This story is winding down towards the end :) Only a few chapters left!

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CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

"We just turned seventeen in May." Thom had informed her.

Alaine couldn't tear herself away from her brother. Even not remembering everything about him, she was drawn to him the way that most twins were close to each other. Although she didn't believe in any of those notions about soul mates and such stuff, she did genuinely feel that her familial connection to Thom allowed her interaction with him now to feel so right.

Culminating with her desire to gain anything about her lost past, she was ecstatic to know that her brother, as well as Jon's brother Raiden, and Maude were alive and healthy. Trying to compare these people with the rare glimpses she had of them in her dreams, Thom and Raiden were much, much taller and had grown into young men. Raiden was as tall as Jon, practically a mirror image of his brother save for his brilliant silver eyes, and jovial disposition.

Thom, though shorter, was a head taller than her small frame. He looked older, tired, with scars all over him that hadn't been present in her few memories of him. He and Raiden moved like great big cats, slinky and ready for any threat. And perhaps that was good for them. The war had molded them into warriors.

Maude, on the other hand, remained a mystery. Alaine didn't know much about this woman, only that she had taken care of Thom and her as they grew up. In their few days stay with Jon and Alaine, Maude kept to herself and Alaine felt nervous around her. Maude's eyes never missed a thing.

On a different note, things between her and Jon had progressed. Their little home was not big enough, so Alaine was forced to sleep beside Jon in his room. Not that she minded, but Thom had protested even though his efforts were in vain. She was both happy that her brother cared so much, but also annoyed, because she wanted Jon all to herself.

Raiden only shrugged, and said "Why not? They've been living together for two years, and I'm sure Ala—Alaine won't let Jon do anything to her, anyway." His comment was met by laughs and snorts and blushes (on Alaine and Jon's side anyway).

Maude remained silent, neither criticizing nor approving. She only told everyone to behave.

On the first night, Jon had kept to his respectful side on the small bed. While Maude slept quietly in Alaine's room, and Thom and Raiden snored like an orchestra in the living room, Alaine twisted and turned. She woke up the next morning cranky.

On the second night, she had quietly forced Jon to allow her to give him a massage after a long working day. When she was secure that their guests' were asleep, she cut her and Jon's quiet conversations to a close when she boldly kissed him. It took him a few minutes to submit to her attentions, and she went to sleep that night with a big grin and tender, bruised lips.

The following night, Alaine was only too happy to let Jon run his lips down her throat. She learned where all his tender and tickle spots were. Jon was especially sensitive behind his ears, and below his adam's apple. She found, to her pleasure, that she enjoyed Jon's calloused hands running up and down her arms, as well as along her spine.

It was on the morning of the fourth day since their guests' arrival that Alaine found herself eavesdropping once again. This time, Jon and their brothers didn't bother keeping quiet, since Alaine was suppose to still be out on her daily needlework projects with Mistress Richoter. But Alaine had asked for the next few days reprieve, and Mistress Richoter had been kind. That's how Alaine came to be standing in the front door.

"How long will you keep this up, Jon? Alanna deserves to know the truth." Raiden was speaking in frustration.

Jon replied in equal tone, "You think I don't know that? It's been awful keeping the truth like this, but I had to do it. I couldn't think of anything else to do to keep all of us safe. When I realised all the other options I could have taken, it was too late."

"You have to tell her soon."

Tell her what, soon? Am I… Alanna? A sudden fear gripped her chest, and she forced her mouth shut so not as to give her presence away.

"I will," Jon growled, "most of the plans we've discussed are nearly ready. We've got less than a month before we head back. Gary and Raoul have been working hard to make things easy for me. I know the King's Own won't be so welcoming."

There was a shared minute of silence before Thom finally spoke up. "I think you did the right thing for my sister. When I think of the circumstances, this was probably the best for her." Alaine heard the hesitance in his voice, "I'm really grateful that you chose to protect her to this extent. It means a lot, Jon. Especially since you're… well you know."

Was Jon keeping secrets from her? Was he lying? Please don't be true, she prayed, not now. Not when things are so good between us. But the evidence was right in front of her… Jon said she was one person, but everyone else was saying she was another. Who was she, and who was better? Alanna…a stranger, or Alaine…a lie?