Chapter 7

"Alanna! Alanna! Alanna!" Alanna spun and saw Jonathan walking toward her.

"What?" she demanded.

"Are you all right?" Jonathan asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm fine," she snapped, pushing his hand off her shoulder. "Why don't you go find Delia?" Jonathan stepped back.

"Why?" he asked.

"She's quite taken with you, your highness," Alanna retorted. "Or did you not notice when you danced with her last night?"

"I swear by the gods, Alanna, I have no idea what you're talking about," Jonathan told her. "There was only one reason I danced with Delia last night."

"And what might that be?" Alanna wanted to know, putting her hands firmly on her hips.

"Because-"

"Bright Mithros, Alanna! What are you wearing?" Delia asked, coming up behind Jonathan. She dipped a quick curtsy to the prince and grabbed Alanna by the arm. "Come with me right now, Alanna. We need to find you something more suitable to wear in the presence of the prince!"

"Let me go, Delia. It's fine," Alanna said, yanking her arm from Delia's hold. "Besides, Jonathan was about to tell me something, weren't you, Jonathan?" Jonathan glanced at Delia, and back to Alanna.

"It can wait," he said, his sapphire eyes glittering with amusement, "until you've put on something more suitable to wear in my presence." Alanna glared at him.

"See?" Delia said. "See, Alanna? Come on." She dragged Alanna away. Alanna was still glaring at Jonathan. You're dead, she mouthed. Jonathan just smiled.

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"Would you honor me with this dance, Lady Alanna?" Jonathan asked with a bow. Alanna curtsied and smiled at Jonathan.

"The honor would be all mine, your highness," she replied. "Excuse me, Gary." Gary bowed and glared at Jonathan's back as he walked off with Alanna on his arm.

It was another night of presentations. Alanna had come alone, but Jonathan hadn't been far from her for most of the night. He had never told her what he had wanted to say earlier, but Alanna had a feeling he might soon. Delia had been flitting from person to person, talking, laughing, and flirting. Alanna knew that Delia was just trying to avoid the fact that Jonathan was ignoring her. This dance with Jonathan would be Alanna's first of the night. They went through one song, and then the trumpet announcing the ladies to be presented sounded. Alanna and Jonathan stood to the side.

"Lady Cythera of Elden!" Alanna beamed as she watched her golden-haired friend float down the steps. Alanna glanced at Gary, who looked spellbound. "Lady Fiona of Millsbrook!" Alanna smiled again as her friend descended the stairs.

Cythera was highly regarded as one of the most beautiful women entering Court that season. Her hair was golden, and fell in ringlets halfway down her back. She was lean and had an infectious smile. Her eyes were brown, but seemed to be flecked with gold when the light was just right. She was taller than Alanna, standing at 5'8''. And she always knew exactly what to say. Fiona's hair was wavy. It was blonde, with brown streaks here or there. Fiona moved with the grace of a dancer, and she looked like a dancer. She was as tall as Cythera, with perfect posture and muscular legs. Her features were softly defined and her eyes were midnight blue against the creamy color of her skin. Both women were easily more beautiful than Alanna, but Jonathan didn't seem to notice.

"Those are my friends," Alanna whispered to Jonathan. "And it seems that Raoul and Gary are smitten." Jonathan glanced at his big friends. Raoul was practically drooling over Fiona, while Gary's eyes were riveted to Cythera.

"You should introduce them before they come to talk to you," Jonathan whispered back.

"See you in a moment," Alanna told him and glided away to her friends.

"Alanna!" Cythera greeted warmly, hugging her shorter friend. "So good to see you! Sorry we couldn't be here for your presentation."

"Oh, don't worry about it. Listen, two of my brothers' friends are positively salivating over you two. Would you like to meet them?" Alanna asked.

"Please," Fiona replied. "So long as they don't drool all over my dress! Mother and father spent a fortune in gold nobles on it!" Alanna, Cythera, and Fiona laughed.

"Follow me, then," Alanna instructed. She led them to where Raoul, Gary, Thom, and Jonathan were standing. "Sir Raoul, Sir Gareth, Squire Thom, and your highness, these are two of my best friends, Lady Fiona of Millsbrook and Lady Cythera of Elden. Cythera and Fiona, this is Sir Raoul of Goldenlake, Sir Gareth the Younger of Naxen, my brother, Squire Thom of Trebond, and his royal highness Prince Jonathan of Conté."

"A pleasure, Sir Gareth," Cythera said, curtsying to Gary. She had obviously noticed that Gary was staring at her. Gary kissed her hand.

"The pleasure is solely mine, my lady," he replied. Cythera smiled.

"Wonderful to make your acquaintance, Sir Raoul," Fiona said. Alanna smiled at her friend. Fiona had noticed Raoul's look. Raoul cleared his throat and kissed Fiona's hand.

"Lady Alanna has told me much about you, my lady. I feel as if I know you already," Raoul told her. Alanna smiled. He's a liar, she thought. A good one, but a liar nonetheless. She turned to Jonathan.

"Jonathan, you were going to tell me something earlier. Would you like to tell me now?" Alanna asked. Jonathan nodded and stepped closer to her. Alanna's heart raced at the heat she felt from his body.

"We have to find somewhere more private," he whispered. His breath tickled Alanna's ear and she nodded.

"If you will excuse us." Alanna curtsied and locked eyes with her glaring brother. "It is impolite to stare, Squire Thom." Thom turned crimson, as did Raoul and Gary, who had been staring at Fiona and Cythera.

Alanna and Jonathan managed to slip from the ballroom unnoticed, which was a small miracle, given Jonathan's rank. They went to the courtyard and into the most private place Jonathan knew. There was a full moon, and the animals in the courtyard made their nightly sounds. Alanna looked up at the stars and smiled. She had always loved the night. It was so peaceful.

"So, you were saying," Alanna said. "You only danced with Delia because…"

"Because you didn't seem to want my company," Jonathan finished. Alanna was silent. "You didn't seem to want me around, and Delia did."

"I didn't think you wanted to be around me. You were so quiet when we were dancing," Alanna whispered.

"I didn't know what to say," Jonathan replied. "You're just so beautiful that-"

"Me? Beautiful?" Alanna asked. Jonathan nodded and cupped her face with his hand.

"You're the most beautiful woman in Court," he replied softly, brushing a coppery strand from her face. Alanna yanked back and jumped to her feet.

"I'll bet you say that to every woman in Court that you want in your bed," she snapped. "I'm not another one of those ladies. Either tell me the truth, Jonathan of Conté, or leave me alone." She stalked away leaving Jonathan staring after her in shock.

"What did I do?" he wondered aloud.

Author's Note- quick note to reviewer lightyearsaway: from P&P, with Jon as Mr. Darcy he is afraid of the latter that you mentioned in your review.

Now, please review.