If you haven't read "Early Stars", the content of this story might surprise you –or even shock you a little-. Though the series never said anything about the matter, some might consider this off canon. "Early Stars" is all about Adam and Teela and is set some years after this one. But this… this is about growing up.

+ o + o +

It had been a month since Ileena had arrived to Eternos. Her mother, Emissary Kura, was to train aspiring diplomats over the course of three months. This was the first time they would spend so much time in the capital city.

So Teela was spending as much time as she could with her dear Ileena. It was so nice to have a female friend to talk to that was her age. Well, not exactly. Teela was about to turn sixteen and Ileena was eighteen already, but compared to Queen Marlena and the Sorceress, who were the other women she truly trusted, Teela had a lot more in common with Ileena.

And yet, they were so different. Ileena wasn't so much into physical activities as Teela, and paid a lot of attention to her own appearance. Ileena always knew the latest fashions, which colors suited her best, and had a tendency to overspend on ornaments and garments. Her figure was curvy and she had a natural flirtatious air that so many found irresistible.

On the other side, adventure-seeking Teela, had always felt more at ease with boys. If she had to be honest, it was because she felt disapproval and misunderstanding from most girls her age.

On the surface, their strong friendship seemed odd. But Teela never felt she had to be other than herself around her friend.

To Ileena, it was refreshing to know a girl who wasn't intimidated by her. Also, being the daughter of a high ranked diplomat, she was always changing her residence and it was difficult for her to develop true friendships. Even when they could only meet briefly once a year, they would keep profuse correspondence while they were apart.

Both girls were very smart, so they often engaged in really interesting conversations about a thousand different subjects. Which made their current topic quite unusual. For some strange reason, as they were in Teela's room, planning an outing with the rest of their friends, they had ended discussing Adam's level of attractiveness.

"So… you don't find him appealing, you know, as a man?" Ileena asked.

"That's such a strange question to me, Ileena. We grew up together… I've heard that when we were babies, the Queen would put us in the same crib to take our nap, so I've never thought…"

"I can't believe you don't find him attractive."

"I mean, he is handsome…" Teela started to say.

"He's splendid!" Ileena's word choice surprised Teela, as her friend went on, "You might be blinded to it because you've known him all your life. But you're probably the only girl in Eternos who hasn't imagined herself frolicking with the prince under the sheets."

"Ileena!" Teela shrieked. This was the first time she had heard anyone talk about Adam as an object of desire so openly, and it took her completely off guard.

Ileena suddenly realized that she'd been carried away with enthusiasm and that this had made Teela uneasy. She thought that her friend was younger, and to this day she hadn't shown much interest in boys and was not used to this kind of conversation. She also regretted being so blunt with someone who was so close to Adam.

"Oh, Teela, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, I'm sorry. You're one of his best friends and I'm giving you the impression that I'm only interested in his physical allure, but I'm not", Ileena sat next to Teela and looked at her in the eye, "I won't be a hypocrite and deny that his appeal is a bit overwhelming at times, but there's also a very gentle air about him. I've only known him for a brief time, yet, I've noticed the way he treats people, with respect, regardless of their rank… He always has a smile for those who serve him", she made a pause, recalling some of her experiences, "Travelling with my mother I've met some noblemen, as they call themselves, who were mean and disrespectful, true rats! Maybe that's why I'm so impressed with Adam."

Teela had to admit Ileena was right about Adam.

"What you say about him is true. Being who he is and still managing to stay grounded, is pretty remarkable. I should give him more credit for that."

"And please don't tell him what I said about him", Ileena asked, arguing that what Teela had heard was said in confidence.

"I won't, don't worry."

"Now, isn't there someone that you like …?"

Teela looked around her room and pointed at a painted banner with the portrait of a famous prizefighter. Ileena was met with the image of a sweaty, sturdy blond, wearing a rather revealing loincloth, who went by the stage name of "the Mighty One". Teela loved attending the arena and it showed in the posters she displayed on her walls.

"Oh, so now I know your type, you sure like them big!" said Ileena with a mischievous smile.

Teela hid her face in one of her pillows, and then complained, "I knew you would make fun of me! I shouldn't have told you!"

"Oh, Teela, I'm just teasing you! There's nothing to be ashamed of! " said Ileena, pulling the pillow away from Teela's face, "But I meant someone that you know in real life."

Teela's expression went blank, as it dawned on her that this wasn't the case. Then she said, "I'm assuming one day I'll meet someone and we'll fall in love, but there's plenty of time for that."

"Plenty of time! You have that right."