Story of a Princess Unknown – Chapter 11- Decisions

WOW! I got heaps of reviews for this chapter! Thanks – sorry I haven't updated for AGES – a six letter word is responsible. School. But here it is. I'm glad most of you liked the last chapter – this one probably won't be as good as it, cause it's not so emotional. But anyway ...

JustWriter – yeah he sort of didn't find out. But I wanted them to get to trust eachother. I actually kind of used an idea called a tath meanma which is from a series of books called Sweep by Cate Tiernan. I am thinking that for a sequel I will do an Ella Enchanted/Sweep crossover – maybe.

StardustPixie – I think you're a new reviewer. YAY! I'm glad you like it so much! Well I have updated now ...

Pippa – yes, young love. Hmmm, Luke ... STOP IT AMY GET ON WITH STORY! Sorry. Ahem. Hope your singing thing was fun. Just saw you put up a new chap for Catrin's Story. Will check it out as soon as possible.

Emma-J Riddle – yeah I wasn't planning for that whole chapter to happen – but it just, happened! Thanks for being one of my most loyal reviewers! (NO PIPPA you DON'T COUNT because you are my best friend and you review or I thrown sponges at you!)

bananwren – hey i don't know either! shrug shrug Just thought it was interesting for Eve to see her dad!

Kat – well here is more! Thanks for liking it!

littlelambug/tami – Thanks for all the compliments! Some horsey news – I had a lesson today and I was practicing walking, trotting and cantering over poles on Frankie, preparing for a jumping lesson tomorrow, focussing on keeping his rhythm the same and keeping him round. He, um, decided that there was an invisible jump and tried to jump it. Yes, okay, he bucked! Cheeky bugger. It's cause he gets so happy that he's jumping! But he was good after!

breathless74 – see above news for tami. I can't wait till Frankie and I are ready!

ladygwen – you live in the US, right? Well that's cool that someone over there has Brooke's cd! Thanks for being such a great reviewer!

Now for the story! There is a bit of Eve/Jared fluff in this chapter – but hey, I'm a hopeless romantic. What more can I say?

Recap - Jared's cool fingers grasped her chin, forcing her to look into his greeny-hazel eyes. He gently smudged away the rest of her tears. Then he spoke softly to her, still looking deep into her eyes. "Eve - I'll be your friend."

He traced the contours of her face, his eyes never leaving hers. Eve felt like she was frozen in time – she could do nothing but stare right back at Jared, wishing that this moment would never end.

Then he leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to her own. Eve was amazed – kissing Luke was nothing like this. As they pressed closer together, she felt like she had molten fire coursing through her veins.

At last they broke away. Jared gently stroked her cheek. "That was to tell you what I've really thought of you all this time."

Eve didn't blush this time. She was still self-conscious in front of Jared – right now she wanted to run away. But I've done enough running already.

So instead she smiled back up at him, and said, "Thankyou. I needed to trust you. You're a good friend, Jared."

He held her to him, closing his arms tighter around her. She clung right back to him. They were still lying in eachothers arms on the bank of the stream.

Eve, resting her head on Jared's chest, noticed that it was getting dark. But it was only lunchtime when we were here! That must have taken longer than I thought!

She tried to rise up. But she could barely move.

"The magic really takes it out of you," Jared said apologetically.

"And the crying. I'm sorry for getting you all wet," she replied.

"It's okay. I felt like crying too – what we saw was pretty awful. Whoever that man was – I think he had a lot that was bad in his life."

"You have no idea," Eve muttered under her breath.

"Eve – I have something else to apologise for. I've acted like a stuck up prick the whole time you've been here. I never knew what life was like for someone like you – and you must think I'm an awful, spoilt brat. I don't know why you're here – but I'll help you."

Everything he thought he knew about me has changed. Yet he still wants to help – he still wants me to trust him. And I want to, as well.

"I've got something to apologise for too, Jared. I admit I thought that you were a stuck up jerk – but after seeing that I think you've been through a lot too. We're even."

Eve felt his hand softly stroke her hair. How could I have not loved him before? She wondered.

He repeated her words softly. "We're even."

God, I'm tired.

The lulling motion of Jared stroking her hair was sending Eve to sleep. She just wanted to say one more thing to him.

"Jared – I think I might love you."

She felt him smile.

"You know what, Eve? I think I might love you too." But he wasn't sure that she'd heard – she was already asleep.

Jared looked at Eve's peaceful, sleeping face. She looks so relaxed when she's asleep. This girl was different, he was sure of it. She wasn't just a pretty face. And as much as he needed her – she needed him too. And with that last thought, Jared joined Eve in the realm of dreams.

The next morning, Eve woke first. She panicked at first, feeling a strong pair of distinctly male arms around her – and then she remembered the day before.

Was I right to trust him? But there's nothing I can do about it anyway.

She wanted to clear her mind, so, taking care not to wake Jared up, she slipped out of his arms and dipped her foot into the water. Eve gasped – it was colder than she'd expected. But she wanted to wake herself properly, so she waded out to just below her knees.

The cold water certainly woke her up. She trailed her hands along, thinking about the events of last night.

Did I really kiss him? I can't have imagined it.

Eve shivered with delight, remembering how Jared had held her. She shrieked with surprise as a sudden jet of water hit her, then spun around.

A certain prince was standing at the edge of the water, a cheeky grin on his face.

"Oh, so sorry, my lady. My aim seems to be a little off this morning!"

"Why I oughta ..." Eve muttered. Then Jared splashed her again. This time, it was too much.

She ran through the water, showering herself and Jared with ice-cold droplets. When she was within range of Jared, she splashed him much harder – completely soaking him.

"What about my aim, your highness?"

"What have I told you – the name's Jared!" He laughed.

Then, suddenly, he scooped Eve up and walked out to deeper water.

God, she's so light. She starved down in the south. And it's all my father's fault, Jared thought bitterly. But he didn't show his thoughts on the outside.

Eve was hammering at his arms. "Put me down, you jerk!" She laughed.

"Not happening!" He shot back.

Then he dunked her in the water. He let her up right away, but she was soaked right through. When Eve stood up, she was spluttering with indignation. And dripping with water.

Jared was standing in front of her, still laughing. Eve shook her fist at him.

"I'll get you back for this, Jared."

He grabbed the fist she was shaking at him and pulled her close. Suddenly Eve felt like she was underwater again – she couldn't breathe. "Jared, I ..."

He silenced her, gently pulling a strand of dark hair out of her face and tucking it behind her ear. Then he kissed her.

This kiss was nothing like the gentle kiss of the night before. Everywhere Jared's lips touched, Eve felt like she was on fire. But she pressed back with an urgency that surprised her. When Jared broke away, smiling, her lips felt huge and swollen. Then they curved into a slow smile.

"And now, my lady, I'd best get you home – I suspect we're in enough trouble already. After all – who knows what we got up to, spending a night together?" He grinned cheekily, seeing Eve blush. He loved embarassing her.

Frankie and Vinny, patiently waiting after a good sleep as well, both looked disgusted at the sight of their owners.

Frankie snorted to Vinny in horse-speak, What does she think I am? A towel? I've done this once before, and I tell you, it's NOT fun.

Vinny just sighed.

Back at the manor, Eve and Jared pretended as though everything was normal. He helped her off Frankie, then apologised for not being able to spend the rest of the day with her. "I've got to get organised for the ball tomorrow. But I'll come tomorrow."

Oh god. The ball. The betrothal. What have I DONE?

Much as Jared wanted to stay silent, he knew he couldn't. For Eve's sake – just to stop her feeling betrayed the next night. "Eve, there's something -"

But he was cut off by a messenger in royal livery riding down the driveway. "Your highness!" The man called urgently. "Where HAVE you been? We need you back at the palace!"

Jared felt helpless. He looked at Eve.

"Your highness, PLEASE. Just HURRY!"

"But I ..."

Just then, Lady Cythera burst out through the door. An, er, angry look was on her face. "ENNA! Where have you BEEN?"

Eve smiled apologetically at Jared. "Sorry – I've got to go. I'll see you tomorrow night."

Then she ran up the steps to placate the raving Lady Cythera.

"AND you're all WET! The SECOND time this week! OH my LORD!"

Jared stared regretfully after her.

Eve spent most of the rest of the day reading in her room – if only to keep out of Lady Cythera's way. The woman was stark raving mad, in Eve's opinion. It was just a dress, for pete's sake!

Well, maybe reading wasn't all she did. She kind of – well, in her opinion, acted like a stupid noble girl. She kept remembering what had happened with Jared.

She felt guilty, after denying any feelings for him to Luke. But why should I care about what Luke thinks anymore?

Then a horrible thought came into her head. Luke's going to be at the ball tomorrow night.

She did NOT need Luke there to see her – with Jared around as well. The two guys together would definitely not be a good mix. Luke hated Jared's guts because of, well, Eve's relationship with him. And Jared hated Luke's guts because of the way he treated Eve. Even though Luke would only be there as a servant to one of the nobles, he knew who Jared was – and what's more, Jared now knew who Luke was. Luckily he didn't know that both Eve and Luke were spies – but he knew that Luke had come to the city with her. She had to try and keep them out of eachother's way.

Meanwhile Jared was back in the palace. He had screwed up his courage – he had to do this for Eve. After what she had said to him last night – he couldn't put this off anymore. Heck, he hadn't wanted it from the beginning. So he went and knocked on his father's door. Now he was standing in the middle of the room, trying to speak to the man who had dominated his life with fear and loathing.

"What is it, Jared? I don't have all day, you know," his father said impatiently.

"Father – I – I've been thinking about this marriage arranged with Alexandra of Greenhedge."

"Yes? So? We NEED the alliance – they are valuable allies, with plenty of money."

Jared looked down at his feet, knowing that whatever he did would incur his father's wrath.

"Father – there's ... someone else. Please, could we – dissolve the marriage contract?"

Silence. Jared knew that this could not be good.

Then his father spoke – in a voice so chilling, cold and utterly devoid of any sort of emotion that it shook Jared to his very heart.

"Someone else? You think I care, Jared? After ALL I've done for you – and you refuse to go along with the simplest of my plans. You've been a disappointment from the day you were born."

And his father turned away. Jared had his answer. He turned to walk away – but couldn't help himself.

He burst out, "All YOU'VE done for ME? Since when have you done anything for ME? I tried. I tried to make you proud. But you never cared – not then, not now, not EVER. I just want you to know – I don't care about you, either!"

And, shaking with emotion, Jared left the room.

Ohh, Jared's in a tight spot! I was gonna make it longer but I gotta go to bed now. Will write more tomorrow! For now – r & r!

Love Amy