Chapter 14

Jonathan. Alanna broke her kiss and stood suddenly.

"I have to go," she said, moving to the stairs. She couldn't return to the palace dressed as she was.

"Alanna…" George called as she ran to the room where she had left her dress.

As she changed, she thought of the blue-eyed prince. What about Delia? A nagging voice asked. She shoved it away. He didn't look guilty, she recalled. And he did seem to be struggling. Leaving all doubts in the room, Alanna went to the stables and grabbed her horse. Without a goodbye, she rose off toward the palace. I just hope its not too late.

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She went to her rooms first to change. She put on her most comfortable dress: a pale yellow silk one. Just before she left, Alanna's violet eyes caught sight of a note in the middle of her pillow. Curious, she picked it up and read:

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE JONATHAN OF CONTÉ

Dear Alanna,

I know you are upset with me, but I had to tell you this. There is nothing going on with Lady Delia of Eldorne and myself. She kissed me, Alanna. I wanted no part of it whatsoever. You came at a terrible time, and I apologize if you got the wrong idea from the situation.

Lady Delia was telling me all sorts of things that I believe untrue. She talked about how you are nothing but a flirt, and how you fall in and out of love on a daily basis. She talked about how many men's beds you have shared. I do not believe any of this is true, and I told her so.

I cannot apologize enough, Alanna, for what you saw. I am deeply sorry and wish there were some way I could make it up to you. I would like us to be friends, Alanna. We can ignore the events of the past few days, in the courtyard especially, if you wish, and just be friends, or we can continue where we left off. Or a combination of the two. It is completely up to you.

Again, I apologize for what happened. I only wish that we could put it behind us.

Jonathan

Alanna was surprised to feel a tear slide down her cheek. She had been wrong- very wrong. Hopefully, Jonathan would forgive her. She had a feeling in the put of her stomach, a sort of unpleasant, warm, bubbly feeling. Her heart told her that he had wanted to write a word before his name: love.

Now Alanna knew she had to see him. She took a cloak, because going through the courtyard was fastest. Silently, Alanna left her chambers and walked to the courtyard. There was a dark figure ahead of her. She couldn't help but follow. The figure wasn't in a hurry, simply out for a stroll. Finally, it ducked into a grove of trees. Alanna followed and saw the now seated figure illuminated. Her heart caught as moonlight spilled over black hair and a thin, muscular body. The man- she knew it was a man- sat at just the right angle so she could see his sapphire eyes. She knew it was Jonathan.

"Jonathan?" she whispered, unsure if he could hear her. He turned and Alanna stepped from the shadows. Jonathan jumped to his feet.

"Alanna!" he exclaimed. Alanna walked closer, smiling.

"I got your letter," she said. Jonathan blushed slightly. "I forgive you."

"You do?" He was clearly shocked. Alanna nodded.

"I'm sorry I ran off. I-I didn't know what to think," she replied. Tentatively, Jonathan put his hand on her shoulder. She left it there, and pressed her cheek against it.

"I don't blame you," he whispered. She met his eyes. "I would've done the same thing." She smiled shyly. A silence stretched between them. Finally, Jonathan asked, almost too softly to hear, "May I kiss you?"

"You don't have to ask."

He smiled and tenderly pressed his lips to hers, filling them both with electricity that can only come from your soul mate. Alanna shivered happily. He started to pull back and she shook her head. "No, Jon. Don't." Jonathan looked at her, with moonlight spilling over her shoulders, and she looked so inviting. And the hoarseness in her voice revealed her feelings. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his mouth, fitting them together like a puzzle.

Though she had known Thom's knight-master only a matter of days, Alanna found herself thinking: I love him, I love him, I love him, I love him!

Author's Note- AJ fluff! YAY! I loves me some good AJ fluff. More to come, I promise! REVIEW.