AYLETH

Etan’s mother regarded them all boldly. “We are, all of us, about to walk into what is perhaps the most difficult events that have faced Summitras. At the same time… I cannot explain it, Etan, but I believe you. I believe in you. Both of you. If you are willing to risk this together…”

“Peace, mother,” Etan said, his hand tightening on Ayleth’s. “I know it seems impossible, but the Father… we want peace. Between our families. Our Kingdoms. Our people. We can bring harmony, I’m certain of it.”

His mother’s brows rose with every word he spoke, but when he finished, she smiled, shaking her head. 

“Never let it be said my son does not dream big,” she said breathlessly.

“Mother—”

“It’s okay, Etan. I told you. I suspected. I had already prepared in case… I didn’t imagine it coming to light in this way. Had in fact wondered if I was wrong. But now we see how this will come together. Do not worry, son. I believe you. And agree with you—with the idea, in any case. But now you have to understand: This is where the ruler is ruled. No matter what action you take, no matter how good your intentions might be, events are now rolling toward whatever end the Father of Lights aims towards. You will not have a choice. You will light the spark, then you must deal with the fire, wherever the wind might blow it. Your father already knows this. Has already experienced it. He knows this will be out of his control. His anger is born more of fear than true rage towards you. He wishes this might have started differently. He wishes the world was different, in truth. So… give him time. There was a day in his younger years when he might have applauded you today. I will pray he remembers that time in his own life.”

It was a long speech for a woman Ayleth had always viewed as somewhat retiring. A Queen she assumed had spent most of her years as a trinket on the King’s arm. 

Ayleth swallowed. Clearly she’d been wrong. 

Etan looked at his mother with gratitude and pride. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. I can’t change his mind when he’s this angry. You all better start praying. Because if he doesn’t find his balance with this quickly, it’s not going to go well for any of us. He is truly angry.”

Borsche grunted. “War is on the horizon. When we should have been walking into peace. You can hardly blame him.”

Etan looked at his man sharply, his grip on Ayleth’s hand tight almost to the point of pain. But she only gripped him back as her husband turned to face his man.

“I know this is terrible,” he said quietly. “And you know that I’ve done everything I believed possible to avoid war. But… I cannot regret having her here, or showing the truth of our relationship. I am done hiding. If war is the only option, then we will fight. I will not go back.”

“Tell me that after you’ve seen combat, Etan,” the man growled. “Do not measure war by your battles and sparring with other warriors.”

“But you told me yourself, everything is worth it for love—real love!” 

“Yes, to those who are fighting for their love. To those pulled in, to those who lose their loves through it… it is much harder.” 

His voice had the ring not only of truth, but of experience. Bitter experience.

Ayleth glanced at Falek, who was frowning, but nodding. Then she turned back to the older man. “Do you… have a story?”

“We all have stories, Princess,” Borsche said bitterly. “But today isn’t the time for mine. What we have to figure out now is how you two are going to remain safe.”

Etan looked at him. “We’re going to stay here until Dad’s calmed down, then we’ll figure it out.”

“I don’t know, Etan,” his mother said, biting her lip. “He needs time and strategy—I’m not certain he’ll make any important decisions until he’s spoken with his advisors. And having you here, both of you, it’s going to draw attention—it already has. I wonder if you wouldn’t be better for Ayleth to travel ahead? So there’s no gossip among the servants. We all know that it only takes one to speak a word thoughtlessly.”

Etan shifted his weight so his arm pressed against hers. “I’m not leaving her again, mother.”

“No, no. That’s not what I meant. I meant… I wonder if you four should travel on, keeping to the backroads. You mentioned your concern for Ayleth’s life, that you need to speak with Quwan. I’m not sure that even registered for your father. Perhaps…. Perhaps it’s best if you keep distance for now—less likely for gossip or for attention to be brought to Ayleth here. Get back home quickly, to Quwan, and we can meet you there. It will give your father time to find his calm and to think. While Ayleth’s parents are hopefully still uncertain about where she is.”

“What do you think, Ayleth?” Etan asked. “How long do you think they’ll believe your message?”

They all turned to look at Ayleth and she felt her skin prickle. “I doubt they believed it to begin with, but my father will be tempered by the possibility I am only rebelling because I haven’t found my husband yet. It will depend whether my mother chooses to tell him what she knows. And that… I can’t always know how she will step. She surprises me at times. 

“I think they will investigate and try to find me. I think they’ll be looking this way already. But they won’t leap on Summitras until they think they can prove something. They will not let their own authority be hindered by the possibility of a false accusation. They will… they will plan their attack as they look for their evidence, though,” she said, swallowing back a surge of fear. She looked to Falek, who nodded somberly. 

He’d warned her when they started out that she had a ticking clock over her head. That her mother would suspect immediately. That her father would anger.

But what choice had she had?