98 Do You Swear?

AYLETH

"Well, I have to go back," Etan said firmly. "Even if they don't know we've received the message, we have to be back by tomorrow night. My parents will think I'm avoiding returning if I'm back much later than the mid-day meal. And Ayleth's as well, if they have heard anything. So, if we're both going back, the only question is… whether we get married before we do. But tell me why you believe that to be the best course. I thought we believed forcing the marriage would create conflict?"

His hand tightened on hers and her heart began to thump. 

She wanted to do this. Badly. She wanted Etan, not just in pure desire, but… she wanted him at her side. She wanted to stop hiding her love for him—and stop him from hiding his.