Summary: As Kenna and Raydan celebrate their fifth anniversary, Raydan thinks of all the things he has to be thankful for.
Author’s note: This was written for Round 31 of #ChoicesCreates: Gratitude
A crowd gathered at Stormholt to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Queen Kenna and King Raydan. Although Raydan was still not entirely comfortable with all the attention he received as king, the role was becoming easier. There were times when he missed his work as a spymaster, but being with Kenna was more important to him. She had brought so much happiness into his life.
Sometimes he still found it hard to believe that she had chosen him. She could have married another royal, or Dom, who turned out to have been born to nobility. He was just a street rat from Lykos. He was stunned when she told him that she wanted to marry him. He eagerly accepted, but he was a bit overwhelmed by all the emotions he was feeling. For the first time, he and Kenna spent the entire night together. But the next day, his fears returned, stronger than ever. Although he had told her a little more about his past the night before, there was still so much that she didn’t know. Would she still want him if she knew the things that he had done? If she were to find out later, would she regret marrying him? Would she be angry that he had kept this information from her? He couldn’t take that chance. So he told her that they needed to talk, that there were things she needed to know, and confessed his deepest, darkest secrets. He was terrified that she wouldn’t want him any more, but she had held him in her arms and told him how much she loved him, and that nothing would ever change that. He was so grateful that she still wanted to marry him.
He turned to Kenna and smiled. “The past five years have been the happiest of my life. I’m so lucky to have you.”
She looked back at him lovingly. “And I’m lucky to have you. I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Kenna.” He pulled her close to him and kissed her.
Their four-year-old son Adrian and two-year-old daughter Adelia played nearby. Adrian looked so much like Raydan. When Raydan was Adrian’s age, his parents had thrown him and his sister out on the street, leaving them to fend for themselves. His only memory of his parents was of the day that they had abandoned him. He was so scared. If it weren’t for his sister, he might not have survived. Their life was so hard, and he was so hungry. Thankfully, Adrian and Adelia had a much better life. Raydan was so glad that his children knew only love and comfort.
As if she could sense his thoughts, Adder walked over. “Congratulations, you two.” She looked to Kenna. “Five years with my brother. Who would have guessed?”
If Kenna hadn’t needed Adder’s assistance in the war against Luther, Raydan still might not be on speaking terms with his sister. When he had left Lykos, Adder had threatened to cut him with her poison dagger if she ever saw him again. He thought he had lost her forever. But now she was back in his life. He and Kenna had given their daughter a name similar to hers, in her honor. And they both had come so far. Adder was now co-ruler of Abanthus, along with Diavolos and Zenobia, although Zenobia had become less involved since her marriage to Tevan. Who would have guessed that two street children would grow up to be rulers of two different kingdoms?
“Hells, I don’t know how Kenna puts up with him.”
Raydan turned around as he heard Val’s voice. He would always feel guilty about shooting Val in the chest. He hadn’t had much time to come up with a plan, and had to act fast in order to convince Azura that he had truly switched his allegiance. If he hadn’t gone undercover, he wouldn’t have met Lia and would not have been able to get the anti-magic spells translated. They probably wouldn’t have been able to defeat Azura, and they might all be dead. Nonetheless, it wasn’t any easier for him to live with his actions. He was thankful that Val seemed to have put the experience behind her.
The celebration went on throughout the day. As it grew dark, they headed back inside the castle. Kenna took him by the hand. “Let’s go to our room and celebrate in private.”
“That sounds perfect, my love.” They began heading up the stairs. “We have so much to be thankful for. You’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“Everything? Are you sure about that?”
He nodded. “What more could I want?”
Kenna smiled. “Another baby? I thought maybe we could try…”
“I’d love that.” He grabbed her and kissed her passionately. Soon they reached their bedroom, where they enjoyed the night together.