Chapter 18

Now that Alanna knew some things were supposed to happen, she wanted those dreams. She wanted to know what she had to do. She somehow knew that she and Jonathan were to be lovers on her seventeenth birthday, and was anxious for that day, coming up in just a month.

One night, a mere week before her birthday, Alanna and Jonathan were bolted in her room, kissing. They both loved the privacy. Jonathan started at the strings of her bodice, and Alanna detached.

"No, Jonathan," she said, putting her palm to his chest. "Not yet."

"Why?" he asked, almost breathlessly.

"Just a week, Jonathan. Give me a week," she replied. He looked at her, confusion filling his eyes.

"Why, Alanna?" he wanted to know, brushing her hair back. "Why a week?"

"Just, please understand, I need it to happen on my seventeenth birthday," she replied, meeting his eyes with a pleading look. "I-I can't explain. Please, Jonathan."

She looked so sweet and innocent, that Jonathan smiled. "All right, Alanna. A week, then." She smiled and kissed him.

"Just because I have you waiting for that doesn't mean you can't keep kissing me now," she informed him. Jonathan smiled and kissed her softly.

"I don't want to compromise your chastity, fair lady," he whispered. Alanna laughed and snaked her arms around his neck.

"I never said anything about not being able to kiss you," she remarked.

"Well, in that case." Jonathan planted a searing kiss on her lips with such force that Alanna had to tighten her neck to keep from straining it when it fell back. She returned the kiss with the same intensity, wishing that it were a week later.

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It was Alanna and Thom's seventeenth birthday, and Alanna was a bundle of nerves. She knew what she had to do, and she was ready for it. She'd made sure that the spell on her charm was fine. She didn't want children anytime soon. She was also nervous because she wasn't exactly sure of what festivities would be going on. She knew there was a ball. She knew that she and Jonathan would sneak away at some point. She didn't know what Thom would say when his twin snuck away with his knight-master…

…And bolted the door to his rooms.

Cythera and Fiona went to Alanna's chambers to prepare for the evening. Cythera looked mystical in the palest blue silk. The skirt floated freely around her legs, and the bodice slid over her every curve as smoothly as an old river. Fiona wore spring green, but looked very typical. "Raoul already likes me," she explained, "I don't feel the need to dress up for him. And why do I want anyone else looking at me." When Alanna had pointed out Gary and Cythera, Fiona had replied, "Yes, but Cythera could wear burlap and still look like that."

Alanna shared Fiona's philosophy. Jonathan already loved her- he had made that clear. And his eyes never wandered from her. Still, she wanted to look ravishing, so he would be eager to take her back to his rooms. She wore a comfortable violet silk gown. The bodice fit snugly against her body, but wasn't the same tightness as the gowns she'd worn in the past. The curves of her breasts barely showed over the top, and her shoulders (which Jonathan had complimented her on) were exposed by the off the shoulder sleeves. Her skirt was gathered in the back, creating a short train, and mostly flat in the front. Fiona braided her copper hair with a violet silk ribbon; creating an elaborate twist that Alanna was sure she didn't have the length for. "All in the artistry, my dear Alanna," Fiona had told her.

Finally, a knock came at her door. "Come in!" The three girls chorused. The door opened, revealing Raoul and Gary beaming like idiots.

"Raoul," Fiona said, extending her hands. Raoul took huge strides and grabbed her hands, pulling her close and kissing her.

"Fiona, you look lovely," he told her. Fiona threaded her arm through Raoul's and looked at him adoringly. Gary and Cythera embraced, and Gary kissed Cythera's hand formally.

"My lady, words fail to describe how lucky I am that you are on my arm tonight," he told her. Cythera blushed.

"Oh, Gary." She was clearly very flattered at his compliment.

"Alanna." Alanna turned away from looking at her happy friends to see Jonathan. His larger friends had hidden him. Alanna fought to breathe as she took in his ensemble. His hose was midnight blue, his shirt white, and his tunic royal blue. All the blue made his eyes the most prominent feature, and Alanna saw the sparkle that made her heart flutter. His black hair was immaculately combed, and Alanna smiled. He could be so proper when he wanted to be.

Little did they know, but Gary, Cythera, Raoul, and Fiona were watching them. Alanna and Jonathan stood across the room from each other, just watching each other. Finally, Jonathan stepped in the room and took slow, deliberate steps toward her. Alanna's breathing was noticeable in the rise and fall of her chest. She swallowed as Jonathan reached her. Eyes never straying from hers, he kissed her hand slowly. "Lady Alanna, you are the most beautiful woman in all of Tortall." A blush crept onto Alanna's cheeks. Jonathan stood again and smiled impishly. "I'd kiss you, but I'm afraid I'll mess up your look."

"Oh, Jonathan," Alanna said, hitting him gently. "I should say the same about you." Laughing, Jonathan picked up the much smaller Alanna and spun her around as he kissed her. Her violet skirt wrapped around them as he held her up to his mouth, kissing her intensely. Jonathan slowly lowered her to the ground, still kissing her. Once Alanna's feet were firmly planted on the ground, their kiss broke.

"Great Mithros, Jon," Gary remarked. "I'll never be able to do that."

Jonathan chuckled and put his arm around Alanna's waist. "I think Cythera likes you just as you are, cousin. Shall we?" Alanna nodded.

"Go on ahead," Cythera said. "The three of us will catch up." The men nodded, leaving their ladies in the room. Cythera and Fiona grasped Alanna's hands.

"I'm so jealous!" Fiona exclaimed. "He's so romantic, Alanna."

"He's quite the catch," Cythera agreed. "You're so lucky."

Alanna gazed into the hall, a content smile on her lips. "Yes, I suppose I am."

Author's Note- if all goes as planned, next chapter will have a warning on it. Anyhow. Hope you liked this chapter. I'm like half asleep as I write this. I had a sleepover with 8 of my friends last night at a hotel. Yawn REVIEW!