Chapter 40
Sana was so honored and touched by the people of Darcanos, lining the streets to wish good fortune on her and Rhyel as they traveled through the city on their journey to the west with their caravan of wolves and guards.
She was never given a proper send off when she left the only home she knew.
She wasn't allowed to say goodbye to Uma and her family couldn't care less if she lived or died on her journey to the north.
So, it was heartwarming to see the outpouring of kindness from people she had grown to love and respect.
Gazing out the window of the carriage, a smile tugged at her lips.
The bright rays of sun filtered through a lush green forest and danced across the rippling river.
The black forests and misty gray skies of the north melted away as they traveled further west to the ardent blue skies and verdant wildwood of the lands of Grensea.
A longing sigh left her lips.
She missed the sun.
The moment that thought left her mind, a deep howl belted out over the sound of horse hooves and the rumbling wheels of the carriage came to a slow stop.
Sana frowned. "Why are we stopping?" she said, looking around at her carriage companions, Loic, Kezi and Eula.
Before any of them could answer, Rhyel opened the carriage door. "I'm sorry for the abrupt stop, but it's been a while since you've stretched your legs, my Lady, and I think we could all use a break," he said, holding out his hand to her. "Would you like to take a walk with me?"
A smile spread across Sana's lips, slipping her hand in his. "I'd love to," she said as he helped her out of the carriage.
She knew no one else needed a break. The soldiers in their party could probably carry on for days, but she was thankful for this because she'd been aching to feel the sun on her face the moment they entered these warm, glorious lands.
"What an excellent idea, my Lord," Loic said, helping Eula and Kezi out of the carriage. "We'll get something set up for lunch."
"I'm already ahead of you," Zena said, as she and a few soldiers carried a crate of boxes toward a rocky clearing by the river. She winked at Sana before bowing her head. "Enjoy your walk with your fiancé, my Lady."
"Accalia shines brightly on us all!" A soldier exclaimed followed by the rest of their party shouting 'Hooah!' in agreement before they carried on their task of preparing for lunch.
Rhyel laughed, shaking his head as he thread his fingers through Sana's. "They're far too excited and proud of our engagement. You'd think they were the ones getting married."
The soldiers around them beamed with pride as if Rhyel's status as a fiancé was the highest honor someone could have.
And for them, Sana supposed it was.
During her training, she learned that a warrior of Darcanos' highest priorities were the protection of the people and the blessing of love from the person they pledged their heart to.
"I don't mind their excitement. I think it's lovely," Sana said, as they walked down a path toward the edge of the river and she turned her face up to the bright blue sky. "And it's lovely to be in the sun, too."
"I can imagine it's not easy for you living in the cold, gray north," he said, reaching above her to pluck a pale yellow flower from a vine and tucking it behind her ear. "Do you miss your home?"
"I miss Uma and the warmth of the south," she said, touching the soft petals of the flower as they walked along the sunny pebbled path. "As far as missing my home, we haven't been away long enough for me to miss it."
Sana nearly melted at the bright smile that spread across Rhyel's lips, and the joy in his eyes sparkled under the brilliance of the sun.
"I'm glad you consider Darcanos your home," he said, bringing her hand to his lips and the golden undertones in her black ring shimmered at the brush of his lips. "I hope you always do."
"And I hope you're always this kind to me," she whispered.
"I'll be nothing less than kind to you, Sana," he said, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. "But I hope one day you'll allow me to be more than that."
"I... I don't know what that means."
"That's okay," he said, letting go of her hand and turning away from her.
Sana bit her lip as she squeezed her hands together, fearing she offended him with her lack of understanding.
Rhyel bent down and picked up a few smooth rocks from the ground. "Have you ever skipped rocks?"
"What?" Sana frowned before shaking her head. "Um, no. I haven't."
He threw the rock in his hand and it skipped and glided along the river three times before it sank beneath the water. Turning to her, he held out a flat, gray rock and smiled. "Would you like to try it?"
"Yes, I guess I could try," she said, taking the rock, pulling her hand back and throwing it toward the river where it promptly plopped into the flowing water like she imagined it would. She laughed softly, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, my Lord, but it seems this is another thing I'm not good at."
"Nonsense." Rhyel chuckled, picking up a few more rocks. "You just have to have a bit of finesse," he said, placing another rock in her hand before he stood behind her. "I'll guide your throw, and I'm sure you'll be a master at this."
Sana's heart was pounding as he slid his hand to her waist and held his hand beneath hers. She'd been hugged by Rhyel before, so it wasn't like she'd never been this close to him, but something about this moment felt...different and made her yearn for something she didn't understand.
"You ready?" he whispered against her ear, and his soft breath made her insides tingle.
Her breath hitched as she nodded. "Y-yes."
"Alright," he said, guiding her hand back and quickly waving it forward. Sana released the rock and it went skipping and gliding across the river. "See? You've mastered it already."
Sana laughed, looking back at him, and her heart fluttered at their closeness. "O-only with you as my guide."
"I don't mind that," he said, giving her waist a light squeeze. "I can do it again, if you wish?"
"I do."
And that was how they spent their afternoon. Skipping rocks along the river, which Rhyel told her was a pastime that he and his father enjoyed in the cool summers on the lakes in the small villages around Darcanos and it warmed her heart that he would share the game with her.
Maybe that was what he meant when he said he wanted to be more than kind to her.
And she wanted more of this.
Sana was restless.
She had a hard time falling asleep in the extravagant tent the soldiers erected for her.
She had nearly all the comforts of her bedroom in the castle.
A lush carpet covered every inch of ground beneath the tent, a vanity sat in the corner beside her enormous bed, and small amber globes of light hovered along the ceiling which would make the space feel cozy, if she wasn't so restless.
What's the matter, little flame?
"I can't sleep." She sighed, pushing her blankets off and sitting up. "I need some air."
Alright. I'll come with you.
Sune fluttered to her shoulder as she slipped her feet in her boots beside the bed and shrugged her cloak over her shoulders.
Sana peeked her head out of the tent where a few soldiers were keeping watch at the edge of their camp. They turned and shifted from their wolf forms before bowing their heads as she emerged from her tent. "Are you alright, my Lady?"
"Yes, I'm fine," she said, tugging her cloak tighter around her. "I just need some air."
"Would you like us to wake my Lord or General Zena?"
"No, no," she said, shaking her head. "I have Sune with me. I'm just going to sit on the peak over there," she said, pointing to a moonlit cliff overlooking a vast sea.
"As you wish, my Lady." They bowed their heads, but watched her intently as she walked toward the cliff.
She let out another heavy sigh as she gazed at the tiny white dwellings lit up by moonlight along the waterways that spread like vines from the ocean through the green lands below.
Her eyes caught the tall crystalline palace floating on the sea and dazzled in the soft light of the moon.
A creeping chill slithered down her spine as worry wrapped its claws around her heart. That beautiful, ethereal palace was why sleep refused to claim her.
For all the preparation and training she'd had for this moment, it would seem that the gravity of the festive season had finally caught up to her.
What if the nobles laughed at her?
What if they ridiculed Rhyel for wanting to marry someone like her?
The ungifted Lightbourne.
Curling her fingers around her dragon's breath, she closed her eyes and a calm spread through her veins, quieting her degrading thoughts as the low rhythmic pulse of the gem and her ring beat in sync as if they were old friends.
The gentle vibration filled her with a sense of peace as if everything would be alright and she could face whatever lay ahead of her.
"Sana," Rhyel said, wrapping his hand around hers and the feel of his touch further quieted her belittling thoughts as if he were a gentle anchor pulling her back to him. "Are you alright?"
She nodded, letting out a slow breath as she opened her eyes. "Yes," she said, looking up at him as a shy smile tugged at her lips. "I'm just nervous about tomorrow."
Rhyel chuckled. "Truth be told, I'm nervous too."
Sana raised an eyebrow. "You are?"
"Of course. It's your first festive season," he said, squeezing her hand. "I want this to be perfect for you."
Shaking her head as a blush burned over her cheeks. "It doesn't have to be perfect. I just hope I'm... accepted."
"I know, and I hope that for you too, but there will be people who might look down their nose at you because of me and I'm sorry for that," he said, curling his finger under her chin.
"But that doesn't mean you're not worthy.
You are the Lady of Darcanos, and you have every right to be treated with respect. "
"Right," she said, taking another deep breath. "So long as I hold my head high and demand it."
"Exactly, my Lady." A warm smile spread over Rhyel's lips and the pride shining in his eyes made her heart flutter. "You've taken my words to heart, I see."
"I have," she said, sighing. "But it's easier said than done. I'm... I'm still nervous about seeing my siblings again."
"I know that's not going to be easy for you, but when you're feeling like that, hold on to me and let me be your strength," he said, sliding his hand to her cheek as his eyes glowed with a soft tenderness.
"I'll be right here beside you and if it's not me that you need, Sune, Zena, your maids and Loic are here for you too. "
Well said, my Lord.
Sune said, fluttering to her shoulder.
Everything's going to be fine, little flame. You are ready for this.
"Thank you," she said, sliding her hand over Rhyel's wrist. "I'll try my best."
"Yes, but not too hard. You'll soon realize that some nobles aren't worth your time or your kindness," Rhyel said, slipping his arm around her waist. "Come. Let me take you back to bed."
"Actually," she said, biting her lip. "I'm not ready to sleep yet. Can we stay out here for just a little longer? If you don't mind."
"I don't mind," he said, shrugging off his cloak and laying it on the ground. "Would you like to sit?"
"Yes, but won't you be cold?" she said, tugging at his thin black tunic.
Rhyel shook his head. "I don't get cold very easily," he said, sitting down and holding his hand up to her. "So, sit close to me if you're feeling a chill."
"Alright," Sana said, taking his hand and curling her legs beneath her as she sat on his velvet cloak.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and her heart thumped as he pulled her close. "Are you warm enough?" he murmured, resting his chin against her head.
And that small, subtle action reminded her of Kal, resting his big snout in her hair and their conversations about nothing and everything on a cliff just like this in her dreams.
"Yes, I'm warm," she said as a comforting warmth fell over her as she relaxed beside him. "Thank you."
Rhyel was strong and sturdy like her dragon, and maybe... maybe he'd want to talk about nothing and everything with her too.
"There's an old myth about the serpent god, Gimhiya, who ruled the seas of Tsidia," Rhyel said, wrapping his finger around a loose curl that broke free of her braids. "He fell in love with a maiden and carved out these lands and named them Grensea after her."
"That's beautiful," Sana said, resting her head against his shoulder. "Can you tell me another one?"
"Of course," he said as he told her another story of Gimhiya's undying love for Grensea.
Sana yawned as she watched Sune fly amongst the glittering stars. Her tired eyes drooped and closed, listening to Rhyel's soft, deep voice. The warmth of his snug embrace blew away any remnants of worry she once felt as she succumbed to a peaceful, dreamless sleep.
A/N: I like these moments between Rhyel and Sana ?? I'm also pretty nervous for Sana ?? I don't know how this reunion with her siblings is going to go, but if it doesn't go well I have no doubt that Rhyel won't stand for any mistreatment of her.
Roll on Grensea and roll on the first festive season event!