Chapter 4

"Lady Alanna?" a voice asked. Alanna turned, her eyes finding sapphire eyes looking at her. Alanna curtsied.

"Your highness," she replied.

"Please, my lady, Jonathan." Alanna smiled flirtatiously up at him.

"As you wish, Jonathan," she said. "Then I am Alanna to you."

"You look beautiful, Alanna," Jonathan told her.

"Thank you," she replied. "Your tunic does much for your eyes." What else was there to say? Jonathan chuckled.

"Hullo Jon," Raoul greeted. Jonathan nodded at his friend.

"Raoul, might I steal your partner for a dance?" Jonathan asked.

"Uh, uh, Jon. Not yet. Let me dance with her before you take up the rest of her night," Raoul replied with a laugh. Alanna suppressed a giggle as Raoul took her to the dance floor. Jonathan watched his friend dance with the young woman, feeling a growing jealousy in his chest. It wasn't fair. How could she choose Raoul over the heir?

"Your highness, you're looking well." Jonathan glanced in the direction of the voice that had addressed him. He caught a glimpse of chestnut hair and spring green gown. He turned fully and kissed the woman's hand.

"Lady Delia, you looking ravishing," Jonathan said, holding her green eyes. Delia smiled at him.

"Why thank you," she remarked.

"Would you care to dance?" Jonathan asked.

"It would be an honor, your highness," she replied.

"Please, my lady. To you, I am Jonathan." Delia was beautiful, rivaling even Alanna's beauty. And what could a little harmless flirting do? Maybe Alanna would get jealous.

"Then, Jonathan, I am Delia." Jonathan led Delia onto the dance floor and took her into his arms.

Delia kept Jonathan's eyes locked on her own. Mithros, he was handsome. And the way his strong arms had a firm, yet gentle hold on her made her melt. His hand was a warm presence on the small of her back, a reminder that she, Delia of Eldorne, was dancing with the heir to Tortall. And the way her small white hand looked in his own larger one made her smile. It was like her hand was made for his. And she fit perfectly into his arms. Her small size, and his larger one fit like a puzzle. Delia batted her eyelashes at Jonathan, hoping he would flirt back. She had noticed him long ago, and nothing had ever come of it. Maybe Alanna would be her key to Jonathan.

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"Oh, Alanna," Delia sighed as she fell back on Alanna's bed later that night. "He's so perfect."

"Who?" Alanna wanted to know. Delia picked up her head and watched her friend run a comb through straight copper locks.

"Jonathan," Delia replied, a longing look in her green eyes.

"Really? I found him cold," Alanna remarked.

"Cold?" Delia laughed. "He is anything but. He's open, warm, handsome, and flirtatious. Oh, Alanna, he's so wonderful!"

"Of course he is," Alanna said.

"How was your evening?" Delia asked. "I barely noticed. Jonathan had me captivated for most of it."

"The only low part was my dance with Jonathan," Alanna replied. "Gary had me laughing more than Raoul did, but Raoul was very sweet. Even Thom danced well!"

"You didn't enjoy your dance with Jonathan? Why not?" Delia inquired. "Isn't he a good dancer?"

"Oh, no. He's a wonderful dancer. Just, not much for conversation," Alanna replied.

"Alanna, dancing isn't for conversation," Delia told her. "Besides, all his conversation is in those eyes."

"Well, I like to have conversation when I dance. It keeps me interested," Alanna replied stubbornly. "And I hardly noticed Jonathan's eyes."

"You must be blind then," Delia said. "Jonathan has the most wonderful eyes of anyone in all of the Eastern Lands."

"To each their own," Alanna shrugged. "Delia, I'm sorry, but I'm exhausted. Can I talk to you in the morning?"

"Of course. Sleep well." Delia hugged Alanna briefly on her way out.

Alanna slid into bed and snuggled under the covers. She thought about her night. Raoul had been wonderful company, but she saw him as more of a friend than anything else. Thom had seemed almost jealous of the time she had spent with Raoul and Gary. But, why? He couldn't expect her to spend the whole evening with her twin, could he? Gary had been the most fun to dance with. He was scholarly, something Alanna appreciated. She liked to have intellectual conversations, not just amusing ones. And Gary was certainly amusing. Being Duke Gareth's son, he saw a lot of what went on in Court, and had a funny insight on it. He had mentioned someone named Sir Myles, one of the page's teachers. Alanna was interested in meeting this Sir Myles, and Gary promised to introduce her the following day. But, the biggest confusion of the evening was Jonathan, by far. Delia had simply raved about him. But, Alanna couldn't see why. He was good looking, sure, and the heir, but there wasn't anything else there. He didn't seem to converse well, and he was blank when he had danced with her. For someone who had asked her for the first dance of the evening, he certainly didn't seem very interested in her.

Alanna sighed. "Does he like me?" she asked the dark, empty room. Did she care? Did she want Jonathan to like her? The obvious answer was yes. Of course she wanted to be on the heir's good side. But did she want more than that? Did she want him to love her?

That was a question for another time. Now, she had to sleep. She was meeting a scholar in the morning, and she didn't want to be asleep for that!

Author's Note- how do you like it? Delia is very OOC, I know. But its fun to write! Anyway. 'Always' may be going on hold for a time. I have to think about it. And I MAY be returning to my Phantom of the Opera fan fiction, as I just saw the opera "Carmen" yesterday. LOVED it, by the way. So… if anyone is a POTO fan, check it out (IF I post one)

And, please. I see people's names who have this on Favorites/Alert, and then I don't see reviews! If you have this on your Favorites or Alert list, you obviously care about the story. And even if it is just "Nice job" or "I like the story", throw in your two cents.


That said, REVIEW please.