I'm an avid fan of the app/game Choices by Pixelberry. One of my favorite characters is Raydan and I totally ship him with Kenna. I wish there were more scenes with them to be honest, so it's perfect outlet for fan fiction. I hope I'm not the only one who wants to see them together.

The Crown and the Spy

Written by the Pakora Princess

Chapter 1 - The Spy in the Shadows

Kenna Rys took a deep breath to calm her frayed nerves, before she descended down the grand staircase of Queen Annelyse Adair's magnificent and golden palace. Kenna was much more accustomed to the weight of her armor on her body in comparison to the frilly frock that was practically forced onto her by her royal guard Gabriel Amarne. She felt almost naked in the light, airy but very ornate gown.

She supposed if her mother Queen Adriana were still alive, she would be beaming with pride to see her now, Kenna thought to herself as she criticized her reflection in the pier glass. Her long chestnut tresses that would usually cascade down her back in disheveled waves were delicately braided and pinned up to show off the slender column of her throat and the opulent jeweled necklace loaned to her by the queen of Aurelia. The hair was a complement to the style of gown she wore now. Her collarbones and shoulders were exposed due to the deep neckline and off the shoulder sleeves, that also dipped low into her cleavage. The corset hugged tight to her lithe frame and curved hips before the gown undulated into a full length skirt that reached her booted heels. The deep blue of the dress against her pale skin did make for striking appearance that would have made her mother terribly proud.

Imagining her mother's smiling face was a sudden reminder of why she allowed Gabriel to convince her to be trussed up like a partridge for this impromptu gala that awaited down stairs. Her mother, the queen, had always endeavored to get Kenna out of her dirty and bulky armour and into more outfits that were worthy of a princess, but to no avail. Kenna was very attached to her custom made metal breast plate, and didn't choose to humor her proper mother on very many occasions. The last time Kenna did humor her mother by wearing a princess gown, Queen Adriana's head left her neck leaving Kenna with very little recourse, other than to run away and leave her home and people behind.

It had been two years since that fateful day and Kenna was drawing closer to getting her throne back. She had already acquired a small army of mercenaries at her back but it was not enough to retake Stormholt, her kingdom. She found that she could not do it alone, which is why she donned the uncomfortable blue gown for the Aurelian kinsmen. She needed their support and their massive amounts of gold.

With another loud breath she turned away from the pier glass and made her way to main hall. She carefully clutched a fistful of her skirts at the knee, as she placed her other hand over the pale marble railing, lightly treading down the stair.

She was welcomed by the pleasant sounds of lute with soft angelic singing by a golden garbed minstrel that sat near the entrance. Kenna eyes were then assaulted by the brightly colored outfits of the Aurelian nobles. It was blinding. The ladies were practically half naked as they were wrapped sparsely in gold or silver cloth and their wrists and ankles were dripping with semi precious stones. It was evident that Queen Annelyse had quite an impact on lady's fashion in her kingdom. The men were slightly better off, as their torsos and limbs weren't as laid bare. However, they still wore billowing robes of gleaming gold or other rich jewel tones, accompanied with fistfuls of ornate gold rings and heavy gold arm bands that decorated their biceps.

If Kenna had only felt slightly naked before, she certainly felt very under dressed now. Although the gown provided to her had real gold thread woven into intricate patterns along the neckline and hem, it did not compare to what she saw before her. But she couldn't let their blatant display of wealth faze her. Whatever little time she had spent by her mother's side, she knew she couldn't let the Aurelians see her insecurities. Her mother always excluded confidence no matter how grim things were made by rebellion or enemy raiders. It was the key to Adriana's long reign without a male monarch by her side. Until the royal Nevrakis family cut her reign short with their treachery.

Kenna quickly fought off the desire to swallow nervously in front of the Aurelian crowd as she entered the room gracefully with a bemused smirk on her lips. She met Queen Annelyse's fond gaze as she approached self-assuredly.

"Oh my, Kenna!" Annelyse exclaimed, as her hazel eyes drank in Kenna's visage with a keen interest.

"That gown is simply bewitching! I am enchanted by it! You certainly stand out from the crowd by how exquisitely different it is from everyone else..." Annelyse gushed, clasping Kenna's hands between her soft grip as she flicked an appreciative gaze over the Kenna's elegantly draped figure.

"Well, I had to try my earnest to keep up with you, Annelyse," Kenna replied with a genuine smile playing at her lips. "You had me quite dazzled at our first meeting."

Annelyse laughed joyfully at Kenna, very pleased with her response.

"Let me escort to your seat at the high table and introduce you our specialty: Aurelian wine," Annelyse said with a flirtatious wink. "If you are brave enough, that is."

"I'm game!" Kenna exclaimed as she allowed the Aurelian queen to lead her to a long table where her comrades were already seated.

Severin whistled low as he and their entire group beheld Kenna as she made motions to take her seat admist them. Gabriel had promised to not make a big affair out of her wearing a dress, but the others made no such vow.

"You look different without all the dirt," Val quipped with a laugh. "I don't think you'll have a hard time convincing anyone you're a Queen now."

Val was referring to the time that they had first met and she had no inkling that Kenna was the rightful heir to Stormholt. Thus, Val unknowingly insulted Queen Adriana, challenged Kenna to a knifing bet, as well as drinking and swearing like sailor in her presence. Kenna was glad to see that although everyone knew her true royal identity, she was still receiving the same treatment as before. Well almost... There were certain exceptions. The conduct of Stormholt's past royal guards, Leon Stirling and Will Jackson was now substituted to proper decorum. Kenna had made attempts to make them feel at ease around her, but they still treated her differently.

Kenna shot icy daggers at everyone else at the table to prevent any further comments about her wardrobe change, as she sat down in her assigned chair. With a quick glance around the table, she noted a dark and mysterious individual in the corner of her eye. He was quietly observing her and her party intently. She didn't mean to pay so much attention to him, but he stood out to her. Their gazes met and Kenna felt an odd tension crackle in the air as time stood still for her.

He didn't quite have the same look of the Aurelians she had come across. He wore fitted black tunic that was sewn with the signature golden Aurelian scroll work, however that was only item that could tie him to this kingdom as his dusky tan skin hinted that he was from a more exotic land. But by all standards, he was what could be described as devilishly handsome with his dark, brooding looks. Long, black as ink hair spilled freely onto his broad shoulders. His dark moustache was well-styled, and it certainly drew Kenna's eyes toward his sensually shaped lips which held a teasing whisper of a smile. She felt flush as she stared into the deep depths of his mesmerizing eyes.

She had never experienced such an immediate and strong attraction to someone before. Her only experience with such emotions was with Dom, her childhood friend. But their friendship was something that gradually and slowly bloomed into love. There was nothing immediate about it. In fact, it took leaving Stormholt to unearth the love underlying between them.

Kenna looked to her lap for a moment to consider Domenic's cerulean blue eyes and when she looked back to the wall, she found that the stranger had vanished. The transition in time had been so short, Kenna began to wonder if she had conjured the man from her imagination.

She turned her face back to her host Annelyse, who was going into detail about the production of the Aurelian wine. As a princess, Kenna had her lion's share of all the fine wines that the five kingdoms had to offer. Thus, her expectations were reasonably low about beverage that was proffered to her by the Aurelian queen. Kenna took the golden goblet and brought it to her nose. The aroma was far more pleasant than what she was accustomed to, the sweet scent of the Aurelian golden grapes wafting into her nostrils. She then took a tentative sip and was surprised again at delicious flavor that filled her palate.

"This is probably the best wine that my lips have ever tasted," Kenna admitted ruefully. "Originally I had some doubts, but now I'm convinced of the magic of your Aurelian wine!"

"Bah, I've had dish water that is stronger than this!" Severin bellowed, obviously not well acquainted with the finer things in life. He quickly downed his cup with gusto.

"You finished that quite quickly!" Annelyse regarded Severin with a look of surprise. "This particular wine was aged for quite some time in an oak barrel to enhance all aspects of its flavor."

"I admit that it may not be as strong as some of the other devil's brew I have tried, but now that it's done... I confess I wish I had taken my time with it because now I want more. It is the finest drink I have ever had," Severin conceded abashed. Mirth sparkled in Annelyse eyes as she watched Severin. She then beckoned a servant to her side.

"Please bring this table its own amphora of wine" Annelyse sweetly ordered her well dressed servant. The servant gave her a deep nod of his head before quickly dissappearing into the kitchens. After a short wait, two servants appeared at their table, struggling to carry a large oval shaped vessel by its handles.

"Severin, no one should be left wanting for more at an Aurelian party. Please drink as much as you like to your heart's content." Annelyse offered graciously as she placed her small palm on Severin's muscular shoulder. She then placed her hand on Kenna's shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

"When dinner is complete, maybe you can get away and meet me at the courtyard? I think we need to meet privately so we can get to know each other better," Annelyse whispered into Kenna's ear, before she stood up.

"Now I must leave to check on the rest of my nobles, but please enjoy your dinner and most certainly relish in our wine," She stated with a flourish before she left.

"Well you heard the golden lady! Let's feast and drink and be merry!" Severin brayed as he ladled more wine into his goblet. "Care to join me, my Queen? Or are Queens typically just limited to one alcoholic beverage per evening?"

"I couldn't fathom where you got such a idea, but know this... I could certainly drink you under the table!" Kenna boasted, lifting her cup toward Severin for a refill of her own.

"Well, I'd like to see you try!" Severin parlayed back, clinking his cup with hers in acceptance of her challenge.

In the most unlike Queen manner, Kenna gulped down the contents in her cup in a few quick swallows. Without looking, she could feel Gabriel bristling with disproval. But Kenna didn't give a damn, she hadn't lost to Severin in combat and she sure as hell wasn't going to allow him to defeat her in drinking.

"I'd like another, please!" Kenna politely requested with a small hiccup, as she held out her goblet for yet another refill. Severin stared at her open mouthed as he sloshed more wine into her glass with the ladle.

Kenna kept up with Severin and downed several cups of the golden wine. At one point, she was seeing double, nay it was closer to seeing triple as she reached out for her goblet but came up with thin air. She had to reach out a few more times before her fingers found purchase with her glass. At the end of it all, they had to call it a draw.

"I've got to stop underestimating you, Kenna!" Severin chuckled as he slammed down his final cup of wine. Everyone present at the table laughed loudly, the feeling of comaraderie growing amongst them.

"Kenna, I believe it's time you mingle with the nobility to bolster support for your cause," Gabriel reminded her. "I shall help out and do the same, as it was not uncommon for me to drum up support for your mother during times like these."

"What would I do without you, Gabriel?" Kenna replied, grateful to have him in her corner.

"Pray we never have to find out." Gabriel responded as he got up. "Once you are done, come see me and I'll escort you to your room."

Kenna wandered through the crowd of noblemen, shaking hands and rubbing elbows with Annelyse's kinsmen. Overall, she found them welcoming and warm but something was slightly off. They appeared slightly nervous in her presence, which she found an odd behavior in noblemen. Perhaps she was analyzing her encounters far more than she should, Kenna thought to herself, brushing off her silly suspicions.

Then the dark and mysterious gentleman from earlier in the evening was in her path.

"Good evening to you, Kenna, it is a pleasure for me to finally meet you," The man greeted with a deep irreverent bow.

"And I you," Kenna replied, her voice sounding breathy to her ears as she customarily held out her hand to him.

He took her small hand into his large one and brought her fingers to his lips, kissing her knuckles. It was strange since many a men had kissed her hand in geeeting this evening but it was his kiss that felt inappropriate. Her knuckles tingled at the mere touch of his lips against her skin. She quickly snatched her hand away as if she had been scalded with hot water.

"I noticed you've been watching me and my party this entire evening." Kenna did not ask, she stated what she felt was fact.

An amused smile was playing on his lips and humor danced in the dark depths of his eyes.

"I've been watching you more than I have been watching your party," The man admitted. "And I must confess you've had me enraptured since you step foot into our fair city."

"Who are you?" Kenna inquired, slightly perturbed that she had been observed by him in secret since she entered Aurelia. "And why have you been watching me all this time?"

"Raydan Lykel, I am in Queen Annelyse's employ," Raydan answered with a derisive grin. "And how can I not watch you? Your beauty and military prowess are breath-taking."

"And what does Queen Annelyse employ you to do exactly? You don't quite have the look of a typical servant." Kenna demanded to know.

"Exactly what I've told you already. She employs me to watch out for potential threats," Raydan explained.

"Ah, you're her spy," Kenna realized. "You must be a horrible spy."

An infectious smile twitched on Raydan's lips.

"And how did you come to such a conclusion?" Raydan asked, his amusement clear on his handsome features.

"Well, correct me if I'm wrong, aren't effective spies subjugated to the shadows, never to be seen?" Kenna answered.

"It seems you have it all, you're a great beauty, a legendary warrior Queen in the making and obviously very astute. The man who can capture your heart will have the greatest treasure there is in the Five kingdoms," Raydan stated with open admiration. "But I feel I must defend my skills as a spymaster, otherwise you would find me unworthy of your attention."

How could anyone deem Raydan unworthy of their attention? Kenna thought to herself, as she tipped her head to one side to assess Raydan. From afar he made an impression on her but now that he was so much closer, his effect on her was so much more stronger.

"I will not prevent you from defending yourself," Kenna replied, curious about his occupation.

"As a rule, you are right about remaining hidden in the shadows," Raydan clarified. "But in certain circumstances, we must reveal ourselves to our targets."

"Circumstances of what kind?" Kenna asked, arching an eyebrow. Raydan pulled her close and lowered his lips to a ear.

"In previous situations, it would be to eliminate a threat to the Aurelian throne...but for this particular occasion it is pure and unadulterated physical attraction," Raydan's husky voice murmured into her ear, his breath soft against her ear lobe. Kenna felt the entire side of her body go warm where his hard frame was pressed up against her.

"You shouldn't say such things to me in public," Kenna whispered back, making motions to separate herself from his imposing figure.

"I didn't get to where I am, by saying and doing things that I should," Raydan replied with a roguish laugh, allowing her break contact from him. Kenna didn't understand why she felt so cold afterwards. She crossed her arms and hugged herself tight. Kenna felt herself yearning for more of his touch.

"Meet me in the gardens, afterwards..." Raydan entreated, his desire glowing his eyes. "It's not as public."