Chapter 21 - Step Carefully

ETAN

Etan trembled. He'd almost killed his dearest friend. But Borsche seemed unaffected. He remained unmoving, because he planned to keep his skin, but he flashed a smile. "Just keeping you on your toes."

Etan dropped the knife to the floor with a clang and backed away until the back of his legs hit the bed. He sat heavily, gaping at his man. "Perhaps we can find another way to train? These surprise attacks are… risky. I'm wound tighter than a Mandolin string right now."

"As you should be," Borsche said coolly, apparently unconcerned by how closely he'd stepped to death. "To look at it, you'd think this castle is the site of a celebration of unity. But many, many plots are simmering just below the surface, Etan. And your family, your people are the target of many."

He dropped his face in his hands. "Yes, I heard," he muttered.

"You'll explain that in a moment, but first, where have you been? I returned an hour ago. You haven't used your bed tonight."

He shook his head and dropped his hands but didn't meet Borsche's eyes. "I've been at the stables all night. They weren't caring properly for Rian."

Borsche walked up to him casually, then leaned in sniffing. When he stood back, he folded his arms. "I realize this is a Kingdom of great wealth, but do you really expect me to believe their stables smell of vanilla and citrus-fruits?"

Etan grimaced. "It wasn't planned. It turns out when she's tense, she also goes to her horse," he muttered. "We found each other by accident." And she is head-spinningly beautiful in trousers, he thought.

"You're telling me—"

"Yes, I am, Borsche. The Father brought us together. It was a shock, and a delightful one."

There was a pause before Borsche commented, "She loves horses?"

Etan looked at him and grinned. "And she doesn't look like one. At all."

Borsche snorted, but his smile faded immediately. "Tell me what you learned tonight, and where?"

"She told me. She only suspects. Her parents haven't actually laid out their plans, but she's sharp as a whip and from some of what her father has said, she has gathered he's making an attempt to get some of the other Rulers to call for my parent's exclusion from the Peace Accord."

Borsche cursed, then took a deep breath. "That fits," he says, then turned to sit next to Etan on the bed and stare at the floor. "I heard of no less than four rulers plotting to instigate trouble with your father."

Etan let himself fall backwards onto the bed, groaning. "Apparently my father's plan to remain humble and take whatever punishment they throw at him might be the best possible strategy. But I can't stomach it, Borsche. I… I burn every time I think of it."

Borsche nodded thoughtfully. "Injustice is a difficult dose to swallow," he said. "but I agree that it is most likely the best course to be taken. None of the rulers can afford to be seen to breach the ceasefire, else they end up excluded themselves. So, their plots focus on attempts to bait him. If he will not rise to it… we may get through this."

"Ayleth and I decided to wait until the Accord is signed before we speak to our parents."

Borsche looked at him quickly. "That is… wise. But it will make for a difficult couple of weeks."

Etan nodded. "You have no idea."

There was a pause before Borsche asked carefully. "Did you… take her tonight?"

"No," Etan groaned. "But, dear Lord, I wanted to."

Borsche clapped Etan's knee. "You will grow as a man, forcing yourself to restraint," he chuckled.

"You laugh, but… Borsche she is utterly innocent—but also utterly unafraid… she touches me. And she wants to see my skin. She has no idea what she's doing—if I allowed her, I suspect she would have me strip just so she could look at me—then walk away with no clue what she's done to me!"

Borsche's lips twitched. "It sounds like the Father has gifted you an eager wife."

"That's just the thing—she isn't a wife yet. And I can't risk letting it go that far because we already face far too many enemies! But she would… she would stroke me every time we spoke if I let her! Have you ever faced that—having to be the one to restrain not only yourself, but a woman?"

Borsche looked away from him before he answered. "I may have been in a circumstance that required that kind of… discipline," he said quietly. "I do not envy you the frustrations that will come. But… it is a blessing, Etan, when a woman is enthusiastic about lovemaking. It will bring you closer in the end. If you can endure the wait."

Etan didn't miss the careful tone in his voice. He sat up to look at his friend, eye-to-eye. "Do you ever regret your vow? To tie your life to mine? To give up on your own chance for a wife and children?"

"Never," Borsche said without hesitation. "I told you, Etan, I see the light the Father brings to the world through you. That is… worth sacrificing for."

Etan blinked, his throat suddenly tight. "But… if you could have a family—"

"This isn't the time for philosophical discussion of things we cannot change, Etan," Borsche said, getting up from the bed. "We have to train."

Etan snorted. "I'm not training this morning. I'm going to sleep."

But Borsche whirled on him. "You will do no such thing. Have you forgotten the tournament?"

"No, but—"

"They're opening the first rounds this afternoon."

"What?!"

Borsche's lips thinned. "It's one of the plots—they're aware that the rulers that travelled will be at a disadvantage. They have changed the traditional order of events which, unfortunately, they have every right to do."

Etan slumped back onto the bed. "Just one hour, please, Borsche. My eyes ache!"

"You should have thought of that before you snuck off to the stables to kiss your Princess," he said. "We'll get started early and perhaps there will be time to rest before they begin the opening rounds. But make no mistake, Etan, you have to be at your most attentive. While most of the plots focus on your father because he's the one who must sign the Accord, your name was also spoken. They're aware of your close relationship with your parents. They'll use it if they can. To raise your father's ire."

Etan swore, but forced himself to get off the bed. He stalked to the washbasin in the corner and splashed his face with water, then leaned there for a moment, trying to focus his stinging eyes and foggy mind.

It was worth it, he decided. Though this day would be a challenge, it was worth it to have had her to himself for those hours.

He started to change into his training leathers and Borsche clapped him on the back. "Good man."

Etan snorted.