Chapter Two

Jill dated a handful of boys in college during her freshman and sophomore years. For her final few semesters she was serious with one boy, Ethan, but once graduation came they parted ways. Needless to say her 'experience' was pretty limited. But even if she had been a more well-rounded dater nothing was going to make meeting Jesse tonight anything less than awkward.

It had been a week since Lissa broke the news about the marriage. A week that Jill spent trying to avoid the sister she had once craved attention from. Lissa had finally cornered her that morning to tell her the Zekloses would be visiting this evening. There was no getting out of this dinner. At least she wouldn't be alone. Jesse's parents, as well as Lissa and Christian, would all be present tonight.

"You're all set, princess," Jill's maid said as she put the last pin in her hair.

"Thank you, Anne," she replied. She looked up at herself in the mirror. If nothing else at least she looked good. Her dress was a deep purple wrap that tied at the waist. Anne had painstakingly piled her blonde locks into a French twist. Her make up was minimal, but highlighted all her best features.

Her guardian peeked inside the door. "Ready, princess?" he asked.

Jill plastered on her brightest smile and nodded. "Yes," she said. She stood up and exited the room.

Dinner was being served in the main dining room, usually reserved for only the most important of guests. Lissa and Christian were already there chatting with an older Moroi couple that Jill assumed were Mr. and Mrs. Zeklos.

Lissa lips turned up into a bright smile. "Mr. and Mrs. Zeklos this is my sister, Princess Jillian," she said. The look in her eyes told Jill she better not screw up.

"It's so nice to meet you both," Jill said politely.

Mr. Zeklos kissed her hand while his wife gave her a gentle hug. "We were so pleased when the queen came to us with this proposal," Mr. Zeklos said.

"I was very…" Jill searched for the right word. "…intrigued myself."

"I can't wait to combine our two families," Mrs. Zeklos said with a smile. "You and Jesse will be perfect together."

Jill wanted to ask Mrs. Zeklos how exactly she came to that determination, but she held her tongue and simply smiled.

"Speaking of…" Mr. Zeklos said as Jesse entered the room.

"I'm not late, am I?" Jesse asked.

Jill recognized Jesse from her days at St. Vladimir's. He was older than her so they hadn't shared any classes. He was attractive enough. Tall and slight with bronze hair he had styled in artful spikes.

"Right on time," Lissa said with another queenly smile.

Jesse exchanged pleasantries with his parents and Lissa and Christian before turning his attention to Jill. "Princess," he said to her and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

"Hello, Jesse," Jill replied, politely stepping back slightly after the kiss ended. "It's very nice to meet you."

Before the conversation could go any further the bell for dinner rang and everyone took their seats. Christian was sitting across from Jill. He had a rather pained look on his face. She knew her brother-in-law wasn't fond of royal functions, but she had a feeling he wasn't very happy about Lissa's decision to marry off Jill. She felt a little tug of affection for him.

Dinner talk was rather dull, ranging from politics to the weather. Jill got away with saying very little while Jesse and his parents commanded most of the conversation. Jesse seemed rather intelligent on the topics he spoke about, but never seemed to shut his mouth. Jill could tell he liked the sound of his own voice.

"Would you like to take a walk?" Jesse asked Jill after dessert was finished.

"You should show him the garden, Jill," Lissa suggested. "We have some business to discuss here anyhow."

Jill wasn't eager to hear herself being spoken about like a piece of merchandise to sell so she nodded. "Come with me," she said to Jesse.

The pair exited through the side door of the dining room and stepped into the night air. The Zeklos' guardian followed them outside.

"You seem a little nervous," Jesse commented as they walked along the cobblestone path.

"Aren't you?" Jill asked curiously.

"Hardly. I have no reason to be," Jesse replied.

"But we don't even know each other," Jill said. "And we're going to be married in less than four months."

"Honestly, princess…does that really matter?" Jesse asked her. His tone was much harder than it was during dinner.

Jill swallowed. "I thought…" she started.

"That's another thing that doesn't matter…what you think," Jesse said. "We're going to get married…we're going to have children to carry on your line…and then one day we'll be the ones in charge."

Jill blinked a few times. She was too surprised by his words to formulate any of her own. She knew this wasn't ideal and planned on trying to stop the wedding, but if that wasn't a possibility she at least hoped they'd be able to get along.

"In fact," Jesse said. "If you wanted to get started on the children part right now I doubt anyone would object." His fingertips traced along her cheek gently.

"I would!" Jill said, finally finding her voice as she stumbled backwards. "I mean…it's not right do that so soon."

"Are you a virgin or something?" Jesse asked her with a bit of a snort.

Thankfully it was dark and he couldn't see the flush of her cheeks. "What business is that of yours?" she demanded.

"No matter," he said with a toothy grin. "I'll find out soon enough."

"Jill? Jesse?" Christian's voice rang out, putting an end to the conversation.

"Coming!" Jill called back and practically ran back towards the house.

…

After the Zekloses left for the evening Jill quickly excused herself. She was in no state to talk to her sister right now. As fast as her legs could carry her she bolted towards Adrian's apartment. She banged as hard as she could on the door.

Adrian gave her a quizzical look when he saw her completely out of breath.

"I thought of how you can help me," Jill said to him.

"Anything," Adrian responded without hesitation.

"Sleep with me," Jill replied.