ETAN

They rode on, speaking of the future and their hopes. She learned that Etan enjoyed shooting, and he learned that she loved to read.

They were laughing again, about something silly, when the trees opened up and their horses walked out into the sunlight.

Ayleth's mouth dropped open.

Falek hadn't told them…

The spot was beautiful. A small clearing, about the side of the stables at home, it was hugged on three sides by trees, then the third was edged in a small, bean-shaped lake—perhaps a large pond?—that shimmered, reflecting the rockface that loomed above it, stretching towards the peak at the heart of the ravine. Large, flat boulders slid out of the water and up towards the trees, as if a giant had taken massive river-rocks and tossed them to the ground her. The trees made a full circle to hide it from the rest of the world.

It looked magical.

And as they both stood there, taking it all in, Aylth realized it was so very quiet.

"Peace," Etan breathed, staring at the water.

"Yes," Ayleth returned.

Neither of them spoke for another minute. Then, as if they'd agreed, they both dismounted—Etan coming around and reaching up to offer her a hand that she didn't take until she already had both feet on the ground.

They stood there then, in their leathers and stared at each other.

"I'm so glad we're here," she said breathlessly.

Etan nodded soberly and leaned down to kiss her again. "I declare this a day of peace," he said, stroking her cheek. "As long as we are in this place there will be no talk of the difficulties we face, or the challenges we have yet to navigate. We will just thank the Father for these hours and for our faithful men who helped us receive them."

She nodded, smiling, and let him lead her closer to the water, where he kissed her again, then said, "Let me see to the horses and get the things out of the saddlebags. Then I will see to you!" he winked and kissed her quickly. She gave a small, nervous laugh.

Half an hour later they'd taken the horse's saddles off so they could rest, and Etan had emptied his saddlebags and unrolled the blanket he'd thought to bring under the shade of a tree, not far from the rocks that leaned out of the water.

It was too early for lunch, but he pulled the waterskin out of the bag and handed it to Ayleth who stood staring out over the water, her eyes distant. She removed the cork and took a drink, but didn't seem to even register what she was doing.

"Come sit, Ayleth," he said gently. When she turned, her face was tight and Etan frowned. He hadn't been paying attention to the growing tension in her. But he could feel it. "What—"

"It's so beautiful here," she said dropping to join him. He sat leaning back on his hands and she settled at his side, facing the water. But her forehead was wrinkled.

"Yes," he agreed, looking at her. "Ayleth, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, don't mind me," she said hurriedly, then turned her face up to smile at him. "I am only grieved that every day can't be like this." Then she looked at the water again.

He couldn't have agreed more, but he also couldn't shake the tension she was feeling—that he could feel within her. When she didn't look at him again, he tipped his head.

"Ayleth?"

"Yes?"

"Why do you feel… afraid?"

"Cursed bond," she muttered and pulled her knees up to hug them. "Nothing is wrong, Etan, please don't be concerned for me. I want to enjoy this time with you. Let's not… think about anything else, like you said."

She looked up at him and he was about to pursue it, to ask her to speak what frightened her, but she leaned up and took his mouth, one hand on his chest.

He'd already half-unbuttoned his leathers since the weather was warm, and getting warmer. And her hand slid between the layers, looking for his chest.

He sucked in, bringing one hand up to cup her face and tilting his head to deepen the kiss. But instead of the warm ripple that usually made her rest into him, she was stiff and tense.

He slid his hand into her hair and kept the kiss gentle and she responded her breath quickening, her hands beginning to work the buttons of his leathers. But something was off. The spark he usually felt with her—the fierce, overwhelming desire… it was dark.

It was as if she suddenly didn't want him. And the heart of his fire for her was doused by knowing it.

She leaned into him though, her kisses becoming more frantic.

When he pulled back, she tried to follow him. "No, Ayleth, please—"

"Shhhhhh," she said. "We may never have this chance again," she whispered and turned to push herself up and over his legs, until she sat, straddling his thighs.

He had a flash of that night in the stable when she'd touched him and his cock twitched. Then she took his face in both her hands and leaned into his chest and kissed him, desperately.

For a moment he fell into it, his breath beginning to pant, his hands exploring her back and resting at her hips.

But then she pulled out of the kiss to look down at his leathers, cursing the buttons, and her hands were shaking. Trembling.

Not with the heat of her fire for him, but with fear.

"Ayleth," he said gently.

"Stupid buttons!" she hissed.

"Ayleth, stop." He caught her wrists and she fought for a second to keep working at the buttons of his leathers, but he shook his head and stared at her until she brought her eyes up to meet his and he was horrified to see the beginning of tears there. "Love, what is wrong? What hurts you? Why do you feel frightened? Do you fear we will be interrupted, even here?"

"No," she said, looking down at his chest again. Her cheeks pinked. "I know we won't be."

"Then what is it? Please tell me?"

She shifted her weight unconsciously, and the rubbing of her on him made him gulp, but he forced himself to watch her, to wait for her answer.

Then she closed her eyes and sighed. Putting both hands to his neck she met his gaze, head on. "I am simply nervous," she whispered and gave a watery smile.

"About what?"

She couldn't seem to hold his gaze for more than a few seconds. "There is no darkness here. No rush. No fear of interruption. No fear of discovery. I find… I find without those things, I am suddenly… aware of myself. Of my…"

"Your what?"

Her throat bobbed and she stroked his cheek, sighing. "I am nervous of my first time. My mother has explained to me that it can hurt a great deal for some and we don't really know—"

"I—what? Ayleth what are you talking about?"

She frowned. "Etan, the Peace Accord is in two days. We will tell our parents then. And we will have no time alone from the moment we return to the Castle tomorrow. This is our… this is our chance. And I wish to take it. To be with you… fully."