earlier. Her stomach gurgled in hunger as she appraised the strange produce. Renya pulled the long, yellow fruit off of the tree and examined it as she continued to walk. Its skin was tougher than a banana, but other than that, it looked comparable. She peeled it and took a tentative bite; it was akin to the taste of a banana, only juicy instead of mushy. Renya could tell she was getting dehydrated and was thankful that it helped to satisfy her thirst.

She heard a bird chirp near her and looked to her left. Perched on a branch was a tropical bird with a large purple beak. He stared at her, turning his head as if to figure out what she was. His bright plumage was every color of the rainbow and Renya couldn’t believe how brilliant-hued he was. In fact, she noticed, looking around her, everything seemed more colorful. Was she just used to the muted colors of the Snow Lands? Or was this area more colorful?

The exotic-looking bird shook his wings and flew off as she continued walking. The bottoms of her feet were sore and starting to blister. She thought about putting the boots back on but the humidity threatening to strangle her changed her mind. Renya debated going back towards the shore and taking a quick dip in the ocean, but she didn’t want to waste any more time. She needed to be in Grayden’s arms. Focusing on her one goal, she picked up the pace, eager to get to the Tidal Gate before sunset.

Chapter Five

Grayden's muscles screamed with every movement, a testament to the grueling hours spent in the saddle. The last time he'd ridden this long was during his military training at fifteen, but youth had been kinder to his body then. Now, every joint ached, every muscle burned. Yet, as he urged Damion forward, a spark of hope ignited in his chest, overshadowing the physical discomfort. The connection to Renya pulsed stronger now, guiding him like a beacon through the snow-covered landscape.

The icy wind whipped against his face as Damion's hooves thundered across the ground, kicking up plumes of snow. Grayden leaned forward, his body moving in sync with the stallion's powerful strides. The world blurred around them, trees and snow melding into a dizzying white canvas. It felt as if they were flying, the ground barely solid beneath them.

As he rode, unbidden images of Renya flooded his mind. Her golden hair catching the sunlight, her warm smile that made his heart skip a beat, the feel of her in his arms - soft yet strong. A giddy laugh bubbled up in his throat, surprising him. The realization of their fate-bond still felt surreal, a miracle he'd never dared hope for.

His mind raced with the implications. Political marriages, once a looming possibility, now seemed laughably distant. He imagined the faces of those who had pushed for his union with Cressida, how they would react to this twist of fate. The sacred nature of the fate-bond would protect them from any who might try to separate them. For the first time in years, Grayden felt truly free.

As he rode, his thoughts drifted to Renya's Aunt Agatha. The memory of fear in Cressida's eyes when confronted by the older woman in the Sunset Land was vivid. There was history there, he was certain. A curious mystery he'd dismissed in the anguish of parting from Renya. He made a mental note to unravel that mystery once they were reunited.

The landscape gradually shifted as Grayden pressed on. Snow gave way to patches of grass, then to more lush vegetation. He was nearing the borders of the Tidal Kingdom. Memories of his childhood visit surfaced—a diplomatic mission with his father, a young princess named Esmeralda. He remembered his father's not-so-subtle attempts at matchmaking, a plan that never came to fruition. Had his father somehow sensed the possibility of this fate-bond?

Grayden's senses heightened as he entered unfamiliar territory, alert for any sign of Renya or potential danger. The humid air clung to his skin, a stark contrast to the frigid climate he'd left behind. Exotic scents filled his nostrils—unfamiliar flowers, damp earth, and the distant tang of salt air.

When the jungle became too dense to ride through, Grayden dismounted. His legs wobbled, unused to solid ground after so long in the saddle. He patted Damion's flank reassuringly before tethering him to a sturdy palm.

“I'll be back, old friend,” he murmured, steeling himself for what lay ahead.

As Grayden pressed deeper into the jungle, the foliage grew denser, the air heavier with moisture. An eerie silence fell, broken only by the occasional drip of condensation from broad leaves. His hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword as he pushed forward. A sweet scent filled the air, almost dizzying in its intensity. Grayden's eyes widened as he took in his surroundings. Massive flowers, easily the size of dinner plates, dotted the landscape. Their petals were a riot of colors—deep purples, vibrant reds, and sickly yellows—all glistening with an odd, viscous fluid. As he watched, a large insect, drawn by the scent, landed on one of the flowers. In a flash, the petals snapped shut, engulfing the hapless creature. A chill ran down Grayden's spine as he realized the nature of these plants.

Carefully, he began to pick his way through the field of carnivorous flora. Each step had to be measured, deliberate. A misstep could mean disaster. Vines hung from the canopy above, swaying gently despite the lack of breeze. Grayden ducked under one, only to jerk back as it suddenly lashed out, barely missing his face.

“Fates,” he breathed, heart pounding. These weren't mere plants—they were hunters. He pressed on, hyper-aware of every movement around him. The ground beneath his feet squelched, oddly soft and giving. Looking down, he realized with a start that the earth itself seemed to be slowly shifting, as if trying to pull him in. A loud snap to his left made him whirl around. One of the giant flowers had just missed clamping onto his arm. Sweat beaded on his brow as he quickened his pace, careful not to show fear.

These plants, he realized, could sense it somehow. Halfway through the thicket, a tangle of vines suddenly dropped from above, wrapping around his legs. Grayden's sword was in his hand in an instant, slashing through the writhing tendrils. Green fluid sprayed as the vines recoiled, a high-pitched keening filling the air. The entire thicket seemed to come alive at once. Flowers snapped, vines whipped through the air, and the ground itself began to quake.

Grayden broke into a run, dodging and weaving through the botanical onslaught. His breath came in sharp gasps, muscles burning with exertion. A gap in the foliage appeared ahead—the edge of the thicket. With a final burst of speed, Grayden lunged forward, rolling as he hit the ground beyond the reach of the murderous plants. He lay there for a moment, chest heaving, before pushing himself to his feet. With renewed determination, Grayden turned back to the path ahead. Setting his jaw, he pressed onward, leaving the carnivorous jungle behind.

The beach came into view, a strip of golden sand stretching as far as the eye could see. Grayden's steps faltered as a wave of sensation washed over him. He spun around, drawn back to the jungle's edge by an invisible thread.

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