A/N: My formal's tomorrow and I'm excited. Originally I wasn't planning to write or do anything for my fics but I decided not to be mean :) I was going to start preparing for the formal (like what to bring in case I forget something) but I can always do that later. My first and last formal which is good and bad. Let's hope that tomorrow night won't turn out disastrous which is always possible with some certain people… anyway to the thank yous:
Lady Lucy A/J 4ever: the reasons you have given me are very good… though for the last one, the one about how TP originally had Alanna with Jon. Well, she changed it because she realised George was a better match for Alanna. But I totally agree with your reasons. Dammit, I'm still split between A/J and A/G. I better decide soon.
Rima: I'm glad you like my story. I still haven't fully decided if Alanna should be with George or Jon yet though… but Jon isn't that bad is he? Yeah he is spoilt but deep down he is a good person and a good king right?
imaninz: thank you! I'm happy that I inspired you to continue writing your story. I haven't had the time to read your fic but it looks as though it is excellent by the summary but also by how many reviews you received for just 2 chapters! You keep writing (and I'll read soon) and I'll definitely keep writing. I love writing and reading too much to stop completely so never fear! :)
annie lyon: thank you for reviewing. Jon isn't all that bad is he? Maybe a lil spoilt but a good person. We'll see where the story goes… I still have no idea if this will be A/J or A/G. I love both pairings so I am still deciding. Keep reading and reviewing please!
Chopstix*: you think I did Alanna's personality well? Wow… thank you so much! I just wrote it never paying close attention to see if I've stuck to their personalities, I've always written what came to my head. Thank you so much! George will appear in this chapter… and sorry he didn't die! Lol….
StarFire: you've gotta understand it was in the moment thing – whatever they're called. It just happened. But at they really together? How will Alanna react to this? And does Jon regret what he does? Read on and you'll see! Thank you for reviewing!
Tigress-of-Shang: George will appear in this chapter. I hope you like it and will review?
clarylissa: Jon stupid? Probably because he is supposed to be married but it just happened. What will Alanna do? Read on and you'll see…
Queen of Fluff: I know what you want this fic to be! A/G? lol…
Excuse the typos; I don't have a proofreader and I get annoyed rereading it again and again but I will, it's just I might miss some stuff. Remember to review please!
Disclaimer: do I look like Tamora Pierce to you? Okay maybe you don't know how I look but no I do not own these characters or anything else that is familiar to you. I only own the plot. I wish I owned these characters!!
Chapter 3: Thinking Too Much
Alanna was so shocked that she didn't react for several moments but merely allowed Jonathon to continue to kiss him. In her emotional state however when the shock dissolved she began kissing him back. She needed comfort and he was offering it to her. But suddenly George's face flashed in her eyes and she jerked back from Jonathon. He gazed at her and they were breathing heavily. She shook her head quickly and pulled Moonlight back into the direction of the palace leaving her friend behind her.
She arrived in the stables several minutes later and dismounted throwing her mare's reins into the stable boy's hand and throwing herself out and went in search of George. For what reason she sought him she did not think about but so focused she was on keeping her mind off what had happened she ran into him.
"Alanna!" he laughed merrily grabbing her hands. "I've just been lookin' for you."
She looked up at him and hugged him tightly. His smile dissolved and he looked down at her copper head his brow furrowed. Finally she pulled back and he saw that she had been crying. Gently he stroked her cheek. "What's wrong, my love?"
"George… just hold me. Please," she pleaded and he complied holding her tightly. Finally he drew her into the palace and led her into their rooms and sat her down on the four-poster bed. Leaving her he went to pour her a glass of water. He crouched down in front of her as she drank. If he noticed that she avoided his hazel eyes he didn't comment but merely watched her. He knew his lass: she would tell him what she wanted when she wanted. She was that stubborn.
"Alanna…" he tried prompting her into telling him.
She looked up into those warm eyes she loved and sighed. Could she tell him? Would he think she betrayed him? Did she betray him? She hadn't meant to kiss Jon back and she was pretty sure that he hadn't meant to kiss her. It had just happened and would never happen again so why tell George and cause him to worry? She had always known that he worried about her relationship with Jonathon but had trusted her enough to know that nothing would happen. And nothing had until today.
"I'm alright, George. Just tired from last night and…" she could not stop the trembling when she said, "thinking of Liam." She looked down at her lap.
George pressed a white handkerchief in her hand and she smiled a watery smile at him as she blew her nose and wiped her eyes.
~°*°~
The engaged couple decided to have lunch in their chambers. Alanna suggested it because she said she was unwilling to allow the courtiers to know she had been crying for she still was red and blotchy but secretly it was to avoid Jonathon. For what reason? She did not want to begin exploring or pondering about. George had agreed and had stopped her explanation and she would not help but smile at his courteous manner towards her. It was nice to be treated like a lady and she wondered while he went to get the food if this would continue to happen once they were married.
Her smile disappeared at the thought of marriage. But it was not her soon marriage to George but Jonathon's and Thayet's. In a way he had betrayed Thayet the day after they married. And with his wife's bridesmaid. She shook the thoughts out of her head. It was merely a mistake and will never happen again, she thought ferociously. That didn't explain why she was still thinking about it though.
~°*°~
Jonathon had remained in the Royal Forest following the trail after Alanna had fled. He knew the path led to the stream that ran through the Forest and he planned to sit by it. He did not want to return to the palace yet. He would have to face Thayet and he didn't know how he would be able to do that after what had happened with Alanna. Was it a mistake that he had kissed her?
Had I wanted to? he had to ask his heart. And his heart responded by conjuring up the image of Alanna crying and how he had felt his heart wrench at the sight of her in pain and then kissing her and remembering how it had felt so right and how the kiss how increased his heart beat rapidly as it was doing now just by thinking of it.
Thayet. Beautiful, innocent Thayet. No doubt she would make a wonderful and good Queen, mother and wife. He knew she felt this responsibility to keep people at peace and happy was a serious one in everything she did. Last night she had been so scared and so eager to please he had almost been annoyed but gazing into those beautiful eyes of hers and her perfectly sculptured face the annoyance had disappeared. Unwillingly his thoughts led to the first night he and Alanna had slept together. He had found her wondering around the gardens in a violet dress and a black wig and she had been beautiful… but not as beautiful as Thayet but beautiful in her own special way. She had been so scared that she had denied him until later she had come to him herself. He loved Alanna he knew that that would never change and Thayet did too… but the extent of that love was a question on his mind now.
A/N: you're all gonna hate me now… coz I gotta stop. This is soooo short and such a boring chapter! Hardly anything happened. But at least you can see what they're thinking. Please tell me what you thought by pressing that button on the left hand side!! Thank you!
~Jossie~