Pure Intentions? Chapter 19

Teela entered the suite, confident that Orko would give her answers. She didn't expect to find the little red-garbed magician sitting cross legged on the floor, tears flowing down his face. Running to him, she sat next to him wrapping her arms around his trembling form as she asked, "Orko, what's wrong?"

"I just got a message from your father", he sniffed before continuing, "Dree-Elle fell and broke her leg, so she won't be able to come here for my birthday."

"Oh, Orko." "I'm so sorry", Teela said pulling him in closer. "I know you were looking forward to her visit."

"I hate that we are so far away from each other", the magician stated wiping a wayward tear.

Holding him close Teela got an idea, "Why don't you go to her?"

"What?", Orko asked in his high-pitched voice.

"Surprise her." "Go to Trolla", Teela suggested.

"Don't you need me here?", he asked.

Putting her need to ask him questions about Adam/He-Man on the back burner, Teela shook her head. "It's okay, Orko." "I can manage."

"Are you sure?", he asked. "What if you need help in protecting Prince Adam?"

"Funny thing is, I think Adam can protect himself", Teela said before realizing how weird that sounded.

"He can", Orko blurted before he too realized he had said too much.

Catching the slip of his tongue, Teela smiled at him without saying anything more. She wanted to interrogate the little guy, but not now that his heart and mind were elsewhere.

"Let's talk about Adam protecting himself after you get back." "Give Dree-Elle my love and I'll see you back at the Palace", the captain stated as she raised herself off the floor.

"Thanks, Teela." "I will", Orko stated before he vanished.

Alone in the suite, Teela wondered where Adam was. Taking a look at her timepiece, she noticed that it was time they departed from Morainia. Deciding to take a quick shower before gathering up the last of her belongings, she walked into the bathroom just as Prince Adam and Cringer walked into the suite.

Looking behind her, she yelled out to them "I'll be just a minute", as she closed the bathroom door behind her. Quickly disrobing and jumping in the shower, Teela thought about her interaction with He-Man moments ago.

Again she wondered why he ended their affair. Had she been too pushy with him? Teela answered her own question in the negative. She didn't think she was. She had long ago given up the hope that he would divulge his feelings for her, accepting their relationship for what it was. She knew that his duty to protect Eternia always came first and foremost. She accepted that all their relationship could be was a casual sexual affair. That's why she didn't understand when he had told her he couldn't offer her more. She hadn't asked for more. Why would he think she wanted more? Again answering her own question, Teela realized it was because in actuality she did. She had wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.

Then her mind zoned in on the possibility of He-Man being Adam. Adam had never shown a romantic proclivity towards her. Actually, she never recalled Adam showing an interest in any woman. For a man who was coveted by many women, he chose not to be romantically involved with anyone. Teela couldn't recall a time that the Prince was enamored with any of the beautiful courtesans. She had seen him flirt with them on occasion, but that was it. She recalled a conversation with Adora where the Ladies of the Court had asked about the Prince's love interests. The Princess had implied that Adam was too busy, having too many responsibilities for the Crown to be romantically involved with anyone. One of the courtesans had rudely asked what he does for sex, interested in knowing if the Prince had a mistress.

Thinking back, Teela realized that Adam had lived a very celibate monkish life. She knew he wasn't sleeping with anyone. After that awkward conversation with the courtesan, Teela had pointedly asked him if he had a mistress, telling him she needed to know for reasons of securing his safety. She was shocked when he willingly answered her query, answering her the same way Adora had. The Prince stated that his duties to the Crown prevented him from engaging in romantic relationships.

But what about a sexual one? Was Adam even interested in sex?

Teela acknowledged she didn't know the answer to that question. Off course she had no idea how difficult it was for Adam to wake up morning after morning next to her, without showcasing evidence of his desire for her.

She also had no idea that it was his clandestine relationship with her that kept him single as 'Prince Adam'. His loyalty and devotion to her was causing much strife among the nobles who were pressuring his father that the Prince choose a bride.

Thus their current predicament. The King demanded that Adam find a wife. The courageous captain knew that Adam didn't have much time to choose his bride. And yet, instead of remaining home to do so, Adam decided to volunteer for this expedition as a means to prove to his father that he was ready to be King.

Rinsing her hair from the fragrant shampoo she had brought with her, Teela continued to muse about the Prince. She realized that so far, Adam had actively avoided being paired up with any of the beautiful high ranking ladies of Morainia, choosing to either sit next to Princess Janice or herself during meals and entertainment. Many times, he hid behind their friendship dancing only with her or family members when attending balls. Teela wondered why hid did that. She knew he could take care of himself, his sharp wit, humor, and diplomatic conversation abilities were second to none. However, when it came to him handling the fairer sex he practically ignored them.

Opening the shower door, she stepped out grabbing a warmed bath towel to wrap around her wet body. Securing it with a knot on the side, she took a quick look at herself in the mirror before continuing her inward thoughts.

A week had gone by since they began their month long tour and Teela knew that Adam was not anywhere closer to finding a bride. She had promised her father that she would help Adam achieve that goal. But how? Women would not accept the fact that she shared a bedroom with the Prince while on this tour, which Teela knew would make it harder for him to meet someone worthwhile.

Making a decision, she resolved that she would speak to him about separate sleeping arrangements especially now that Orko would not be with them. She didn't think she would have a problem asking for her own quarters from Queen Sumana when they reached Arcadia later tonight.

With her mind made up, Teela dressed and exited the privy finding Prince Adam in a plank form holding his body up with nothing but the tips of his fingers and his toes. He wore his long white sleeved undershirt, but Teela could clearly see the outline of his chiseled back and arms. Freezing at the doorframe, she watched as he lowered his torso toward the ground and then slowly raised himself up. She admired the fluidity in which he completed the exercise move. Following his movements with her eyes, Teela lowered her gaze across his body taking in his sculpted lean buttocks, jutting thigh muscles, and strong calves. Suddenly finding herself lusting after him, she called "Adam you must control the movement using your core muscles to get a deeper workout." She made that up, he was completing the push-ups perfectly.

Shocked at hearing her voice, because he had not noticed the door opening, Prince Adam plopped on the floor letting out a loud breath. Quickly turning over, he sat up bringing up one knee while resting his arm over it. Nonchalantly he smiled at her as he responded, "Ohh, hi Tee." "I didn't realize you were finished with your bath", he stated before blowing out a puff of air to remove his long bangs which had fallen over his beautiful blue eyes.

Studying him, she walked toward him sitting down next to him as she stated "Watch how it's done", before turning around to face the floor. Raising herself into the plank position, she copied his movements only she did so by also lifting one leg off the floor supporting all of her body weight on the tips of her fingers and one leg.

"Show off", Adam stated before reaching over to her with his shoulder and shoving her off balance with a laugh.

"Adam!", she screamed his name, the epithet almost sounding like a curse once she righted herself.

"What?", he answered innocently. "I know how to do push-ups Teela, you didn't need to show me." "Plus this isn't my workout time", he continued as he stood up from the floor. Reaching down, he offered his hand to help raise her.

With a naughty smile, Teela reached up grasped his palm and then pulled down with all her might, bringing him down to the floor with her. As soon as he fell, the captain turned their bodies around wrapping her arms around his shoulders and legs around his waist.

"If your too good to take advice from me, let's see you get out of this", she teased.

Grasping her around the arms, Adam pulled on her limbs stating "We'll be late."

"Then you shouldn't have pushed me", she teased again.

"You're always condescending to me when I work out, Tee", Adam reminded her.

"It's my job to train you, my Prince", she answered continuing to hold against his struggles.

Being that he needed to fake his strength, Adam continued allowing her to hold him in the strangle form. He knew that he could easily outmaneuver himself from her grip; however, he decided not to as doing would showcase his physical power. Rather, he raised his hands backwards finding her ribcage with his palms. Bending his fingers he began tickling her, instantly causing her to loosen her grip around his shoulders.

"That's not fair", Teela yelled.

"What's not fair?", he asked innocently increasing the strength and speed of his tickle. He knew that Teela was extremely sensitive and would soon start laughing hysterically.

"Adam stop", she pleaded as her skin and muscles began contracting against his assault. Teela knew it was moments before she burst into laughter.

"What's the magic word?", he stated sheepishly.

"Please stop", she answered.

Increasing his tickling even more, he turned to look at her. "That's not the magic word, Teela", he admonished.

Releasing her hold on him, Teela grabbed his hands trying to pry them off her ribcage. She couldn't. His hold on her was like a vise, his large hands encircling her entire torso. Because he was usually so goofy, Teela often forgot what a very large man the Prince was. Now being glued on him with her legs still wrapped around his hips she was reminded of that fact. Their physical closeness and his caresses were making her breathless. If he didn't stop soon, she would lose. Clamping her lips together, she bit down on her tongue trying not to laugh a loud. Too late, she realized that she should not have corrected him when she first came out of the bathroom.

She couldn't take it anymore. Adam had now turned their bodies around so that she was flat on the floor as he continued to tickle her. Tossing her head side to side, she refused to laugh which only intensified his efforts.

Adam decided he wouldn't stop until she was laughing. Bringing his hands upwards on her torso, he pushed her arms away from her body as he found her armpits. Having engaged in this game so many times in their youth, the Prince knew that Teela would soon be laughing uncontrollably and he would be free. She could never win against their tickling matches.

As soon as his fingers found their mark, Teela opened her mouth a loud heartfelt laugh escaping. Reaching for his hands, she tried to pull them away from her body but once again she couldn't. She knew there was only one way to do so. She had to state the safe word 'Uncle'.

Instead, her wild impetuous side took over. Raising her head and arms simultaneously, she wrapped her limbs around his head ensuring he lowered his head. Quickly, before changing her mind she touched her lips to his.

His movements abruptly stopped. Palming the floor on either side of her head, Adam kept his body completely still hovering inches off of hers. With eyes wide, he felt the tip of her tongue pass over his bottom lip. He couldn't believe it. He knew he wasn't dreaming. Looking down, he took notice that she had closed her eyes as she continued her ministration. He was in a boggle. Should he kiss her back?

This is what he wanted. Her pliant lips felt so good against his own. It had been a very long time since they shared a kiss. Feeling his heartbeat increase, Adam closed his eyes against the tingling sensations she was provoking. He wanted to open his mouth against her; however, decided against it. If he kissed her back, Adam was afraid that Teela would regret it later. Adam was not someone that engaged in impulsive tendencies, his responsibility as Prince and role as He-Man did not allow it. Doing so would embarrass the Crown and endanger himself and his family. Thus he lived a very calculated assessing life. There was another reason Adam did not reciprocate the intimate caress. He was afraid that if he did kiss her, she would notice that he was He-Man. Adam was sure that his kiss as 'Prince' and 'Grayskull's Champion' would feel the same to her. Her lips felt the exact same way against his.

Wondering why she kissed him, he kept still on top of her opening his eyes once again to look down at her. Teela looked lost, completely shocked at her actions. He noticed that she stopped using her tip to try to open his mouth; however, she had not removed her lips from his. Rather, she kept them joined together pressing ever so softly against his. He was right, she would regret her actions once she realized how reckless her actions were. He also knew that fiery anger would soon follow.

Deciding it was best they disentangled themselves, Adam pulled his head back.

Teela knew that he was pulling away, without needing to open her eyes to see it. Having her arms wrapped around his neck, she felt his muscles shift as he drew away from her. Opening her eyes while simultaneously releasing her legs from around his waist, she turned her head to the side to avoid eye contact.

Pushing onto his knees, Adam stayed that way looking at her as she slowly covered her face with her hands. With a few feet between them, he waited for her outburst. He knew it was coming. He was shocked when it didn't.

Teela turned to face him after composing herself to whisper "I'm sorry, Your Highness." "I should not have done that."

She was hurt. Without meaning to, Adam knew he hurt her by not kissing her back. Resigned with his decision he answered, "It's alright, Tee."

Hearing the sincerity in his voice, Teela nodded her head keeping her gaze steady with his. Pushing herself up, they sat a few moments assessing each other.

Adam took the initiative to stand first. Reaching down, he grabbed her from beneath the armpits, Teela slightly flinching at his touch thinking that he meant to continue tickling her. As soon as he helped her stand, Adam placed some much needed distance between them. Walking to the chaise, he picked up his discarded jacket, pushing his arms through the sleeves and buttoned it at the waist. He then bend down to retrieve his discarded boots.

By the time straightened back up, he had schooled his features wearing his typical lopsided grin. He would have to play the fool again to temper her anger. He hated this, longing to be open and honest about his feelings for her. However, Adam knew that it was not yet time.

"Ready?", he asked her.

"Yeah sure, let me just dry my hair", Teela said remembering just this moment that her hair was wet.

"Okay, I'll meet you in the vehicle bay." "There's something I need to check out", he informed her, deciding to scope out the Attack Track for any dangers despite knowing that Teela had already done so.

Teela remain rooted in her spot, watching him leave the room Cringer trailing behind him. As soon as the door closed, she plopped down on the bed grabbing hold of its edge. Squeezing it tightly, Teela closed her eyes against her building anger. She wasn't angry at him; but rather at herself. How could she be so stupid and kiss the Prince? She had taken notice that he refused to kiss her back.

This was what got her in the mess she was currently in with He-Man to begin with. It was she who had initiated their first kiss too, with the difference being that He-Man kissed her back. Although initially Teela planned on using the kiss to distract him from his tickling attack, Teela acknowledged that she did want to kiss His Highness.

Perhaps it was her near death experience the other day. Mayhap it was the change in his personality she witnessed within the past two months. Or it was the knowledge that she would soon lose him to another. Maybe it was the fact that she couldn't get rid of the memory of his arousal as she woke up next to him.

It was neither of those. Teela's heart yelled at her. She had fallen in love with Prince Adam all over again.

She was doomed.