Loving the Forbidden Prince

ETAN

Etan rolled his jaw and turned from her, frantic again because no matter how he searched, he could not see a way clear to protecting Ayleth. And that meant that the only certain protection for her was to give the Queen what he asked. But even the thought made him want to vomit. Pacing back and forth before her, he raked a hand through his hair.

He had to stall her. Make her believe. Find a way… if only his Advisor Quwan were here. A devout follower of the Father of Lights, he had been a Sorcerer for most of his life until Etan was twelve. 

He'd been supposed to come for the Festival, but his wife had taken ill the week before they left and Etan's father had encouraged him to remain behind. 

He might know of this spell the Queen had used. Might know a way around it.. 

Blasted sorcerers! Rage blossomed in Etan again and his hands shook with it. Silently, he threw his pain at the Father. 

How could you let it come to this?

Why did you not protect her from this?

How can you not protect our marriage, given in vow to you?

He prayed, but heard no answer. 

"Lord Summit, I am weary of this. Make your choice."

Etan sucked in a breath and did not look at her. "There is no choice to make."

He could feel her smile and it made his skin crawl. "Perhaps you are smarter than I gave you credit for."

Etan spat a curse. "Anything that would gain your approval turns my stomach. So hear me, because even if you were to take Ayleth, even if you were to steal her from me, you would not walk from that unscathed, and we both know it. So if I am to sacrifice her for your evil gains, then you will provide to me also."

"Oh ho, the kitten has claws!"

"Shut your mouth, bitch!" Etan snarled. The Queen's eyes widened, but he strode back to face her again. "You would force me not only to abandon Ayleth, but to appear to take another that I do not love. So, you will cease your machinations against my parents and allow Summitras to sign the Peace Accord. We will leave this Castle not under a cloud, but with the banners flying and part of negotiations between Kingdoms."

She tipped her head. "Or what, Etan?"

"You think I entered the lair of my enemies without some protection of my own?" he asked quietly. "When I leave this room to begin the façade that you demand, you will ensure that my parents and I are able to sign the Accord and be party to the negotiations. Because the day Ayleth or I are harmed, or die on Zenithran soil, the marriage contract, and a legal deed of Heir will be released across the Kingdom, and I—or whomever rules in Summitras in my stead—will have right to rule here, also," he lied. 

The Queen's jaw tightened. "Ayleth would never—"

"As you so eloquently stated," Etan snarled, "your daughter is young and naïve. Add to that 'in love' and you will discover that she does not question my judgment. When it was determined that we would marry, it was a simple thing to convince her that we must sign alliance as well. Your avenue of attack may have taken me off guard, but do not think I did not anticipate that you would work against me. Our Kingdoms are now aligned. If I release that alongside the marriage contract, my offspring—or the offspring of whoever takes the throne in my stead—will share your Court. Whether Ayleth is alive or not. And do not doubt that I, too, have those working with me who will do my work in the event that I am removed."

"If you release that, I will kill her," the Queen hissed.

"If you kill her, I will release it," Etan said firmly. "And so we will discover just how ruthless I can be. So I ask again, Highness, will you ensure that my Kingdom is included in the Accord?"

It was cold comfort that in that moment she was the one who looked like she might vomit. But they both knew that Etan's request was little more than an irritation to her. He certainly didn't hold the weight that she did. 

"I never planned to stop Summitras signing the Accord anyway," she muttered.

"Liar," he spat. 

"But if you are to sign and be included in negotiations, then you will also announce your marriage at the Day of Unions." When Etan opened his mouth, she spoke over him, derision all over her face. "I do not care if you actually marry the chit. I care only that my daughter see you with another on your arm before you leave the Kingdom and she does not harbor romantic ideas that you will somehow come for her after everyone has gone. She must be utterly convinced."

"Why?!" Etan threw up his hands, floored by this woman's hatred. "Why would you want to hurt her so?"

"Because, Etan, can't you see? She won't know it's me hurting her. When the time comes and her heart is broken, it's you she'll hate." She smiled and Etan had to turn away or he might strangle her. "And then, it's me she'll run to for comfort," the Queen added cruelly.

Etan's breathing was erratic, his heart pounding.

How was he going to do this? How was he going to let Ayleth know so she wouldn't give up hope? He would find a way around this. He would!

He wanted to scream. He wanted to kill her. He wanted to grab Ayleth up and swoop her out of this castle and back to the safety of his Kingdom. 

But he would lose her if he did. Lose her, forever.

He dropped his face into his hands and groaned. He didn't care if the Queen saw him weak. His own heart was breaking just imagining what his wife was about to feel.

"Lord Summit," the Queen snapped. "What say you?"

*****

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