Page 56 of Realms of Shadow and Sun

At last, Selenia burst into the clearing where their camp was set up. Her eyes immediately found Sion, still sleeping peacefully by the dying embers of the fire. She approached him slowly, her breath catching in her throat as she gazed upon him with new eyes.

Kneeling beside him, Selenia reached out with a trembling hand to caress his cheek. Sion moaned softly in his sleep, turning his face slightly into her touch. His skin was smooth and warm beneath her fingers, and Selenia felt a deep sigh escape her.

Her entire body thrummed with the need to touch him, to explore every inch of him with her hands, her lips. The urge to taste him was nearly overwhelming, and Selenia found herself leaning closer, drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

In that moment, everything became crystal clear. The confusion, the guilt, the conflicting emotions that had plagued her for so long...all of it fell away, leaving only one irrefutable truth.

Sion.

Her fated mate.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Renya eased herself into the bath, a contented sigh escaping her lips as the warm water surrounded her body. The heat seeped into her muscles, gradually unraveling the knots of tension she hadn't realized she'd been carrying. It seemed there wasn't a single spot on her body that didn't ache, a testament to the passionate reunion with Grayden. Even her lips were swollen from his ardent kisses, and her scalp tingled where he had tugged perhaps a bit too enthusiastically on her hair in his fervor to claim her again and again.

Closing her eyes, Renya allowed herself to relax fully, savoring the simple luxury of a warm bath and the opportunity to get clean. More than that, she reveled in the joy of being reunited with her mate, their bond renewed and strengthened. She could feel Grayden's presence in her mind more acutely than ever before, their connection humming with vitality. She wondered idly if it was their physical proximity that enhanced their bond, or if it was the repeated joining of their bodies that had deepened their connection.

“What do you think you're doing?”

Without opening her eyes, Renya could picture the scene before her with perfect clarity: Grayden, naked and magnificent, towering over her. His muscled body would still be slightly damp with sweat, a testament to the vigorous activities that had occupied their time since their reunion.

“Move,” he commanded, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine despite the warmth of the bath.

Renya opened her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest in a show of defiance. “No,” she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “I'm going to relax in this tub all by myself.”

Grayden threw his head back and groaned, the sound a mixture of frustration and desire. “Why do you torture me, Little Fawn?”

In response, Renya sat up, allowing the bubbles to cascade down her chest, exposing her cleavage to his searching gaze. She watched with satisfaction as his eyes darkened with arousal, feeling an answering surge of lust pulse through their bond.

A sharp knock on the door interrupted the charged moment, eliciting a growl from Grayden.

“Should I go get it?” Renya asked innocently, rising further out of the water and allowing droplets to trace tantalizing paths down her stomach.

“You are playing with fire, little one,” Grayden warned, his voice husky with barely restrained desire.

Renya offered him a sweet smile, relishing the effect she had on him. With a final frustrated growl, Grayden turned and left the bathroom to answer the door, closing it behind him with perhaps more force than necessary.

Smirking to herself, Renya settled back into the bath to finish washing, taking particular care with her hair. She had just begun to rinse when Grayden returned, his arms laden with an assortment of flowing gowns.

“Those aren't your colors, sweetie,” she teased, nodding towards the garments.

Grayden's laugh filled the room, deep and rich. “These are from Esmeralda. She thought you might need to borrow some clothing.”

“Oh god, yes,” Renya said fervently, grateful for her friend's thoughtfulness. She lifted herself out of the tub, accepting Grayden's steadying hand as she navigated the slippery floor. Before she could reach for a towel, Grayden had grabbed one and began gently drying her off.

“I can do that, Grayden,” she protested halfheartedly.

“I know,” he replied simply, continuing his ministrations with careful tenderness.

Renya sighed and allowed him to continue, sensing the underlying current of guilt that still lingered from their separation. If this small act of care helped ease that feeling, she was more than willing to indulge him.

As Grayden worked, Renya examined the clothes he had set on the counter. Several satin dresses in the distinctive style of the Tidal Kingdom caught her eye, along with a pair of sandals and some undergarments. A wave of appreciation washed over her; the thought of putting on her filthy nightgown after being clean was unappealing, to say the least. More than that, she had no desire to wear anything that reminded her of her time in the Shadow Realm.

After careful consideration, Renya selected a butter yellow gown. The front was relatively simple, with a modest scoop neckline and cording around the waist. The back, however, was far more daring, featuring straps crisscrossed in an intricate net-like pattern. The hemline dipped lower in the back, creating a slight train that trailed behind her as she moved.

“Do you mind?” she asked, noticing Grayden's intense gaze as she dressed.

“Not at all,” he replied, his eyes never leaving her. “Although if truth be told, I'd rather you be undressing.”

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