Page 57 of Realms of Shadow and Sun

Renya bit her lip, fighting the smile that threatened to break across her face. “Hold that thought, mister. We were invited to dinner tonight.”

A low growl was his only response. With an indulgent sigh, Renya took his hand in hers and led him out the door.

Esmeralda and Triston were waiting for them outside. Esmeralda's face lit up as she took in Renya's appearance.

“Renya, you look gorgeous,” she exclaimed, her eyes sweeping over the borrowed gown. “I knew yellow was your color!”

Renya beamed at the compliment, a warm flush of pleasure coloring her cheeks. “I appreciate you lending it to me.”

“It looks much better on you than it ever did on me,” Esmeralda insisted. “It fits you beautifully.”

“I couldn't agree more,” Grayden chimed in, his voice thick with admiration.

Renya's blush deepened, the heat creeping down her neck. She was saved from further embarrassment by the arrival of Phillippe, who cut a dashing figure in a borrowed tunic from the Spring Lands, not unlike the one Grayden wore. As always, his signature broadsword was slung across his back.

To Renya's surprise, Phillippe bypassed her and Grayden, making a beeline for Esmeralda. “You look radiant, Esmeralda,” he said, his eyes twinkling as he brushed a gallant kiss across her knuckles.

Renya watched with interest as Esmeralda blushed under Phillippe's attention. While she was glad to see her friend enjoying herself, a tendril of concern wormed its way into her thoughts. She made a mental note to ask Grayden about his brother's reputation with women when they had a moment alone.

Triston, seemingly oblivious to the flirtatious exchange, led the way back into the acropolis and towards a large dining hall. The room was a breathtaking example of Grecian architecture, with grand columns adorned with intricate carvings and figures. The walls were painted a rich, earthy brown, accented with gold that highlighted the exquisite details of the columns.

At the center of the room stood a magnificent table of polished wood, surrounded by ornate chairs upholstered in luxurious velvet. The fabric featured an intricate pattern of vines that seemed to wind their way up and down the chair backs. The table setting itself was a work of art, with fine porcelain plates and silverware arranged on a crisp white tablecloth. Olive branches and fresh roses formed elegant centerpieces, lending the room the air of a grand celebration, as if a wedding was about to take place, rather than just a dinner.

As Renya took in the opulent surroundings, her fingers unconsciously sought out her engagement ring, twirling it absently. The thought of weddings brought to mind her own impending nuptials, and she wondered if Grayden would broach the subject again soon. They hadn't discussed their plans since the night of their engagement, and with everything that had happened since, it felt like a lifetime ago.

A soft breeze ruffled Renya's hair, drawing her attention to a set of large French doors that allowed ample natural light to flood the space. The sun had begun to set, casting a warm, golden glow across the room and intensifying Renya's growing hunger. She was more than ready for a warm meal and, hopefully, a peaceful night's sleep.

As she settled into one of the plush chairs, a slight shiver ran through her. The light dress, while perfect for the Tidal Kingdom's climate, offered little protection against the cooler evening air of the Spring Lands.

Grayden took the seat beside her, immediately claiming her hand and placing it on his knee, as if he couldn't bear to be without her touch. Esmeralda gracefully lowered herself into the chair on Renya's other side, and to no one's surprise, Phillippe quickly claimed the seat next to her.

The group's quiet chatter fell silent as Queen Samatra and King Thesand entered, still wearing the same attire from earlier. They took their places at the head of the long table, and Renya felt the weight of their scrutiny fall upon her and Grayden. She wondered what thoughts lay behind their appraising looks. Were they curious about the nature of their fated bond? Or perhaps they were more interested in her parentage, or the time she had spent in the Shadow Realm. Pushing aside her discomfort, Renya focused her attention on the meal being placed before her by an attentive servant.

The plate was a work of art in itself, featuring an array of colorful fruits and vegetables artfully arranged alongside a variety of legumes and a seeded bread that looked freshly baked. A bowl of fragrant rice, tinted a warm golden hue and releasing the distinctive aroma of saffron, completed the main course. To accompany the meal, the servant poured two drinks: a vibrant tea with a striking hibiscus flower floating on its surface, and a glass of what appeared to be elderberry wine.

Renya took a sip of the wine, her eyebrows rising slightly at its unexpected sweetness. As she sampled a crisp radish, she marveled at the intensity of flavors in every bite. Everything tasted incredibly fresh and bursting with natural goodness.

Queen Samatra, noticing Renya's expression of delight, smiled warmly. “Everything at the table was grown in our gardens,” she explained, a note of pride in her voice.

“It's wonderful,” Renya praised sincerely. Samatra's smile widened, and Renya felt a small surge of accomplishment as she sensed the ruler beginning to warm to her. Grayden squeezed her hand under the table, a gesture of support and pride that didn't go unnoticed.

As the meal progressed, King Triston turned to Grayden and Phillippe, his expression serious. “What are your plans now?” he asked, getting straight to the heart of the matter.

Grayden's posture straightened almost imperceptibly as he answered. “I want to get Renya home to the Snow Lands as soon as possible. Once we're there, I need to speak with my advisors and retrieve my soldiers from the Twilight Kingdom. They've been helping with the rebuilding efforts there.”

At the mention of the Twilight Kingdom, a pang of guilt shot through Renya. The memory of the destruction wrought there weighed heavily on her heart, and she couldn't help but feel responsible for the damage.

Not your fault, Grayden's voice resonated in her mind, firm and reassuring.You can't think like that, Renya. You never asked for any of this.

She glanced up, meeting his green eyes filled with compassion and unwavering support. The guilt didn't disappear entirely, but his words helped to ease its grip on her heart.

“At what point do you want to launch an attack?” Thesand asked, his gaze fixed intently on Grayden.

Grayden's response was measured, revealing the careful strategist beneath the warrior exterior. “Ideally within the next moon cycle. My fear is that Kalora will start to lose her powers soon. She's one of the few leaders left with an arsenal of magic, and I worry the longer we wait, the more likely she will start to lose them. However, we should also wait until Renya's aunt is located. She's Cressida's sister and incredibly powerful. Like Cyrus, her magic is still intact after spending significant time in the human realm.”

Thesand nodded, a gleam of excitement in his eyes as he rubbed his hands together. “We can gather our men. Our archers never miss,” he said, his enthusiasm for the coming conflict evident in his voice.

“My soldiers are ready too,” Triston added, his expression as stoic as ever. However, Renya noticed Esmeralda's downcast eyes and the way she picked at her food, betraying her friend's apprehension about the looming battle.

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