A/N: Dual update so please check out Chap 43 first. Again many thanks to those of you still reading and especially reviewing. I live for reviews; it makes for a more interactive experience when I read what you all are thinking.

Chapter 44

The Royal entourage lined up according to rank in the Hall's atrium forming a receiving line for the wedding guests for tonight's Ball; King Randor, Queen Marlena, the Crown Prince, Lady Teela Duncan, Man-At-Arms, and Commander Trevian.

Teela leaned toward Adam causing him to lower his shoulder.

"This reminds me of our first Ball together," Teela whispered amusedly into his ear.

Adam grinned. "Let's hope no one throws a wine glass at us this time," he smirked.

They shared a laugh as they turned their attention to welcoming the nobles now entering the Ballroom. In light of what was revealed at Greyskull two days ago, the young couple resolved to enjoy the wedding festivities and each other for as long as possible until such time they may be separated by duty.

xxx

The five young royals, David, a pregnant Irene, Adam, Teela, and Eve enjoyed themselves as their parents looked on, the evening filled with dancing, laughter, and music despite the jealous glances of many ladies of the court still holding on to the hope of catching the Prince's eye and becoming his concubine. They shot daggers at Lady Teela who, at this point in her life, shrugged it off, her confidence in herself and their relationship complete.

As the evening concluded, the guests toasted the young couple with long life and many children. Adam sent Teela a concerned glance as she simply beamed back with a hopeful gaze. He smiled and lowered his lips to hers to the applause of everyone present.

xxx

The next morning, the Prince escorted Lady Teela to breakfast with their families and the high ranking nobles. There, Teela shared time with her four uncles and first cousins; her father's four younger brothers and their families. The joke amongst the Duncan brothers was that their eldest brother Farrell, so caught up in his inventions and weapons, would never marry let alone have children. They all looked at Teela with proud smiles. Well, one out of two wasn't bad.

xxx

After a full day of activities which consisted of tours of Eternos including the aquarium, museums, lunch by the lake, and various physical outdoor activities, the guests attended a broader dinner that evening open to nobles of all rank including prominent citizens of the city and their families. The long line of dinner guests from Eternos waiting to meet the Crown Prince and Lady Duncan slowly tapered off as they bowed and curtseyed, their expressions full of awe at meeting members of the Royal Family for the first time. Adam and Teela met each with warm and friendly smiles, chatting casually about each of their businesses and backgrounds.

xxx

Adam escorted Teela to her bedchambers, both exhausted over enduring the last few weeks of wedding planning and festivities, not to mention Tri-Klops, Skeletor, and the recent bombshells made at Greyskull; literally and figuratively.

They stopped at her door and faced one another as Adam held Teela's hands in his. He raised them to his lips, closing his eyes and placing a tender kiss to the backs of her hands. Teela caressed his cheek and raised on tippy toes to kiss his lips. A flame ignited between the two of them as their kisses turned ravenous, he pulling her into his arms and pressing his body against hers, her stomach doing wild somersaults at the feeling of their bodies flush against the other.

Once the kiss broke, they simply held each other in silence, their foreheads touching as they pondered that, after tomorrow, their lives would forever be changed. Adam pulled back and looked deeply into Teela's eyes.

"You ready for tomorrow?"

She swallowed and nodded. "Yes. You?"

"Yes," he replied.

More silence.

"We have a seven hour flight after the ceremony," he stated finally breaking the silence. "Rest up as I'll need you ready for me tomorrow night. Got it?" he joked with a wink.

Teela's mouth dropped open to which Adam kissed it again. He felt her smile against his lips as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and kissed him back with such fervor as to serve as a promise of things to come. She broke the kiss and looked into his eyes.

"Seven hours...hmmm," she repeated, pensive. "I'm nervous but excited," she confessed, her cheeks pinkening slightly.

Adam sent her a lopsided grin. "I'm just excited," he joked before releasing her and lightly swatting her derriere. She flinched, her eyes widening as he turned to leave.

"Sleep!" he commanded over his shoulder as he made his way down the hall.

Teela put her hands on her hips and stuck her tongue at his back.

Without turning around nor breaking stride he replied, "I saw that."

Her hands flew to her mouth as a wicked grin crept across her lips.

xxx

Teela had just bathed and dressed for bed when a knock at her door roused her from her reverie. She approached and opened to find a smiling Irene and Gada both wearing anxious and expectant smiles. They all broke into laughter as Teela gestured for them to come in.

"Girls!" she whispered as they entered. "What are you doing sneaking around the Palace at this time of night?" she gently chided as she shut the door.

"We've come for girl talk," Irene replied matter-of-factly.

"And sex talk," Gada added ruefully.

Teela blushed and swatted at her friend. She motioned for them to have a seat on the couches. When they all settled in, Teela folded her leg underneath her and blew out a breath. "Alright then. What is it you would like to know?" she joked feigning arrogance.

More laughter.

"Haha very funny," Gada replied with a snort. "But now that you ask, there is something I'd definitely like to know."

Irene and Teela exchanged smirks and directed their gazes to Gada.

"Have you ever seen Prince Adam naked?"

Teela's blush darkened and Irene's hands flew to her mouth as Gada burst into laughter.

"You are so in trouble when I return, Private," Teela admonished, shaking a finger at her friend in jest.

Gada shook her head. "I don't care as this reconnaissance is worth it." She clicked her tongue. "Sooo, have you?" she pressed.

Irene's mouth flew open as she shook her head wearing a knowing grin.

"Ok, the answer is no," Teela finally replied, contritely.

"And that is all she will say on the subject," Irene added hoping to allay her best friend's embarrassment.

Gada pursed her lips. "Fine. I'm just pointing out that he has an extremely hot, very hard, bump-worthy body with a perfect ass, that's all."

Teela and Irene's eyes went round before breaking down in giggles.

They talked into the night with Teela offering wine to Gada, juice to Irene.

xxx

After more giggles and sharing of stories, she finally glanced at her timepiece which displayed 12:01AM. Her eyes widened with a gasp.

"Ancients! I've got to get to bed. I'm getting up at seven," she fretted while standing to deposit her wine glass on the wet bar.

Her two good friends acquiesced. "We've kept you up way past your bedtime, sis," Irene conceded as she also stood and motioned for Gada to follow.

"Know that when you return Captain, we will want details, okay?" Gada added with a smirk.

"You are positively awful, you know that right?"

"I'm awfully...sweet, Princess," Gada retorted with a mock curtsey, bobbling a little from the wine.

Irene once again shook her head disapprovingly. "Come on, sweetness," she mocked, tugging on Gada's arm. "Let's leave Lady Teela to her beauty rest."

They kissed and embraced leaving her with best wishes for tomorrow and headed back to their rooms.

Teela closed the door, a smile tugging at her lips.