Perri and I fall asleep in each other’s arms. I find myself awake again only a few hours later. She murmurs restlessly when I pull away from her, but a few words soothe her back into a deep slumber. Before I rise from the bed entirely, I stop to stroke her hair, gazing at her sleeping face.

I feel a need for her that is becoming second nature by now, but it’s not my only emotion. I also feel pity wracked with guilt. Last night’s duel wasn’t particularly enjoyable for me. It must have been terrifying for her.

I know what TerraMates promises the women from Earth. They come seeking affection and kindness, everything a well-matched mate should provide for a woman. Perri had no idea she was walking into a power struggle that might end with her new husband dead and herself on the execution block right behind him.

While I bathed, I thought about how she acted last night. A noble born Arietan woman could hardly have done better. She was brave and strong. Perri hadn’t fallen apart until we were alone together.

I had started to think of her as a queen because she acted like one. Of course, the problem is that if I saw her potential, others might have as well. It would have been far better if she had been a childish flirt or an angry virago. Either one of those would have been a good cover for a man who only cared about drinking and fucking. But she is wonderful, and I know that she is a danger to herself and me.

The notion of wanting to lay everything at her feet in the open startles me. The conspiracy is something kept under tight secrecy. It had taken months before I decided Tasmeen was a reliable contact. Why did I want to trust Perri even though I had only known her for a few days?

I could have dismissed my feelings as infatuation or raw animal attraction that simmered between us, but I am wise enough to know there is something else at play. Whether it is some alchemical magic from TerraMates or something far stranger, I cannot say.

“I love her,” I murmur to myself. Almost surreptitiously, I glance at her sleeping form to make sure she has not heard me.

Love is a liability for royalty. It is a tool that can be used for or against you. I shudder to think about Crucis’ actions if he learns about my acute longing for my wife, let alone the fact that I love her. If my plans come out, and he gets his hands on her, her suffering would be terrible. There would be absolutely nothing I could do to protect her.

My first instinct is to flee with her. There are places we can go on Arietus where we will never be found. If my homeworld becomes too limiting, I can find smugglers who specialize in moving people off-world. With the thought comes the realization that I want to leave Arietus behind. The possibility exists for me to take to the stars with a woman who thoroughly captured my heart.

Reality intervenes. I know I cannot leave if I want to look at myself in the mirror in the morning without being ashamed. Arietus deserves a better king, and Perri deserves a better man than a coward.

But one thing is clear. There is no way Perri can stay in the capital. Every moment she stays here is dangerous, and the primary source of peril is me. I know where to send her immediately. It’s a place where she will be safe.

First, I must get her there. The woman who decided to intervene on my behalf last night by charging onto a field of combat will not be intimidated by the dangers posed by Crucis.

I will have to resort to other means, and my stomach turns over.

Perri rises slowly. From the living quarters of my chambers, I hear her stir, and she softly calls my name. My heart aches at how shy and tentative she sounds, and I ask her to join me. She looks adorable with a blanket wrapped around her body.

I steel myself for what comes next.

“There you are. I hope you have rested well, my dear, because you have a trip ahead of you.”

“Where are we going?”

“Not we. You. You are taking a trip. I suggest you clean yourself and get dressed. The transport will be waiting for you at the gates in an hour. I’ve had the palace women put together some clothes for you, as well as other things you may need.”

“But why? Where am I going? And why aren’t you coming along with me?”

“Where is the easiest to answer. You are going to be staying with the Savi clan on the western reach. They’re good people. They’ll take care of you.”

“Why do I need someone else to do that? Isn’t it your job to watch over me?”

When she brushes my arm with her fingertips, I nearly relent and tell her everything. The way she looks at me with apprehension makes my heart ache with pity for her. Instead of comforting her, I decide to shake her off with a faintly impatient look.

“Darling, I know you have some inflated ideas of what it means to be a princess on Arietus.”

“I don’t think that’s true. What are you talking about?”

“Frankly, I can’t be expected to cater to some Earth girl’s whim, can I? You arrived here as a prank from my brother. I’ve enjoyed having you around for a few days, but really, I need my own life back. You can see that, can’t you?”

“TerraMates said we would be soulmates.”

“TerraMates will say anything to get you on a ship. We certainly pay them enough to do whatever we want. Besides, we’ve fucked a few times already. There’s a good chance something took. Isn’t that what’s important? Pleasure and sons?”

Perri turns pale, stepping back from me so fast she inadvertently treads on the edge of her robe. She stumbles, and I must catch her. Even while in the depths of the charade, I can’t stand to see her fall. She struggles so hard to get out of my arms that she nearly topples over again. I decide to let her go before she hurts herself.

“Oh, my god. I’m such a fool.”

“Perri, wait.”

“No! Don’t try to smooth this over with pleasant words. You don’t have to lie to me. You made your position perfectly clear, Rasulus. Don’t pretend something is going on to make yourself feel better. It’s unbecoming of a prince.”

She has her back to me. I can only admire the proud set of her shoulders and her perfectly straight posture as she composes herself. When she speaks again, there is a deadly clarity to her voice.

“I need to clean myself and get dressed. Have someone pack my bags. Let me know when the transport is here, and I will leave quietly. There is no need for you to say anything else.”

She’s wrong. There are a thousand things I want to say to her, but right now, all I can do is nod. “As you wish.”

I want to leave while she showers, but I end up lurking in the living area, listening for the sound of her movements. I know she is crying as she washes. She came to Arietus believing things would be better for her on an alien planet. Her life is certainly different now, but better? That’s debatable.

If she can bear me sending her away, I owe her my presence. I walk with her to the transport, a large carriage pulled by a team of four kashaks. Stonily, she takes my hand and allows me to help her into the carriage.

“Perri, I hope you have a good journey.”

“Thank you. I wish things were different.”

I have nothing to say in response. I bow my head slightly and close the door after her. Without another word, the kashaks begin to run, and she disappears in a cloud of dust.