Page 42 of Realms of Shadow and Sun
“No argument there.” She playfully slugged him, and he chuckled.
“Do you have everything you need?”
Selenia patted her trunk. “Yes. I also wrote to Julietta to ask her to send the rest of our things home to the lodge. I included Renya's as well.”
“That was thoughtful of you, dear one.”
They both turned as they heard someone approaching from the other side of the room. Sion strode towards them, no longer in the flowing garb he arrived in. Instead, he was wearing loose-fitting pants and a shirt that was completely opened, but tied together with a cord of lace.
“Looking good there, Sion,” Grayden teased.
“Cyrus gave me these. They are traditional Sun Realm clothing.”
“I don't think I've ever...seen so much of you,” Grayden continued, enjoying roasting his friend a bit.
Sion ignored him, and looked at Selenia. “Are you going to be comfortable in that?” He gestured to Selenia's riding outfit, which consisted of a thick, long skirt and a silk top, buttoned all the way up the neck. Selenia loved the way that the hunter-green color complimented her hair, but agreed that it wasn't ideal.
“It's all I have,” she said, pulling out the sun hat she purchased. “But I'll be fine.”
Without another word, Sion headed out the door to the stables, where they had moved their horses.
Grayden looked down at Selenia. “Phillippe wanted to say goodbye, but he's with Cyrus in the armory, gathering up whatever weapons we'll need. I think goodbyes are hard for him too, but he won't admit it.”
Selenia wrapped her arms around Grayden. “Goodbye, Brother. And good luck. Renya will be back where she belongs before you know it.”
As she pulled away, she saw a mix of determination and vulnerability in Grayden's eyes. “Be safe, Selenia. And...thank you. For everything.”
Selenia nodded, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall. She picked up her trunk and walked towards the stables, her heart heavy with the weight of leaving her brothers behind but hopeful for what lay ahead. As she mounted her horse, she cast one last glance at the Sun Realm palace, silently praying for the success of their mission and the safe return of Renya.
Chapter Twenty-One
Sion couldn't believe he was finally returning home to the Snow Lands. After he crossed back through the portal to return to the Shadow Realm, he thought he'd never see them again. He knew he had Renya to thank for that, and he would never stop being indebted to her.
He lifted his face up to the sun, feeling the warmth hit his cheeks and brow. After spending so much time in the darkness of the Shadow Realm, the sun energized him and made him feel like a new man. Sion still had scars, both physical and mental, that would stay with him for the rest of his life. But riding on Phillippe's horse, Nectaria, with a slight breeze fluttering the open neckline of his tunic, felt like a rebirth.
“You better watch where you're going,” Selenia said from slightly behind him.
They'd traveled into the night without stopping, and now it was almost midday. They hardly spoke, and Sion knew Selenia was lost in her own thoughts. He himself took Jurel's passing incredibly hard, but he didn't know how close Selenia and Jurel were until Grayden took him aside and provided him with the facts of Jurel's passing. He made sure to give Selenia space, also while protecting his best friend's little sister.
Selenia caught up to him, and he studied her features. Although she wore a large hat to protect her fair complexion, it was clear that she was no longer the churlish girl he'd chased away with play swords and teased for most of his life. Her auburn ringlets hung prettily behind her shoulders, and her posture had changed. She carried herself with more grace, and took herself a little more seriously than she did before. Sion wasn't sure if it was the loss of youth or the loss of Jurel that changed her so significantly.
As she rode beside him, Sion found his gaze lingering on the curve of her neck, the way her riding clothes hugged her figure. He quickly averted his eyes, surprised by his own thoughts.
“Are we near where you made camp before?” Sion asked, his voice slightly rougher than he intended. They planned to rest during the most intense heat of the day, and then take off again during the cooler evening hours. Their route would take them past the Spring Lands into the Snow Lands. It was a much more direct route than heading back to the Twilight Kingdom and up the Mountain Pass.
Selenia looked around, her eyes shaded by her hat. “Yes, I think it's just behind this dune.”
Sure enough, the small cave came into view. The pair dismounted and walked towards it, with all three horses trailing behind them.
“Wait, stop,” Sion said as Selenia went to enter the cave.
“What's wrong?”
“Nothing, I hope. I just want to check it and make sure nothing is in there before you go in.”
“It was fine earlier,” she argued.
“Absolutely not. I will see you safely to the Snow Lands, Selenia.”
