AYLETH

They galloped out of the ravine, Borsche at the front, followed by her, then Etan. But when they reached the open air where Falek had shown them where to go, Falek, already mounted and ready, circled in behind her and urged Etan ahead.

She'd seen Etan's struggle with the command, his desire to stay alongside her. They caught eyes for a moment and she let him see her love, but tipped her head. She was glad when he submitted and tore past her with a determined look, until he reached Borsche's side. The two shouted at each other over the wind and the horses' hooves, but she couldn't catch enough to know what was said. She could only see the tension in Etan's shoulders, admire the skill with which he directed his mount and the stillness of his seat.

He was an amazing horseman, as well as a warrior, and a lover.

Her heart sighed. Oh for the day when they could rule in peace—bringing the people with them, and living their lives without this constant tension and fear.

Despite the racing she and Etan had done on the way, the trip back to camp was faster than their flight to it, the horses picking up on their tension and trying to flee whatever it was that had made the humans stink of nerves.

When they reached the camp, they circled at Borsche's command, coming in from the opposite side that they'd all left that morning, in case they'd had unwelcome intruders. But when they reached the little clearing and pulled up, both Borsche and Falek leapt from their saddles and took Etan and Ayleth's sweating horses. "We'll rub down the beasts, you two eat—I'm guessing you haven't yet," Borsche said quietly. "We must meet this with our full wits. Make sure to drink as well, if you didn't get enough of the water," he added dryly.

Falek gave Borsche a sharp look at that, that Ayleth ignored. Etan ducked his head, suddenly very interested in something on his boot. Ayleth bit her lip.

Half an hour later, calm, but subdued, they all sat around the dead coals of the campfire from that morning. The afternoon sun was hot, but shade was cast by the large tree at the edge of the clearing, and they made use of it. Etan had beckoned her to sit on the ground next to him, both of their backs to the large log that lay across the roots of the tree spread over them.

And so the discussion began. Borsche relayed his trip into the village—how he'd kept informants spread about the Kingdom in case there was a need to hide or flee, and had intended to check in with the one nearby since they were close.

But before he'd even reached the man he'd heard villagers talking about the Cryer who'd visited the evening before and planned to return this night.

Even Ayleth was sickened by the message, knowing as she did what her father would have felt to have called her home in such a way.

"…so we are in agreement that the most likely thing is that they have discovered the relationship between you two, and believe it to be a betrayal to the crown?" Borsche sighed.

They all nodded.

"The question," Etan said, Ayleth's hand in his, "is whether he uses the formal nature to soothe the feelings of those around him who might also know, or whether he intends to try me as a traitor."

Ayleth squeezed his hand and looked up at him, worried. Since they'd arrived at the camp his face had become lined and pale.

"And we must wonder whether my parents also know," she added. "I can't see them allowing me out here with you if they did. Would your parents hide that, do you think?"

"Absolutely," Etan said without hesitating. "Assuming they learned from a private source, they wouldn't share it with your parents. They'd wish to 'nip it in the bud,' as my mother would say."

Borsche nodded. "Then our discussion must center on how to return you safely, when, and whether we send you alone, or together."

"Alone," both Falek and Etan said at the same time.

"Excuse me," Ayleth snapped. "I am no less a part of this than Etan."

"But if they haven't discovered everything—if they don't know the truth, keeping you innocent in your family's eyes will only keep you safe," Etan said. "And if they know, but the people do not, it will keep you safe from other parties who might try to… intervene."

Falek looked slightly surprised, but he nodded along as Etan spoke. The two shared a look for a moment, and she wasn't sure whether to be touched to her bones, or bristling for the way they saw each other as more capable of caring for her, than herself.

"So," Falek said slowly a moment later, "Etan returns to the castle without Ayleth, to be safe. The next question is when? Did the messenger know you, Borsche? Will the royals be aware of that you have received the message?"

Borsche sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I cannot know. The contact who passed on the message will likely remain quiet at speaking with me, but I entered the village confidently, unaware that there would be a public alert for Etan. I wasn't dressed as most citizens would have expected if they knew my reputation, but… I cannot be certain. They may know that the message was passed on. Or they may come to know soon."

They all sat quietly, frowning for a moment.

"Then it seems it is time for me to go," Etan said slowly. Ayleth clutched at his hand, startled, afraid he would leap up at that moment and leave. But before she could speak, Falek growled from her other side.

"Hold." His voice was rough and full of authority. "The question we should surely be asking is not whether Etan goes alone in body, but whether he goes alone in soul?"

Ayleth turned, frowning. What could he possibly mean?

But Borsche was staring, dark-eyed at Falek, his jaw tight. "You have contacts in this region, yes?"

Falek nodded.

"Contacts that would be recognized by the crown?"

"It would be scandalous," Falek said softly. "But legally binding."

Ayleth was about to ask, when the words 'legally binding' struck home and her mouth dropped open—in the same moment Etan's head whipped around to look at her, wide-eyed.

"Married?" she gasped.

"Today?" he said, his voice breathless.