Summary: Kenna and Raydan spend a day at the beach with their family and friends.
Author’s note: This was written for Round 40 of #ChoicesCreates: Summer
Summer was the perfect time for a family vacation. Kenna and Raydan and their family had traveled to Panrion, along with Jackson. Although relations were peaceful among the kingdoms, it was always necessary to take precautions, especially since they were traveling with their children. They met up with Kailani and Noa, who told them about a secluded beach on the coast of Ebrimel. It sounded like an ideal place to relax and enjoy the sea, sun, sand, and scenery, so they decided to head over there. Before long, the airship had landed, and they began walking towards the shoreline.
It was a warm, sunny day. Gulls and terns flocked on the beach and soared overhead. As she heard the sound of the waves gently crashing on the sand, Kenna started to feel more relaxed. The group found a spot not too far from the water, and Kenna began to lay down cloths.
“Come on, let’s go in the water!”
Kenna looked up and saw her daughter Adelia running toward the ocean, followed by her son Adrian.
“Wait, you need sunscreen first!” Kenna told her children. As they headed over to her, she took out a jar of lotion made of chopped iris roots which had been boiled in white wine. After she had applied sunscreen to all of her children, Raydan took the container from her.
“You need some too, my love.” Raydan dipped his fingers into the lotion and began rubbing it into Kenna’s skin. His touch felt so good. When he had finished, she took the jar and began to return the favor. She massaged the sunscreen into him, covering his exposed skin with it.
Once she was done, she put the jar away, then turned to him and smiled. “We may need to put more on later.”
Raydan grinned back. “Yes, you can’t be too careful.”
While the children played, Kenna and Raydan lay on the beach with Noa and Kailani. After his trip to Stormholt without Kailani, Noa had become one of their dearest friends. Kenna was glad that their families had been able to take the trip together. It was good for Noa’s little boy, Koa, to be around other children. Noa’s wife had died when Koa was young. Fortunately, Kailani was helping to raise her nephew. Jackson remained vigilant; although there was no sign of anyone else, there was always a chance that enemies were lurking nearby.
Suddenly Kenna heard shouting. She sat up and saw that Koa and her younger daughters Gabrielle and Marcelline were arguing with her younger son Leonidas. She hurried over to them to find out what was going on.
“Leo knocked over our sand castle!” Marcelline whimpered.
“I’m a warrior king! I’m taking over!” Leonidas shouted.
Kenna turned to her young son. “Leo, you can’t do that. It’s not nice to destroy others’ things.” She led him away from the others and went back over to Raydan, Noa, and Kailani. Gabrielle, Marcelline, and Koa began to rebuild their sand castle. Kenna was pleased to see that Marcelline seemed to be feeling better. She was a sensitive child.
A while later, Kenna and Raydan strolled along the shoreline. Adelia ran over to them. “Look what I found!” She held out several shells.
“Those are pretty!” Kenna said.
“Can you hold them for me? I want to go back in the water.”
“Of course,” she told her daughter. Adelia went to join Adrian, who was still swimming.
Raydan bent down to pick up a red scallop shell. “This is a nice one.” He reached for something else. “I found something for you too.”
Kenna’s eyes widened as Raydan held out his hand, revealing a small pearl. “What a find!”
“Indeed. I should have it made into a piece of jewelry for you. A necklace, a bracelet, a ring, whatever you prefer.”
“That sounds lovely.” She smiled.
Raydan looked at her tenderly. “You deserve the best.”
She pulled him close and kissed him. “I already have the best.”