ETAN
He could feel the Queen's eyes on his back, her smug smile like a fire burning heat into the back of his neck. His fingers twitched, wanting her throat. But he couldn't do it. He had to keep Ayleth safe. He opened his mouth to respond, but she rushed in.
"Do not let your romantic mind deceive you, Etan, I will kill her if you try to use her—then I will leave you alone and alive, tormented for the rest of your years with the knowledge that you could have saved her and you didn't." He heard her shift, sensed her presence leaning towards him. "Do. Not. Test. Me."
Something within him snapped and the pain of what he was about to do washed over him.
"I will do it! Dammit, woman, you know I will do it!" he snarled, whirling to face the Queen. "But do not ever use the word love in relation to your daughter in my presence again. No one who loves would do this, would destroy someone who held their heart."
