YOU BY THE LIGHT IS THE GREATEST FIND, IN A WORLD FULL OF WRONG, YOU'RE THE THING THAT'S RIGHT

He couldn't say asleep after that. Jonathan sat up quickly and looked down at her. "What did you just say?"

"Yes," she whispered, glancing up at him from under her lashes. "I said yes."

"Yes to… what?" he asked suspiciously. He needed to hear her say it. He wanted no misunderstandings.

"Yes-" she sat up and looked into his blue eyes – she wanted no questions, "I will marry you."

As the words sank in, a slow smile spread across his face. "You will?" She nodded and he grinned eagerly. She returned the grin. Their mouths crashed together, their heads meeting the pillow. They pulled apart, smiling too broadly to kiss effectively. Jonathan brushed the hair back from her face. "I love you, Alanna."

"I love you too, Jon."

As they dressed, the newly betrothed couple made plans to split up friends. Jon would tell some, Alanna would tell others. The list Jonathan had to tell was shorter, because it was up to him to make the formal announcement. Alanna had to tell most – "if I have to tell the whole Court, you get to have the personal conversations" – and she began to draft an order in her head. She would tell Myles first, then figure out who came next. She knew she would tell George last. Even if he loved Thayet now, Alanna still feared he would be heartbroken hearing she was marrying Jonathan. Coram had returned to Trebond after their return, so she would have to ride out to tell him – this wasn't something she could just write in a letter.

She found Myles in his classroom. He had a few moments before the pages came in for their lesson. "Ah, Alanna." He greeted her with a smile. "This brings back memories."

She looked around. "It does," she admitted with a smile, settling into the seat she had occupied for most of her time in the room. "This seat feels a lot smaller."

Myles laughed. "You've grown. Not much, but some." Alanna made a face. It was common to tease her about her diminutive size, but that didn't make the jabs any less annoying. "Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

Alanna sat back and played with her hands. She wore no ring – that would wait until after Jonathan announced it to the Court. "I wanted you to hear it from me before Jon makes the official announcement this evening." Myles raised a questioning eyebrow, but said nothing. She looked directly at him, eyes dancing, a smile touching the corners of her mouth. "We're betrothed."

"You and Jonathan?" She nodded. "That's wonderful!"

"You think so?" Myles was technically her father now, but she had always wanted his approval. She admired him greatly.

"Why?" he asked. "Don't you?"

"No, I do." She smiled somewhat tensely. "I just… I want to make sure I'm not crazy."

Myles laughed. "You are, a bit," he told her. "But you wouldn't be where you are today if you weren't a little touched in the head."

By the time the sun was setting, Alanna had told Myles, Gary, Raoul, Liam, Thayet, Thom, and Buri (not in that order) that she was betrothed. Jon had gotten to Gary and Raoul first, but Alanna went to delay going into the city to see George. Thayet had asked her quietly if she'd told him yet. Much as she liked George, she knew the thief had carried (if he didn't still) a torch for the lady knight. Alanna had shaken her head, and Thayet looked wary. Thom asked if she had told Coram, and she answered she planned on riding in a few days to do so. Jonathan had also told Alex, whom Alanna didn't particularly consider a friend (he had tried to kill her).

Alanna and Jonathan met in his study not long before dinner. "Have you told everyone?" he asked her.

"Almost," she answered, entering his arms. "I have to go into the city to tell George, and ride to Trebond to tell Coram."

"You haven't told George yet?" Jonathan looked wary. "Why?"

"He makes me the most concerned," she answered honestly. "He loved me, after all. I don't want to hurt him."

"Would you like it if I told him?"

"No." She kissed him and gave a small smile. "I have to do it. But thank you." They kissed again.

"Are you ready to tell everyone?" he asked, taking her hands and searching her eyes. "This is it."

"This is it." She took a deep breath. "And, no, I'm not ready." He looked alarmed. "But I doubt I ever will be."

"Alanna…"

"Not like that!" Alanna kissed him to quiet his nerves. "I just… I'm not opposed to it. I'm not going to stop you; I just haven't made peace with myself yet. If that makes any sense."

"It doesn't," Jon answered shortly, stepping away. "What are you saying? That you're not ready to be queen? Because you don't really have a choice. The coronation is in a week. After that, I'm king. So, when we're married, you'll be queen."

"I know that," she told him, exasperated. "But it's not as if we're getting married tomorrow. I have some time."

"What are you not ready for? This betrothal or to be queen?"

"Being queen."

They were silent, looking at each other from five paces. Tension built between them. Alanna wanted to kick herself for having said anything; Jonathan wondered why she'd said yes in the first place if she wasn't ready to be queen. "But I have some time to get used to it," she whispered finally. "Don't I?"

"Yes…" he was hesitant. If she weren't ready now, would she ever be? She was "ready" to marry him – that's what "yes" meant. But marrying Jonathan wasn't really marrying Jonathan of Conté. It was marrying King Jonathan now. He wasn't just another nobleman, he was king of Tortall. He wished she had said yes before his parents had died. If he were only prince, she would have time to adjust, to grow accustomed to life as a future queen. Now that she was being thrust into it… for the first time in a long time, Jonathan began to question whether they were really making the right decision.

Halfway through dinner, Jonathan stood up. All conversation immediately stopped as eyes of all colors drifted toward the soon-to-be king. He cleared his throat and addressed the room in his deep clear voice. "As you all know, one of the duties of the king is to marry and produce heirs for the good of the kingdom." Alanna tensed at these words. She didn't want to start popping out children just yet! Fortunately, Jonathan didn't notice. "With my coronation only a week away, I know there have been whisperings about how I should pick a bride sooner rather than later, especially since my cousin's," he coughed, "ah, untimely passing." A murmur went through the room, and some eyes glanced at Alanna, who shifted uncomfortably. Roger deserved to die, she told herself for the millionth time. "And I suppose I've done a decent job of hiding that… I've chosen the future queen of Tortall." More murmurs. Alanna heard Delia of Eldorne's name passed around, and suddenly wanted to be ill. One or two people mentioned Thayet, which Alanna could have lived with. Jon and Thayet would have been good for each other. Still would, but she and George had hit it off, and Jon was still seemingly committed to marrying Alanna, for gods know what crazy reason. "Alanna, will you stand up, please?" She glared at him, and did so. Now the whispering really started. He held out his hand, and she walked over, swearing she'd get back at him for this later. Why did it have to be such a big deal? Then she remembered. Big deals are going to be your life now. You're marrying the king. Jonathan took her hand and squeezed it, flashing her a reassuring smile. She smiled back, tensely, and faced the crowd of nobles.

"To Jonathan and Alanna!" Raoul said, raising his glass, trying to avert disaster.

"Hear, hear!" a few more of their friends chimed in. The other nobles drank to it as well, but the whispering continued. Alanna did her best to block it out. Jonathan's arm around her waist helped, but she felt very uncomfortable, and conspicuous in her violet dress. She shifted and swallowed hard. What had she gotten herself into?

Okay, so it's not going to be totally like "Always." (Which you can read if you haven't. That's more old school AJ writing from me.) The song is "Terrified" by Katharine McPhee and Jason Reeves. Hope you enjoyed!