Chapter 24

"Alright yeah/I'm wandering the streets in a world underneath it all/Nothing seems to be/Nothing tastes as sweet as what I can't have/Like you and the way you're twisting your hair round your finger/Tonight I'm not afraid to tell you/What I feel about you." –For You I Will (Confidence), Teddy Geiger, UNDERAGE THINKING

"Jonathan!" Alanna cried. She dismounted Moonlight as the mare was trotting and ran to her betrothed. Jonathan hugged her, but he was weak. She held him at arms distance, a worried look in her eyes. "Jonathan, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, sweet. I'm so glad you're home," he said, smiling. But, his eyes were tired and his clothes were rumpled.

"Something is wrong." Alanna frowned and knitted her eyebrows. "Tell me." Jonathan sighed.

"Now is not the time. You must be exhausted. I will tell you- all- later," he replied.

"You are the one who looks exhausted," Alanna retorted.

"Alanna, manners?" Rose asked, poking her friend in the ribs. Alanna laughed.

"Sorry. Jonathan, this is Liam Ironarm, the Shang Dragon, Buriram Tourakom of the K'mir, and her highness Princess Thayet jian Wilima. Liam, Buri, Thayet, this is my betrothed, his royal highness Prince Jonathan of Conté," Alanna introduced.

"Welcome to Tortall, Liam, Buriram, and Princess Thayet," Jonathan said formally. "I hope you will allow me to present you to Court in a week's time."

"Please, your highness, it is simply Thayet. I am but a lowly commoner here," she replied, curtsying deeply.

"Nonsense, princess. You are royalty, and you shall be treated as such," Jonathan told her. "And I hope that Liam and Buriram will allow me to treat them with the same respect, as you are friends of my Lioness."

"Rose!" Alanna was shocked to see George run into the courtyard and spin Rose. They kissed deeply, as reunited lovers shoulder. Alanna noticed that Jonathan had yet to kiss her, but thought nothing of it. There are people he doesn't know. It would be improper, she reasoned.

"George? What are you doing here?" Alanna asked. George slipped his arm around Rose's curvy waist.

"Jonathan invited me to stay here," George replied vaguely. Alanna raised her eyebrows at Rose to say, "did you know about this?" Rose shook her head.

"Come, Alanna. I know there are several people in the palace who are anxiously awaiting the chance to see you. You as well, Raoul," Jon told them. Alanna and Raoul followed Jonathan into the palace. He pulled them aside. "I have some terrible news." Alanna noticed the pools forming in his blue eyes and put her hand to her mouth.

"Your father?" she asked. Jonathan nodded as a tear slid down his cheek. Alanna wiped a finger beneath his eye. "Its all right. You can cry." Jonathan shook his head and composed himself.

"It wasn't long ago. If my timing is correct, it was around 2 weeks after the death of my mother. It was a hunting-" Jonathan made air quotes, "'accident.' They found him dead."

"So you're king now?" Raoul asked. Jonathan nodded.

"Yes, and no. I haven't formally had my coronation, but I've been acting as king since my mother's death," he replied.

"You seem to be handling it well," Alanna remarked. Jonathan shot her a look that clearly said, "once we're alone you'll see."

"So who wants to see us?" Raoul wanted to know. "If there are mothers looking to marry me off to their daughters, a ship leaves for Port Udayapur in the morning, I can leave."

"No, Raoul," Jon chuckled. "Gary wants to see you both, Sir Myles wants to see you all, Thom and your mother want to see you, Alanna, and Elizabeth wants to see you Raoul." Raoul brightened. He and Elizabeth were very close.

"I'll go see Elizabeth now. Let me know when you want to see Myles and Gary, Alanna," Raoul called back as he left them. Jonathan smiled and wrapped his arms around Alanna's waist, pulling her toward him.

"Alone at last," he said, pretending to be all manly and stuck-up and waggled his eyebrows. He buried his face in Alanna's neck. "I missed you, Alanna."

"I missed you, too," she told him. Jonathan kissed her warmly and tenderly, making Alanna shiver. She smiled at him. "I should go see them, shouldn't?"

"You should," Jonathan sighed. "Come see me later. I want to hear all about your adventures."

"You know I will." With a quick kiss, Alanna went to find her family.

Author's Note- OK, another bad/just OK chapter. My apologizes, I don't know if it's what's happening or what. Hopefully it will get better. Oh, and ANOTHER new story in the works. REVIEW.