Pure Intentions? Chapter 26
Entering the bedroom, Adam's gaze landed on Teela. He sucked in his breath when he noticed that she had exited the restroom wrapped only in a towel. So far during their tour, she had always dressed in the bathroom and come out fully clothed. He caught her watching him from the mirror, her eyes glued to his. Had he been He-Man, he knew that she would have waited for him to approach her and wrap his arms around her body. Being Adam, he stayed glued at his spot despite feeling an incredible desire to run to her and scoop her into his embrace. He hated this. Wordlessly, he entered the restroom for a much needed cold shower.
As the freezing water cascaded down his back, Adam brought to mind the Sorceress's words. Obviously, someone at the Palace knew of his feelings for her and would harm Teela to prevent her from being Queen. What Adam didn't know is if this person wanted him or the Crown? He couldn't recall a jilted previous lover as it had been many years since Adam had courted any of the lovely Palace courtiers. Actually prior to his secret affair with Teela, Adam didn't have many relationships with other women despite the court thinking he was a playboy.
Adam knew it was time to call in a favor. His sister would be able to help him figure out this puzzle. He decided to call her at his earliest convenience. Remembering the secret his mother had shared with him before he departed for this tour, Adam felt the fool for not having asked his mother after Adora's welfare. He wondered if Adora was ready to share her happy news with him.
Turning of the tap, Adam wrapped a robe around his frame as he stepped out of the shower. Invigorated by the water's coldness, he quickly dressed before exiting the restroom.
Outside, he found Teela fully dressed her red glossy tresses pulled into a classic French twist. His love was wearing the sparkling off the shoulder emerald-green crepe trumpet gown he had bought for her. Off all the pieces he bought, this was his favorite. His heart warmed knowing that she had opted to bring it with her and actually wear it. The color looked amazing on her, defining the red in her hair even more so. She stood on the balcony, looking over the Arcadian city. The sun was setting, casting a brilliant reddish hue to the city. Enclosed within the force field barrier, the sun's rays matched the fiery brilliance of his love's hair.
Joining her on the balcony, he spoke from the heart "You look exquisite."
Teela whipped around to face him a shy smile plastered on her lips. Twice today he had let her know he found her beautiful. Teela could get used to this. Beaming at his admiration of her, she looped her arms through his as he escorted her out of the bedroom. As they walked down the hallway, they resembled a happy carefree couple to the astonishing eyes of the Arcadian court.
Entering the ballroom, Adam escorted Teela to a seat. The chairs were arranged in neat double rows some flanking the windows of the ballroom others flanking the wall. Facing the audience, Queen Sumana's servants had arranged a variety of musical instruments her invited honored guests would play. Teela's eyes marveled at the shiny glossy grand piano centered in the room. She was jittery with excitement awaiting for Adam to play. She had not heard or seen him play piano in many years. Not since Skeletor had first attacked Eternos. She wondered if Adam was still as good as he used to be when they both were instructed in classical piano technique.
He sat next to her as other guests performed. When it was his turn, he stood up carrying his body regally to the front of the room. For the special occasion, Adam was dressed in a black tuxedo with tailcoats. Beneath his suit jacket he wore a crisp sateen white button down. His long shoulder length hair was tied back neatly held by a black ribbon low on the nape of his neck. A light giggle escaped Teela's lips as she perused him thinking that his outfit was overly stuffy given the fact that Adam didn't usually dress so formally. This look was a far cry from his He-Man attire ('If he is truly He-Man', Teela thought) where he traversed the planet practically in a bathing suit and a chest plate.
As Adam took the seat behind the piano, Teela noticed that his empty seat was soon filled by someone else. Turning her head, her gaze once again landed on Prince Moragore. "Hello again, Captain", he whispered as he leaned closer to her.
Inclining her head, she silently acknowledged his presence turning to face the front of the room just as Adam lifted the piano's lid. She caught the fact that he was looking straight at her and Moragore. She felt the intensity of his gaze, reminding her of Skeletor just before he would emit red fiery beams from his empty eye sockets. She didn't need to hear the words, Adam's body language was sufficient to let her know he wasn't happy. Silently, she watched as he turned his gaze to lay upon Prince Moragore. Without faltering, he began playing his first solo. The masterpiece he graced them with was filled with rapid arpeggios and harmonic inflections. Deftly, his hands flew over the piano keys as his right hand played the melody and his left the polyrhythms. The happy fast rhythm reminded Teela of a summery green meadow and many picnics she had shared with Adam throughout their lives. He then quickly transitioned to a second piece, this one different in rhythm and melody than the first. His second piece was a sad, slow melody reminding Teela of looking out of a window on a rainy fall day. The dichotomous choices were a reflection of his two personas. Off course no one knew of his true personas; therefore, no one noticed the dramatic difference Adam portrayed in his music.
While Adam played, Teela forgot that Prince Moragore was seated next to her. So captivated was she of the tour de force of Adam playing the piano, that Teela felt his performance was meant only for her. Adam kept his eyes glued onto hers, not needing to look down at the keys while his fingers skimmed their tops. Adam could play the piano with his eyes closed, having had the best Eternian pianist available for his lessons. The time he spent away from playing this magnificent soulful instrument did not diminish his talent or skill. Teela wondered if he continued to play in secret. She knew that Adam was an avid fan of and studied the fine arts.
When he played the last chord, the room fell completely silent. Tonight, Adam had shown the Arcadian court and visiting dignitaries that he was a true Prince of the realm. His finery, poise, and manners bespoke of the upmost genteel upbringing only a few privileged members of the highest echelon of society were privy to. Having been exposed to the same teachers because she had lived at the Palace her entire life, Teela was just as classically trained in the piano as he was. Surprising everyone including herself, she stood up when the audience finished applauding their prince and joined him on the stage. Seeing her walk towards him, Adam descended the stairs to meet her. Offering his hand, he led her back onstage sitting next to her on the piano bench after she had sat down.
Placing her hands on the keys, she played the first few chords. Realizing the piece, Adam quickly joined her. Teela did not need to name the piece she was playing, Adam recognized it immediately. This was a piece they had often played together during their lessons. As they played the melody and harmony, respectively, Adam kept his gaze steady with her. Lost in their own world, neither took notice as the glassed domed ceiling above their heads came crashing down until the broken shards of glass landed on their fingers cutting them both. Jumping off the bench and apart from each other, Teela immediately embodied a fighting stance, shielding the Prince's body with her own as she simultaneously pulled a laser gun from a halter from her inner thigh. She may be dressed as a lady of the court, but Teela never went anywhere without her weapons. Squatting on a bend knee, she aimed her gun towards the ceiling as thick metallic ropes careened downwards from the blown ceiling. One lone masked figure descended quickly downwards. Teela fired her laser; however, missed her target. When the masked intruder landed on the floor, the Arcadian guards who had just entered the ballroom encircled the trespasser.
Seeing that the guards had intervened, Teela turned to Adam. Panic settled in when she noticed that he was gone. She had not noticed when he disappeared. Fearing a second intruder, Teela wondered if someone got to the Prince. In her worry over Adam's safety, her mind didn't register her suspicions that Adam may be He-Man thus not requiring her assistance. Out of habit, her instinct was to go after Adam to ensure his well being. Taking a step in the direction to leap of the stage, she felt her legs being trapped immobilizing her. Looking down, she noticed that a purple gaping hole had opened beneath her.
'Was this related to the intruder or a separate assault?', Teela wondered. Kicking her legs sharply, she tried to free herself from the invincible bonds securing her legs to no avail. She had to free herself, but how if she couldn't see what was impeding her freedom? Meanwhile, the hole seemed to grow both wider and longer extending itself upwards towards her knees. Teela knew that soon her entire body would be engulfed by this magic and she would be sucked through the hole. Seeing the intruder look in her direction, Teela realized that she was the target. Looking wildly about her, she tried to find something to hold on to. Unfortunately, nothing stable was above her. Eyeing the piano bench, she made a mad lunge for it. Her frantic movements only served to speed up the strength of the vacuuming portal pulling her downwards. Within moments, the hole had crawled up around her torso. Only her arms, shoulders, and head were free.
Seeing the Prince's bodyguard struggling to avoid being sucked through the purple void, several of the Arcadian's guard attempted to assist Teela. This meant that the intruder now had less guards on them, which allowed for the trespasser's freedom. With a step away from the guards and a snap of gloved fingers both Teela, the vortex, and the intruder disappeared just as He-Man barged through the thick wooden doors on the far end of the ballroom.
With a look of horror on his face, Eternia's Champion realized he was too late. Teela had disappeared along with the perpetrator and he had no clue who abducted her or where they took her. Desperately, he looked at the location she had stood as the vortex enveloped her hoping against all odds for a small shimmer of the glowing hole that swallowed her whole. With the Power Sword drawn, he could feel the magical energy emanating from the location; however, he couldn't find an entrance. Telepathically, he send a message to the Sorceress relaying tonight's events. She advised him to come to Grayskull immediately.
As he turned to flee the ballroom, he was waylaid by the queen's guards informing him that her majesty wanted a word with him.
"He-Man", she greeted "I'm sorry my guards were unable to prevent the kidnapping of your friend."
"Thank you", he answered politely; however, the concern in his voice was evident.
"However my reason for stopping you is not about Captain Teela", she informed him.
Perplexed he waited to see what else she was going to say. Taking a deep breath the queen continued, "You see, not only is Captain Teela is missing but Prince Adam is as well!" "My guards have looked everywhere for him and he can't be found."
He-Man gave a quick internal private thanks to the Ancients that there was not an actual new threat. Inclining his head respectfully he answered, "My Queen, please do not concern yourself after the welfare of Prince Adam." "I have personally seen to his safety before entering the ballroom."
"Oh", the Queen answered relief expressed on her face. "I was worried that I would have to explain to Eternia's High King that his son was also abducted."
"No Your Majesty." "Adam is safe", He-Man answered explaining away his absence. "Now if you excuse me, I have to go." Turning to Orko and Cringer who had just now entered the ballroom having been informed by palace staff of Teela's abduction he stated, "Cringer, Orko I'll need you to come with me to Grayskull."
Exiting the ballroom and finding a private secluded room a few feet away from the ballroom, He-Man withdrew his sword once more. Pointing it at the cowering Cringer a bright flash of light exited the tip of the sword transforming the timid Royal Pet into the fearsome three times larger Battle-Cat.
"Llet's gget Teella", he growled accentuating his concern for his friend with a fierce roar that shook the Palace's walls.
Riding faster than the wind, He-Man and his companions left Arcadia to head for Grayskull. On the way there, he contacted Duncan on his communicator to inform him of his daughter's abduction. Man-At-Arms thanked him for the update and relayed that he and a contingency of Masters would meet him at Grayskull. He-Man then asked him to get in touch with his valet to ask him to pack up his and Teela's belongings. Eternia's Champion had made a decision while riding away from Arcadia. It was time that he end his Royal Tour and return to the Palace. Being away from the Palace and their normal routine was putting Teela's life in danger. It was not worth it for him to continue visiting the Royal Houses of Eternia at the expense of losing the woman he planned on wedding.
Before hanging up with Duncan, he asked for him to cancel the rest of his itinerary. Once he found Teela and dealt with the threat to her life, he would be returning home and declare his feelings to her.
He-Man just hoped that he would find her in time.
Galloping quickly astride his faithful companion, he offered a quick prayer for her safety.
A/N: The two pieces of music Adam performs are both from Chopin Op. 25 No. 1 in A-flat major and then Nocturne No. 20 in C-sharp minor, respectively. The duet piece played by Adam and Teela is also from Chopin, Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 in E-flat major.