Okay, I'm back again! With another chapter for you to enjoy. This chapter and the next chapter were written with help -- lots of it! -- from my dear friend, tortallanrider. Okay, okay, it wasn't just help, she wrote them for me, because I was stuck on writer's block... But that doesn't matter, it's another chapter!...

Disclaimer: The characters and places mentioned forthwith do not belong to me or to the aforementioned friend. They belong to the wonderful author, Tamora Pierce. The plot, however, belongs to me...

Chapter 15

Planning the queen's funeral had been tough on King Roald and Jonathan. They were planning it alone, because they didn't want hundreds of people bustling about, making them feel uncomfortable. And, besides, they were still in mourning for Queen Lianne.

As much as it pained Alanna to say, she actually didn't mind Jonathan's mourning. He looked very grown-up in his blacks, grays, and lavenders. She saw flashes of the king he would one day become—he was practically running Tortall for his father. She loved how he would come back from planning the funeral and collapse, crying the tears he'd been holding back all day. Alanna would take him into her arms and hold him, telling him it was all okay.

One night, Jonathan came back. He walked in, shut the door, and snatched Alanna into a brain-exploding deep kiss. She pulled back. "Jonathan?" she asked.

"Yes, my sweet?" he replied, nuzzling her neck.

"Are you… feeling all right?" she asked hesitantly. He looked at her.

"Yes," he replied. "I'm feeling better than I've felt since my mother's passing." Alanna frowned.

"Where've you been all day?" she wanted to know. Planning a funeral should never be a happy occasion!

"Planning my mother's funeral, of course," he responded. "But we're finished. It's in two days."

"That's a little sudden," Alanna remarked.

Jonathan shrugged. "It's not like anyone needs time to prepare." He starting kissing her neck and Alanna melted into his arms.

"Jonathan, stop," she croaked. He looked at her with smoldering blue eyes. She swooned again.

"Why?" he asked.

"Just…because," she replied. "You're getting me flustered." She started smoothing imaginary wrinkles in her lavender skirt to avoid looking at him.

"You, sweet Lioness? You're getting flustered because of a little harmless kissing? That doesn't sound like you," he teased. She managed to get the strength to hit his arm.

"Stop it," she told him. "I hardly call this type of kissing harmless."

"You sound seventeen again, telling me how 'this isn't right' and 'we shouldn't be doing this,'" he informed her. Alanna frowned.

"Are you suggesting something?" she wanted to know.

"Of course not," Jonathan replied. "Just stating a fact. Now, can I go back to kissing you, or should I bolt the door first?"

"Bolt the door…?" The only time they bolted the door was when…"Jonathan!"

"What?" Jon had already slid the lock across the door, assuring them of total privacy.

Alanna was blushing furiously. "We can't…I mean, it wouldn't be right…"

"What are you saying?" His nearness was scrambling her brain. She could feel the heat coming from his body, and she suddenly felt seventeen again, on that night she could never forget.

"Nothing...I mean…" She swore. "Just kiss me," she surrendered. Jonathan grinned.

"Gladly."

Sweeping her off her feet, Jonathan kissed her with such intensity that Alanna felt it through her whole body. He walked her backwards and sat her on the bed, never breaking their connection. He sat beside her and drew her in against his chest. Alanna was thankful – not for the first time – that he held her when they kissed. She knew that without his support she surely would've fallen – or fainted.

With the sureness of a professional, Jonathan began unlacing her bodice. She let him, taking her turn to control their kissing while he made fast work of her dress. As the silk floated away from her, Alanna surrendered the kiss to Jon and helped him out of his clothes. They fell back onto their backs, still kissing.

"So, tell me," Jonathan remarked several hours later. They'd developed a habit of talking for long periods of time after they made love. "Was that a dress you were willing wearing before?"

Alanna laughed. "You don't remember?"

"If you hadn't noticed, I was rather preoccupied with other thoughts," Jonathan reminded her.

"Like getting whatever I was wearing off?" she joked.

"Mm," Jonathan said, burying his face in her neck. "Something like that." She laughed again.

"Yes, it was a dress that I was willingly wearing," she replied.

"I thought so." He smiled. "You've always looked beautiful in dresses, for all that you hate them." Alanna blushed. 'Oh, stop, I've told you that before."

"But I never get used to it," she told him. "Can you tell me about the funeral, or is it a secret?"

"No, I can tell you." Jonathan rolled onto his back and Alanna put her head on his shoulder, looking up at him and listening intently. "It's going to be in the Rose Garden – I told you that was her idea, didn't I? Well, she loved the roses, and father and I figured she would've wanted it there, among the moonflowers. Her coffin will be opened, so the priests can do the rites, and roses and moonflowers will surround it, of course. Everyone will dress in mourning colors, because, well, it is a funeral. There will be speeches – I know you'll love that. Uncle Gareth, father, and I are making them, for obvious reasons." He kissed her. "I love you, you know that?"

"Well that was a smooth transition," she remarked with a laugh. "To go from talking about your mother's funeral to saying you love me!"

"Am I no longer allowed to say that?" Jonathan asked. "I don't think I could stop."

"No, you still can," she replied. "I love you too."

"Good." Jonathan rolled to face her and put his face against hers. "Because that's sort of a requirement for getting married." Alanna laughed.

"I still can't believe I agreed to it," she said. "It wasn't long ago I was saying I would never get married. It's funny how these things change."

"Simply hilarious," Jonathan agreed. Alanna looked up at him, confused. "Yes, sweet, that was sarcastic." She stuck her tongue out at him.

"I know that," she defended. Jon patted her head.

"Of course you did, sweet Lioness. Now go to sleep."

A/N: Please review... Or you won't get to see Chapter 16 -- which is already written -- courtesy of tortallanrider. I want at least 10 reviews before I post the next chapter. I know there are people who have read this without reviewing -- please review, even if it's anonymous. Just tell me what you think...