Chapter 2- Morning After

The next morning saw Teela in an awful fit. Laying in her bed, going over the previous night's events. Squeezing her eyes shut, she tried to block out the images that were burned in her mind. In her heart.

They had been standing there, him still holding her when Almeria and her friends had opened the balcony doors and stepped out onto the terrace. Teela could still hear Almeria's enraged gasp at the sight of the Crown Prince holding the Captain of his guard.

Well, she did have to admit she felt a tiny shiver of glee at her rival's distress.

Rival?

O, lord it was worse than she thought. Since when did Almeria quit being a visiting Dignitary and become a rival.

Groaning she pressed her hands to her temples, which by now were throbbing.

He had merely put on his best courtiers smile and said

"Hello, Almeria. Long time no see."

If it was supposed to have been a joke, it had failed miserably. Even Teela had drawn back and stared at him in astonishment.

Almeria's mouth was open, and she was struggling to speak.

When she finally did, it came out with the squeak of a dying mouse.

"What is going on here!" she had exclaimed. Her friends behind her were wide eyed, and started whispering to each other.

"Ancients deliver me." Teela had prayed as she calmly disengaged herself from the prince's embrace. Who seemed very reluctant to let go of her.

Standing straight and tall, she adjusted her gown as well as possible. Then lifting her hem slightly, she strolled towards the doors, her head high.

As she passed the other woman, whose mouth was ridiculously hanging open again. She couldn't help it!

She just couldn't resist. O, she knew better, but she did it anyway.

Looking at the young woman Teela smiled slightly as she strolled past. And in her best Queen Marlena voice she spoke to the girl who had scorned her for weeks.

Ah, revenge was so sweet!

"Almeria, dear. Do close your mouth; you're liable to catch a fly."

She heard another enraged gasp from the blonde.

And as she walked through the doors back into the ball room, she could hear Adam's laughter, bellowing behind her.

Now she was in the pot, so to speak. By know every stable hand, and every fishwife knew what had transpired last night between her and Adam. She could only imagine the tale that would get back to her father.

Good Ancients, her father!

He was going to kill her. Kill Adam. Kill everyone.

"O, shit." She muttered to herself, using one of the Queens favorite curse words.

Maybe she could just stay here in her room.

Yes that was it, just get cozy and stay right here for the rest of her miserable life. They could bring her meals to her, she would grow old here. Rocking away, out of sight. Everyone would forget her mortification in good time. Yes, that sounded like…

The knocking at her door broke her out of her daydream. She opened one eye and glared at it. Maybe they would go away. Maybe….

The pounding was there again, louder.

Well hell.

Sighing she got out of bed and trudged to the door like she was on her way to a shooting gallery. She figured it was her father. Best to get the yelling over now. Before they were seen in "polite society" yelling at each other.

Straightening her back, she refused to slouch. She was the Captain of the royal guard. She slouched for no one, even her father.

She opened the door, and stared shocked into the prince's blue eyes. He smiled warmly at her.

The sound of her slamming the door in his face resounded through the hallway.

Ancients help her.

What could she do?

Someone would see him; report that the objects of the biggest scandal to rock the court since Lord Seriahul found his wife in bed with the Lord Chancellor of Dalin-Quah.

Were right then inside her bed chambers.

Together.

Alone.

Gritting her teeth, she reopened her door, to a now not smiling prince. Before he could speak she grabbed his arm, pulling him forcefully into her quarters. Shutting the door and locking it in one motion.

She sighed to herself. It was going to be a long day!

Adam stood there looking at Teela. Chagrin evident in his features.

"Well that was rude." He pointed out.

Teela bowed her head and took several deep breaths.

Calming breaths.

Designed to ease her nerves.

To relax her mind.

They were supposed to be foolproof.

They didn't work!

Looking back up at the High prince of Eternia, The Captain of the guard stepped forward, and solidly slapped his Highness across the face.

The sound of it reverberating through her quarters. Adam's head snapped sideways, and then he brought it around, facing her.

Ancients that had hurt. Adam felt the sting of it through his entire core. Rage flared up in his mind. He had instant visions of holding his Body guard down and spanking that firm little butt of hers till it bled!

Teela was shocked at herself. Why had she done that?

O, Elders he was going to be mad!

When he faced her again, she knew she was in trouble.

Astonishment and anger pouring out of every fiber of his being.

Then something unexpected happened to her. A knot formed in the back of her throat, she couldn't clear it away. And she felt moisture build in her eyes. For the first time in her life, she felt her emotions had taken control of her. And she couldn't stop them!

Adam was too busy getting over the shock that she had actually struck him in anger, to realize that her fragile hold on herself was on a silver thread.

He advanced towards her, only to stop stunned as he watched his Captain, His Body guard, His friend. Burst into tears right in front of him.

Teela, his Teela, Never cried. So overcome with concern, his anger melted away and he reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace.

Lovingly stroking the back of her head, her shoulders.

Whispering soft words to her. Words of comfort.

And she let him. Elders help her, but she let him.