Pure Intentions? Chapter 18
The thundering sound of applause resonating from the standing ovation was deafening to Teela who stood in front of her childhood friend, her blood pumping wildly within her veins. She was extremely lucky to be alive as Adam pulled her off her horse mere moments before she would have collided with the pole. Those clapping were still under the impression that this was all part of the show.
Standing now in front of him with his hands still wrapped protectively around her waist, Teela took several deep breaths calming her nerves. She couldn't believe what just happened. Had Teela not been the one rescued, she would not believe that it was her normally clumsy friend who just pulled off such a heroic deed. Staring at him, she took in his very serious countenance as he scanned the crowd. As she continued to study him, she noticed a rapid change in his facial expression as it changed from one of sheer determination to a playful one. With a quick pivot the Crown Prince of Eternia grabbed her wrist, turned them both around, and bend low at the waist with a graceful bow. Under his breath he stated, "Bow Teela", as he pulled on her hand causing her to replicate his movements lest she lose her footing.
Straightening, the Prince turned around to face the opposite side of the stadium to the prolonged applause of the audience. Looking around her, Teela had no choice but to bow once again. Returning to standing, Teela gazed at Orko and Cringer who each had a look of surprise on their faces. It seemed that their traveling companions were just as surprised by Adam's quick thinking and reflexes that they too couldn't believe it. She stood transfixed as Orko dematerialized from the Royal viewing box only to reappear next to Adam who had now moved a few feet away from her. She watched as Orko bend down to whisper something into Adam's ear. The wind brought the words, "Your cover" to her well trained ears. Squinting her eyes, she noticed that once again Adam's demeanor had changed. She caught him looking around him as Orko was pointing in the direction the dart had come from.
Walking up to them, Teela heard Adam state "Later Orko", before he took a step toward King Morainias and Princess Janice who had just joined them on the stadium floor. With eyes wide, she watched as Adam tripped over his own feet before landing sprawled in front of the Morainian Princess. Lifting his head, his eyes found hers before he graced her with a lopsided grin.
Teela was mystified. How could he have just pulled her off a charging stallion a feat which required immense balance, stamina, agility, and strength and then fall over his own two feet in the next moment. Teela also took notice of how quickly his attitude changed. It had become obvious to Teela that when it suited the Prince, he was just as courageous, strong-willed, and physically able as her clandestine paramour. The way he had just positioned her to ride behind him, reminded her too much of how He-Man would seat her on Battle-Cat's saddle. She began to suspect that his laissez-faire cowardly personality was a cover up. Teela also began to suspect that Orko was in on whatever Adam was hiding.
Chewing on her bottom lip she watched as Princess Janice offered him a helping hand.
Prince Adam graciously accepted the Princess's assistance. Standing to his full height, he dusted himself off. Teela heard him apologize for his clumsiness to the Royals.
"I don't know what just happened and I fell", Adam stated with a shrug. "There must have been a pebble or something."
"Here it is", squealed Orko who bend down to retrieve a jagged rock. Teela who was watching them like a hawk had noticed that Orko had magically produced that rock ,which solidified her hypothesis that the Trollan magician knew the truth about the wayward prince. An idea started forming in the Captain's mind.
"Argggh." "Why couldn't the horse be faster", a cloaked spectator uttered. The opportunity was perfect. When the Captain's horse galloped in front of the viewer all that was needed to ensure that Teela would not sit on Eternia's Throne, was for the horse to be spooked into causing an 'accident' for the red-haired captain.
The masked onlooker did not expect that the Crown Prince of Eternia would leap to the Amazonian woman's rescue himself. It was obvious to the shrouded bystander that the Prince had very deep feelings for his bodyguard. A situation that would have to change.
Frustration that Teela still lived thrummed through the mystery observer. They would ensure that Prince Adam would not marry the Captain of the Royal Guard, if it was the last thing they did. Leaving from a side entrance, the evildoer covered their track ensuring all evidence of their presence was erased.
Returning back to the Palace, King Morainias insisted that Teela and Prince Adam join them for a private luncheon. Sitting around a gold-trimmed rectangular table, King Morainias commended the two Eternii on their showmanship.
Finally alone with the Royal Family, Prince Adam enlightened those present that it was not his intention to join today's entertainment.
"What do you mean?", Princess Janice asked.
"That wasn't a show", he answered solemnly.
"So you didn't plan on giving us the best equestrian spectacle ever", asked Prince Esker.
"No, I didn't." "Cringer let me know that Teela was in danger", Adam stated looking at his pet admiringly before finding Teela's eyes as he announced "I believe that Teela's horse was spooked."
His words stilled everyone's movements including Teela's. "You think someone deliberately tried to hurt me?", she asked.
"Why would you think that?", asked King Morainias as he turned to face the Eternian Prince.
"Your Majesty, when I was in the handstand I saw a dart embed in the stallion's rump", Teela stated matter-of-factly answering for Adam. "Prince Adam is correct, my life was truly in danger", she stated quickly drawing the right conclusion.
Gasps were heard throughout the room.
"Who would want to do such a thing?", Princess Janice asked.
"I don't know", Adam answered.
"Father, what if that dart wasn't meant for Captain Teela?" "What if it was meant for one of us?", Prince Esker asked.
"Good thinking Esker, my boy." "We don't know who the dart was truly meant for", the King uttered as he reached for his communicator. All those present in the dining room remained quiet as the King called his Stable Master. King Morainias asked for the stallion that Teela rode to be brought to the palace courtyard. After luncheon they would examine the horse and see if he was truly hit by a dart.
Before going to look at the stallion, Teela asked to be excused. She couldn't stop shivering, her jitters growing uncontrollable when Adam put her thoughts into words. Deciding to return to their suite to change out of her gold and white uniform, Teela contemplated what just happened.
She couldn't fathom who would want to hurt her and why. Personally, she didn't have any enemies. At least she didn't think she had. She didn't even consider Skeletor and his cronies her enemies. Furthermore, the residents of Snake Mountain had never deliberately made her their target, as their attacks either focused on Castle Grayskull or on the Eternian Monarchs. Teela wracked her mind and yet she couldn't come up with a hypothesis as to whom would want to injure her.
Entering the suite, she carefully closed the door behind her. Looking around she noticed that the Palace staff brought in additional beds. Granted they were smaller than the bed in the center of the room; however, there were now enough beds for the four of them. Coming to stand by the bed she had slept in for the past two nights, Teela contemplated Adam's words that sharing a bed was in their best interest.
Teela didn't believe that the dart which punctured her horse was meant for her. The wise captain suspected that it was meant for either Prince Adam or one of the Morainian Royals. Due to these unforeseen circumstances, Teela decided she would insist that Adam come back into the bed for the remainder of their stay here.
She could use the extra time in which they would be snuggled up against each other to ascertain her feelings for him. As she walked back to the dining room to join the others, Teela analyzed all she had gleaned about Prince Adam in the last 24 hours.
She was definite he was hiding something. Always extremely persistent until she got what she wanted, Teela promised herself that she would know the truth about him before they returned to Eternos.
With her head held high, she marched through the hallways leading back to the dining room. No onlooker would ever guess that this woman had just come close to being crippled, or worse dying.
King Morainias led the group into the courtyard where the stallion was prancing around nervously. Approaching it, the gallant King held out his arm palm side up to offer the steed a cube of sugar. Sniffing it ,the stallion lowered its head to take the sweetened bribe into its mouth. As it chewed on the offering, Prince Adam walked to the horse's side Teela had indicated the dart was embedded in. Sure enough, a 4-inch dart was protruding from the middle of his right thigh.
Talking to the horse in a soothing manner, Prince Adam placed a steady palm on the horse's rump as he quickly pulled the dart out. Luckily, the stallion didn't react beyond a flick of its mane and a low toned neigh. Calling Orko over, Prince Adam handed the dart to the floating Trollan.
Uttering a spell while waving the dart in the air, Orko was able to magically recreate the dart's projection showing its trajectory in reverse. The vision verified that the dart was meant for Teela's horse. When the vision ended, Orko handed the projectile back to Prince Adam.
Closing a fist over it, Prince Adam thanked Orko for his assistance. Replaying the vision in his mind, Adam couldn't remember noticing anything amiss in the stadium. Placing the dart in a pocket, he requested from King Morainias to keep the incident under wrap until they gathered more evidence.
Walking next to Teela he stated, "We'll get to the bottom of this, Tee." "I'll send the dart to your father, who will be able to analyze where it was made." "We'll apprehend whoever is responsible."
Smiling at him, Teela agreed this his plan was a solid one. If anyone can help solve this mystery it would be her father and his team of advanced engineers and scientists.
Unable to make any more headway with the situation, the Royal party returned back to their respective rooms.
Alone in their suite, the four travelers sat around the fireplace all lost in their own thoughts. The coziness of the fire brought a much needed calm to the room's occupants. Teela and Prince Adam had spend the evening bringing her father up to date. They had mailed out the dart to him earlier before they met with the Royal Family for dinner. The two lifelong friends declined to participate in any more festive activities for the night, choosing to spend this time alone in their suite.
Adam had ordered slices of chocolate cake for each of them. Unsure if anyone would make an attempt on Teela's life again, Orko volunteered to use his magic to check if the dessert was poisoned. Unfortunately, his magic didn't work this time around. Rather, he mistakenly cast a spell that caused all the pieces of the cake to swell and explode. Except for Cringer's piece, who proceeded to swallow the entire cut of chocolate goodness in one gulp. Chocolate cake had landed everywhere, all over the area rug, on the chaise, on the walls, and on every bed.
"Orko", Teela and Adam yelled simultaneously before they both doubled over with uncontrollable peals of laughter. The stress of today easily melted away with the familiarity of Orko's goofiness.
With tears falling out of his eyes, Adam reached out to Teela who was lying down on the floor in a fetal position her body shaking from the intensity of her laughter and put an arm around her waist.
His actions made her instantly stop laughing. Turning around to look at him, she realized that he too had stopped laughing. "That was close, Tee", he uttered.
Bringing a hand up to cup his cheek Teela stated, "I never had a chance to thank you, Adam." Adam could hear the sincere gratefulness in her voice.
"You are welcome", he stated before he pushed himself up. Although it would have been too easy to dip his head and kiss his bodyguard as they lay on the floor, Prince Adam decided against it as he didn't want to kiss her in front of the others. But boy was he tempted, especially as he stared at those red luscious lips who were still smiling at him gratefully. Offering a hand to her, which she accepted, the Prince pulled her up to stand as well. Turning to face a sulking Orko, he continued, "Come on buddy, we'll all help to clean this mess."
"Nuh, huh", stated Cringer who was still licking chocolate frosting from his whiskers. "This is about all the cleaning I'm going to do."
"I'll get you another piece if you help", Adam bribed him. Hearing Adam's offer, Cringer easily stood up. Adam knew that his pet would do anything for food. He stared at the big cat, as he sauntered around the room licking the chocolate off the walls/floor and any furniture that was at level with his mouth. Who needed a broom or vacuum when you had a 500 pound tiger living with you?
As Cringer licked off the dark sweetness, Adam and Teela pulled off the bedding from each bed to change it. They tasked Orko with cleaning the ceiling, curtains, and windows which he completed without complain. For once.
Exhausted from their unplanned cleaning party, Adam personally went to the kitchens to bring back more cake for all of them. He graciously thanked the kitchen staff and complimented the chef on the deliciousness of their midnight snack.
Returning to the suite, he found Teela already snuggled up in bed, Cringer laying at the foot of the bed, and Orko reclining on the chaise. He stopped short at the beautiful domesticated view before him. If Teela married him, this would be the scene he would come home to. Staring at the woman who captivated his heart, Adam made one correction. Cringer and Orko would not be in the room. Especially with the lascivious thoughts that the light blue negligee Teela was wearing were stirring within him.
Then his daydream became a reality when a smiling Teela patted the space beside her, inviting him to join her. With the cake still in his hands, Adam walked to the bed. Midway, he stopped to place the plates on a coffee table before proceeding the rest of the way. Sitting on the bed's edge, he turned to face the gorgeous vixen who beckoned him, a look of confusion marring his regal features.
"After today I think we should share the bed, Adam", Teela stated. "After all, we leave tomorrow." "One more night in the same bed with you, won't hurt me."
"Are you scared?", Adam asked.
Instantly Teela frowned in mortification. Realizing his faux pas Adam apologized. He should have known that Teela would never admit to being scared. She was too tough to be afraid. After his apology Adam laid back waiting for Teela to speak as he didn't want to put his foot in his mouth again. What she stated surprised him.
"Where did you disappear to last night?", she asked.
"What?", he asked incredulously. Why would Teela be asking him about last night after today's events?
"Do you remember last night?", she asked. "You set up a special dinner for my birthday, and then puff like magic you disappeared." "Where did you go?"
Adam was not prepared for her barrage. He didn't want to lie to her. He had to quickly come up with a credible excuse for leaving, but he was coming up empty handed.
"He came to find me", Cringer stated as he raised his head off the bed. "Orko and I were lost and he came to find us."
"Oh really?", she asked looking between the bed and the chaise as Orko was now also peeking at them.
"Ahh, yeah Teela." "Cringer and I had gone for a walk in the maze." "Adam heard us yelling for help." "We couldn't get back without him", Orko continued having gleaned that Adam needed his assistance.
"Hmmph", Teela stated as she thumped back against her pillows her actions causing one spaghetti strap to fall off her shoulder. The virile man in Adam noticed the slight movement of the garment his attention drawn to her exposed shoulder. Under lowered lashes, his gaze traveled lower to her slightly exposed breast. Ancients, he would've had a hard time controlling his urges tonight had they been alone in the room. It had been way too long since the last time they had shared any intimate moments. Inwardly, he cursed his fate that Teela was so close but yet so far away.
Not one to easily back down, Teela then stated "Those were some riding skills you showed off with today, Your Highness."
"I was lucky", Adam stated as soon as he tore his gaze from her ample bosom. Finding her eyes, he shrugged his shoulders to indicate that his riding prowess was indeed just a happenstance.
"Were they?", she asked him pointedly. "Funny, because your actions reminded me of someone."
"Off whom?", he asked faking an air of indifference.
"Someone strong and courageous." "Someone who I've ridden with astride many times before", she hinted.
"I still have no idea who you are talking about, Teela." "If you have something to ask me, please do so directly." "Don't play games with me", the Prince directed.
Laying down and pulling the comforter to her chin, Teela turned on her side before responding, "I'm not playing games, Your Highness." "I'm on to you." "I'm on to all of you", she stated before she reached over and shut the night light.
Wondrously Adam replayed her words in his mind. 'Did Teela just admit to knowing that I'm He-Man?' 'How did she figure it out?' 'How do I find out if she knows my secret without inadvertently disclosing it in the process?', Adam wondered.
Adam's mind was boggled. He thought his clumsy fall in front of Princess Janice had secured his cover. He would have to be extra careful around Teela, if she was beginning to see the truth. Thank the Ancients Orko and Cringer were here. He would have to rely on them for help in keeping his secret.
The next day came and went without incident. Adam had spend the day helping King Morainias hold Court. Many people from the surrounding villages had come to seek advice/assistance from the King now that Prince Adam was here. The villagers were excited for Prince Adam's presence as they knew that the Crown Prince was representing the High King and that their needs would be presented to him.
Teela did not attend Court. Rather, she spend the day consulting with the guard of their next destination. She personally inspected the Attack Trak ensuring that the vehicle's systems were operating smoothly. They would be traveling throughout the night to Arcadia employing the Attack Trak's automatic pilot.
Running the system's check, Teela was unaware of a set of beady eyes that followed her every move. The assailant stood behind a group of tall arborvitae totally blocked from Teela's view. They however, had full eyesight to what she was doing. They carefully studied her actions, copying them, memorizing them for future reference.
Teela's attacker was unaware that the King's Man-At-Arms had already received the parcel containing the dart. With Teela's and Adam's safety a high level priority, Man-At-Arms had dropped all of his other projects devoting his time and skill in analyzing the dart's make and model.
Pulling another dart out of a quiver strapped on their back, the goon prepared to let it loose, this time aiming it directly to hit Teela on the buttock as she was bend over the engine. One nick of the poisonous dart would knock her out. As the assailant pulled back on the string of his bow, they adjusted their aim bringing their eyesight higher deciding that the poison would work faster if the dart punctured her carotid artery. Abruptly, the attacker dropped their hands pocketing the dart when Prince Adam came sauntering down the steps leading away from the Palace. The assaulter couldn't risk attacking Teela in the presence of the Crown Prince. Their chance to eliminate the Captain was once again inhibited by Prince Adam. It was as if the Heir Apparent had a beacon zoned in on Teela whenever she faced any dangers.
Frustrated once again, the ruffian left the Palace's vicinity. Although they couldn't exact their plan on Teela today, they didn't give up. Making the decision, the assaulter hoisted themselves onto a steed to proceed the Royal entourage to their next destination. Teela was not yet in the clear.
Adam stopped midway down the stairs, as he felt the Sorceress's presence in his mind. Bringing a hand to his temple, he closed his eyes as the Mystic Guardian's voice filled his thoughts.
'Adam, Teela is in danger.' 'Someone is set on harming my daughter', the Sorceress warned him before abruptly leaving his mind. Opening his eyes, he gazed toward Teela unable to see any apparent danger. Deciding not to take any risks, he changed his path. Instead of walking towards Teela, he walked away from her finding a private place to transform. If Teela was in danger again, he would rather face it as his alter ego. Calling upon the Power, Prince Adam transformed into Eternia's Champion.
Coming out of his hiding place, He-Man jogged over to where Teela was still working on the Attack Trak. As he approached her, he faltered in his step as he hadn't yet thought of a reason to explain his presence. Realizing that it was too late, as Teela straightened her gaze immediately finding and locking on his, He-Man slowly walked towards her.
"Hello Captain", he greeted when he stood in front of her.
"He-Man", she returned the greeting sans the usual chirpiness her voice held whenever he showed up. "What brings you here?", she asked using her perfected military grade tone of voice. The one she used to address rowdy soldiers with.
He-Man who knew Teela's different voices very well, instantly recognized that she was peeved at his arrival. It was obvious that she still harbored resentment towards him for ending their affair. Due to the urgency of the Sorceress's warning, he decided to disregard Teela's attitude.
Unable to tell her that her mother send him as Teela was unaware that he knew the identity of her mother, He-Man stated "Your father asked that I check up on you and the Prince." It wasn't altogether a lie, He-Man thought as it was one of Teela's parents that informed him that she was in danger. He knew that Teela would easily accept his explanation if he involved her father.
"Check up on us?", she asked.
"Yes, Teela." "Duncan related to me about your almost accident yesterday." "Are you okay?", he asked with true concern. His heart still beat fast remembering how close she came to a serious injury yesterday.
"Why do you care?", she threw at him vehemently, head held high fisted hands on her hips. Friends cared for each other. At this point in her life, Teela did not consider Grayskull's Champion her friend. She didn't play nice with her 'not' friends.
Not falling for her jibe, He-Man stood looking at her, his intense perusal of her person causing her to take a step back. She hated that he had this effect on her. He-Man was the only one of her acquaintance that could break down her barriers. Throughout their long history together, he often persuaded her point of view and plans. Usually, his interference made those view/plans better.
Well not this time. She would only treat him with professional courtesy. There was no reason why she had to pretend an amicable association with him. After all, she conceded he wasn't truly her friend. She hardly knew anything personal about him. Heck she didn't even know his name, where he lived, or how to find him if she needed him. Friends don't engage in amorous relations with each other and just abruptly end them. It didn't matter to Teela that he had tried to explain his actions to her on numerous occasions. She still didn't want to hear his excuse.
As red-headed stubbornness was pitted against sheer warrior determination, neither was aware of the falcon flying overhead. Their staring contest was interrupted by the bird's cry. He-Man looked up to see Zoar circling above them. He felt the fool, he was here to protect Teela not engage in a battle of wills with her.
Sending Zoar a telepathic apology, he returned his gaze to his childhood friend. "I care Teela because you meant and still mean a great deal to me", he stated knowing that his statement would have her simpering. Two can play her games, he thought as he twirled on his booted foot and walked away from her in the directions of where her attacker had moments ago disappeared from. He-Man didn't know why his gut was telling him to check behind the arborvitae but that's what he did. Not finding anything, Grayskull's Champion returned to Teela. He could tell his statement befuddled her.
Snapping out of her confusion, she asked "What did you find?"
"Nothing." "However, I don't have a good feeling about this, Captain." Inclining his head to her he continued, "Please be careful, Adam wouldn't like it if something were to happen to you." "You mean the world to him."
Turning around he left without any further words. He knew that his parting words would have her thinking about their meaning. If he couldn't come clean and tell her about his real feelings for her, he could at least make the path for 'Adam' to do so, easier.
Teela stood there unsure of what he meant. She knew that Adam cared for her, but the tone of his voice imparted the feeling that Adam cared for her on a more intimate level. His words left her more confused than ever. Once he had said the same thing to her, that she meant a lot to him. Why would he insinuate that Adam had those same feelings? Her curiosity picked, she almost ran after him. Almost. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction that his words bothered her; therefore, she stayed put.
Turning to face the Attack Trak, Teela closed the vehicle's hood. Wiping her hands on a towel to clean them, she decided return to her rooms. Teela knew that once He-Man disappeared she couldn't go running after him. Although she couldn't ask him for clarification of his words, Teela knew who she could. Later that evening, she would ask Orko. She knew that the Trollan was close to both men. If anyone could explain things to her, she knew that the magician would be able to do so.