Page 54 of Realms of Shadow and Sun
“I would definitely appreciate a soft and welcoming bed,” Phillippe chimed in, his gaze drifting towards Esmeralda, who blushed deeply once again.
“Phillippe...” Grayden warned, shooting his brother a stern look.
“What? I'm tired,” Phillippe protested innocently.
King Thesand ignored their banter, addressing the group as a whole. “We'll have you shown to your rooms right away.”
As Renya stood, Grayden's arm snaked around her waist, his need for physical contact evident in the way he held her close. Several attendants materialized as if from thin air, ready to guide them to the guest quarters.
Renya and Grayden fell into step behind one of the attendants, with Phillippe and Cyrus following close behind. Esmeralda and Triston brought up the rear, and Renya surmised they too were staying in the guest wing.
The group made their way down a long, open hallway that allowed the sweet spring breeze to filter through. As they rounded a corner, Renya's eyes widened at the sight before her. A grand stairway led outside to a cluster of miniature cottages, each sporting ornate columns and angled red roofs.
Esmeralda gave Renya a warm embrace before heading towards a cottage on the far left,with Triston entering the neighboring structure.
The attendant gestured towards the cottage on the far right, and Renya followed Grayden as he pushed open the door. She stepped inside, her eyes widening as she took in their accommodations.
A large bed dominated the center of the room, its frame crafted from rich cherry wood. Pristine white linens adorned the mattress, inviting and luxurious after their long journey. The walls were adorned with intricate frescoes depicting a variety of flowers, their colors vibrant and lifelike. Scattered throughout the room were several statues of Greek gods, which Renya recognized from a mythology class she had taken in college.
The furnishings were minimal but elegant—a small table with two chairs, a vanity, and a trunk for storage. Renya's gaze drifted towards the bathroom, curiosity piquing her interest, but before she could investigate further, Grayden's hand was on her shoulder, turning her to face him.
Without warning, his lips crashed against hers in a searing kiss. His hands found her waist, and he backed her against the nearest wall, the heat of his body pressing into hers.
“Grayden, honey—” she began, but her words were cut short as he swiftly pulled the thin nightgown over her head. Before she could protest, his tongue traced a hot path between her breasts, eliciting a moan from deep in his throat.
“I can't wait, Renya,” he growled, his breath hot against her skin. “I—I don't think I can be gentle.” The raw need in his voice sent shivers down her spine.
“I don't care,” she gasped, her fingers tangling in his unkempt hair, guiding his mouth back to hers. “Be with me. I just want to feel you.” She tugged at his shirt, desperate to feel his skin against hers.
As her hands roamed his newly bared chest, her fingers encountered the rough patch of scar tissue. She pulled away from his kiss, her eyes falling to the thick, raised scar that marred his flesh.
“I'm fine,” he assured her, trying to recapture her lips. Instead, Renya sank to her knees, pressing gentle kisses along the length of his scar. Sorrow welled up inside her as she traced the permanent reminder of how close she had come to losing him.
Grayden moaned, his hands cupping her face and drawing her back to her feet. The evidence of his desire pressed insistently against her, and she marveled at the effect she had on him.
A low growl rumbled in his chest as he hooked his fingers into her undergarments, sliding them down her legs. Renya clutched at his shoulders, stepping out of the discarded fabric as Grayden's lips blazed a trail of fire along her shoulder, neck, and collarbone.
Her fingers fumbled with the laces of his trousers, urgency making her movements clumsy. As the fabric pooled around his ankles, he didn't bother to kick them off completely before hitching her leg around his hip.
Renya bit her lip, a whimper escaping her as she felt him, hot and hard against her core. The weeks of separation melted away, replaced by an all-consuming need to be joined with him once more.
Grayden lifted her other leg, wrapping it around his waist as he supported her weight effortlessly. For a moment, he paused, his gaze locking with hers. The depth of emotion in his green eyes made Renya's breath catch in her throat.
“I swear to you, Renya,” he said, his voice low and intense. “I will never, ever allow us to be parted again. Even in death. I pledge my soul to you. Fates be damned.”
A shiver ran through her at the weight of his words, spoken like a solemn vow against any force that might try to tear them apart. She cradled his face in her hands, drawing him in for another kiss, her body thrumming with need.
“Promise me,” he demanded, holding back despite the tension evident in every line of his body.
Renya shifted her hips, seeking the connection they both craved. “No, Little Fawn,” he insisted. “Not until you promise me. No more sacrifices. From here on out, we do everything together.”
“I promise,” she whispered, the words barely out of her mouth before Grayden surged forward, sheathing himself inside her in one smooth motion.
They both gasped at the sensation, the feeling of completeness overwhelming after their long separation. “Renya...” Grayden groaned, his face a mask of concentration. “I can't go slow right now.”
“I don't want you to go slow,” she pleaded. “I need you.”
He obliged, setting a rapid pace that had Renya clinging to him, muffling her cries against his shoulder. It took only moments for her to reach her peak, her body singing with pleasure as she shuddered in his arms.
