So. You guys are awesome for coming back to read/review anything I write. Siriusly, cyber cookies for all of you. Even if (or especially since) Beka/Rosto isn't your cup of tea. ;D
1. Grin
The crowd in the Dancing Dove was noisy, as usual. Alanna sat back in her seat, watching her disguised friends make fools of themselves with amusement: Raoul and Gary had barmaids on their laps, singing an old folk tune; Jon sat next to them, humming tonelessly, smiling dazedly. Nearby, George was deep in conversation with one of his men. Without warning, his hazel eyes found Alanna's. She looked away hurriedly, as if she hadn't just been staring at him. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw George return to his conversation, an oddly satisfied grin on his face.
2. Jealousy
George watched Alanna as she wound through the Dancing Dove, making for the door. Beside her, Jon grinned as he bent towards her ear, whispering something. George grunted disapprovingly. There was something wrong about the two of them, a puzzle that didn't quite fit. They worked as friends, but as lovers, they were incompatible. The Rogue's eyes narrowed suspiciously when his lass laughed, lightly punching the prince in response to whatever he'd just said. George's heart gave a pang of jealousy. He scowled at his tankard, wishing mightily that it was him walking away with her, not Jonathan.
3. Women
If anyone noticed the sudden disappearance of women from George's bed, they said nothing. The absence of the last woman to catch his fancy was something that couldn't be ignored: she'd left the house only after telling George, at the top of her voice, just how displeased she was before turning heel and flouncing away. After that, Alanna caught George staring at her more and more frequently, and often found herself daydreaming about what it would be like to occupy the newly-empty position in her friend's bed before she furiously stopped herself.
She would never be a Rogue's girl.
4. Dragon
In the days between the battle and Alanna's return to the desert, she and George spent hardly a moment apart. Often, Alanna would lapse into a thoughtful silence, and George knew he was thinking of the Shang Dragon. He let her remember, knowing the loss would be easier to deal with that way. Never once did it cross his mind that she wished he had taken the Dragon's place in death.
5. Tribesmen
The days spent in the desert with George and the Bloody Hawk tribe passed in companionable bliss. George enchanted the entire tribe with his charm, earning more than a few admirers and proving himself amongst the men. Alanna couldn't explain her happiness at seeing her betrothed slip so seamlessly into the life she had decided to lead. Her lips always curved upward whenever she saw George surrounded by the tribesmen, laughing, talking, helping around the tribe, his hazel eyes seeking out her violet ones, flashing her a private smile.
6. Welcome
Alanna stretched in her saddle for a first glimpse of Pirate's Swoop as she and George wound their way along the path. Tall walls surrounding an even taller tower dominated the scene, but as the sentries bowed her through the gates, she caught sight of smaller houses surrounding the tower, forming an organized, well-planned town. In the distance, the sea rumbled soothingly. Civilians lined the streets for a glimpse at the famed knight who was to be their baroness. A blush spread across Alanna's cheeks. George draped his arms comfortingly over her shoulders, whispering, "Welcome home, darlin'."
7. Reports
George sighed and pushed away yet another report, rubbing his tired eyes. Mounds and mounds of paperwork were before him, but his brain was far from his work in Pirate's Swoop. It was with Alanna, fighting on a battle field miles away. George sighed again and ran a hand through his hair. Not for the first time, he wished he could be at her side. He hated being apart from her, and if something happened—George closed his eyes. His Lioness had been through worse than this: she would come home. He had to believe that.
8. Spider
George stared at his wife, biting his lip to keep from laughing. Alanna—the brave and renowned King's Champion—was pointing at the wall, her eyes carefully averted from it. The baron stared at the wall. It stared back. Suddenly George couldn't hold it in anymore. He threw back his head and laughed. He kept laughing, even when Alanna punched him in the arm, even when he stepped forward and killed the spider that had been the object of Alanna's terror.
9. Rebels
Alanna watched the oncoming Scanrans grimly. The renegades roared as they charged, drawing swords, axes, and daggers. Alanna could feel the eyes of her squad drilling holes in her back, waiting for her command. Her mind snapped to Pirate's Swoop, where George waited for her to return, alone. A fierce determination gripped her. She leaned forward, urging her men into the attack. They obeyed, screaming a roar to rival the foreigners'. Her blade sliced through the air, connecting with metal and flesh. Weapons and fists pummeled Alanna but she pushed on, George's face firmly fixed in her mind.
10. Homecoming
Alanna stood at the entrance to Pirate's Swoop, battle-worn and shaking. It was the first time she'd seen her home in months. She scanned the crowd for a sign of her husband. In seconds, she found him, standing several feet away, his eyes drinking in the sight of her. Alanna's heart contracted at the sight of him. She wanted to run to his side and throw her arms around him, but her legs refused to move.
"George," she said, and that was all it took. He covered the distance between them and swept her into his arms, pressing their lips together, all other thoughts forgotten.
Better than Beka/Rosto? Eh, eh?
As a side note, I was informed that I was joining the academic team and becoming the historian of the book club, as well as being assistant drum major for the band and treasurer for Tri-M and member of NHS. So. Much. To do.
Busy but trying,
Brighteyes