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*****

ETAN

"Lord Isolde!" he snarled, stepping into their path so the man was forced to stop dancing, or run Ayleth bodily into Etan. He did, but he scowled, and his hand on her ass tightened. Ayleth squeaked and pulled from his grip, turning to face Etan as if she'd just noticed him and didn't understand what was happening.

"Lord Summit!" she said, her voice too high. "What is the matter, sir?"

But Etan glared at Isolde. "I'm cutting in," he said.

"Oh look, the Cannibal has come to take a plaything," Isolde droned.

Etan stepped up, right into his chest and stared down at the man, his hands free to grasp him on any movement—he wouldn't put it past this one to carry a quickblade. "You leave her, or I will gather the witnesses to your assault of the Princess's person and send them to the King."

The man snorted. "You think he'll listen to you of all people?"

"No, but he'll listen to me." Etan turned to find Falek standing at his right, hand on the hilt of his sword, a hard, blank stare at Isolde making his face ice.

"And I imagine he would hear my thought, as well," said a pleasanter voice from his left, as Trystan joined them. Etan wasn't sure whether to clap the man on the back, or bite out his throat, but he nodded.

Isolde looked at the two other men, then shrugged and offered Ayleth's hand to Etan, just as the music began to slow, then shift into a new song. "She's jumpier than a filly in spring anyway, you can have her," he said with a sneer.

Etan very nearly punched the man, but as Ayleth's hand landed in his, that jolt of warmth and light hit his chest and he almost gasped for the joy of it.

Turning his back on Isolde, he bowed over Ayleth's hand, his eyes never leaving hers, which were bright and hopeful, but also terrified. "Would you honor me with this dance, Princess?" he said quietly.

"Yes, of course."

Etan glanced at Falek as he straightened, and the man's jaw twitched, but he nodded once, and stepped away, while Trystan grinned and clapped him on the shoulder, then sank back into the crowd.

Nearly everyone had stopped or turned to see the commotion, but they both ignored them all as Etan pulled her gently towards him, and she came willingly, biting back a smile. As the music swelled he whispered, "Just this once I will have you as I should," and then led her into the steps.

It took over a minute for the nobles to accept that there would be no bloodshed or scandal, and begin dancing again, but the murmurs and whispers rose in the crowd, and among the dancers.

Everyone knew who they were, and that the fact that they were dancing would be a great disturbance to the King and Queen of Zenithra. They all wanted to see what would happen. And so, the entire room held its breath, waiting.

Let them wait.

"I'm so thankful," she whispered without moving her lips.

"It was the hardest night of my life to leave you to all of them," he admitted, looking over her shoulder in the direction they were dancing.

"Then let us make the most of this," she whispered back and smiled. Just a small smile. But he returned it.

*****

AYLETH

She knew this may be their only chance to talk even partly privately for days. So, she waited until it had been long enough that their watchers were growing bored, before she murmured, "When we are married, I will make you vow to dance with me every day, even if it is only in our chambers, alone."

"I would make that vow," he breathed, staring at her.

He kept tearing his eyes away from her, as if he knew he shouldn't stare, but then he always gravitated back. She squeezed his hand and leaned into the warmth of his palm at her back.

"You were caught this morning? What happened?" he whispered.

"Falek… I had to tell him."

Adrenalin fizzed through Etan—and also certainty. He had correctly read the look on the man's face across the dancefloor then. Interesting.

"Will he tell your parents?"

"He hasn't decided yet. I told him I wanted him to talk to you, first."

Etan nodded, though his stomach dipped. "I will meet him anytime. Tell him to send a message to Borsche. He'll make sure I get it."

She nodded slightly. "Etan, he took my stable clothes. I can't sneak out anymore."

Etan sighed. He'd wondered. "Damn."

"I know."

"It's probably for the best."

"It's only twelve more days!"

"I pray so, my love," he murmured.

The music began to build towards its climax. They had only another minute together and Etan's grip tightened on her. She reveled in it.

"I have to tell you: tomorrow I'm going riding with Trystan. In the morning. Alone."

He stiffened under her hand, but nodded. "Very well."

"He is a curious one, Etan. He's a good man."

"I know it. I've met no one better, here."

"But… the things he spoke about… I think he has guessed my feelings for you."

Etan swore. "You cannot be alone with him, he may—"

"No, no. He spoke of alliance, and friendship and… protecting each other."

"Each other?" Etan looked directly at her and it took her breath away.

"Exactly. I think… I think perhaps he has a secret love as well?"

Etan's nostrils flared. "I'm assuming your Knight will be with you."

"An entire guard, I'm sure," she said dryly.

Etan nodded. "Thank you for warning me. That would have been… difficult to learn about later."

"Oh, Etan, you know there's no one I would rather be with than you."

"And I, you."

"I want to kiss you so badly right now," she whispered. He cut her a warning look, but his hand tightened on her. As the music began to fade and change, they slowed then stopped. Ayleth curtseyed to him and he bowed back.

"I love you, Etan," she murmured as they were forced to part.

"You own me, Ayleth," he whispered back.