Author's Note- did it occur to anyone else that last chapter was the equivalent of where I ended "Lady Alanna and the Prince"? Wouldn't it have been great if I did a repeat of that? Just kidding
Eliena awoke the next morning to find that it was a perfect morning. The sunlight flooding in her window caught floating dust, the birds were chirping brightly, and Leo's warm body heat was against her back. Eliena sat up and stretched, and went to kiss Leo.
Her eyes bulged as she saw the sleeping face of Neal. Eliena jumped out of bed and pulled on her dressing robe. She shut her window and warded her room from listeners before stomping around, cursing colorfully.
Neal stirred and propped himself on his elbows, the blanket falling and revealing his naked torso. His green eyes followed Eliena back and forth across the room, and a smile played on his lips as he listened to her language.
"Good morning to you too, Eli," he said. Eliena turned on him, clutching her dressing robe at the neck. Her black hair was mussed from sleep and…other activities and her violet eyes were ablaze with a violent temper.
"You!" She pointed at Neal, her voice accusing. "How could you let this happen?" She gestured between them, indicating how they had slept together. "Mithros, Leo!"
"Isn't coming back for several weeks yet," Neal finished. "So stop worrying, Eli."
"You kissed me!" she yelled. "How could you? You know I love Leo!"
"I don't believe that I knew you loved him," Neal remarked. Eliena stalked over and slapped him across the face.
"I hate you. Get out of here," she commanded, but a smile crept up her lips. "Oh, who am I kidding?" She collapsed at the foot of the bed. "I'm terrible. I'm awful. I don't deserve to live."
"No, Eli." Neal put his arm around her. "You made a mistake, that's all." She looked at him.
"You're saying that last night was a mistake?" She looked and sounded skeptical
"No, Eli. I was referring to your falling in love with Leo," he replied.
"Oh, well, aren't you helpful," Eliena said, standing up. She walked to her door and opened it. "Out," she sighed. "Now."
"Eli, I'm still naked."
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Eliena slid into her seat at the royal dining table. "Oh, Eli, you've decided to grace us with your presence this morning," Alanna commented. "How thoughtful of you."
"Mother, I'm really not in the mood," Eliena told her mother wearily. "Don't tease me."
"What's wrong?" Jonathan asked, looking concerned.
"Nothing," she replied, but Jonathan knew there was something she wasn't saying.
"You sure?"
"Positive." She glanced at Daine, who was deep in conversation with Numair. Why didn't she stop me? Eliena wondered. I'll have to ask her.
"So," Daine said, catching up with Eliena after breakfast, "where are we going?"
"Anywhere," Eliena replied. "Anywhere except with the pages."
"Well, that works," Daine remarked. "Lets go see Evin—his Rider Group is back."
"Do we have to? I'd rather just go help the Riders or something," Eliena protested.
"Eli. Be serious. Help the Riders? What Riders? There won't be new recruits for weeks!" Daine reminded her.
"Oh, right," Eliena muttered.
"El, what's wrong?" Daine asked. "And don't bother hiding it, because I can tell!"
"Neal," Eliena replied, almost too softly for Daine to hear.
"Oh, you mean last night?" Daine asked. "Eli, what happened to you? It was almost like you'd lost your mind."
"I really don't know," Eliena replied. She looked off into the distance. "But I sure wish I did."
Author's Note- next chapter: March 19th, LEO'S RETURN! REVIEW.