AUTHOR NOTE: There will not be new chapters on this book until 22 November (USA) but my goal is to publish at least 5 chapters for you that day, and then pre-write a minimum of 2 per week for the rest of the year so there won't be another lag in chapters like this.

Thank you again for your patience with me and this book. Because it doesn't earn much and I've been doing 7 day weeks for most of the year, I have to take it carefully, but with BEAST completing, that takes some pressure off and will allow me more time to write it in December/January.

I look forward to taking you on the rest of the ride!

*****

AYLETH

Her mother knew. Ayleth knew it in her bones. Somehow, her mother had learned what was going on and had tried to bring Etan back to the castle to confront him—to harm him? Ayleth wasn't sure.

She was, however, certain that her mother had gotten to Etan first. But apparently not killed him. That was a very good sign. But what was all this about drastic action and changing plans? She returned her focus to Borsche.

"Did he tell you what this action must be? What plans we must make to carry us to the Accord?"

Borsche shook his head. "He was tense and his mother was there. He was clearly hiding your relationship from her—telling me with naming you to warn you so that you'd hold off as well.. he said nothing is more important than reaching the Accord and after it's signed he would make himself clear."

Borsche stared hard at Falek who gave him a questioning look, but it was Ayleth who spoke. "What is it, Borsche?"

Borsche stared a moment longer at Falek, then turned to her, his eyes tight. "He said the message was a trap we did not spring. I can only think he meant the call to return to the Castle."

"It was your mother," Falek confirmed with a grim look at her.

Ayleth nodded. "Yet it isn't me she spoke to, and apparently, she's left Etan free?"

Falek frowned.

Borsche cleared his throat. "His last instruction was to say nothing until the announcement of Unions."

Falek's eyes snapped back to Ayleth. "He must have hidden it from her."

Ayleth shook her head. "Even if he didn't confirm it, she wouldn't just tell him to wait. She wouldn't leave him free. They have to have come to some kind of arrangement."

"What arrangement would she agree to with the Summitrans?" Falek growled. "Under what circumstances would she leave him free unless she felt she had him in her grip?"

"That is what concerns me," Ayleth said. She caught herself wringing her hands and made herself stop, gripping her skirts instead. "There is a chance, a small chance, she measured him as an appropriate mate for me, but wants to keep it from my father—but why would he insist that I stay away, then?"

"Unless she didn't know?" Borsche asked quietly. "What if she only suspected and he's found a way to divert her? That is my best guess. I have no doubt I will learn the truth and when I do, I'll pass it on. But he was very clear: Do not take any action until the Peace Accord has been signed. And Ayleth?"

She waited, holding her breath. "What is it?"

"He told me to tell you that while he may not speak, you never leave his thoughts. I think.. I think he must think he has to avoid contact with you until the signing."

Falek frowned and opened his mouth. But Borsche wasn't finished.

"He said he would not speak of you because the walls have ears."

Falek took a deep breath and Ayleth turned to him, knowing her despair must be showing on her face.

"She definitely knows," she said quietly.

Falek agreed, the lines at the sides of his mouth deepening with concern.

"The question is, what has he done about it—and what does he plan to do?" Borsche growled. "And what is he telling his own mother, now that he's ordered me to leave them alone?"

Falek and Borsche stared at each other, some kind of silent agreement passing between them. Then Falek's weight shifted, closer to Ayleth. "I won't leave her side. Get back to him and see."

Borsche nodded, sketched a bow to Ayleth, then darted back behind the tapestry and was gone.

Ayleth's heart clenched.

*****

It took her almost an hour to convince Falek to let her check the library. Etan hadn't sent a message. Borsche had not returned with news. Ayleth finally persuaded Falek that it wasn't unreasonable for her to visit the library—she went most days! If they just happened to run into Lord Summit and his mother..

Ayleth needed to see his eyes. Needed to see, no matter how silent he might be, no matter how restrained, that he still loved her.

Falek finally relented and Ayleth launched from her rooms.

Minutes later she raced into the library, Falek on her heels, hissing at her to slow down, that they must appear nonchalant, as she threw the door wide and slid to a halt in the middle of the hard floor, searching the room.. but there was no one there.

Her insides curled up like a leaf in the autumn sun.

A small scattering of dust and what looked to be pieces of the dried petals from the bowl on the low table had been crunched into the floor by a large foot—Etan's? It could have been anyone's. The room was otherwise neat, tidy, and unruffled.

Ayleth sighed. "Too late."

Falek grunted from behind her. "Don't deflate like that, Ayleth. He's clearly working on something to bring you two back together safely. Frankly I am impressed by his restraint."

Ayleth nodded and turned to the shelves to pretend to scan for a book while she bit back tears.

She knew Falek was right, but she couldn't shake the sense of dread that made a pit in her stomach. The sense of isolation she'd felt since she entered the castle—and the clawing fear that she was losing him somehow.

She felt utterly alone, and she couldn't tell her Knight Defender, because she didn't believe he would understand—or even believe—the bond that she and Etan shared.

The bond that had gone quiet before they even reached the castle.

That bond that had gone cold since.

Once again, tentatively, she reached along that shimmering thread that seemed to connect them, tried to push her heart along it, to remind him of her love.

And once again it was as if she met a thick, stone door.

A door that Etan had closed on her two hours earlier.

Right when he was likely speaking with her mother. historical