Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, just the plot. I own Lady Skyla however, i invented her. They all belong to Tamora Pierce (no dah)

Chapter 2

It was a week later. Midwinter balls had been put off so that Jon and others could grieve properly. It was the first ball since the incident, and Jon was still not recovered. But he went anyway. He came dressed all in black, with a sash the color of Alanna's curls around his arms. His face was pale and his eyes bloodshot from crying. The only thing he wanted was to see Lady Skyla, and find out about those bruises.

Lady Skyla arrived at the scene of the ball in a beautiful deep purple dress. Amethyst. He sighed, that was the color of Alanna's eyes. His eyes wandered to her chest, which was deeply revealed. He then noticed that this amethyst dress was actually just a sheer veil. Underneath was black. Mourning black. Another thing he noticed, was that she was completely covered in powder. That puzzled him.

"Would you like to dance, milady?" Jon asked her. She nodded and curtsied and they swept around the ball room floor. She was a good dancer. The best he had ever danced with. He kept getting lost in her eyes.

"It is now time for the Fireworks! Please head to the gardens!" called out the King. People filtered out.

Out in the garden, the fireworks started. But so did the rain. All the young ladies squealed and ran inside for cover. All, that is, save for Lady Skyla. She was so happy outside, that she was still staring calmly at the sky. But the rain washed away the powder, and what was revealed made the entire court gasp.

Her shoulders and back (the part that was revealed) were completely covered in bruises and gashes and fading wounds. Jon unconsciously walked up to her and put his fingertips on a particularly nasty wound. She flinched, looked to see who it was. When she saw that everyone could see her bruises, she started crying and ran away. Jon ran after her. He had to heal her.

"Lady Skyla! Please!" Jon called. She didn't stop running. They were outside her room when the alert of the palace guards was heard calling. Assassinators were in the palace. Jon knew what to do. He had to go into the nearest room and lock himself in.

He pushed himself and her into the room and locked the door behind them.

"What are you doing you highness? This is highly improper!"

"It is also highly improper that you be beaten, but that happened, did it not?" Lady Skyla started sobbing. Jon pulled her into her arms and held her, whispering soothing words. She wiped her eyes and pulled away.

"I am sorry for doing that, your highness." She bowed her head.

"No. Do not be sorry. Please call me Jon!"

"Yes, your highness, I mean Jon. Aah!" and she fainted. Jon caught her and lowered her to her bed. He put his hand on her forehead and she woke up.

"Oh! Oh my. Oh...I can't breathe!" Jon didn't know what she was talking about. "My corset!" He gasped. Drat those women! They all insisted on wearing corsets. He turned her over and started unlacing her corset. When it didn't go fast enough, he took his dagger out and sliced the laces in half, opening an immediate air way. She breathed out deeply.

"Oh... Thank you so much, Jon. You may go now!"

"You must have forgotten, Lady Skyla. We are shut up in here while there are assassinators in the castle."

"Oh. Well..." She tried moving but called out in pain as a pillow tassel knot pushed against one of her bruises. Jon scowled.

"I must heal you! I know it is not appropriate, but you will never mend if I don't!"

"I...go ahead..."

"I need you to turn over so I can see what's up."

"I'll never win with what's proper or not. Am I correct? Thought so. Oh well. By the way, I faint after a healing. I guess my healing powers don't like being rushed or contradicted!"

"Wait! If you have healing powers why don't you heal yourself?"

"I have never been instructed in how to heal. I wish I could. I could have saved so many people that I love..." A lone tear went down her face. Jon wiped it away with a swipe of his thumb. Lady Skyla rolled over, exposing her bare back.

"Oh. Call me Sky." Jon grinned and put his hand on a particularly nasty looking gash. She flinched slightly but then relaxed. When he was done healing her, he was exhausted. He hadn't expected her bruises and cuts to be that old, therefore hard to heal. He turned her over again so that she was on her back. He stared at her unmoving, unconscious form for half an hour before getting worried. He had just gone to the bathroom to get a wet cloth when he heard movement and a little voice call out.

"Uh...I hurt..." murmured Sky.

"Oh Sky! You're OK!" He cried. He leaned down closer and kissed her. He kissed her gently but filled with longing and passion.

"I know. That was inappropriate!"

"It's OK. We're not really into the appropriate thing anymore, Jon. Well. I think we should get out of here. Hm...We could go and see..."

"You do realize we're in here until the bell tolls again?" Jon interrupted.

"Oh. Well, George doesn't live in the palace. He lives down in the..."

"The Dancing Dove. I know, he's a good friend!"

"Seriously? The crown prince familiarizing with the King of the Rogue?"

"Well. Alanna...introduced me to him..." His face went sad. She leaned in and caressed his cheek.

"I'm sorry for your loss. I know no one will be able to replace her."

"No. Someone might. Well, never replace her, but be the other half of my heart."

"Who?"

"You." He cupped her cheek in one hand. He gently brought his lips to hers in another kiss.

Sorry that it took so long to update, been kinda busy moving around. I WANT SOME REVIEWS!! I have many of the next chapter already written but i want some reviews!!