TWENTY
June 438, six months later
"Are you sure you have to leave?" Alanna asked, frowning as she watched from the doorway as Raoul packed. He nodded without turning to look at her.
"I told you – I have patrols."
"I know that." Alanna rolled her eyes. "But remind me again why I can't come?"
Raoul turned and met her eyes, a grin playing at the corners of his mouth. "Because you-" he crossed the room to wrap his arms around her waist and kiss her, "have a wedding to plan, my darling."
"Don't call me that," she told him, unable to hold back a smile.
"Darling. Sweetheart. Buttercup." He kissed her again. "Apple of my eye, light of my life-"
"Stop." She giggled and pushed him away. "Don't you have to pack?"
"I suppose." He glanced back at his things. "Or I could put off packing a bit longer and spend some quality time with my betrothed." He lifted her left hand and kissed it. She smiled as the ring caught the light.
"You could not put off packing," a voice commented. Alanna turned in Raoul's arms to see a smiling Jonathan. "As I recall, you're supposed to be on the road before midday. And it is nearly midday."
"Aw, Jon." Raoul pretended to pout, holding Alanna closer. "Why would you spoil my goodbye?"
"You're lucky I came," he said. "Thom is on the warpath wanting to know where you and Gary are."
"These new knights." Raoul shook his head. "Always so anxious to get places. Don't they realize it's better to delay?"
"Roger must be busy," Alanna commented, stepping away from Raoul. "You should finish packing. I would hate my brother to kill you. That would spoil our relationship."
"Oh, wonderful." Raoul returned to his packing with a sigh as his friends stood in the doorway. "So he's going to be sour the whole time?"
"Probably." Alanna smiled.
"You aren't going to be like that while Raoul's gone, are you?" Jonathan asked her. "Because we may need to lock you away if you are."
"Shut up," she told him with a saccharine smile. "It's not like you'll have any time to notice. Isn't your wedding coming up?"
"Don't remind me." Jonathan made a face. "It's all my mother seems to talk about anymore."
"When is it again?" Raoul wanted to know, closing the last of his packs. "I just want to be sure we'll be back."
"You will be," Jon assured him. "And it's in August."
"Right before your birthday," Alanna said with a smile. "What a birthday gift!"
"Don't even think about making it a joint gift," he teased. "I'm the Crown Prince. I expect presents from my subjects."
Alanna rolled her eyes. "Don't be ridiculous. If you were that kind of prince, none of us would be friends with you."
"How can you resist?" His blue eyes met hers and she blushed, knowing she had no good comeback.
"It's easier than you'd think," Raoul chimed in happily. "Seeing as how Thom resisted for four years."
"Why do I associate with either of you?" he asked, shaking his head.
"How can you resist?" Alanna asked, eyes twinkling. Their eyes met again, but this time she held them. Raoul glanced between the two, wondering not for the first time if his betrothed was truly over the prince.
"I am late," Jonathan said, finally breaking the moment. "I promised Thayet I would meet her for a ride. I'll blame you two, if that's all right with you."
"It's not, but I'm sure you'll do it anyway." Raoul grinned. He and his old friend clasped hands, pulling their bodies toward each other and clapping each other on the back. Alanna recognized it as the hug men gave each other, and rolled her eyes. Men, she thought. Why can't they hug like normal people?
Do you see the resolution to the cliffhanger buried in there? If not, let me know and I'll enclose it in your review reply. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I think the weddings will come next, and then I'll wrap this story up. It's losing steam a bit. Thanks so much for reading!