Pure Intentions? Chapter 17
Teela was going to kill him. He was a dead man. As his sword came into contact with the Havoc Staff, He-Man's mind contemplated how he would explain his absence. He knew Teela would be irate. He felt awful; however, as he waited for her to finish dressing the Sorceress had opened a portal for him indicating that Skeletor was attacking Grayskull.
His nemesis always did this to him. Couldn't Skeletor ever attack when the timing was right for Adam. No. Of course not. Otherwise, Adam would have a chance for a descent life. But alas, that was not in the cards for him.
With sparks flying from the force of his strikes against the Havoc Staff, He-Man easily drove Skeletor away from Castle Grayskull. Actually, it was too easy. Becoming wary of a trap, He-Man stole a look behind him. His instincts were correct. He-Man saw Evil-Lynn and Beastman materialize behind him. Now the fight got interesting. Taking out his frustrations on Skeletor, He-Man's blows became extremely viscous. With a strength and speed he didn't even know he head, he picked Skeletor up by his shoulders, raising him high into the air before slamming his body back on the ground.
Skeletor lay breathless, too stunned from this act of barbarianism to move. With mouth agape, the Overlord of Evil watched as He-Man raised a muscled leg bringing his booted foot over the skull-faced sorcerer's abdomen. Stepping on him, Grayskull's Champion brought the Power Sword's tip right underneath Skeletor's chin. If Skeletor had any skin, he would surely be bleeding. "Give it up bone-brain", He-Man uttered through clenched teeth. "You shouldn't have attacked Grayskull tonight", he advised.
Seeing their master laying under He-Man's foot, the evil henchmen behind him decided to give up the fight. As always, just when He-Man thought he had won the fight, Skeletor used his magic to disappear.
Shaking his head, He-Man turned to stare at the gray-stoned fortress he was sworn to protect. Seeing the Sorceress looking out at him from a turret window, he waved to her as he telepathically let her know it was safe for him to return to Morainia. With a nod from the Sorceress's head another portal appeared to return He-Man to Morainia. Before stepping through it, He-Man transformed back into his natural form. Clad once again in his evening clothes and the adrenaline still pumping wildly in his veins, Prince Adam ran a shaky hand through his tangled hair before entering the portal.
Prince Adam came out of the portal in the bathroom inside his suite. Quietly opening the bathroom door, he walked into the bedroom. He was nervous to face Teela as he couldn't think of an excuse for his disappearing act. As he walked inside the room, he noticed that the candles were now extinguished. He wondered if she had blown them out.
Adam knew it was very late, definitely a few hours past midnight and Teela may already be sleeping. In the dark he made his way deeper into the bedroom, not wanting to risk waking Teela by turning on the lights. Coming to stand in front of the fireplace, he found her curled up on the chaise, her bare feet tucked underneath her. Adam noticed that she hadn't changed out of the garment he had chosen for her. Walking closer to her, he noticed her loose hold on the plate she had eating from. Apparently, she had fallen asleep while eating. Reaching out, he removed the plate from her fingers his actions not awakening her.
She must have been exhausted. Knowing he was the reason for her exhaustion, he scooped her into his arms lovingly carrying her over to the bed. Pulling down the covers with one hand, he lay her onto the bed arranging her hair around the pillow before covering her with the quilts. Adam had noticed her tear streaked face when he covered her.
His heart broke at her show of emotion. She must have cried herself to sleep out of anger towards him. Adam knew his disappearances exasperated her to no end. It was these types of disappearances that caused a rift in their relationship.
Not wanting to exacerbate the situation by sleeping next to her, Adam made himself get comfortable on the chaise. He knew that Teela had awoken today in his arms quite obvious to his state of sexual arousal. Adam couldn't risk the same thing happening again. He would have to find a means of placating her after tonight. With these thoughts he allowed himself to drift off to sleep but not before realizing that Orko and Cringer were missing. Thankfully, before he roused himself to go look for them, they magically appeared in the room.
"Sshhh, you two will wake Teela", he whispered.
"Sorry", he heard them both answer as he lay back down.
"Teela looks exhausted", Cringer stated.
"She is, let her sleep on the bed by herself", Adam stated. Orko and Cringer easily complied with his request making themselves comfortable on the rug in front of the fireplace.
When Teela awoke the next morning, she noticed a definite difference in the temperature around her as compared to yesterday's morning. Opening her eyes, she looked upwards towards where Orko had slept the previous night. She didn't see him. Turning to the side, she noticed that the Prince was not sleeping next to her either. Could they not have returned from last night? Instantly she was overcome with a deep sense of foreboding that something bad must have happened. Gnawing her bottom lip, she roused herself from the bed and entered the bathroom.
Knowing she didn't have much time to waste as she was meeting Captain Radcliffe for breakfast, she quickly showered and dressed. Exiting the bathroom, she stood still when she noticed Orko sleeping on the rug, his head rising and lowering with Cringer's breath as the Trollan was resting his head on the large feline's abdomen. Giving the room a quick perusal, she found Adam sleeping on the chaise. Her heart skipped a beat in gratitude that her friends were safe. Just as suddenly, her elation grew to anger at his disappearance. One of these days, she would demand he tell her where he ran off to. Then she remembered that he was the Crown Heir Apparent and that technically she couldn't demand anything from him.
Walking out of the room, she closed the door behind her. Standing right outside the room, she took a deep breath to steady her temper. Knowing that she had to find an outlet for her rage she decided to run all the way to Radcliffe's residence rather than taking a transportation vehicle. She knew that he could easily drop her off at the end of the equestrian exhibition.
Arriving at her colleague's abode five minutes early, she wiped the sweat off her forehead before ringing his doorbell. The door was opened by a beautiful tanned skin brunette who Teela recognized must be Radcliffe's wife. "Good morning, Saneira." "I'm Captain Teela", she informed the dark haired beauty.
Saneira took in the infamous Captain's appearance. Radcliffe's wife was aware that this bewitching flame-haired warrior had once captivated her husband. She was thankful that Teela had never reciprocated Radcliffe's feelings because if she had, she knew that she wouldn't now be happily married to him. Stepping away from the doorway she welcomed Teela to their home. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you", she stated confidently.
"I am likewise pleased to make your acquaintance", Teela stated with a friendly smile. In the moments before Saneira greeted her, Teela knew that the other woman was assessing whether Teela was a threat to her marriage. Saneira had a look about her, a look she was familiar with from the courtiers at the Palace of Eternos. A possessive jealous look that they always directed in her direction whenever she was seated next to Prince Adam, laughed with or danced with him, or whenever she was around him, period. Teela hid a smile behind her hand wondering what those same courtiers would think had they known that she was sharing a bed with him.
Walking into the foyer, Teela's smile widened when her gaze landed on Radcliffe who was holding his infant son. Approaching the Captain, Radcliffe declared, "Teela, I want you to meet the loves of my life my beautiful wife Saneira and son Stanley", as he came to stand next to his wife wrapping an arm lovingly around her small waist.
Radcliffe's words and actions verified to Saneira that Teela was not a threat. Trusting her husband, Saneira lead the gathering into the dining room where Captain Teela and her husband enthralled her with tales of their bravery during their past at the Military Academy. Finishing their breakfast, Teela helped Saneira clear the table as Radcliffe went to put the baby down for his mid-morning nap. Upon his return, the two left to prepare for the Morainian excursion to the stadium.
In his land vehicle, the two captains traveled back to the Royal Palace. Disembarking, they walked toward the stable where their mounts were awaiting them. Changing into their formal Royal uniforms, they climbed onboard their horses. Radcliffe and Teela would ride ahead of the Morainian Royal Family and Prince Adam, traveling from the Palace to the arena. Along the way, all of the Royals and their escorts would stop to meet villagers.
Teela knew that Prince Adam was really looking forward to these stops. He was to ascertain the villagers' needs and report his finding back to his father who would then consult with King Morainais about how Eternos can lend monetary aide to Morainia.
High upon her horse, Teela sat with her spine ramrod straight, dressed in her typical white leotard uniform with gold chest plate. She chose not to dismount her horse whenever the Royals made their stops, rather she and Radcliffe remained at the front of the procession. It was not necessary for Teela to do so, as Adam was flanked on either side by King Morainia's personal guards. The King was taking the protection of his family and of the Heir Apparent, extremely seriously and had not spared any means of ensuring their safety.
When they arrived at the arena, Teela dismounted her horse handing over the reins to the Royal Stable Master. She along with Radcliffe accompanied the Royals to their sequestered raised viewing box. Standing behind Adam, she watched as the stadium filled with jubilating spectators. The crowd knew they were in for a treat as many of Eternian's greatest equestrians would be performing today. Once the herald gave the signal for the games to begin, Teela sat down directly behind Prince Adam who had turned to face her.
"Good morning Teela", she heard him state as this was their first opportunity this morning to speak with each other. "I'm sorry for leaving you last night, but something important came up."
Keeping her eyes straight ahead and her face passive she responded, "Off course, Your Highness." Teela was in her zone. She wouldn't let him rile her.
Understanding that his bodyguard was not in the mood to hear his excuses, Prince Adam turned around in his seat to watch the spectacle. The entire show was a blur to him as he didn't pay attention to any of the death defying tricks the horsemen engaged in. Adam's mind was on the beautiful woman who sat stoically behind him. He hated that she was forced to sit behind him. If he had his way, he would have moved her seat next to his. However, he knew he couldn't make this request from the Morainian King, as protocol had it that all the guards sat behind them. Had they been in Eternos, his father would have ordered that the Royal Family sit behind their guards. Making a mental note, Adam decided that he would report this back to his father with the hope of improving security measures in Morainia.
With the spectacle approaching the end, the herald announced that the stadium was open for any of the audience to try their lot with the fine Morainian horses. Seeing Radcliffe volunteer, Teela decided to join him.
Making their announcement to King Morainias who quickly approved it, Adam watched as Teela and Radcliffe jumped over the banister and onto the stage. Adam didn't like this. He knew that Teela was an excellent horsewoman; however, something didn't feel right. His senses on high alert, he stood coming to stand right beside the banister.
Teela was handed a beautiful black satiny coated stallion, which she gracefully mounted. Turning her horse around she tested the feel of his trot as she rode in front of the Royal Stand. Saluting the royals, she waited until Radcliffe reached her. Together they would ride across the stadium performing varying acrobatic moves on top of the moving horses.
Teela reveled with the feel of the strong steed beneath her. Using her very well developed exposed thigh muscles, she held him still as Radcliffe saluted his Sovereigns. Teela couldn't wait to gallop ahead as she loved competitions, having developed a very competitive attitude from childhood. Remembering that Prince Adam used to be her biggest rival during their youth, she turned around to look for him.
Teela saw that he was standing by the banister, Orko floating by his shoulder and Cringer sitting on his hind legs by his side. Adam was clutching the banister tightly, the blood getting cutoff from his fingers. Before, Teela contemplated the reason for his anxiety she heard the herald blow the whistle for her and Radcliffe to begin their exhibition.
Digging her heels deeply within her steed's flanks, Teela shot forward with breathtaking speed. Leaving behind the Royal Stand, she took a deep breath as she concentrated to bring both of her feet on top of the saddle. Doing so, Teela spread her arms to the side to gain her balance. A quick look to the side, showed her the Radcliffe was copying her exact movements. With a smile, Teela threw her head backwards the rest of her body quickly following with the momentum, making her complete a somersault in the air. Landing on top of the horse's saddle, Teela then let her legs splay wide at the side which caused her to straddle the saddle again. From there, she pushed her weight onto one leg giving her the freedom to swing her other leg quickly behind the horse's rump as she brought her leg to the other side. Having reached the end of the stadium, Teela turned her horse around before jumping off of him completely. Slowing down to a trot, the stallion headed back toward the start point. Running next to him, Teela easily caught the reins as she hoisted a leg into the stirrup before placing both of her hands palm down onto the saddle. The Captain then proceeded to lift both of her legs up and over her head as she completed a handstand.
Upside down and galloping towards the Royal Stand Teela saw a dart fly out towards her, embedding itself on her horse's rump. Quickly dropping her hands and body, she wrapped her arms around the steed's midsection grabbing and connecting her hands underneath his belly before the horse reared on its back legs in an attempt to dislodge her. When the horse noticed that he couldn't free himself from his rider, he began a wild zigzagging run around the stadium.
Those watching applauded the courageous captain, unaware that Teela's life was in danger. Holding on for dear life, Teela was unable to control her steed. She continued holding on to the horse with her arms clasped tightly beneath his underbelly, her legs flaying wildly behind her. She noticed that very quickly she would slam into a pole the horse was heading toward; but from her position there was nothing she could do. Bracing herself for impact, she stared wide-eyed as the pole got closer and closer.
Adam was made aware that Teela was in danger by Cringer's yelp. With his acute hearing, his feline companion heard the dart whistle by before plunging into the horse's arse. Looking down at Cringer who was now covering his eyes, Adam asked him what caused him to cry out.
"Ttteela is in ttrouble", he said peaking beneath his paw.
"What do you mean?", Adam asked still oblivious to Teela's plight.
"Look Adam", he heard Orko state who was pointing to Teela as it became obvious to the Prince that she didn't have control of her horse. Looking ahead of her, Adam saw the large support pole the horse was heading towards. The Prince knew that in any moment, Teela would be slammed into that pole.
Looking left and right, Adam knew that he couldn't make it through the throng of spectators to find a private place to transform, without the Morainian Guard following closely at his heels. Left with no recourse, the Prince of Eternia jumped over the banister, with no thoughts that he was about to blow his cover. Teela needed him and he couldn't waste time trying to outrun the Morainian guards to fina place to transform. Quickly he ran toward the stables to the astonished look of the Morainian Royal Family. Foolishly, they thought that Prince Adam decided to join the show.
Grabbing a mount from the stable, Adam hoisted himself onto the horse's back without a saddle. Flicking the reins against the horse's neck and digging his heels abruptly into the steed's flanks Adam charged after his bodyguard. Bringing his body low across the steed's neck creating better aerodynamics, Adam quickly closed the distance between himself and Teela. Pulling aside of her horse, he transferred his reins to one hand. Flinging his body sideways, Adam wrapped one arm around Teela's waist as he called out to her.
Lifting her head, Teela looked in his direction. Adam sat skewed on top of a horse, his thigh muscles gripping the steed's midsection as he directed her to let go of her horse. Teela couldn't believe who had come to her rescue. Putting her trust in her childhood friend, Teela complied with his request. Free from the horse, Adam was able to pull on her body, holding her suspended midair as her horse was freed from her death grip, before pulling her towards him. Putting the reins in his mouth, Adam used both of his hands to hoist Teela in back of him. Feeling her securely sit behind him, he grabbed hold of the reins as he brought his horse to a quick stop. Jumping off, he put his hands around Teela's waist to help her descend.
Teela stood in front of him speechless. Adam had just saved her life.