Page 68 of Mountains of Mist and Magic

“What is it, Sion?”

“Nothing. I just feel bad for interrupting your time with your friend.” He stood near the water doorway, his hands fiddling with the sword he wore around his waist.

Selenia walked towards him, embracing him gently. She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a warm kiss. He closed his eyes, and she smiled slightly against his mouth, happy that she could evoke such a response in him.

“You're never interrupting, Sion. You're to be my husband soon.”

He smiled back at her, but then his grin quickly faded. “I trained a bit with Triston today. He seemed...excessively happy.”

Selenia knew what he was hinting at. “Yes, he and Julietta sealed their bond.”

Sion nodded, rubbing his fingers along his jawline. “Selenia...I hope you aren't...disappointed that we haven't—”

“Shhhhhhh, Sion. It'll happen for us when we're ready.”

“I know—I'm just worried you'll get tired of waiting...”

“I would never,” she said, sealing her mouth over his. She knew it was still difficult for him, but they had been making good progress and she was now able to touch him freely.

He broke their kiss. “I just worry that I'll never get past this. Every time I think I'm ready, I realize that Cressida is still alive and—”

Selenia took his hand, pulling him over to the bed. Before he could utter a word, she had tugged off his shirt. She ran her fingers up and down his chest, and he shuddered at the contact.

“We'll get there, Sion. And even if we don't, I'm content just to be near your side.”

“Selenia, I'm so lucky to have you.”

“I feel the same way. Now crawl into my bed and hold me until dawn.”

Before she even woke up, Selenia could feel anxiety pulsing through her. Today was the day. They were finally setting off on their journey. This was something that Grayden and Renya had been trying to do for five months, and today it would begin.

She untangled herself from Sion, who was still fast asleep. Every time he slept in her bed without a night terror was another positive sign that he was slowly healing. Perhaps Brandle's death had helped a bit, too.

Selenia quickly washed and dressed, eager to begin. Just as she slipped on her dark maroon cloak, Sion stirred, his hand searching for her as he became conscious. When he didn't find her warmth next to him, he shot up, his eyes darting nervously around the room. When he saw her, he relaxed, his strong shoulders lowering and his breath slowing.

“You should have woken me, you sly little fox,” he said, climbing out of her bed. “I have many things to do this morning before we depart.”

She moved into his arms, kissing him on the jaw. He groaned a little then gathered his shirt from her floor. “Are you ready for today?” he asked.

“I'm anxious about boarding the ship. I know we have to travel by boat, but I'm nervous to be at sea. I'd honestly rather ride the dragons.”

Sion turned slightly green at the mention of the dragons. “I'd much rather the boat.”

All their provisions for the journey were ferried through the cave and back outside to the large bay. Selenia stood next to Sion, waiting for the canoes to return so they could be taken to the Tidal Kingdom ship. Triston had told them over dinner that he rarely had use for it anymore, since many of his subjects had abandoned the tiny islands surrounding his domain in favor of seeking the protection of the Tidal Kingdom city, sheltered safely behind its massive cave walls. As the fish retreated and the tides lowered, they found themselves relying more on the food sources the jungle provided. If things didn’t improve, they would have to venture past the jungle into the Spring and Snow Lands looking for sustenance.

Finally, York returned with the canoe, and Selenia and Sion, along with Grayden and Renya, made the reverse trip out of the cave and into the bay. Selenia listened as Grayden and Renya discussed the dragons' roles in their journey. Renya wanted to bring all four dragons, but Grayden was against it.

“It's bad enough we have to bring your mother along,” he groaned.

Sion nodded empathetically.

Renya glared. “My father will handle her. If we bring Brutus, she won't even have to spend that much time on the ship.”

Selenia instantly saw the appeal of that. “That makes sense.”

“Fine. Brutus and Beauty. But I don't like the idea of bringing her entire tribe with us. I still don't trust her.” Grayden folded his arms across his chest.

As soon as they exited the cave into the bay, the dark-wood ship came into view. It wasn't quite what Selenia was expecting. Its hull was carved from the jungle wood of the forests; the sails shimmered with threads of iridescence, woven from the silk of rare sea creatures. Every surface of the ship seemed to be adorned with intricate carvings depicting the gods and a variety of sea creatures, some real and some mythical.

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