Pure Intentions? Chapter 12
The next morning came quickly bringing with it a telltale change of the weather. Teela awoke with the sun kissing her face, it's warmth bringing a slow smile across her lips. Spring was her favorite time of the year. Pushing her duvet off of her, she jumped out of bed ready to face the day.
Walking to her phone, she picked up the receiver and called for Maggie, informing her that she will be ready to finish up their packing in 15 minutes. Running to the shower, she turned on the jets, removed all of her clothes and stepped inside. Teela closed her eyes against the pleasant sensations the warm water was creating on her skin. There was nothing like a warm morning shower Teela thought, then laughed aloud. 'Actually, there is nothing like a warm morning shower with a well-muscled lover lathering my body', she stated inwardly recalling the many steamy showers she had shared with her ex-lover. Ancients did she miss him. The feel of his calloused hands gliding over her nakedness was scorched into her mind. Raising her hands, Teela cupped her bosom tilted her head back and moaned at the sensations her own hands were creating in her. Lowering her hands fingers splayed wide she caressed her flat abdomen going ever lower, imagining it was He-Man's hands traveling the length of her torso.
Breathing heavily, she opened her eyes looking around her marbled bathroom seeing him everywhere. 'This has got to stop', she chastised herself dropping her roaming hands to her sides. "How long are you going to pine for him, Teela?", she lectured speaking to herself out loud. She couldn't go on having these erotic daydreams now that Adam and she would most likely be sharing a bathroom. Smirking she wondered how that was going to work. It was a good thing that she invited Orko to come along.
Stepping out of her shower, she grabbed a plush towel to dry her body and a second one for her hair. Walking into her closet, she depressed the lever hiding the secret compartment, opening the room so it would be ready for Maggie. She then went to her chest, opening the top drawer to retrieve her undergarments. Teela decided she would wear one of He-Man's favorite set, a red lacy halter top brassiere with its matching thong. Over it, she would wear the routine fatigues she wore when travelling. Blow drying her hair, she twisted the unruly red locks on top of her head securing her hair with heavy duty bobby bins, before topping off her look with a military cap. Perusing her form in the mirror, Teela tucked away any stray hairs before applying a light coat of mascara to her lashes and lip-gloss to her lips. Teela acknowledged that she had come a long way from the 'tomboy' that followed Adam around constantly until the age of 14.
Puckering her heart-shapes lips she made silly faces at herself in the mirror trying hard to keep her agitation at bay. Her attempts at silliness not working, she abruptly pushed away from her dresser. As she walked toward her closet, she heard a knock on her bedroom door. Thinking it was Maggie, she opened her door with a smile on her face.
Quickly shock settled over her features as she stared at who was at the door.
"May I come in?", she heard the Queen of Eternia ask.
"Your Majesty, off course", Teela uttered stepping aside to give the monarch room to enter as she overcame her surprise. Wondering what Adam's mother was doing here as she knew he was having a private breakfast with his parents before they departed, Teela waited until the Queen spoke.
"Love, I didn't know if I would have a chance to see you before you left so I'm here to bid you farewell", the Queen informed her.
Gratitude for this woman who had served as a surrogate mother to her settled in Teela's heart. "Queen Marlena….", Teela uttered leaving off her sentence unsure what to say as she was horrible at goodbyes.
Walking closer, the Queen pulled the Captain into a bear hug. "I'll miss you a lot, Teela." "Take care of yourself and Adam for me, will you?", she asked as she continued to squeeze the surprised Captain.
Hugging her back Teela answered, "Yes Your Majesty, I will do my best."
"Thank you dear", the Queen uttered as she reached into her pockets. Pulling her hands out of her pockets, she presented Teela with two black velvet boxes.
"What's this?", Teela asked.
"Open them", Marlena stated excitedly.
Taking hold of the proffered boxes, Teela lifted the lid off one box staring at the contents inside of it. Apparently, the packages were miniature jewelry boxes. With awe, Teela stared at a collection of varying jewelry sets. The Captain's eyes traveled over sets of bracelets/earrings/necklaces in diamond, ruby, onyx, and emerald jewels that she knew came from the Queen's private collection. Perplexed she raised her eyes toward the Queen's assessing gaze.
"Your Majesty?", Teela asked.
"They are for your trip, honey." "I think they'll match your new clothes perfectly", the Queen stated shocking Teela that she was aware of the fact that Adam bought her a new wardrobe.
Not used to being lavished by the monarchs with such exquisite gifts as it was not her birthday or the Earth holiday Christmas, Teela pushed the jewelry boxes back into Marlena's hands uttering, "I'm sorry Queen Marlena, but I cannot accept these!"
"Nonsense Teela, please take them", Marlena persisted. "I insist."
Knowing that she could not argue against the Queen's wishes, Teela closed the boxes nodding her head as she walked to drop them onto her bed. "Thank you", she stated as she turned to face Adam's mother.
"You are welcome, my dear." After a long lapse the Queen continued as she walked next to Teela dragging the younger woman to sit on the bed, "Teela, there is something I wanted to talk to you about before you leave."
Looking at Adam's mother expectantly, Teela waited to see what she had to say.
"I've become aware that my son has found 'the one'", the Queen stated using air quotes to indicate the significance of her words, "However, no one knows who this woman is." "Do you?", she asked pointedly.
Having no idea what the Queen was talking about, Teela opened her mouth to decline; but then stopped herself when she recalled the King's and her father's conversation from last night. Not wanting to reveal to the Queen that she had eavesdropped during that particular conversation she asked, "Why do you ask?"
"Randor was all excited yesterday about a conversation he had with your father", she stated letting Teela know that the King had surely shared his chat with her father with Adam's mother. "Supposedly, Adam has found his future wife and she is here in Eternos", the Queen finished. "Is this true?"
"I am not aware of that, Your Majesty", Teela answered honestly her heart beating faster with the fear of what that meant, a finger going to her mouth so she could bite on the nail.
"Oh, I thought perhaps Adam would have shared that information with you, being that the two of you were always so close", Marlena explained.
"I'm sorry, Queen Marlena." Crossing and then uncrossing her legs Teela stated, "Adam and I never had such a discussion", wondering herself who this mystery woman could be. Hearing this twice now from two different sources must surely mean it was true, Teela thought with a pang.
Staring at the Captain, the Queen took in Teela's fidgety movements as they spoke wondering at what was causing the usually stoic red-head such unease. Clearly, Teela was very uncomfortable having this discussion. The Queen hoped it was because Teela was that mystery woman and that they decided to keep their courting a secret. If not, she was definitely going to push her son to make a move on the valiant captain. Marlena truly believed that if Teela had never met He-Man, she may have fallen for Adam.
Naturally, the auburn-haired monarch knew that her son was the infallible warrior they all depended on time and again. Looking at the younger woman, the Queen wondered if there was anything she could do to bring the two together. Sometimes, she wanted to smack them both upside their heads for not seeing the obvious. Neither had confessed feelings for the other as they got older; however, Marlena was sure those feelings were there. Probably buried very deep down, but there nevertheless.
They had to be. Otherwise, she would be forced to accept a stranger into her home, someone she was sure was more interested in replacing her as Queen rather than loving Adam. When it came to her son, she was very aware that the courtiers did not have the purest intentions. His standing as Heir Apparent to the High Throne of Eternia shadowed all of his qualities that would make him an ideal husband, in their eyes. Teela was the only one among their peers who didn't see him as a prize. From childhood, Teela treated Adam like an older brother, a confidant, and a peer which was why the Queen wanted a union between her son and this formidable soldier. That and the fact that the Captain was a stunningly beautiful woman who Marlena knew would make beautiful babies with her equally strikingly handsome son.
This was the reason she had agreed with her husband when he told her his decision that it was time for Adam to marry. Speaking her mind, she informed him of her choice of bride for their son. Randor was not surprised at her choice, agreeing with her that only Duncan's daughter would do. That's why he decided to agree with Adam's suggestion that he complete the Eternian Tour with only Teela as his security detail. When Randor heard this he had almost jumped up with joy, he later related to her in the privacy of their bedroom.
However, in front of his son he remained calm, cool, and collected not wanting to give anything away. With high hopes, the King and Queen of Eternia were ready to see their son off on his endeavor, sure that the lifelong friends' close proximity would bring deeper feelings to the surface.
Coming back to the present, the Queen reached out grabbing hold of one of Teela's hand squeezing it reassuringly. "Ohhh, I thought surely you would know, I'm sorry for the misunderstanding", Marlena apologized.
Emitting a shaky laugh Teela spoke, "It's not a problem, Queen Marlena." Before she had the opportunity to say anything else, another knock sounded at her bedroom door. Going to it, Teela opened the door and stepped back to give Maggie room to enter.
Bowing low, Maggie curtsied to her Queen. "Good morning, Maggie", the Queen stated.
"Good morning to you as well, my Queen", Maggie returned the greeting as she straightened from her genuflection.
Seeing that their discussion was cut short, the Queen made her farewells to the two women. Before leaving the room she pulled Teela aside whispering, "So are you taking the clothes Adam bought you?", with a wink.
With a sheepish smile gracing her lips Teela answered, "Some Your Majesty, some."
As the Queen turned to leave, Teela heard her utter "Perfect."
Putting the awkward conversation with the Queen behind her, Teela turned to face Maggie and the daunting task of selecting the appropriate clothes to take with her. Walking over to her dresser, she picked up the box with the discarded wigs. Closing her eyes, she handed it over to Maggie instructing her to make sure she packed those as well. She did the same with the jewelry boxes.
Teela still had no clue why Adam got them wigs; but decided to take them along to see what he had planned. One thing she loved about the Prince was his mischievous side. His actions with the clothes and wigs were a clear reminder of how their relationship was pre-He-Man and Skeletor. A yearning like she never experienced before budded in her heart for those bygone innocent years. Teela wondered what was prompting Adam to act more like his 'old' self again. Whatever the reason, Teela was glad for it.
Entering her closet, she quickly pulled some pieces of clothing Adam purchased off the racks carrying them into her bedroom. Sitting on it, she examined each piece carefully to determine if she would be able to fight while wearing them or alter them if needed. Maggie was an excellent seamstress who would be able to make the necessary changes. Making two piles, Teela worked diligently to complete the task.
Explaining what she wanted to Maggie, Teela folded the clothes that would not need any alterations and placed them in her valise. The rest she left for Maggie to handle. Maggie would be coming along with her and Adam. Adam too would be bringing his valet.
While Teela was engaged in the unexpected meeting with his mother, Prince Adam continued tossing and turning in his bed. He knew it was time to wake up; however, his eyes felt like he just finished swimming in the Sands of Time. He was so tired, a migraine forming behind his lids from the lack of sleep, which was no fault of his. He had Skeletor to thank again for this sleepless night as the Overlord of Evil had once again attacked Grayskull well after midnight.
Skeletor's blitz lasted well past dawn, ending only when He-Man was able to take hold of the Ram Staff and flung it all the way back to Snake Mountain, causing the skull-face warrior to signal a retreat. Before departing Grayskull's vicinity, He-Man decided to personally see the Sorceress to bid her farewell. The winged woman wished him a speedy return and indicated that she would be opening portals for him if he was needed. She also imparted her thoughts about his would be courtship with her daughter, enlightening him that she couldn't wait to officially call him 'son'.
Returning to his rooms he quickly showered, donned a pair of pajama shorts, and climbed into bed just two hours before. Being wound up from his foray into the kitchen with Teela and the fight against Skeletor he was unable to fall asleep.
Throwing his pillow at the ringing alarm clock, he plopped back down onto his bed rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. These were the hazards of leading a double life. Taking a deep breath he looked over to where Cringer was snoring happily. At least one of them would be better rested.
"Hey, Cringer", he yelled deciding it was time to wake the great cat. When his pet didn't stir, Adam raised his voice several notches causing Cringer to jump off the floor his back arched, tiger hair standing on edge. Cringer's actions brought forth a throaty laugh from the Prince who didn't mean to scare the feline.
"Sorry, Cringe but it's time for us to get ready", he informed him.
"Ohhhhh, Aadamm but we juust ggott home", Cringer complained.
"I know my friend, but if we dally any longer we will miss breakfast." "You know it's going to be a special one with all of your favorite foods as a going away treat", Adam enticed.
Licking a paw and then running it over his eyes, Cringer arched his back as he stretched the length of his body. On his bed, Adam also completed his own stretching relieving sore and achy muscles. How he wished for a long lingering bubble bath. However, now was not the time. Jumping out of bed, he walked barefoot to his privy to complete his morning routine. Washed and dried, Adam re-entered his bedroom throwing open his curtains to look outside. It was a glorious spring morning. Deciding that he would feel more awake if he exercised, he dropped to the floor to complete sets of push-ups and crunches.
Cringer watched him the whole time speaking up when Adam was finished, "How do you have energy to work out after last night?", the feline asked.
"I don't." "That's why I'm working out, plus I can tell Teela that I got in my work-out already, without needing to lie to her", he stated with a smile and a wink. Finishing up, he informed Cringer that he would be taking a quick shower giving his companion freedom to go to his parents' rooms without him.
Less than twenty minutes later, Adam met with his valet Mr. Byren to finalize his own packing. Completing this task, he looked around his room wondering if last night was the last time he would be sleeping alone in his bed. He hoped his plan worked and Teela would realize that she was in love with him in this form as well as his alternative self. With a smile, he walked out of his bedroom to join his parents for a lavish breakfast.