Chapter 15

The next morning, Alanna was in the dining room. She held her tray of food, and looked around at the tables. There was Jonathan, with Gary, Thom, Raoul, and two boys Alanna didn't know. She assumed they were Gary and Raoul's squires. Cythera and Fiona hadn't come down yet, but Alanna knew they would want to sit with Raoul and Gary, who were both very close to courting the girls. She chewed her lip and took a deep breath.

"Can I sit here?" Jonathan glanced up and smiled.

"I don't see a problem," he replied. "Gary? Thom? Sacherell? Geoffrey? Raoul? Do you?"

"None at all," Gary said, smiling.

"Me either," Raoul agreed.

Thom's smile was welcoming as he said, "How can I say no? You'll beat me up if I don't say yes." Alanna flashed her twin a fake smile as she slid into the space left beside Jonathan. Quickly, Jonathan kissed her cheek. She smiled at him.

"Are we missing something?" Gary inquired. "When did you start courting her, Jon?" Thom choked on his food. Alanna and Jonathan exchanged a glanced.

"Today," Jonathan replied.

"He's courting you, Alanna?" Thom asked incredulously.

"Yes, Thom," Alanna replied, holding her twin's eyes across the table. "Are you hard of hearing?" Raoul snorted and Gary coughed.

"No. I'm just surprised, that's all," he retorted stubbornly. The twins glared at each other, and then Alanna turned her gaze to Jonathan. She smiled, eyes lit up with love.

"So, Jonathan," she said.

"So, Alanna," he teased. She grinned, and slapped his arm.

"Don't tease," she said. He smiled at her, and slipped an arm around her waist. She put her head on his shoulder as Cythera and Fiona sat down.

"Did we miss something?" Cythera asked. Gary gave her an amused smile.

"Alanna and Jonathan are in love," Gary replied. "That's all."

"Oh," she said, a smile creeping up on her mouth. "How nice."

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That night, there was the last of the Court presentations. Alanna's year had been a large one. Some of the ladies were also being presented again, like Alanna, Cythera, and Fiona. They wondered why, but found out when Jonathan, Raoul, and Gary waited for them at the top of the grand staircase.

"When you have someone courting you, it must be formally presented," Jonathan explained and Alanna grinned at him.

"Well, then," she said, slipping her arm though his own. "Let's go."

Raoul and Fiona stepped forward and Raoul gave the herald their names. "Sir Raoul of Goldenlake and Lady Fiona of Millsbrook!" Gary and Cythera stepped up and repeated the procedure. "Sir Gareth the Younger of Naxen and Lady Cythera of Elden!" Alanna smiled proudly as Cythera and Gary descended the stairs. Cythera was so graceful. As Jonathan stepped up, the herald smiled and shook his head. There was no need to say who the prince was. And many now knew Alanna. "His Royal Highness Prince Jonathan of Conté and Lady Alanna of Trebond!"

Alanna couldn't see it, but Delia stood to the side, silently fuming and glowering. She had thought Jonathan and Alanna were broken up- permanently. She grumbled and crossed her arms over her chest. Alanna was beaming, and Jonathan looked at her lovingly. It was almost like they were already betrothed, by Mithros! Delia felt heat beside her and glanced at the person. It was Roger.

"What's the matter, my pretty?" he asked, putting his hand on the small of her back.

"That!" she replied, flinging her hand. "Jonathan is courting Alanna." She spat the name of her former friend.

"That won't do," Roger mused. "I thought you had taken care of that."

"So did I!" she exclaimed and pouted prettily. Roger stroked her hair.

"There, there, my pretty. We will have our way with them," he said. Delia looked at him, lower lip protruding.

"But Roger, he's so enamoredwith her! I don't understand! What does she have that I don't?" She waved her hands to indicate her figure. "I'm gorgeous!" Roger smiled at her and kissed her forehead.

"I know, sweet. But," he sighed, "Jonathan seems to have a pull toward his squire's twin."

"Maybe he loves Thom," Delia remarked nastily. "And he only courts Alanna because he wants Thom."

"Delia," Roger warned. She glanced at him.

"What?" She shrugged innocently. "It's a thought."

"We won't go spreading rumors like that." Roger tapped her nose. "I don't want him after me." Delia sighed and traced designs on her stomach.

"I just want to be queen," she told him, glancing up at Roger with green eyes. Her eyelashes were lowered. Roger smiled at her.

"And you will be, my sweet," he promised. "You will be."

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Alanna laughed, head thrown back, as she and Jonathan sat in the same grove that they had been in the night before. They had escaped the ball and had come to this spot for its seclusion. Jonathan sat on the intricately carved stone bench, with Alanna beside him. They were turned toward each other, Jonathan straddling the bench. Alanna, in a dress, sat normally.

Jonathan put his hand to Alanna's back to keep her from falling. He smiled, glad that she was laughing at something he had said. Alanna had the wonderful, deep laugh that pierced the heart of the person who had made her laugh. The person felt special, because Alanna's laugh was so beautiful.

She looked at him and smiled. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because you're so beautiful," Jonathan replied.

"Really?" she asked, a copper eyebrow raised in sexy skepticism.

"Really," he replied.

"I don't know if I like that kind of talk," Alanna remarked, tapping her index finger against her chin. From the glitter in her eyes, Jonathan could tell she was teasing him. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. She stood before him. He put his head against her chest, listening to her heartbeat. "Mm, but I know I like this." Jonathan looked up at her.

"Sit," he instructed. She sat on his lap. "That's better." He pushed her hair behind her ear and kissed her perfect ear. Alanna giggled and squirmed.

"Don't do that," she said. "It tickles." He kissed her cheek and turned her face toward his. "Kiss me."

"Why?" he asked, moving his mouth close enough so his lips brushed hers with some letters. "I thought you didn't like that romantic stuff."

"I never said that," she replied. "Now kiss me."

"Your wish is my command, your ladyship." Jonathan pressed his lips to hers. Alanna kissed him right back, their mouths moving in time. He moved his mouth to her neck and kissed down her neck. "Jon," she murmured. "Alanna." His voice was muffled in the skin of her neck. "Jon." She pushed him back and looked right into his eyes. "Listen to me."

"I'm listening," he told her.

"I think… I think I-" she took a deep breath. "I think I love you." Jonathan pulled her close.

"I don't think, Alanna. I know I love you," he said.

"How?" Alanna asked, looking him in the eye again. "How do you know? I've only known you a few days."

"I've known Thom for years. And he talked about you. And," He pushed her hair behind her ear again. "I love the way you talk to me. I love your personality. You're unique, Alanna. And I love that. As much as you don't want to hear it, I love the way you look. You are the most beautiful woman. I even love your temper." She smiled.

"You haven't seen my temper, Jonathan," she told him. Jonathan smiled.

"I look forward to it," he replied. "And, Alanna, how many times should I say it: call me Jon."

"Jon," she said. "Jon, Jon, Jon, Jon, Jon, Jon, Jon."

He kissed her briefly. "Perfect. Just like you."

Author's Note- has melted on the floor Hello, everyone. I'm now only a puddle. Jonathan… sigh so perfect, that Jonathan of Conté. If only he were real… Now, REVIEW so I don't have to blast the SPICE GIRLS! (Though "Wannabe" and "Spice Up Your Life" are two of my favorite songs at the moment…) REVIEW so I don't go crazy!