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Chapter 229  Never Letting Go

He was here.

Etan was in this room. She could feel it in her soul, feel it in the living, humming bond that thrilled in her heart.

Breathless with anticipation, Ayleth stood at the top of the wide, stone staircase that curved from high over the audience chamber. Etan stood on the raised platform under the landing where she stood, waiting. And the people, too. The court, the servants, and as many citizens as could fit made a humming, milling mass below her.

They\'d been forced apart for most of the day—a unique kind of torment when they both knew that their reunion tonight would be so sweet. But neither of them was ready for the separation just yet, hearts still nervous and wounded, afraid of further surprises.

Her newest Lady in Waiting tugged at her train, then rushed forward to hand Ayleth a bouquet of flowers. "You\'re ready, Ayleth," she whispered, her eyes bright and twinkling with the romance of it all.

"Thank you, Jhanel," Ayleth said with a smile. "Thank you for being as excited about this as I am."

They shared a grin. She hadn\'t known Jhanel long, but their hearts pattered for the same joys, and grieved the same losses. The woman would be a dear friend, Ayleth was certain.

As Jhanel sank back to join the other ladies behind her, the crowd below caught sight of her and everyone hushed.

"Stand and welcome the Queen of Summitras, Ruler of Zenithra, Ayleth Val-Summit!"

Everyone straightened and turned to look at her as the musicians on the other side of the hall struck up a slow, but merry tune and Ayleth began her descent.

She scanned the hall and all the faces turned towards her, but Etan was below her, waiting to receive her for the renewal of their vows. The people had requested—

demanded, if Borsche wasn\'t exaggerating—to see the two vow to each other. A great uproar had arisen when they learned that they had missed their beloved King\'s nuptials.

Ayleth worked to keep her face calm as she descended. She was late. Her critics would claim she\'d done it on purpose, just for this entrance. But in truth, she\'d been desperate to find calm. It was as if it were the first time again. And even though she knew him now, and Etan knew her, something had changed between them.

The bond had deepened somehow. As if their hearts now beat in time.

Oh, he still ordered things around far too much, and forgot to ask her for her thoughts at times. But his eyes when they landed her on her were so soft, so yearning. And his touch… Ayleth shivered as she descended the stairs and the citizens began to applaud.

She loved that the people had wanted to see them unified. And she enjoyed the celebrations they\'d planned.

But she ached for the hours after all of that, when they would be alone in their chambers again. Those were the hours when he was no longer King, and she was no longer Queen. He was only hers.

As she reached the ground level and scanned this gathering—the most powerful men and women of the Kingdom all in one room, right alongside those who held the least status—she knew only one thing for certain: Something within her needed Etan. And he was here.

As she turned and began down the short aisle to where he stood, her breath caught as he came into sight.

He stood in the full uniform of the Cavalry Officer and War General that he was, as King. His chin high and eyes narrowed—but they sparkled when she came into view.

She had to bite her lip to stop the smile—what would the people think if she grinned at him like a maid to a stableman! But then he smiled, and the flames in his eyes flared, and Ayleth found she couldn\'t quite walk quickly enough until finally, he bowed and held out a hand to help her up the small flight of stairs to the top of the platform where they would stand, Quwan there to read the vows, Falek at Ayleth\'s side as her Defender, and Borsche at Etan\'s shoulder.

Falek\'s eyes caught hers and for a moment her heart ached for him.

His Parys hadn\'t appeared in Summitras. Either she had not received Ayleth\'s note, or she had not understood it. Ayleth grieved that for him. But she was not giving up.

As Falek whispered, "You look beautiful," and winked, she smiled and turned to face Etan, taking in the sight of him, his broad shoulders cut square by the fabulous coat of a Cavalryman. His strong jaw shaved smooth, his hair black as night because it had been slicked with the oil favored by the Summitrans. But he must have been running his hand through it, because a few small strands fell over his forehead.

He didn\'t seem to notice them. He had eyes only for her.

As Quwan invited the people to quiet so they might hear the ceremony, Etan leaned in, his eyes sparkling.

"I will make these vows every day if it means I get to see you like this," he whispered.

"So it\'s just about a pretty dress?" she quipped back.

Etan shook his head. "Absolutely not. It\'s about getting that dress off."

Ayleth spluttered a laugh and had to bite her lip again.

She barely heard the vows, even when she made her own. Because all she could think about was how blessed her life had become. How handsome Etan looked, and how strong. And how close they\'d come to losing each other forever.

Thank you, she prayed, as they spoke their vows and offered everything.

Thank you, she prayed, as they were presented to the people as husband and wife… again.

Thank you, she prayed, as they walked together to the Reception hall and the celebrations there.

There were many people to be greeted, many eyes that followed their passage through the room, and men who wanted to pat shoulders, or women who wished to offer congratulations. But she barely noticed any of them.

He was here. He was here!

Her heart sang.

She had found her husband, and she was never letting go of him again.

*****

An hour later they were met by Falek and Borsche in the Palace hall as they were returning to their chambers to get changed for the dinner. Ayleth\'s heart sang at the smile on Etan\'s face, but she rather resented the intrusion of the men. Oh well, she would have him to herself that night.

"Etan, I\'ve just spoken with Quwan and the scribes. All the details are in place for Ayleth to return for the Crowning in Zenithra."

"We\'ll only be gone a few weeks," Falek said quietly.

"Which is good," Borsche continued, because you both need to get on with the real work of being the most powerful rulers on the Continent.

Ayleth frowned. "What do you mean?"

Borsche grabbed Etan\'s shoulder and turned him to stop in the middle of the hallway, his face a mask of concern. "You didn\'t tell her?"

Etan frowned, but didn\'t let go of her hand.

"Tell me what?" Ayleth asked nervously.

Borsche looked between them, then to Falek with strange spluttering. "Surely, this is your failing as much as mine, brother."

Falek just raised an eyebrow at him.

Borsche turned to Ayleth whose grip on Etan had tightened. "What is going on?"

"I\'m sorry to be the one to tell you this, Ayleth, apparently our host of Defenders and husbands is sadly lacking, but truly, you of all people need to know: The most important task you can undertake as rulers is… the begetting of an heir."

Etan slumped and shook his head, chuckling. "You scared me for a moment there."

Falek barked a laugh and nudged Borsche, who was grinning at Ayleth.

Only Ayleth didn\'t laugh, but kept her face stern. They all stared at her, their smiles fading. Falek scratched his neck, and Etan leaned in. "They\'re just playing, Ayleth—"

"No need to explain, Etan. As usual, I\'m already one step ahead of the rest of you." They blinked and she smiled. "Honestly, one of these days you\'ll catch up."

Etan gaped at her, stunned. "Are you… Ayleth… are you saying—?"

She patted his cheek. "Don\'t worry, I looked like that when I first figured it out, too."

Then she turned on her heel and left the three of them staring at her back as she walked the rest of the way to their chambers.

She knew they\'d be uncertain if she was joking or not and she smiled to herself, then slid a hand to her belly. "What do you think? Should we tell them yet?"

Despite her tiredness, Ayleth didn\'t think she\'d ever felt so much joy.

Thank you, she prayed again. For all the men in my life. And for all the love.

And as she looked back over the preceding months to the day when she\'d met Etan she realized… Love really was life. And it really did conquer all.

She could hardly wait to see where it would take them.

*****

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