Thank you for all of your reviews, they help me continue to write on although my mind refuses to help! Just to clear things up, I have not read the Trickster's Choice series and probably never will so I have no insight into the rest of Alanna's family. I'm just concentrating on Thom. Sorry if that disappoints a couple of you.

Chapter Six – A Night of Surprises.

The dinner at the Priestess's residence had gone very well indeed for Thom and Emilie and now they were heading back to the Palace by foot which allowed Thom to spend more time with his good friend.

He had been nervous at the beginning of the night as he glanced upon Emilie's appearance outside her rooms. In a deep red with rubies encrusted in the bodice which fitted her perfectly, Thom's voice had escaped him until he was forced to mutter greetings at the gathering. She smiled at his reaction before hiding behind her court mask. Thom inwardly sighed that he would never be able to hide his emotions as well as Emilie.

To him, Emilie had never looked as lovely but he could detect from her tense pose that she was not comfortable in the surroundings although he had no idea why such an event would bother Emilie so much. This had led him to introduce her to a drinking which he had 'learned' when he was a student to lighten up Emilie's strange mood. At first she was a sceptic but by the time the four glass arrived Emilie had shed most of her outer shell and tension.

And now, in the early morning being the last one to leave, they were extremely merry, laughing at the most silliest thing through Corus on their way to the Palace. With each other's arm wrapped around the other's waist, together the handsome couple made their way to their quarters. Thom had started healing himself as they passed by many of the religious buildings and such like and therefore was the most sober of the two, but Emilie was stilling a tad wobbly on her feet and giggling quietly to herself.

"What are you laughing at Emilie?" asked Thom out of the blue as he held her steady from tripping over her skirts. The sound of her laughter had been going on for the last half an hour.

Emilie turned her face to meet his, an inch apart and smiled a genuine smile which warmed Thom's heart. She lifted her hand and placed it gentle across his cheek and tapped it slightly. "That's for me to know and you to wonder dear Thom", she said cheekily and then tried to take a couple of step unaided which failed miserable.

"Opps", she giggled from landing in the dust and started to cough the sand out the back of her throat. As Thom came forward and held out his large hands for her to use as a support.

Again Emilie miscalculated and fell straight into Thom's hard chest and would have fallen on the ground if Thom had not taken the chance of clasping his arms around her to hold her up. Thom breathed in her unique scent of lemongrass and oranges which reminded him of childhood games and mischief. They stood like that for several minutes until Thom became concern of Emilie's lack of protest, glancing down he saw that her emerald eyes had closed and that she had snuggled herself into the layers of his black robes. There was a small innocent smile on her face which made Thom smile in return.

Not wanting to break such a beautiful sight but knowing that they couldn't stand here til the morning, Thom raised one of his hands and started to brush strays of hair that had escape the plaits from her face to behind her ears.

His touch was feather soft but Emilie fluttered her eyes opened all the same and croaked "Thom?"

"Time to get you to your bed", he replied with force cheerfulness as he untangled her from his embraced and resume his one arm hold on her waist. "We're nearly there Emilie don't fall asleep on me yet."

They made steady but slow progress up the small hill in a comfortable silence which left Thom to digest his thoughts quietly. His heart was racing at an uncontrollable speed while his body tingled from where he held contact with Emilie. Being the gentleman Thom tried to dissuade his mind off of the one track it was intent on which consisted of a bed and two people.

"Thom," moaned Emilie weakly, "Thom …I do not feel very well... My stomach is churning."

As Thom glanced down, he could see that Emilie was clutching her head with her free hand and swaying increasing from side to side. Muttering an oath at his own foolishness, Thom did the only thing he could. He brought his other arm behind Emilie's knees and lifted her up into his arms as if she was a small child.

"I should not have shown you that game", murmured Thom into Emilie's ear as she nestled in the folds of the black cloak.

"No!", protested Emilie, "I haven't had soo much fun for ages, Thom! Don't blame yourself. I should remember my limit", and as an after thought, "and stop tickling my ear I'm trying to sleep!"

Unable to contain his laughter, Emilie tried to ignore the movement of his chest. "Thom" she warned slowly.

"What dearest?" said Thom innocently bending his head so that his lips were nearly touching her ear. "I'm not doing anything…but if you want me to stop then …tell me what you were giggling about earlier."

Emilie shook her head and whispered "No" into his chest as well as hiding her whole face from view.

"I might have to leave you on your own then", Thom stated and started to lower Emilie to the ground as if letting go of her.

"Don't… Thom please", begged Emilie as she looked straight into his violet eyes.

Thom froze for a moment as he had never seen Emilie show fear at all. The thought that something could disturb her that much from her calm nature scared Thom to no end. At that moment he knew that he would rather face several of the most evillest magician alive than see Emilie in terror.

"What is it Emilie", he asked softly, "who has scared you?" And he consciously tightened his grip on her as he began to walk up to the Palace entrance to the stable side.

"Nothing", Emilie quietly, "it is all the changes that are happening …I don't have something constant in my life and I feel that I have been drifting out to the ocean and it is a lonely place."

She murmured the last part into the cloak and kept her face averted because silent tears trickled down her cheeks. Thom only knew this since it was his shirt being used as a hanky.

"I will always be here for you", voiced Thom huskily, "and so will your family…you could never be alone Emilie…you brighten up my day every time."

With a loud sniff, Emilie turned her head to see Thom's face and did her assessing gaze before sharing a small smile and saying "Truly?"

"Yes", replied Thom and kissed her forehead as to seal the declaration.

"Same for you too Thom," said Emilie with honesty. Another silence entered the mood until they came to the hallway where Emilie's room was situated. Lowering her legs to the ground, Thom still maintain a hold on her as she delved for her keys in her small bag.

After a while Emilie swore under her breath which Thom looked stunned for a moment then chuckled. Emilie forgetting that she was in company, smiled rudely at him.

"I must have dropped my keys at the Priestess house," exclaimed Emilie, "and no of my family are in residence at the moment. What am I going to do!" She slightly stumbled backwards due to her state

"We could wake up some of the servants?" proposed Thom but earned a glare from Emilie.

"They don't get another sleep."

"Well, what do you suggest o wise one?" said Thom sarcastically. He was slightly offended at Emilie's answer.

"I'll just have to sleep in your rooms for the night," stated Emilie calmly.

"You will not!" argued Thom.

"Why not?" queried Emilie. "There is no other way." She stared at him with open sparkling green eyes which brought Thom into a small trance before realising that she was still under the strong influence of alcohol.

"Because…because," he sputtered, "what will people think if they caught you coming out of my rooms!"

"Thom, I don't care what people think", whinned Emilie, "I want to sleep on a soft mattress…please?"

Thom could never say no to his younger siblings when they pleaded with him and neither could he do so with Emilie. She looks too cute to refuse. Damn her …damn her…damn her. Let it be on her head if the gossip starts…though I wouldn't mind so much.

He nodded his head and suddenly was embraced into a quick hug.

Blushing furiously, Thom gathered Emilie once more in his arms and headed quietly to his rooms which were on the other side of the palace quarters. He prayed that no one would find him with a drunk Emilie in his arms.

"Thom are you blushing?", enquired Emilie as she looked at him with a peculiar expression.

Thom glared at Emilie who laughed it off before being told to shhhs and not wake up any other courtier.

This is going to be a long night thought Thom.

Entering his room into complete darkness was very difficult for Thom to manoeuvre Emilie quietly around without bumping into a few random objects. He knew for certain that his small vase that his sister had given him was broken.

"Mirthos help me!" muttered Thom under his breath.

"You're tickling my ear again", complained Emilie from her waking up in his arms.

"Stop your moaning you", said Thom as he could perceive the shadows in his unlighted room. He noted the door to his bedroom and made head ways towards it and by juggling Emilie in his arm was able to touch a globe of light as he entered at.

He was extremely thankful that the servants had come and tidy up his rooms for him, as it usually resembled a bird's nest. He lowered Emilie gently down unto the covers but he could not stand up straight since Emilie would not let go of his neck.

"Thom," she whispered, "I need a night shirt. The dress will be ruin if I sleep in it."

"I don't wear nightshirts," admitted Thom rubbing the back of his neck in an agitated motion.

"You sleep naked", squealed Emilie as she struggle to sit up.

"What's wrong with that?" demanded Thom and crossed his arms as he walked over to his chest drawers.

"Nothing", said Emilie quickly," it's just… don't you ever get cold?"

Thom rolled his eyes at Emilie ability to see things in a practical light even under the influence of alcohol.

"It's only cold during the winter", stated Thom as he lifted out a long shirt which was big for him and would drown Emilie and headed towards the bed again.

"How do you keep warm", prodded Emilie as she smiled up to him and accepted the shirt.

"There are ways," Thom trailed off not wanting to discuss that he started to sleep naked after he lost his virginity and had had someone to keep him warm in the Midwinter period in the City of the Gods.

Emilie eyes bulged but said nothing more on the topic.

"I'll leave you to get change", motioned Thom as he walked out of the bedroom and close the door firmly behind him.

In the month since he had met his father, Thom was able to contemplate his crush on Emilie and realised with surprise that he was falling hard for her. He had sworn years back that he could never fall in love again. His first love was with a girl called Nataila, the third daughter to a new barony who broke his heart after overhearing her and another man making love. It had broken his heart. He thought she was the one. She was strong, a fighter and knew how to defend herself vocally and physically.

And now he had grown to understand that his crush was turning slowly into desire which was being feed with everything he could learn from Emilie. She was different from the other ladies but held his attention stronger and made his emotions greater. He had to curb his need for her on several occasion particularly this night.

Without a grudge, Thom began to place the small cushions scattered on his couch to one end and lifted the throw-over. Settling himself down, Thom finally slowed his breathing and his heavy eye lids fell. Near the state of dreaming Thom was woken up with a shove upon his shoulder.

Startled, Thom flicked his hand out and allowed his Gift to shield him with a barrier.

"Awow," cursed the someone sneaking around his quarters. "Did you really think that was necessary Thom?" Emilie in the long white shirt, holding her hand and standing as close to Thom as his magic would allow with a scowl etched on her face.

Thom sat up groggily. "What do you want? Are you feeling ill?"

"No," answered Emilie shaking her head, "I came to collect you."

Thom gave a puzzled looked as he waited for her to explain.

"I can't let you sleep on this small couch…you'll hurt your back", Emilie waved her hand at the occupied piece, "and your bed is big enough to share. It makes sense…and makes me feel less guilty."

"I don't think that this is wise", spoke Thom very slowly although his heart started speeding up.

"Why?" enquired Emilie, "I promise you I don't snore."

To deny it further would only bring Emilie's questioning which Thom could not handle at this time of night. Heaving Thom off the couch, Emilie slipped her hand into his and led the way to his bed.

Thom could not remember a time when he had forgotten to breathe. As he settled gingerly next to Emilie in his own bed with only a pillow as a barrier, his inside were melting. He was so close to her. He could reach over and kiss those sweet red lips that had the power to tantalise him to near distraction. His fingers could tell if her skin was as soft as he thought it was and if her hair was silk. But something held him back.

He did not want ruin their friendship…however he desperately wanted something far greater.

"Goodnight Thom", Emilie called over her shoulder before closing her eyes.

After listening to her steady breathing and making sure that she was fully asleep, Thom replied with, "Goodnight love."

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I need your help! I have no idea where this is going! Any plots that you would like to see being added would be much appreciated as once again my brain has done a runner. Anyway please review and tell me what you think! Thanks!