Chapter 188 – What Choice?

READER SHOUT OUT: This chapter is dedicated to DespinyaNY (again!) for being the most mind-bogglingly supportive reader and friend. I am truly lost for words (and that is saying something!) Your generosity of spirit, and sharing is an example to me. Thank you for offering so much love in this world.

*****

AYLETH

“I think… I think if we can travel outside of the convoy, if we can move quickly and stay out from under eyes, we should. That way, if there are spies, they are less likely to feed information back. And if we’re stopped or challenged…”

Falek frowned. “Travelling alone is far more dangerous—whether it’s known who you are or not.”

Ayleth nodded, but gave a single-shouldered shrug. “The truth is, there’s no safety in this. I knew that. We knew that. All we can do is try to avoid instigating conflict.”

“They will be coming for you.”

“But if they don’t find me…?” Ayleth turned to Etan. “I think your mother is right. I’m not so worried about the spell. I’m more concerned they might send forces against you. But if I’m not here…”

Etan’s throat bobbed. “I agree,” he said softly, tracing the back of her hand with his thumb. “So… have your bath, wife,” he said, his eyes dark and clouded, but intent on her. “If you think you can do it, we should travel while it’s still night.”

Ayleth sighed. She had been looking forward to sleeping in an actual bed—even if it was only a cot. But under the circumstances….

A voice rose from the other side of the tent, calling to those within. “May I enter, your Majesty?”

Etan’s mother gestured for Ayleth to hide her face. She hurriedly pulled up the hood and walked to the other end of his tent while the Queen ushered in the servants, all of them making small talk while the servants brought a large bath, and bucket after bucket of water. 

Ayleth sat on a stool with her back to the rest of the tent, Etan behind her, watching them all—no doubt fiercely, his eyes warning them to not to look too closely.

It wasn’t ideal, but what choice did they have?

She’d known this was coming, that the ripple effect would be dire. But again, what choice had she had?

Etan hand rested on the flat of her back, and she leaned into it, sending love and hope and pleading down the bond. 

He was there. She was there. They were finally together and no longer hiding—at least, not from his family. 

The rest… the rest they would figure out. 

*****

ETAN

He led the other men from the tent, leaving Falek guarding the door, while he and Borsche casually sat at a fire that allowed them to watch its back. His mother stayed with Ayleth to help her wash and change. 

Etan found his stomach tense and body tingling with nervous anticipation of what might come in the following days. But he yearned, as well. Yearned to hold Ayleth. To be alone with her. To reassure her. He ached, in fact. 

So when his mother finally raised her voice to let them know they could return, he rushed into the tent, sighing with relief to find a happy, pink-cheeked Ayleth, her hair back in a simple braid, and in fresh divided skirts and a cloak that would hide her from any watchers, and help her blend with the surroundings.

They’d discussed exchanging her horse for another, but if it was recognized, or found among the Summitrans and Ayleth was not there… the results would be disastrous. Borsche was the one who felt certain there was less risk in letting her stay with the animal. The further they ranged from Zenithra, the less likely the beast was to be recognized. And if the spies did see it, well, that would mean they were close enough that he and Ayleth were already in a dire position. 

So, Etan was treated to only an hour of watching his mother chat and whisper with his wife, both of them smiling, as the four of them shared a hasty meal, and his mother attempted to ease Ayleth’s conscience. But then it was time for them to leave. So they both turned to his mother who, Etan was surprised, turned to Ayleth first. 

“I look forward to the days we will spend together in the castle,” his mother said with a warm smile at his wife. “I look forward to the day when all of this is behind us and you can see the best of my husband, rather than his righteous anger.”

“I look forward to that, as well,” Ayleth said, leaning forward to hug her. 

Etan was surprised again by the lump in his throat. These two women were the ones that meant the most in the world to him. He prayed that the day would come—and soon—when they could share tea and meals, and…

Etan shook his head. They were so far away from any kind of normal life, there was no point tormenting himself with it. 

As Ayleth raised her hood, Etan embraced his mother, letting his chin rest on her head when she held him much longer than usual. 

“He has not stopped loving you,” she whispered in his ear. “He’s only angry because he fears what this might do to you. The target it paints on you. He will come around. You please him, Etan. He says it daily.”

Etan nodded, clearing his throat. “I know.”

“No, Etan, look at me.”

He’d been straightening to step away, but his mother reached up to take his chin in her hand and force him to meet her eyes. “He is angry. And he will likely remain so for some time. But as soon as the initial shock is past and he had a clearer vision of how to face this… he will return to you with love. You know that. His anger never lasts.”

Etan nodded. “Tell him… tell him I’m sorry.”

“He already knows. But I will. You make him proud, Etan. He won’t abandon you for this.”

Etan swallowed a pinch in his throat, hurriedly hugged her again, then turned to Ayleth, who was playing with the buttons on her cloak, trying not to intrude. 

But she gave him her eyes when he turned, checking in with him. He felt the surge of her love along the bond, and took a deep breath. Then reached for her hand. 

“Let’s go,” he said, tipping his head towards the door. “Let’s start the rest of our lives.”

Ayleth smiled and nodded, then pulled up the deep hood over her hair and face before taking his hand.