AYLETH

As the light in the room crept from black, to gray, to pink, and their whispered conversation shifted from whispers, to murmurs, then their natural voices, Ayleth's stomach slowly coated in a layer of dread. She sensed that Etan felt the same way, though he hid it well. She could see the pinch begin at the corner of his eyes—eyes puffy from lack of sleep and… whatever they called the flush of love-making.

They were still curled on the bed, though he had rolled Ayleth over to face him. Her hands remained on his chest, her head resting on the broad warmth of one of his arms. His other arm held her close as he stroked her back and side.

Soon they would need to start moving, get up and dressed and face this terrible day. But neither of them wanted to leave.

While he stared, she stroked a hand along Etan's collarbone and licked her lips. She was stunned by him. By the beauty of his body. His strength. The feelings he wrung from her skin. By this thing between them that was so intangible, and yet so present. She was fascinated and thrilled. And slightly terrified by the appetite within her that seemed to only increase every time he touched her.

She would never again tease her friends for their apparent obsession with the Lords. If this was what they anticipated, she had to applaud that they'd ever managed to spend the hours with her that were required.

How did anyone ever get anything done?

No wonder her mother was so single-minded and forever talking to her about this.

For a moment she smiled, anticipating sharing with her mother the joy of this union and the pleasure she'd already experienced—the sheer excitement. Until she remembered.

Her mother would be horrified to learn the name of the man who had finally stolen Ayleth's heart, and ignited her body.

Ayleth grieved.

"What is it?" Etan asked, and her stomach trilled at the deep husk of his voice rattling in his chest because he was sleep-deprived. Goddess above, even his voice gave her thrills!

"I just imagined telling my mother… about this," she said sadly. "About us. I know if it was any other man she would be so pleased to know you cared for me and this was… pleasurable."

His fingers on her back stilled and he flattened his hand against her spine. "What will she say, do you think?" he asked, sighing.

"I truly do not know if she can overcome her hatred long enough to see this clearly," Ayleth said slowly.

Etan nodded. "I thought of my father… he will be so angry. Betrayed. I can only pray that the extra time he's had waiting for me to return will allow him to calm, not make his rage worse. But… I cannot see it, honestly. He will think the worst, I'm sure."

Ayleth cupped his neck. "Your mother?"

Etan's face went thoughtful. "Do you know, I could not tell you," he admitted. "She can surprise me. It will depend how she has measured your character, I think." Ayleth swallowed, but he gave a little chuckled and squeezed her. "Don't worry, wife. If she has measured you incorrectly, I'll make certain that she knows the truth immediately. Like yours, I know if our kingdoms were not enemies, she would be excited and pleased by you."

Ayleth tried to smile, but it was all coming home to her, what they faced this day. Sliding her arms around his neck, she buried her face in his throat and pulled him close.

"We can do this, Ayleth," he said softly, holding her close and stroking her hair. "We can show them. And we can show our people. And… Ayleth we can change the world. We are poised for it. It takes my breath away."

"I want to," she said, still pressed into the dark of his neck and chest. "I know that we can with time. What I fear is the immediate future. I fear my father's wrath on you and how he might respond before he knows the full story. I fear how both our parents may try to keep us apart."

"Then we won't let them," he said, shrugging.

She pulled back to meet his eyes, her own narrowed in suspicion. "I thought I was the naïve one between us?" she said, only half-joking. "You are strong, Etan. And powerful. But I assure you if my father brings his dungeon guards to take you, even you will be taken. You cannot fight the whole world."

He stroked her hair back off her face, staring into her eyes. "I am prepared to fight anyone that's needed, Ayleth. But I will try to do this without fighting at all. I want to make them see. To give them the vision that we have."

"And if they try to keep us apart until they're convinced?"

"I told you, Ayleth, I will—reluctantly—allow myself to be held apart from you publicly until it is time for the people to know. But they will not keep me from my wife. Short of the dungeon, I will find you. We will be together."

"It's probably better if I find you," she said with a small smile. "I know the castle better, and am less likely to be stopped if I'm found roaming in the night."

"Then you'd better find me quickly," he said, his voice husky again. "I will not want to wait."

They stared at each other. Ayleth's chest ached with the idea of being separated from him. "Are you frightened? To speak with your father? I am… but also excited. I want… I want everyone to know. I am relieved we will not have to hide much longer."

He nodded. "It's the same for me."

"Will we go to your father first? I was wondering if we shouldn't speak with mine—only to ensure he will not mistake anything. If he were to hear that we had returned together and you had spirited me away to your parents chambers, he may send guard with swords first."

Etan blinked. "That is one thing I have been thinking about over the night, Ayleth. I want you to hear me out before you argue, please?"

She tensed but nodded.

**** STOP! ****

Because I am uncertain of the publishing schedule for August, do NOT purchase tiers when the monthly reset occurs.

When I know how much time I'll have to make updates, I will let you know, and you can decide from that point. But don't use your money until or unless you hear about my planned updates and can decide for yourself if it's worth it!