Her hand on Gary's arm Alanna gave a sigh of contentment. The day had gone from horrible to bearable as she and Gary had both come to terms with their engagement. She knew that things would be difficult, but at just this moment Alanna didn't want to dwell on what-ifs. As if sensing her looking at him Gary paused in his conversation with Jonathan to smile down at her. Automatically returning that smile Alanna continued mulling over the day. "Hmm?" Alanna murmured.
"I asked, is it normal for Convent girls to take midnight strolls?" Jonathan repeated. Her eyes landing on the figure, clad in white, making its way across the Yamani inspired garden bridge. "No. Lights out is at nine," Alanna told him. Narrowing her eyes at the figure Alanna felt that figure was familiar.
Although, that didn't make much sense; the only one to truly sleepwalk was Faye, and she hadn't done so in years. And yet—the white nightgown weren't things someone wore to take a midnight stroll. Even as she mulled this over the figure had climbed on top of the bridge railing. "Faye?" Alanna wondered.
"That's Faye?" Gary's eyes were alight with concern.
Alanna gave a half shrug, "It could be."
"It could be?" Jonathan's eyes were wide with something Alanna couldn't quite identify. Shivering under his intense gaze Alanna stammered, "It could be—she's sleepwalked before. But she hasn't in years, so –"
"Faye!" Alanna was cut off by Jonathan's shout as he ran towards Faye's silhouette on top of the bridge railing.
Still shivering Alanna leaned into Gary who wrapped his arms around her. "May I escort you back to you room?" he asked quietly.
So distracted in staring at the scene in front of her Alanna didn't hear Gary. "Alanna," he asked again. "I'm to escort you to you rooms?"
"Hmm? Sure," her reply told him that she was indeed miles away. Cupping her face he lifted it to look at him.
"She'll be fine. Jon wouldn't hurt her," Gary told her, "Now come on, before you catch pneumonia."
Still worried Alanna nonetheless let Gary distract her with heated kisses as he walked her back to the rooms she shared with her friends.
"Faye!" Eyes closed Faye turned her head towards the garbled sound. Something called her—no someone. Oh, but what did it matter?
"Faye!" Looking down she saw the only mother she had even known at the bottom of the beautiful valley. Butterflies flew all around, one nearly landing.
"Come, Faye, join me! The waters perfect!" First Daughter stepped into the sparkling water with a wave and a smile. Giggling Faye was about to when "Faye! Faye!" burst through her conscience. Her eyes flying open Faye saw Prince Jonathan running towards her, shirttails flying. Curious as to why he might call her from her mother, Faye turned to walk towards him when she slipped.
Cold water shocked her to the bone. Gasping she tried to swim but with every stroke got more tangled in her nightgown. "Help!" even her call seemed helpless. All her mind would scream was Don't panic, Do not panic, but with every stroke she felt more tired. About to let go and finally sleep when strong hands gripped her and pulled her to shore. Gasping for breath on the bank Faye looked to find Prince Jonathan and none other to be her rescuer.
"T-thank you," Faye stuttered as the cold seeped in even more.
"What were you thinking?!" Jonathan wanted to know in response Faye wrapped her arms around herself and tried to stand up. However, as the cold had settled by now, her shivering was so violent that Jonathan felt terrible for snapping. "I'm sorry," he murmured, picking her up. Her winced at her surprised scream. "I'm so sorry," Faye said, clapping her hands across her mouth, "I hope you're not deaf."
Chuckling Jonathan began the walk towards the Convent, "I don't know, maybe you could kiss it and make it better?"
Gasping in shock Faye struggled to not blush. "That's not proper," she managed instead.
"And?" Jonathan grinned.
"And, and, it's just not proper!" Faye burst out.
"I'm royalty. I don't have to be proper," Jonathan winked at her. "Besides I'd say we are long past the point of being proper."
"Oh? How so?"
"Well, considering your soaked wet, in a now see-through night rail and I'm soaked and barefoot," he looked down at her, "Need I finish?"
Faye shook her head. "I'm a disgrace," she whispered quietly.
Once again Jon chuckled, "Doubtful. But now I'm curious. Why were you on that bridge?" Jonathan ignored the nagging thought that she hadn't stayed on the bridge but went climbing even as he attempted a soothing tone.
"I saw Mother."
"Oh."
"Yes," Faye replied simply.
"Did she look happy?" Jonathan asked, hoping to prolong the conversation.
"Yes, at least until I slipped." Then, she laughed slightly. "You know, she always was telling me swimming was bad."
"Oh? How so?"
"Well, she said it made proper ladies turn improper."
Nodding sagely, Jonathan agreed. "I'd say that applied here." He more felt than saw Faye's shrug.
"I wouldn't know. I'm not a lady," she told him.
"No?" He wasn't sure what to say, so settled on what seemed the least to get his head bitten off and said nothing at all.
"I was found as a baby—"
"Let me guess, floating in a river," Jonathan interrupted.
"No. It was thunder storming and I was in front of the main door. I was wrapped in a torn flag," Faye finished. She waiting for some sort of reaction, even though she wasn't sure what.
"Do you have the flag piece still?" Jonathan made sure to choose his words carefully.
"Yes," Faye nodded, "It's somewhere in Mother's office." Seeing the Convent building come closer she looked up at Jonathan. "Thank you, Your Highness, but you can let me down now."
"Jon." His one word reply was confusing to her. Noticing this Jonathan continued, "We're long past titles. I'm Jon to friends," shrugging slightly he then grinned wolfishly at her, "To close friends."
The way he made friends sound it didn't bode well for her virtue and damn it to the Peaceful Realms but she liked it.
"Faye?" Jonathan broke the silence.
"Yes?"
"Did you hear me?" he asked, brow knitted.
Looking up at him Faye used a finger to smooth out his forehead, "Didn't anyone tell you that if you make that face it'll stay that way?"
"I want to hear you say my name," Jon said. Setting her down so that she slowly slid down his form was slow delicious torture.
Trying not to gasp in shock at the wonderful way his body felt against her Faye looked up at Jonathan. "You're holding me too close," she pointed out.
"Say it, Faye. I want to hear you say my name."
Jonathan's sapphire eyes searched her violet-blue ones. "Jonathan," Faye made sure to enunciate every syllable even as she purred it. If possible Jon's eyes darkened and before she knew it his lips were on hers, caressing, demanding and igniting. Gasping she opened her mouth and Jon used that to deepen the kiss. Standing on tip toe Faye ran a hand through his silken hair. "Jon," she gasped as soon as he gave her a chance to breathe.
With a groan Jon crashed his lips on hers once more, pulling her flush up against him. Faye didn't know how long they had stood like that but it wasn't until a throat had cleared that Jon even bothered to look up. Still holding herself up against himself Jon frowned at the sight of his cousin.
"Aren't you supposed to be wooing Alanna?" he asked rudely.
Gary grinned. "I was, and then I thought I'd wait for you. I didn't know you had such delightful company though." If possible his grin got even larger at the sight of Faye in Jon's arms. Faye made an attempt to extricate herself but Jonathan only held her tighter.
"Well, now you know, so leave me," it was a royal command. But Gary only continued grinning.
"See, I'd do that, if it was only some court lady, but it's Faye. I'm supposed to protect her virtue."
"Since when?" Jonathan scoffed. In all his memory it had always been Gary who was a favorite with the court ladies and Jonathan, for all his royalty, coming in second.
"Since my betrothed might throw something at my head if I don't," shrugging nonchalantly Gary continued, "Not to mention the dancing instructions start tomorrow."
"I'm not teaching that course," Jonathan countered.
Feeling left out Faye began to try and extract her-self from Jonathan. "Gary's right. It's late." She was just about to leave when Jonathan pulled her to himself again. Frowning she put her arms on his chest and tried to push herself away, "Jonathan."
Leaning down towards her ear Jon whispered, "Your gown."
Gasping she looked down at herself and true to his word it was shear. Sensing her train of thought from her lack of movement Jonathan carefully scooped her up into his arms. This time Faye had expected it and instead of screaming leaned into him. Jonathan thanked all the gods he could think off for this moment.
"Sorry, Gary," Jonathan told him, "But I'll be the escort." Ignoring his cousin's wolf whistle Jonathan went inside.
The hallways were dim, lit only by a few torches along the walls. The sweet breeze wafted through the large open windows. "I'm sorry I got you into this predicament," Faye said.
"Why? I'm thoroughly enjoying the moment," Jon told her, "Or I was."
"Hmm," was the reply as Faye settled in his arms. Several minutes later Jonathan had reached the door to her rooms. Looking up at him Faye smiled shyly, "Goodnight, Jonathan."
Jon frowned. "Just a few moments ago it was 'Jon'."
"In case you forgot I never said that," Faye informed him matter-of-factly.
"No, you moaned it," Jonathan grinned. As she swung to swat him he caught her hand and pulled her into his arms. Grinning he kissed her until she had melted. "I prefer Jon, " he informed her.
"Alright then," Faye smiled as she opened the door, "Goodnight, Jon."
"Night, love," Jon smiled long after the door was closed.