Warning for this chappie, there is some almost sexual stuff, so, be careful!

Kaden stood blissfully in the hall, waiting to be admitted in the dining hall. Also, waiting for Allan, who was walking down the hall handsomely. She waited, hands held behind her back, fumbling with her feet and smiling as she watched the birds who glinted in the sunlight. She had learned about the Immortals war in school and how there were still some of the disgusting creatures in Tortall and was distracted by the sight of them for a moment.

"Kaden," Allan had finally reached her standing point and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek daintily. "Wow, you look amazing!" He said as he surveyed her in a layered, crimson gown and her black hair put up neatly in a bun. He smiled, and asked, "You ready?" She took a deep breath.

"Maybe," She smiled, hiding her real fright behind a mask of happiness. "Do I have to show how nervous I am?"

"No, but you have to meet them." He took her hand in his. "You're sure you're ready?"

"Sure. As ready as I'll ever be." She smoothed out her dress.

They walked into a well lit room. People, Allan's family, were seated around a table just big enough to fit each of them perfectly. Servants had brought out bread with cheese and fruit along with some lovely wine. Allan, still holding Kaden's hand, led her to a seat right next to one of his brothers. She took it and looked around at all the people in the room.

Across the table from her were Ambrose and the man she was with last night, who Allan told her was Edvard, and Allan's sister, Ilona. Right next to her was Siam with his wife, Gana and their son, Reiti. At the head of the table were the Duke Karlis of Whitehorn and next to him, his wife, Dutchess Ashera; Allan's parents.

Kaden sat timidly before their wandering eyes, fiddling with her hands and looking towards the ground. Allan grabbed her twiddling hands protectively and whispered a small 'don't worry' to her.

They began dinner silently with an appetizer; some kind of soup that tasted delicious. There was little talk, except between the couples, and sometimes a little chitchat between others. Then suddenly, Allan must have decided to start a conversation involving everyone, because all of a sudden, people were talking and asking her questions. She answered them happily, telling them what they wanted to hear. She was glad they were finally talking.

"So, Kaden, we hear you are looking for your birth parents," Siam, who sat beside her, cleared his throat while everyone else in the room waited patiently for an answer. "What's that like?"

"Well, it's hard not knowing whether they died, live across the sea or are still alive, searching for me as well."

"So, you don't know whether they're still alive?" Ilona asked while she ate politley from her plate of chicken decorated with a white cheese sauce and chives. "Why are you searching if you don't know if they're dead or not?" Someone shot the brown eyed girl a warning glance, trying to tell her that it wasn't a very wise question to ask. She shot them a 'what' glance back. Kaden just smiled.

"I don't know how to explain it, but I feel like they're still alive. Somehow, I know that they're still out there."

After dinner, Kaden and Allan walked out slowly, and headed to her rooms. It was already dark, seeing as they had stayed in the dining room for most of the night. It was almost time for bed, and Kaden wasn't very tired.

"So, how old are all of your siblings?" She asked, curiously.

"Well, lets see..." He smiled at her warmly and his green-hazel eyes twinkled at her. He inherited those beautiful eyes from his mother, Kaden thought giddily. "Ilona is 14, Siam is 19 and Edvard is 18."

They walked silently for while longer until they got to Kaden's rooms.

"Goodnight." He said quietly. He kissed her sweetly on the lips. He tasted like the nights desert. "I love you, Kaden."

When they parted, he smiled and he walked off down the hall. She crept into her bedchambers and slowly whispered, "I love you, too."

Kaden woke with a jolt; thunder crashed just outside her window. When she slipped out of bed and over to the window, she saw the light flash and another crash shuddered through her body. She cringed. She hated thunder.

Kaden crept quietly out of her room and down the hallway, wincing every time the thunder crashed through her body. It was giving her a headache.

When she reached the place she was going, she knocked on the door timidly and ever so silently, just so the others wouldn't wake.

The door opened a crack, and in that crack was a familiar and confused face.

"Kaden? What are you doing here?" The person let her in slowly and closed the door behind him.

"I hate lightning." He was only wearing a loincloth, his bare chest was scarcely seen in the little light that was provided in his big bedroom. "I was scared." She said and hung her head guiltily.

"No, Kaden, don't be sorry. Come here." He held her in his strong arms and she cried inaudibly, so that he wouldn't know.

When they parted minutes later, Allan looked at her with such passion that she needed to kiss him. When they did, it felt as if she never wanted to let go of him. She ran her fingers through his hair and he had his hands on her waist. When she felt his tongue on her lips, she allowed it to enter. They had never gotten to this level before. Slowly his tongue rubbed the inside of her mouth, making her stifle a squeal.

Allan broke the kiss, gasping as much as she was. He looked at her and then moved, walking away, and not looking very happy.

"Allan, no." She chased after him, grabbing his hand. He turned around to face her.

"You know we can't do this. One thing will lead to another, and-"

"But, I want to." She came closer to him, making little distance between her body and his.

"No." He stopped her with a hand. "Don't you think I want to as much as you do? We can't. You don't have the charm. You're not ready!" He looked at her face, her pleading face, and kissed her once more, passionately and shortly, making her want more. "Come on, lets get you to your room."

He took her hand and led the not-so-happy Kaden out in the hallway and down towards her room. When they got to the doorway, he looked at her without a smile on his face, which worried her.

"Kaden, you know I don't want to hurt you. I'm just trying to protect you." He looked at her with a crooked, smile that wasn't all that convincing. Despite that, she smiled reasurringly at him.

"I know. You're being a true gentleman and being more mature than me. I appreciate it." He smiled so brightly and happily that he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, just to be safe. She opened the door to her room, hiding her disappointment.

The King jolted up in bed, shaking his wife out of her sleep.

"What is it, Jon?" She asked sleepily.

"Just the thunder," He said without emotion. "Go back to sleep, sweet." She turned around and went to sleep instantly. Jon got out of bed carefully and pulled on a pair of breeches and a tunic. Then, he put on a pair of brown boots and slipped out of the bedroom silently.

He walked out into the cool night air. Winter was coming, and it wasn't hard to tell by the cold of the wind. The thunder had stopped and there was no rain; just the coldness of seasons changing. He shivered slightly and walked on. Seeing someone in the distance, He went to meet up with them.

"It's getting cold out. Winter is coming." The husky voiced stranger said. Jon nodded in agreement, then realised they probably couldn't see him.

"You're right." He said and cleared his throat. "You want to come in for some cocoa, Raoul?" Jon asked his long time friend.

"No, I'm fine." He looked at his friend, and then he smiled. "I never thought my King would ask me something like that. No, I have work to do, and I have to get to sleep soon. Goodnight, your Majesty." And with that, he was off into the night. Jon was left alone.

A/N: I know, I know, what was the last part about? Nothing, really, just so that you'll get another part of the story... heheh. You probably didn't get it, but maybe you will later on.

-AM