I posted a chapter last night from Adam's perspective, so please make sure you've read that or you're going to be mighty confused. Also, thank you to all my readers and especially those of you who continue to let me know that you enjoy the story. It really inspired me to get this next chapter out right away.

Adam's Choice

Chapter Eight—TEELA

I stand in the middle of the hall along with all of the other palace personnel who have been standing outside the Conference Room for who knows how long. Now, I know what the big deal is. Apparently, Adam stormed out of the room and made quite a spectacle of himself earlier…

And, it is all because of my application.

I honestly don't know how to take the news. Father seemed to think his reaction was a good sign, but the king wasn't so sure and that has left me worried. As a result, my feet feel like they're glued to the floor. I want to make an escape. I want to get away from the spectators. I want to go to my bedroom where I can hide, and that desire alone makes me want to cringe. I've never been a runner. I've never hidden from anything, so why do I want to now? I know it's different because this isn't about a battle or war—it's about the heart and I'm completely out of my element here.

I don't know how long I stay in that same spot without moving a muscle, but eventually my thoughts are interrupted by the feel of a soldier brushing past me. I can't tell who he is as he passes, but I hear his soft greeting of "Captain" as he makes his way down the hall. What is he doing here? He should be outside with the others, which means he was probably ordered to do something by King Randor, Queen Marlena, or my father. I turn around and look at the Conference Room door.

There is no way I'm going back in there to find out. Not now.

Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I take a slow step in the direction of my bedroom. I'm still afraid that I'll run into Adam, but I know the longer I stay out in the open, the more likely it will happen. Before I even take two steps, I hear someone call out to me from behind.

"Teela?" a soft voice questions hesitantly.

I turn around to see Burbina walking up to me slowly. "Yes?" I question.

I can tell Burbina is a little nervous talking to me and I'm not sure why. She was Adam's nursemaid when he was a child, and she was practically mine, as well, since we were always together growing up. Admittedly, Burbina and I haven't spoken a lot in recent years, but I didn't think that would make us so awkward around one another.

Regardless, the maid walks beside me and asks timidly, "Is everything okay with Prince Adam?"

Immediately, I squint my eyes at the woman and try to determine what her endgame is. Is she genuinely concerned for him or is she just being nosy and wants to know what's going on so she can participate in the rumor mill that will quite obviously be churning today? Deciding to be vague, I reply, "He's fine. He's just stressed with this whole Seligere business."

The lady nods slowly and says, "Yes, I imagined that he would be when I heard about it. I wanted to ask him earlier if he was okay when I saw him, but he ran away so quickly that I don't think he heard me calling out to him. It's just so unlike him to be so…unaware of his surroundings."

That is certainly very true. Whether he is wanting to run away from danger or be the friendly spirit that he genuinely is, Adam is usually aware of what is going on around him at all times. His actions today speaks volumes of how badly my letter must have affected him…

Swallowing nervously and almost choking on embarrassingly nothing, I turn around and squeak, "Yes. Well…I'm sure he's okay."

Without waiting for her reply, I walk away. I can't talk about it anymore. I need to get away from everyone; I need to get to the comfortable solitude of my bedroom, so I can think. Hopefully, I can make it there without any more interruptions and especially without seeing…

I turn the corner onto the Royal Hall and almost run smack into someone.

My heart jumps into my throat and I can't stop the frightened gasp that escapes. I look at the startled soldier and slowly my heart stops thumping erratically. I'm relieved that he isn't Adam. "Joseph," I say calmly, trying to hide the fact that I had been on the verge of jumping out of my skin.

"I'm sorry, Captain," he interjects quickly as he steps back to salute me.

I wave off the formalities dismissively and reply, "No, no, it was my fault. I should have been paying attention to where I was going." I step around him, because I don't want any further delays. I know I'm giving the impression that I'm busy and that's what I want. I'm much too busy to stand and chit-chat with everyone. Yes.

The closer I get to my bedroom, the faster I pick up my pace. Just as I'm within three feet of my bedroom, I hear the sounds of a door opening. I see whose door it is and quickly I spring towards mine. Unfortunately, I don't make it in time. Adam walks out of his room and immediately our eyes lock onto one another. Suddenly, he looks just as scared and nauseous as I know I am at this moment.

Slowly, Adam turns away from me to close his door after Cringer follows him out. I can hear the air that is escaping his lungs loudly, so I know he's trying to collect himself. When he turns back around, I see that he's smiling. My heart jumps into my throat as he starts to make his way towards me.

This is it. I know it is—he's read my letter. He knows I want to be in the Seligere and now I'm about to find out what he thinks! As soon as we are within a few feet of one another, I notice that a blush is rising from his chest and consuming his face. I know my face must have a similar appearance, because as I look down at my hands, I see that they're as red as Orko's robe. Clearly, we're both nervous and I can only hope it's for the same reason and not for any sort of awkwardness resulting from unrequited feelings or wants on his part…

"My lady," I hear Adam whisper.