AYLETH
Despite the bright sunlight of the morning, she and Etan sank into sleep quickly after that. Ayleth felt herself dragged down in the darkness and wanted to resist, but she knew they had fewer hours to rest that day and that she would regret fighting it. So she let herself sink, though she soon wished she hadn’t.
She woke, it seemed, deep in the forest where, despite the bright summer sunlight, the trees and mountains blocked the light and warmth, leaving her chilled and peering through dim, damp darkness.
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"Etan?" she called.
"He isn’t here," her mother’s voice said from behind her.
Ayleth whirled, first frightened, her mind screaming that if her mother was here, Etan was in danger! But then she saw her mother’s smile and her heart eased.
"Mother!"
"I am so glad you’re safe, Ayleth," she said softly, walking towards her from some distance through the trees, shrouded by the darkness, though Ayleth had no trouble hearing her voice. "So glad that I found you."
Ayleth looked around, heart hammering again, but she wasn’t in the same part of the forest as she’d gone to sleep. She swallowed, aware that she needed to conceal Etan’s whereabouts from her parents.
"Of course I’m safe!" she said brightly. "Etan would never harm me?"
Her mother raised a skeptical eyebrow but kept walking towards her carefully, seeming to have no trouble on the rough forest floor despite her beautiful slippers, designed for walking around castles, not muddy forests.
"Don’t worry, Ayleth, I’ll have you home soon. Within days."
"But... I don’t want to come home, mother. At least, not without Etan."
Her mother stepped closer and finally some of the darkness pulled back so Ayleth could see her more clearly. She had her hands behind her back but was dressed for court, a long gold chain around her neck dangling almost to her waist, something small glass vial, or perhaps a massive jewel mounted at its end. Ayleth couldn’t quite make it out. Her mother looked calm.
"Ayleth, I know you don’t mean that. I know this man is handsome and has given you... great pleasure, but there is more to life than only that. Do not fear for your future, your father will remove him and you will be free to marry again—"
"Mother, no, you aren’t listening. I don’t want to marry anyone else. He’s my soulmate. We are... there’s a bond—"
"The only bond you share is the one I mistakenly created for you," her mother said bitterly, but then she shook her head and her voice softened. "I can remove it. It won’t be painless, but it is relatively easy."
"Mother, no!"
"Ayleth, you don’t understand the fire you’re playing with—"
"Would everyone please stop telling me what I don’t understand!" Ayleth snapped. "I am a grown woman, trusted to lead a nation, yet no one seems to believe I understand simple relationships—I know you don’t like him, Mother. I know you wouldn’t choose him. But he’s mine and I will not have another. He’s my husband—as father is for you. Please... there must be a way to establish peace between our nations!"
Her mother’s eyes narrowed. "You cannot be serious?"
"Of course I’m serious—I married him, mother!"
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"The priest has been removed, and all records with him. No one need even know."
"I know! Etan knows! The Goddess knows!"
Her mother chuckled. "The Goddess will aid us in our endeavors, Ayleth. She wants your strength, your power. She wants you at the pinnacle for which she made you. She will not hold you back with this... savage."
"He is not a savage!"
"Yes, he is!" her mother said coldly.
"No, mother." Ayleth stepped toward her mother and the air around them suddenly went colder, but she braced against it as her mother’s smile went brittle, then disappeared altogether. "He is not. He is nothing that you’ve told me of the Summitras. Your people are lying to you. This family is warm and... and thoughtful, and the King is extremely upset that we have created the reason for war at a time of peace. They do not wish us harm—they reach for peace. They are cultured and intelligent and—"
"Enough!" her mother hissed. "No more praises for our enemy will cross your tongue," she said, swiping one hand forward. Ayleth felt the tingle in her skin and flinched as her jaw suddenly locked as if a strong hand held it gripped, keeping her teeth clenched.
Ayleth fought, struggling, screaming to her mother through clenched teeth to free her—and when her mother only stared, screaming to the Goddess to help her!
"The Goddess will do only what is good for your strength, Ayleth. She will not aid you in handing yourself and your power over to our enemy’s hands."
"He is not my enemy!" Ayleth snarled through her teeth. "He is my love! And I will remain with him whether you wish it or not!"
Her mother’s eyes widened. "You will regret that," she snarled. Then, to Ayleth’s horror, she leaped forward, a blade flashing in the hand that had stayed behind her back, sunlight catching it just as her mother plunged it into her chest—
Ayleth woke with a sharp scream, clutching at her heaving chest. Etan was on his feet next to her in a flash, Borsche, as well, who must have given Falek time to sleep.
"What is it? What’s wrong?"
The pain that had bloomed in Ayleth’s chest was already almost faded completely, but she rubbed the space, swallowing and rolling her jaw that ached as if she’d been clenching it for hours. "Nothing, nothing. I’m sorry. It was just a dream."
"What’s happened?!" Falek appeared from the trees, his sword drawn.
Ayleth shook her head and lifted a hand to soothe him. "Nothing," she said. "I’m sorry, it was a dream. That’s all."
"A dream of what?" Falek asked.
Ayleth glanced at Etan, who watched her, concerned, but shook her head. "Just a nightmare. Please, don’t be worried. I’m sorry I disturbed you all."
"It was almost time to wake you anyway if we were to make it to the City gates before the evening bell. Perhaps this was just the Father’s way of getting us on the move," Borsche said with a small smile.
Etan nodded. "I’m sure. Let’s get the horses ready. Come on, Ayleth, it’s okay."
She took his hand gratefully, hers still shaking. But soon they were all buried in the task of preparing to travel again.
As they mounted their beasts, Ayleth prayed that she could shake off the darkness and weight she suddenly felt... and the dull ache that remained, right at the center of her chest, where the bond glowed. And right where, she realized, she’d had pain years earlier after her mother cast a spell...
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