Chapter 12

The next morning, the Palace was alive with activity. Elaborately dressed nobles from almost every continent descended upon the Royal Palace of Eternos chatting excitedly about the discussions over the next three days and the opportunity to meet and talk with the Royal Family.

Adam made his way to his father's study and arrived with Cringer at 8:30 A.M. sharp. This event was too important for him to arrive late, especially since he was giving the opening speech to 3,000 participants.

Before leaving dinner last night, Amanda had boldly asked to accompany him to the ball tonight. In his haste to get away, he accepted then took off to his room. Adam sighed. Something about Amanda always made him jittery despite the genial conversations they had recently enjoyed.

Placing it at the back of his mind, he arrived at his father's study and knocked on the door. His father's voice answered from the other side and he and his feline partner entered.

Randor beamed at his only son. Adam was wearing black dress slacks with a double gold strip lining on the side pant leg, a royal blue long sleeved button down silk shirt, a white suit jacket, and a gold embroidered patch on his left pectoral displaying the Crown Prince's Coat of Arms. The cuffs of his jacket were embroidered with gold cording, and his black dress boots were shined to perfection. His hair was neatly trimmed at the nape of his neck and his normally unruly bangs had been tamed. Randor smiled and approached his son, placing his hands on his shoulders.

"Son, today is your first public address and I'm so proud that you chose the Summit as your first occasion. Do you have any last questions for me before we enter the Great Hall?"

"Yeah," Adam replied nervously. "Is it too late to back out?"

The King quirked an eyebrow. "Don't even think about that back door, Adam. Armed guards are posted on the other side."

When the prince rolled his eyes in frustration, the King gave a hearty laugh and slapped Adam's back so hard that it made him stumble forward.

"I'm joking, son. You'll be fine! I've seen your speech and watched you rehearse it several times by memory. Duncan has also witnessed your rehearsals and stated that you are more than ready for this."

Adam winced inwardly at the King's dry humor. Sometimes, it was just plain not funny. He took a deep breath and expelled it loudly. "Let's do this," he stated.

Before leaving, the prince quickly knelt down and stroked Cringer's back. "Hey pal, I'll see you on the other side." He stood and turned towards the door.

"Break a l-leg, Adam."

At Cringer's reply, Adam did a double-take as the cat winked at him.

"Yeah, thanks. Poor choice of words there, Cringe." Adam smirked and he left with his father.

The Great Hall was packed to capacity. The architecture contained arched entryways and 100 foot fan vaulted ceilings ornately decorated in golds, royal blues, and rich crimson colors. On the gold colored walls were frescoes depicting ancient battles throughout Eternia's history. Portraits of the prince's grandfather, King Miro in his battle armor and later in his royal robes at coronation, were displayed throughout. Marble floors completed the design.

The noble families were seated at long tables draped in rich ivory fabrics. Each table contained a floral centerpiece, a golden carafe of ice cold water, crystal goblets, delicate bone china place settings, napkins of fine linen, and bowls of fresh fruit. The Palace dining attendants stood suited up, lining the walls with linen towels draped over their folded arm ready for service.

At the back of the Hall were curious everyday Eternian citizens who wanted to catch a glimpse of the opening ceremony. The Summit is normally closed to those who are not of the nobility; however, Randor had allowed a small amount of the general populace to attend the first hour. It was standing room only in the back. It was likely the young girls in attendance were there to see the Crown Prince deliver his speech.

The Eternian Royal Orchestra was situated on the upper level of the Hall and were signaled by the King's attendant to start the processional as the fifty highest ranking nobles entered the Hall first followed by the Royal Family.

As the family entered, the whole assembly rose and bowed as the King and Queen took to their thrones. The Prince stood at the King's right hand. The King wore the gold Eternian 3-point crown, black dress slacks, a royal blue shirt and a red suit jacket. His gold embroidered crimson floor length mantle was gathered at his neck. The King's coat-of-arms was embroidered at the bottom of the elegant robe.

The Queen wore similar colors; a royal blue gown cinched at the waist with a gold belt, a bejeweled Eternian gold crown, a crimson gold embroidered mantle and her beautiful auburn hair was slicked back and pulled into a low intricately braided bun.

The royal vizier took the podium to announce the Prince.

"Our esteemed Noblemen and Noblewomen of the Five Kingdoms, welcome to Eternos. The King and Queen are honored that you are here today to attend The Summit of Kingdoms. It is their wish and deepest hope that these proceedings will continue to promote peace and prosperity throughout all of Eternia."

At that, the attendees applauded and cheered at the warm greeting.

"And now for the official greeting. It is the King and Queen's great pleasure to present to you their beloved son Adam, Crown Prince of Eternia, to open this year's proceedings."

More cheers rang out, wild this time, accompanied by several whistles of approval from the young ladies in attendance.

Adam strode to the podium and with a smile, studied the crowd. His gaze settled on Teela, who was seated next to her father in the front row. After the cheers died down, Adam and Teela locked gazes. Adam's smile widened as Teela smiled back shyly.

The Prince spoke in a commanding tone, clearly and distinctly. He welcomed the nobility and the citizenry, spoke of the Ancients and their world vision, as well as talked briefly about the current state of the Kingdom. As he continued, he occasionally glanced at Teela and smiled. That sent heat to the core of Teela's body. Thereafter, whenever he glanced at her, she would look away.

Adam spoke eloquently, never betraying an ounce of nervousness throughout the entire speech. As he closed, the attendees felt an even greater respect for the young prince. Their confidence in him as Heir was strengthened that much more and they cheered rising to their feet at the conclusion of his opening speech.

He smiled and winked at Teela as he turned on his boot heel and took his place back at his father's side. His parents beamed with pride as they smiled at him, nodding their approval.

After the announcement of the day's schedule, the Royal Family exited the platform as Man-At-Arms and Teela filed out through a side door. Breakfast had been announced and the attendants began serving the nobles.

In the Dining Hall, Randor scooped Adam up into a huge bear hug, lifting him off his feet. Marlena kissed and hugged her son as they all spoke of how proud they were at the fine job he had done at his first official event.

Duncan entered and offered his congratulations to Adam on his first address, but Teela stood silently behind him. As the adults talked excitedly with one another about the opening ceremony, Adam and Teela gazed at each other for a few minutes. Adam noticed that her guard was back up and in full swing.

Exasperated, Adam reached for Teela's hand and pulled her to the Palace Gardens. She gasped as she struggled to keep up with his long strides. When they arrived in the courtyard, Adam stopped and turned to face her.

"What is this?" the prince's lips were set in a terse line.

Teela furrowed her brow in confusion. "What is what?"

"This dance that we do."

"Dance?"

"Yes, dance! You waltz that way skirting the issue, I waltz in the other direction, dodging a beam here or there. I know why I'm afraid to speak up, but what's your reason for hiding?"

Her throat went dry tightening slightly. She wasn't ready for this conversation. What if it ended badly? What if she ended up hearing that he had chosen Amanda? Or worse, what if they engaged in the mother of all arguments and their friendship ended?

"You first," she squeaked out.

Adam tensed up. She could be maddening at times, constantly sending him mixed signals.

"Not this time, Tee. I won't allow you to turn the tables on me like you did in the kitchen the other night. You threw a tantrum at the aquarium yesterday morning, then stomped off to your chambers when we returned to the Palace. Then this morning at the Assembly, you're smiling sweetly at me from the front row. Now, your guard is back up. What is this?" he asked, totally annoyed.

Teela's eyes flashed as her temper began to rise. No one is going to tell her what she can and can't do. If she wants to behave like a brat, it's her business! Plus, Adam cornering her like this, forcing her to speak her heart before she was ready rankled her. With her back against the wall, she'll do what she does best: claw her way out.

Teela waved an index finger at him, her fist resting on her left hip. "Don't you tell me what I can and can't do, Prince Adam! I consider it my duty as your friend to inform you whenever an empty headed courtier blows smoke up your ass!" Her face reddened in anger as Adam angrily narrowed his eyes at her. She continued. "I can never stand it when a spoiled noblewoman garners your attention. Those flirtatious tarts shove their breasts in your face and you instantly forget who you are! It's like the oldest trick in the book and you fall for it!" she shouted.

"I am NOT falling for it!" Adam shouted back. "These girls don't give a damn about me, Tee! They just want the throne! Holy Ancients, do you think I'm that stupid?" He turned his back to her and walked toward the Fountain, running a hand through his hair. Whirling around to face her again, he added, "You know what this is about? This is about you and abandonment issues." he spat.

Teela's mouth flew open, completely undone. "Abandonment issues? Okay, so maybe my mother left me, but my father certainly did not!" she folded her arms and thought for a moment. She was angry and wanted to push his buttons. Something came to mind. "At least David was honest about how he felt about me. You've had your whole life to tell me but haven't said a word! What's your excuse, Adam?"

Adam glared at Teela, his blue eyes hot with anger, and his jaw clenched. He advanced toward her with such speed that it took all of her strength to stand her ground and refrain from taking a step back. Her chin set, she looked up at him directly in the eye.

In a flash he was standing over her, a look of pure anger laced with exasperation on his face.

"Do you want to know why, Tee? THIS is why!" he shouted. "Getting you to open up starts a full blown war! You put up the Mystic Wall a mile high around yourself and I have no way of breeching it. But you have one stupid dream about a boy kissing you at a picnic and you immediately let down your guard to him!" he shouted and shrugging his shoulders in frustration. He barked, "Why?"

A couple of beats went by as they both glared at each other in silence. The only sound in the Gardens was the babbling fountain and their heavy breathing due to the heightened emotions of the moment.

Teela blinked at him for a moment, unable to respond to that very valid question. Out of frustration, she suddenly grabbed Adam's face and kissed him. Surprised, Adam jerked away, staring at her in utter disbelief. Interpreting his pulling back as rejection, Teela's eyes began to fill with tears.

Adam blinked and seeing her tears, shook his head. He stepped back to her, cupped her face in his hands and gave her a kiss that was so passionate, heat shot through her entire body. He then pulled back a little and brushed her lips lightly with his until she opened her mouth granting him access. When he deepened the kiss by slipping his tongue into her mouth, her knees almost buckled. His kisses were pure heat.

Teela's arms encircled his waist as he moved his hands down her back. As their tongues twisted around each other, a deep moan escaped her throat. Their kisses became hungrier as the dam broke, spilling forth years of pent up emotions which washed over them.

Then, as if on cue, they both broke apart and simply gaped at each other, each surprised by the other's passionate response. Adam caught movement in his peripheral and his head snapped over to the arched entryway. Their parents were standing in the hallway as were several servants, eyes wide in disbelief at what they just witnessed.

Teela, following Adam's line of sight, turned to see all of the adults gawking. Embarrassed, she fled out of the courtyard towards her chambers, leaving Adam alone to explain what just happened.

"Umm…"

"Adam! You know better than to put on a display like that for all to see!" Randor snapped. "You had a very loud, very personal argument then followed it up with….oh Ancients. You need to exhibit better control over your emotions, young man!"

The Queen placed a hand on Randor's bicep causing the King's head to whip angrily in her direction. He immediately calmed at her touch and began to breathe deeply, attempting to regain his composure.

The prince was still standing in the middle of the Gardens' courtyard with clenched fists, his blue gaze filled with confusion and anger. Dealing with Teela's unstable emotions was enough; now his father was starting in on him.

The Queen approached her son and caressed his cheek.

"Adam," she calmly stated. "Go to your chambers and rest. I know you haven't been sleeping and the pressure of dealing with your tumultuous friendship, and the Summit must be challenging." She kissed his forehead. "Go, my son."

Adam released a small sigh and nodded. Kissing his mother's face tenderly, he turned to go. The servants, still gaping, stood staring at the end of the hallway.

"Show's over," Adam angrily snapped as he brushed past them and towards his chambers.

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A/N: Yeah, rough day. Tell me what you think about the blow up.