It was a hot summers night in Tunisia. At midnight the children were usually asleep many hours ago, but tonight the entire family was still awake. Rafe played in the pool with the twins Zemnon and Sofia, enjoying the momentary relief from the heat as they chased each other in the water. Their laughter echoed throughout the entire courtyard, and likely into the house overlooking it. The pool was a blessed extravagance most Tunisian’s could not afford. They were carefully watched over by Amethyst’s handmaiden Jasmine who very seldom left her families side.
In seven years Amethyst’s life had become quite different to what she had first expected when marrying Rafe so despairingly in the middle of the night. She had become a wife, a mother, a foreign princess. Now as the lady of the house with many servants at her disposal, she had little to worry about other than would her children grow up well, would she continue to please her husband, would she bear him many more children. It was the life she had come to love, the life she now took for granted.
Zain, Rafe’s brother, had arrived several hours before. He had been filthy with the sand and dust of his journey, but now he had bathed and was enjoying teasing his young niece, Dedi. Amethyst went to his side.
“She is growing up so, isn’t she?”
”Yes she is! And her complexion is more mine than Rafe’s. Are you sure I’m not her father?”
Amethyst laughed, reaching out to join in teasing Dedi.
“You know you are not, but she does look so much like you. When will you find yourself a wife, Zain?”
“I’m sure there are dozen of women pining away at the thought of being trapped in an arranged marriage to me. Not all couples are as fortunate as you and Rafe, Ame. No I’m quite resigned. I’ll have to seduce you away from Rafe, and have you bear my sons.”
“Are you making my wife uncomfortable again Zain?”
Rafe joined them beside the pool, dripping with water. The courtyard grew silent as the children were escorted to bed, even Dedi having been fetched from her Uncle’s arms.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Amethyst ran a finger down Rafe’s wet arm.
“I hope you’re not intending on coming to my bed in this state.”
Rafe laughed and shared a look with Zain.
“Will you allow me a few minutes to say goodnight to my wife?”
”Naturally, but it’s important we speak.”
Rafe took Amethyst’s hand and lead her through the courtyard. As they reached the stairs he felt her falter and noticed her downcast expression.
“What is it Ame?”
”I’m afraid. The way Zain arrived today… you had him looking for something, I’m afraid he found it.”
“Anything I do, I do to protect you and the children. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“You’ve only been back for three weeks, and now he’s going to take you off somewhere, and we’ll never know when you will return, or if you will at all.”
”I’m a prince, I cannot pretend to be otherwise. I have responsibilities, and these responsibilities extend to more than the welfare of my household. You know this Ame.”
Amethyst nodded with resignation, and lifted a hand to his face.
”I know, I know. Now kiss your wife and go speak with your brother.”
Rafe wrapped his arms around Amethyst, always treasuring how blessed he was to have her love.
Across the courtyard someone watched.
Rafe joined Zain in his chamber, no longer dripping water and changed into his usual clothing.
“What news?”
“Her brothers are at war again.”
“Can nothing be done?”
“Zarren has no wish to share the throne with a younger brother, and Gareth knows his brother will destroy Morrisey if he is allowed to take the throne.”
“And the King?”
”He loves his sons. There are rumours he is on his deathbed, but he’s a King. There are always such rumours. At any length I don’t think he can be relied upon to do anything.”
“It doesn’t have to be our war.”
”Our lands border theirs, and is it did nearly a decade ago, their war will spill over and draw us all in.”
“Zain, they are brothers. Surely their blood will keep them from destroying each other?”
”Not all brothers are like us, their traditions are not ours. I think it's highly unlikely another woman like yours will come along and stop them before more people suffer."
"You always were a pessimist."
"I haven't had the good fortune you have."
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I have a small suspicion he came in one of the maxis holiday packs and maybe some of my files got corrupted. 
