A/N: Hi everybody! ok, in response to b2okworm1's review, El is 15, turns 16 at the end of the story. and read this chapter and you'll find out whether she falls for Jem or not...R&R please...oo i love cliffhangers

Chapter 5

Jem accompanied us to Ayortha. That was his original destination, but he was short of money and had begun work until he could afford the trip. With Ollie and Owen still travelling with us, the carriage would be very cramped.

Ollie took one look at Jeremy's clothing and decided he wasn't worth knowing. She judged everyone that way. Even I, the princess (I hate even thinking of myself as that), she hated because I never wore the finery she usually adorned.

In the carriage, Ollie managed to get Jeremy and I on either side of Owen while she sat with Chris on the other side.

Squished up against each side of the carriage, I introduced one of my favorite games to Jem. Mother and I play it often. As the person in the middle turns their back on you, you pull a face. When the person on their other side laughs, they swivel around to see what you're doing, while you pretend nothing's going on. It can go on for hours, depending on the brains of the person in the middle. Fortunately, this was Owen we were playing with. We didn't stop laughing until we reached Bast.

In Bast, we got out and walked into another inn (without Ollie and Owen, thank God) that was mercifully cleaner than the last.

We walked inside and exchanged our money, but the guards wouldn't allow Jem in any farther.

"You have no right to be travelling with their majesties," one said, while roughly grasping the scruff of Jem's neck.

"He has every right!" I yelled at them.

Jem blushed deeply and looked at the guard. "She's right," he said, as he pulled out a chain from under his shirt. A ring was hanging off it, with the Ayorthan royal family crest on it.

The guard looked horrified.

"I'm sorry El, I should have told you sooner." He muttered.

"Why..." I started, but he gave me a look that plainly said, "not here."

We had a light lunch and went to our rooms. I changed into my riding dress and raced down the hallway, timing myself to see how fast I was. When I reached Jem's door, I was out of breath and leaned against the door at the exact moment it was opened on the other side. I fell forward and knocked into Jem. We both collapsed on the floor, laughing.

"Praytell why were you out of breath?"

"I was running,"

"Why?" he enquired.

"Because," I said, feigning a look of adoration on my face. "In the 30 minutes that have passed since lunch, I could not bear to be away from you another second." I knelt and took his hand in a mock proposal.

He laughed and pulled me up from the ground. Our eyes met for a moment, and I felt my stomach flip. I quickly looked at my shoes.

"I see you are wearing riding clothes," he mused.

"Yes, would you like to come?"

"Is that what you came here for? I thought you really did miss me!" he replied with hurt in his voice.

We laughed and ran twice as fast as I did before to the stables.