Beth let her hand drop to her side but kept her fingers folded tightly against her palm. She didn’t want to let on how much his touch had affected her. He stared at her like a man in a trance and she didn’t know whether it was because he’d found her less attractive than he’d hoped or on the slight chance he was into bigger girls - more so.

She shifted from one foot to another, not really sure what to do or say next. Her entire future stood before her – appearing somewhat befuddled if anyone asked her.

Tall with broad shoulders, he stood a whole head taller than her. His raven black hair was sheared close to his skull, as was military protocol, but it suited him very well. She’d known from the force of his grip that he was very strong but she’d expected a more formidable presence.

Instead, his coral blue eyes bored into her as if he could see right through her.

“Is something wrong?” she asked softly and when he flinched, all her fears and emotions came pouring out. “I’m sorry if I’m not what you expected or wanted, I understand if you wish to live separately after I’m with child, I promise, I won’t cause you any trouble or keep you from taking a mistress.”

Her chest heaved with every breath and it wasn’t long before tears blurred her eyes. She inhaled sharply when he stepped even closer to her and took her upper arms in a tight, firm grip.

“What the hell are you talking about?” he demanded softly. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I’m damn near speechless. I’m afraid I’ll say something stupid if I don’t monitor every word completely before it leaves my mouth,” he confessed.

“And just for the record,” he lowered his voice and she caught the edge of warning in it. “I’d never let you live away from me. That isn’t the way we do things anymore. Where would you get such an antiquated idea?”

Shock slammed into her like a freight train.

“I was raised to practice and obey the Ancient Ways,” she pulled away from him and folded her arms across her chest. “Does this mean your Faction is a Modern?” she demanded tartly. Her face burned and she knew that her skin had flushed and a heavy redness settled across her cheekbones and nose.

The shocked look on his face told her everything she needed to know. She cursed her body’s traitorous reaction to him and wondered just how she was to survive in a Modern Faction. It would be like an ice cube trying to survive in the desert. How could her parents have done this to her? How could they have kept this from her?

Their species were in the midst of a Civil War and she found herself on the opposite side from the man she’d pledged to spend the rest of her life with. She couldn’t refuse to marry him now, it would bring shame on her and her family. And she believed Wesley when he said he refused to allow her to live separately from him.

She waited with baited breath while the Prince and his brother merely stared at each other in shock. Apparently they didn’t know of her family’s position in the war.

“Yes, your Highness,” Wesley answered and reached forward to take her hands in his once more. When she tightened her stance, he pried her arms free and gripped her firmly by the arms. “This Faction is Modern and after our ceremony, you will be too,” he informed.

She flinched as if he’d slapped her. She’d been packed up, shipped off and forgotten like an old piece of luggage. She’d left behind everything and everyone she’d ever loved out of dedication and duty. Now, her future husband demanded that she desert her core beliefs and embrace those she’d despised her entire life?

No matter how much her body burned for his touch or how deeply her soul cried out for him, she didn’t know if she could do as he commanded.

“I don’t know if I can do that,” she replied calmly, but struggled to keep her voice steady. “You’re asking me to abandon my entire belief system and that’s tantamount to spitting in my ancestors’ faces. How can you expect me to convert so easily?”

It was his turn to flinch but he recovered quickly and smiled down at her. Not a smile of vindictiveness, but a genuine, comforting smile. He lessened his grip on her arms but refused to completely let her go.

“I understand your reluctance,” he explained. “But may I ask a favor of you?”

She swallowed hard and hoped she wasn’t about to make yet another mistake and then nodded gently.

“Yes,” she answered.

“Good.” He exhaled in relief. “I’ll provide you with some books and manuscripts from my father’s private collection. They are the writings of an Ancient One who converted to Modernism. Actually, he was the founder of Modernism as we know it today. If you’ll just promise to read them with an open mind, I will delay our mating ritual for a few days,” he explained. “If after reading them you still wish to follow the Ancient Ways, I’ll free you of our betrothal.”

Her eyes snapped to his and she searched for any sign of treachery. When she saw nothing but sincere questioning, she forced herself to see the sincerity of his request. She wouldn’t be committing blasphemy by simply educating herself on the two separate teachings. Surely no one would condemn her for seeking knowledge and understanding.

After considering his proposal for several moments, she finally nodded her assent. He sighed deeply as if he’d been holding his breath. She found some solace in knowing that he didn’t demand she instantly embrace his ways and softened somewhat at knowing he planned to present her with an alternative and allow her the chance to make up her own mind.

It wasn’t something the Ancient Ones would have accepted nor excused. If she wanted to ponder on it, she had to admit that it was very comforting and exhilarating to be given the chance to form her own opinion and have a say in what happens to her.

“Thank you,” he murmured softly. “Now, I’ll have someone show you to your guest quarters so you can freshen up and rest.” He released her and stepped back, bowing gallantly. “I’ll also have someone bring you those writings. Will you come down for dinner at eight?” he asked.

Inside, she squealed like a delighted child. No one had ever given her such consideration before. The Ancient Ones’ teachings decreed that women were under complete control of first, their fathers and then their mates. They were not allowed to speak in public nor offer an opinion.

She knew her father sometimes asked her mother’s thoughts on certain things, but always in the privacy of their bedroom. She only knew about them because her room was right next to theirs and sometimes she eavesdropped - not that she’d ever admit to such a heinous act.

Her mother always obeyed her father and followed his orders explicitly. Beth found a new sense of childish wonder at the Prince’s thoughtfulness and took a few moments to savor the moment.

After she’d drawn the silence out for as long as possible, she smiled and dipped her chin shyly.

“Yes,” she answered. “Eight sounds wonderful. Thank you.” He nodded, returning her smile and moved aside to allow her to sweep past him. A housemaid waited in the doorway, ready to show her to her rooms.