25. Raea #2
Women have their place as much as men, and our strengths were never meant to stand behind theirs—but beside them.
The last day on Malaya goes by in a flash. Ryker takes me into the Petera Wati Colony an hour from the palace where we are met with imploring stares and paparazzi, but we keep our hands to ourselves and behave as old friends might do.
Much like when I showed him Ayallenora, we visit different parts of the city, eat at a local tavern where we both are asked for several photos, before we stroll along the sandy beach talking about wedding plans.
We return to the palace after dinner and spend the evening out on Ryker’s terrace that overlooks the calm sea below where we read snuggled up under a blanket. I fall asleep there and wake to the most gorgeous sunrise outside with Ryker asleep at my side.
When morning comes, it’s time for my departure, and I don’t want to leave. As my transport is loaded, Ryker pulls me from my chambers and brings me down to the beach.
“I have something to show you,” he says.
I can feel his excitement through the Bond. That’s new.
When I slide my hand into his, I feel a ripple of peace and love. I almost giggle at the thought that I can now feel his emotions without even searching for them.
As we wander down the secluded beach, I ask, “How did you know? About Kellan?”
His gaze swings to me, and he smiles. “I can feel you. Much like you can feel my emotions, but different. I can’t explain it, but it’s like I get glimpses of you. They aren’t clear or anything, mostly strong emotions. They only happen when you’re really upset.”
My face scrunches as I study him. “Can you turn it on and off?”
He exhales, swiping a hand down his face.
“No. Not that I know of. It’s new though.
Since the day I showed up at the palace.
After that, whenever you experience something really intense, I feel it stirring.
With Kellan, I could feel your pain, your distress.
I caught a blurry glimpse of him kissing you, but you were shoving him away. That's all I caught.”
Huh?
“So when we were making love?” I ask, blushing, but those were some strong emotions.
His responding grin is enough.
I can’t help but giggle, bumping my shoulder into him. Of course, he doesn’t move. He’s so solid.
The sound of the ocean rushing in and pulling back out soothes me to my very soul.
The sand beneath my feet fills the space between my toes as I wiggle them, delighting in the wet grains.
I’ve left my hair down today, so it lifts and falls in the light breeze as Ryker guides me with interlaced fingers toward the forest of trees.
We’re both silent, but in a comfortable way. Every second I spend with him, I fall in love a little more.
We round the corner of the black cliff face, and there’s a home nestled in the trees. It’s two levels, with white-washed walls and a wooden roof. Seven arches span across the front leading to the front door. To the right, there seem to be smaller living quarters.
“This is for the Bonding phase.” He grins, and my cheeks heat. “We had it completely remodeled. Only a few servants will be here with us. They will live there.” He points to the smaller living quarters.
I look around, realizing how secluded the home is. “How will that work? I feel like with the state of everything, and a war on the horizon—”
“We’ll figure it out. We can stay here in the evenings and still take meetings at the palace.”
I exhale slowly, crossing my arms over my chest as I look out at the glittering waters. After last night, it’s not the sex that bothers me. It’s the feeling that this is so irresponsible. War is coming. This isn’t the time to focus on our relationship.
Once he is crowned king, and I his queen, we will rule over Okenen. And for now, my parents will remain the ruling monarchs of Treon. We have time to figure out how their transition of power will happen.
If it happens.
War will destroy us. It’s inevitable. The perfectly safe, normalized state of our system is going to be in shambles, and our wedding…
Gods, it's not the right time to even think about any of it. Our minds should be focused on training.
Ryker sighs, taking a seat in the sand, offering me his hand as I gather my skirts and sit beside him.
“I know what you’re thinking.” When my head swivels to him, he chuckles.
“Okay, not like that, but we’ll be ready.
As much as we can. Just because war is coming doesn’t mean we have to stop living.
Each day is a gift, and I plan to make the most of it.
So we train harder, we spend longer days with evacuations or fighting or whatever, but at the end of those days, I still want to enjoy my wife.
My mate. And I won’t regret it for a moment. ”
I nod softly, resting my head on my arms that are propped up on my knees.
Ryker nods to the water, and when I look, two water spouts are moving across the sea. Each time they get close, they spin out of control. Eventually, they crash and dissolve back into the sea.
Seeing him control the water spouts makes the hum in my own blood vibrate in sync. It’s not about the sex or the proximity. It’s that our magic feels incomplete when it isn't reflecting the other. I'm not falling in love—I'm being woven into him.
“You’re incredible,” I say with a genuine smile. “What else can you do?”