Chapter 17
"There is a light of day/Hold on, hold on/It's closer than you let yourself believe/When life cuts you like a blade/It's gone so wrong/You can't remember who you're supposed to be/Hold on, hold on to me/There is a light of day/Hold on, hold on/It's closer than you let yourself believe/When life cuts you like a blade/It's gone so wrong/You can't remember who you're supposed to be/Hold on, hold on to me." –Hold On to Me, Bo Bice
"Nothing good comes from those 4 words," Jonathan said, trying to sound light and joking. But it didn't work. He stepped aside. "Would you like to come in?" Alanna brushed past, keeping her eyes down and saying nothing. He shut the door and turned to her. He opened his mouth to say something, but Alanna beat him to it.
"The day after tomorrow, Coram, Rose, Raoul and I leave for Maren," she blurted. Jon blinked at her.
"What?" he demanded finally.
"Coram, Rose, Raoul and I are going to Maren for a tournament," Alanna replied.
"But we have a wedding to plan!" Jon exclaimed.
"I've cleared it with our mothers. They say they can manage without me," she told him.
"I never told you I would let you leave the realm before the wedding." He crossed his arms defensively over his chest.
"Oh, stop. You're acting like a spoiled child."
"Are we going to have this argument again?"
"What argument?"
"The one about me being spoiled and selfish and taking you for granted and you being unfeminine…"
"No!"
"How could you make these plans without telling me?"
"Easy- I don't involve you and tell you when it's too late to stop me!"
"You make me sound like I'm going to thwart your plans."
"I think you might!"
"Excuse me?"
"You're the heir. You can command the entire King's Own. You lead the army. At any moment, you could say a word and forbid anyone from leaving the city. You have power, whether you like to remember or not."
"You believe I would use that power against you?"
"I can't help but wonder."
"Alanna, we are going to be married. You're my best friend. I would never do that to you."
"Do you have an opinion on my leaving or not?"
"Go. Gods bless you and bring us glory." Alanna was silent. She was gaping at him. "What?"
"You're letting me go?" she asked.
"Yes. You're dead set on it, and I know better than to cross you when you're like this," Jon replied simply. She beamed and threw her arms around him, kissing him hard on the mouth.
"I love you, Jonathan," she told him.
"And I love you. But, if you get yourself hurt, I will never forgive you."
Alanna laughed. "You have my word as a knight."
They kissed again, pulling each other as close as possible, making the kiss last as long as possible.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
"Are you ready to leave?" Rose asked from atop her silvery mare, Moonshine. Alanna nodded.
"Let me say a few goodbyes," she replied. Myles stepped forward and hugged his daughter.
"Stay safe, Alanna. Don't do anything stupid," he told her.
"Coram and Rose and Raoul will keep me from that!" she chuckled. "But thank you for caring." She hugged him again and turned to her mother. Eliena embraced her daughter, holding her close.
"I don't want to have come back from the dead for nothing," she murmured. "Don't get yourself killed. Listen to Raoul, he's more experienced. Listen to Rose; she's always been reasonable. And, dear, listen to what Coram tells you. I know you are going to be queen, but Coram still knows best."
"I will, mother. Don't worry about me," Alanna said.
"I always worry, Alanna," Eliena told her seriously. Alanna smiled and hugged her mother. Gary stepped up.
"Don't do anything stupid," Gary warned as he hugged his friend. Gary's father, Alanna's training master, Duke Gareth, gave her a quick speech on chivalry and honor. The king and queen stepped up. Alanna bowed.
"Alanna, our son loves you very much. He might never recover if you die. Please stay safe," Lianne said.
"And represent Tortall with honor. Bring us back some victories," Roald put in. Alanna smiled. To her surprise, the king and queen embraced her.
Finally, it was Jonathan's turn. The other people who had come to see her off left silently. Coram, Rose, and Raoul busied themselves with not looking at the couple. Jonathan pulled Alanna into his arms and buried his face in her shoulder.
"Don't do anything you'll regret. I'd miss you too much," he told her.
"I think everyone's told me that. Does everyone think me stupid?" Alanna asked. Jonathan looked seriously into her eyes.
"I don't know how to say goodbye to you, Alanna. I had to do it once when you went to the desert, but that was different. The only other time I said goodbye, I left angry," he replied. Alanna nodded, still holding his eyes. "I want this time to stay with you."
"You're always with me, Jonathan," Alanna told him, indicating her ring. "And here." She pointed to her heart. "I love you, Jonathan. I promise to write often."
"Join with the Voice, Alanna. Please. I want to know where you are," he pleaded.
"If Coram directs me," she sighed. Jonathan smiled.
He pressed his lips to hers in a searing, passionate kiss that was meant to remain with her in his absence. Alanna was pulled deeper into his strong hold and fell into his kiss with all the passion she held. She needed something to keep her warm at night. She would miss him dearly, especially spending time with him, acting as if they were nothing more than friends.
They pulled apart and hugged tightly. "I'll miss you, Alanna," Jonathan whispered.
"I'll miss you too, Jonathan," Alanna whispered back. They kissed again, quickly and Alanna mounted Moonlight. Faithful sat in his cup on the front of her saddle. "Is everyone ready?"
"More than," Raoul replied. "We've been waiting for you. Now come on!" He set off at a gallop. Rose followed, Coram close behind. Alanna blew Jonathan a kiss and urged Moonlight into a gallop.
"Gods watch over you!" Alanna heard Jonathan call into the wind.
"Wait for me!" Alanna called to her companions. "I'm the one who suggested this in the first place!"
Author's Note- new song next chapter. "Seven Days Without You" by Teddy Geiger. REVIEW.