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*****

ETAN

Etan was vaguely aware that Jareth spoke words, something official. But all he could do was taste Ayleth, pull her into his chest and hold her there, kiss is love to her and plead with the Father to get the out of there and alone.

Quickly, dammit.

His chest expanded to accommodate the sudden storm of emotion that raged around his heart, so fierce it made him shake.

He had one hand at her waist, and another in her hair when they finally broke apart, only to stare at each other.

"I love you," he whispered.

Ayleth nodded. "I love you too."

"We can do this."

Her eyes widened, but then she smiled. "I can do anything if you're with me, Etan. Husband. My husband." She let one hand slide up his chest to his collar, fingering it, her thumb brushing his neck.

He almost growled at the smile that grew on her beautiful, pink lips.

But suddenly, a thick male hand clapped his back, and throats were cleared, feet stamped.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife!" Jareth said. "You may… oh, but you already have, so… Zenithra, please bow and acknowledge the Lord Etan Summit, and his Highest Lady, Ayleth the Princess of Zenithra!"

Falek and Borsche both took a knee. Etan had to swallow a lump in his throat as he looked back and forth between them. Ayleth covered her mouth, but stayed pressed into his chest, until the men took their feet again and everyone relaxed.

"Beautiful," Jareth said, and Etan realized the man had tears in his eyes. "If I had any doubts about the two of you and your goals, they are wiped away. I will be praying daily—hourly—for your success, both as husband and wife, and as rulers on this continent."

"Thank you," Etan said, offering him the clasp of one leader to another. But the man shook his head.

"No, no, Etan. Do not set me above my true position. It is an honor to have been here and see the beginning of history. I thank you for trusting me with it."

"No matter what," Etan said, still holding Ayleth close, "there will always be a place of safety for you in Summitras."

Jareth nodded once. "I hope it does not come to that, but if it should, I will not hesitate to find you."

"Or me," Ayleth said, her arms around his waist, her temple against his chest now that she'd turned her head so she could see the minister. "I realize I may run in circles of risk to you, but… be it this year, or ten from now, I will always remember you, Sir, and help you."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Jareth bowed before her, his smile beaming when he straightened. "And now onwards to marriage! Do you have space for the night, Falek? What is your plan?"

"We will sleep in my summer home," Falek said, his voice gruff. "And these two will ride into fate tomorrow."

Jareth's smile faded quickly. "Of course, of course. If anything should arise in the meantime, if there is any way I can help, you only need call."

"Thank you, brother."

Etan cut Falek a look. Brother was a term used by the believers in the Father of Lights—who saw themselves as a spiritual family. Was it possible Falek also shared the faith?

But before he had time to ask, Borsche stepped in. "I think it has been a long and tiring day, and the Prince and Princess are in need of some… rest," he said dryly.

Not a man present didn't fight a smirk. And Ayleth's cheeks colored. Etan continued to hold her close.

He didn't let go of her as they made their formal farewells. Nor as they walked out of the church. He kept her pressed to his side as they crossed the little lawn to the horses, though the light hadn't turned fully to night yet, it was creeping in.

Their horses had been tied next to each other, and Etan walked her to the correct side to mount, between them, but didn't let her go immediately.

When she turned her face up to him, her eyes shone, and he couldn't resist another kiss.

She sucked in when their tongues touched, and his body leapt for her.

"Are you hungry?" he rasped as their men caught up and began to untie the horses.

"Only for you," she whispered back.

Etan groaned and kissed her again, but Borsche was beginning to make the little humph sounds he made when he was about to lecture, and Falek kept seeming to have reason to walk to their horse's heads.

Reluctantly, Etan released her, cupping his hands to give her a boost into the saddle, running his fingers down her calf and pressing her foot into the stirrup, though she didn't need his assistance to find it.

Then he lay a hand at her knee and looked up at her. "Let us travel quickly and safely wife," he said with a smile.

She put her cool hand to his face, leaning down to kiss him again. "I can hardly wait," she whispered.

When they were finally on their way, Etan forced himself not to press his horse close enough to touch her, afraid he would lose the shred of control still left to him and simply topple her off the animal so he could press against her.

He cleared his throat at the mental image and forced himself to focus.

"Where are we going, Falek?" he asked quietly in the cool night.

Falek turned in his saddle from ahead of them. "I have a summer cottage a couple miles away. It is not the kind of accommodation either of you would be accustomed to. But it is easily defended and will afford you privacy."

Etan swallowed the surge of desire that came at that word, then looked at Ayleth—who was grinning back at him.

Only two more miles.

He could make it that far.

But he did nudge his horse to walk more quickly, smiling when Ayleth followed suit.