This chapter is dedicated to my beta, Lime 63. She was the only one to pull me from my stupor, even though I make her feel as if she is an old lady who hath swallowed a fly! lol. Anyway, my apologies; enjoy...

Jon whistled as he walked down an empty hallway. The air smelled like optimistically like lilacs and the sun was bright in a cloudless sky. He was still in a delirium and he never planned to leave the state of mind. The feeling had, however, been dampened by the fact that she had not been to court the day before. Didn't she realize that she had left his royal majesty waiting? Sighing, he realized her bold personality probably enjoyed making him suffer. He grinned, but it soon faltered as another woman resurfaced in his thoughts.

Alanna. As angry as he was at her, he still missed her. She was his best friend, for Mithros' sake, his Champion. Raoul and Gary were nice, of course, but she had at one point quite literally been his rock. The hollow feeling in his stomach belied his quick temper. He missed her terribly. Sighing, he wished he could confide in her once more as he had when they were page and squire. Child's play that has long passed, he thought longingly.

A few women walked by as he pondered silently, all of noble birth and certainly beautiful creatures. They grinned and giggled as they passed; attempting to be as elegant and poised as possible but Jon barely seemed to notice. No one could match his Faye, the reason his heart beat. As he slipped into a daydream of the soon to be queen, the same woman joined the living on the other side of town.

Alanna awoke jerkily with a prophetic revelation. She had fallen asleep with the sound of Myles' advice ringing through her ears. Something will lead you to a decision. You'll know soon enough. She had decided, now she just had to make sure that her decision was a good one. She had to be certain, for everyone's sake. She hastily pulled on a robe and climbed down the stairs of Eleni's house, stretching her tensed muscles from the inactivity of night. She was greeted with a large woman pulling her into her bosom. After the sudden impulse of shock subsided, she recognized that is was Eleni and let herself relax for what she could, suffocating in the woman's tight embrace.

"Oh you dear child, I never imagined…The Prince! Oh, Alanna, look at the possibilities!" Eleni let her go and pulled on her left hand, only to look crestfallen. Looking back up, they met eyes, one anxious and the other horribly bewildered.

"Where's yer ring?" Eleni asked expectantly. Alanna raised an eyebrow.

"What ring?"

"What ring? The ring the Prince gave you! It's old news on the street now that you're his new betrothed. It's logical and all, him thinkin' you're a Bazhir princess. They say he's going to announce a royal ball in yer honor tomorrow!" Alanna blanched. She didn't know why she was surprised, this was typical Jon. The man always got his way, now was no different. He was planning to marry her without asking the most important part of the matter: her!

"I am not engaged. Tell everyone you know. I am not marrying Jon!" Alanna sighed.

"That's a shame. George came by this morning with flowers and a bracelet of congratulations. Eleni pointed at the table, that indeed held purple tulips and a golden bracelet in its midst. Alanna approached it. The bracelet was a golden chain with one charm, a ruby heart that was placed in the center. Alanna peered at it closer, noticing an engraving.

"Come what may, you will always own my heart. Congratulations, my lioness." Alanna began to tear up. This was not working like it was supposed to! She cursed this damn love triangle and dejectedly, she went upstairs to hurriedly dress. She was suddenly annoyed at the thought of putting on a dress, her skin prickling at the uneasy feeling. She wanted her breeches and a comfortable tunic.

Impatiently, she called a carriage out to take her to the palace. She sat silently in thought; her flustered mind trying to organize the events she knew would have to occur. As the carriage pulled her, the gold bracelet on her wrist sparkled mischievously, as if it knew what was about to unfold. . .