Good news: when I checked my messages, there was NO MESSAGE from the Jon basher. I'm still on watch though.

Chapter 10

"I have to go," Alanna whispered, pulling away from Jonathan's mouth. "I really have to go."

"Why?" Jonathan asked, holding on to her. "You don't have to go anywhere. Stay here, with me." Alanna looked up into his sapphire eyes and didn't want to go anywhere.

"I need my beauty sleep," she replied jokingly. Jonathan put his hand to her face and cupped it.

"You don't need to be anymore beautiful than you already are," he told her, his eyes warm and inviting. "The only thing you need is to be right here." Alanna smiled.

"I know, Jonathan, I know." She tried to pull away.

"Jon, Alanna. It's Jon. All my friends call me Jon," he told her.

"Am I your friend?" she wanted to know.

He kissed her softly. "More than." Alanna smiled and he let her go. "Can I escort you back to your rooms, fair lady?" Jon offered her his arm. Alanna's smile widened as she took his arm.

"Of course," she replied. Jon led her to her rooms. Outside the door, Alanna reached for the doorknob. Jon reached for it at the same time and his large, warm hand covered hers. She looked up at him. "I can open the door myself." Jon smiled at her and left his hand where it was as she turned the knob. Alanna stepped in and leaned on the door. "See you in the morning." She started to close the door, but Jonathan stuck his arm in the way.

"No goodnight kiss?" he asked, eyes dancing.

"You've had enough of those," she replied, her voice lightly scolding. He stuck out his lower lip in a pout and Alanna's heart skipped a beat. "Oh, fine," she sighed and kissed him. Jonathan caught her and kissed her deeply. Alanna opened the door and Jonathan stepped in, closing it behind him. They stood in the middle of her room, kissing. Jonathan's hands ran through her already tousled locks and Alanna wrapped her fingers in the silky blackness of his hair. Alanna couldn't make herself break away. Not that she wanted to.

"Alanna?" a voice asked softly, knocking on the door. Alanna pulled away suddenly, eyes wide in terror.

"They can't know you're here!" she whispered. "Hide!" Jonathan kissed her swiftly and went to hide in her dressing room. "Who is it?"

"Thom." Alanna glanced at Jonathan, who moved farther into the darkness.

"Come in." Thom opened the door and stepped in.

"Did I wake you?" Thom asked.

"No. I was cold," she replied.

"Why are your wearing your cloak?" he wanted to know. Alanna pulled her cloak tighter around her body.

"I couldn't sleep, so I went for a walk," she replied.

"Oh. Jonathan isn't in his rooms. Did you see him while you were walking?" Thom inquired.

"No," she replied quickly. Thom gave her a skeptical look and she faked a yawn. "I'm very tired, Thom. Can this wait?"

"Of course." He hugged her. "Sleep well, Alanna." He left and Alanna was sure he was gone before going to her dressing room.

"You can come out now," she whispered. A hand grabbed her wrist and dragged her in.

"Why would I want to?" Jonathan asked, eyes bright even in the darkness.

"Because you can't hide in my dressing room all night," she replied.

As a reply, Jonathan kissed her hard on the mouth. Alanna snaked her arms around his neck, returning it with the same intensity. She slipped off her shoes and Jonathan lifted her up so their heads could be level. She put her legs around his waist. Jonathan removed one hand and undid the ties of her cloak, letting it fall to the floor. Alanna was glad to be rid of the weight. She rolled her shoulders and Jonathan kissed right behind her ear, making her squirm. He kissed down the line of her neck and right back up, doing the same to the other side. He kissed her forehead, her nose, her cheeks, her chin, and finally returned to her mouth. He hoisted her up farther; making her put her hands to his cheeks. It made her kiss deeper, and her head above his. She slid her fingers into his hair and ran them through over and over and over, mussing his hair, loving the silkiness of the strands between her fingers. Jonathan dropped her so their faces were level again, and pulled back an inch. He ran a gentle finger over her jaw line. They were both breathing heavily, eyes half shut. His finger ran down her neck and on to her shoulder. She shivered happily. She wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed tightly.

"You're perfect, Jonathan," she whispered. It was his turn to shiver as he felt the heat of her breath.

"Jon," he told her hoarsely. "I told you to call me Jon."

"I prefer Jonathan." For the first time, he noticed her voice. It was usually midrange, almost an alto speaking voice. Now, it was full of emotion, and flirtatious. But it wasn't the same flirtatious as the other Court women. It was the flirtatious voice that women used when they were in love- or near it. But they barely knew each other, they couldn't say "I love you" yet. It wasn't the right time.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

In the morning, Jonathan and Alanna kept glancing at each other. Alanna sat with Cythera and Fiona, while Jonathan was with Thom, Raoul, Gary, and their squires. Delia was seated with Roger, shooting daggers at Alanna. She had noticed her younger friend exchanging looks with Jonathan. And every time she did, she giggled. Alanna had a secret, and she intended to find out why Alanna had changed her opinion of the prince so quickly.

Cythera and Fiona also noticed Alanna's glances toward the prince. Cythera watched Jonathan's table, trying to read the looks Alanna and Jonathan were sharing. Gary looked up and smiled at her at one point, and she smiled back. Gary was sweet. Fiona just ate, as did Raoul. Thom noticed that Jonathan kept looking at the table his sister was seated at, but it never crossed Thom's mind that Jonathan was looking at Alanna.

"Alanna, what are you doing?" Cythera whispered. Alanna tore her eyes from Jonathan and looked at her friend.

"What do you mean?" Alanna asked.

"You keep looking at the prince. Why?" Alanna blushed.

"No I'm not," she replied, casting her eyes down at her food.

"Yes, you are. What's going on?" Cythera asked.

"She likes him," Fiona replied. "Can't you see it, Cythera?" Cythera turned her blue eyes on Alanna.

"Do you?" she asked. "Do you, Alanna?" Alanna just turned a deeper crimson. "You do! He likes you too, oh, Goddess, Alanna!"

"Keep it down, Cythera. We don't want the whole country knowing!" Alanna hissed. Cythera clasped her friend's hands over the table.

"Oh, Alanna, I'm so happy for you! He's the prince, too!" Cythera kept her excited voice quiet.

"Shh," Alanna replied, but she was beaming.

"He's coming!" Fiona whispered excitedly. Alanna looked up and saw the raven-haired prince standing over her.

"Lady Alanna, might I speak with you in the courtyards following breakfast?" he asked formally. Alanna rose and curtsied.

"Of course, your highness," she replied. "But, would you rather somewhere more private?" The second part was quieter.

"Where would you suggest?" Jonathan asked, almost inaudibly.

"Your rooms. No one will bother you there. Send Thom on an errand," Alanna replied. Jonathan nodded and bowed.

"I shall see you then," Jonathan said, his voice at a normal volume. He bowed again and Alanna curtsied. As he walked away, Alanna sat down.

She, Cythera, and Fiona squealed quietly.

Author's Note- I'm having SO MUCH FUN writing these kissing scenes. REVIEW, please.