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

Ayleth, sober, bored and frantic, sat at the Royal table on the stage, overlooking the banquet hall, and the feast-before-the-feast. In anticipation of the signing of the Accord the following afternoon, the nobles and royals had gathered to discuss the last of their plans.. and to drink.

Trayn was the only one of her Ladies who wasn't already in her cups. Because there was no dancing this evening, the Ladies had grown bored. Seated next to Ayleth at the end of the table, they shrieked and giggled, sending messages with their fans—or through servants—to the males watching from below.

Ayleth's jaw was sore from clenching her teeth for so long.

Far away, on the other end of the hall, at the table almost against the wall, and only two rows in from the large double doors that lead into the main corridor, her husband sat with his parents.

She'd felt such a sense of relief when she caught sight of his fawn jacket and gold circlet. He was here as he'd said he would be.

A note passed discreetly from Borsche to Falek had done little to soothe her fears. His handwriting, jagged and slashing on the paper, smeared because he'd rushed and the ink hadn't yet dried.

~

MY LOVE,

Forgive my absence, and the unwelcome delay of our plans.

We were almost found out, but we will prevail.

I will be at the dinner tonight, but I will not approach. There is an emergency within Summitras that must be hidden until after the signing. Though I covet your presence, I cannot risk my people for our selfish gain. We MUST reach the Peace Accord. I cannot take any step that might jeopardize it.

See me in the hall tonight and know my heart is with you. You remain always in my thoughts. I am never at ease without you.

Wait until the announcement of Unions at the feast. I will make everything clear then.

Burn this. Do not leave it where it might be found.

I love you, Ayleth.

Yours to eternity,

E

~

She'd been irritated—and frightened—that he had not said more, even though Borsche would deliver the note personally. But when she'd entered the hall and sat and caught sight of him at the other end, her breath had come easier.

Until now, an hour later, and he had not lifted his eyes to meet hers even once.

He had always been more disciplined than she in this—and helped by the distance. In the past they were both helped by the location of his table. Their gazes often interrupted by a stone pillar. But tonight there were fewer tables. Only the highest diplomats and royal accessories invited. So Etan's table—his parent's table—had been placed further away from one of the great pillars that loomed up to the cathedral ceiling of the banquet hall.

Tonight Ayleth had him in full view—if distant—unless he hunched below the level of his father who sat across from Etan with his back to Ayleth.

But so far she had not caught even a hint of Etan watching her. Not even his eyes skittering away when she turned.

He had always watched her, though surreptitiously.

"What is it, Ayleth? You look as if you would slap someone with a gauntlet and challenge them to a duel."

Ayleth forced herself to snort with cynical good humor. "My eyes fell on the table of the Summitrans. I find I am no longer hungry," she said, her guts twisting in truth for the betrayal the words were of her love.

It took her a moment to realize Trayn hadn't responded. She turned to look at her First Lady—her friend, she reminded herself—and found the pretty, elegant Trayn staring back at her with sympathy and concern.historical

"What?" she said, far too sharply.

Trayn raised a single eyebrow. "You have not seemed yourself since you returned from you.. reflection in the wilderness," she said quietly, below the level of noise around them so no one else might hear. "What besets you, Ayleth? Can I help?"

"I am fine. Thank you for your concern," Ayleth muttered, then turned to let her glare light fires across the banquet hall. "I merely find myself tiring of all the noise and people and.. I wish to have all of this done. Why couldn't we sign the Accord tonight?"

Trayn nodded. "I too have been tired out by all the festivities. It is fun to find so many our age to speak with. But I tire of the games—both in the field, and in the Palace."

There it was again. Trayn's passing references to the gossip and strategy of the noble court never ceased to make Ayleth curious.

Like Ayleth herself, Trayn seemed to play the games, to maneuver and beguile. And perhaps, like Ayleth herself, she wished it did not have to be so?

Ayleth wondered what it was like at the Summitran Court. Would she be free to simply speak her mind? Or would the incessant subtext continue?

She knew that, like her, Etan would like for the nobles and commoners alike to live as they pleased, to do as they wished, and to be strong in whatever natural gifts and talents the Goddess had given them.

But like her, he had been raised on the milk of subterfuge and innuendo, of quiet, privately negotiated alliances hidden behind the veils of the flowing gowns of public diplomacy.

Please, might we do it differently, she pleaded silently with whatever gods might be listening. Please, might we show the rest of them how it could be done.

Even my parents.

Trayn opened her mouth to say something else, but there was movement at Etan's table at the end of the hall. Ayleth pretended to frown at the selection of wines before her, holding up a bottle to examine it, while actually letting her eyes follow the fawn jacket and night-black hair that rose from the table and walked briskly out of the hall.

Her heart began to race.

"Do you wish another drink, Ayleth? I can have a servant—"

"No, no," she said quickly, putting her napkin to the tabletop and nodding at Falek in the corner. "I only wish for the bathing room. I shall return in a few minutes."

She felt Trayn's eyes following her off the stage and down to the floor of the banquet room, but she didn't care.

*****

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