Chapter 21

March nineteenth. Eliena was so excited—Leo was coming home! It had been several weeks since she had accidentally slept with Neal, but they'd agreed not to mention it and moved on as friends.

She was in the foyer at noon, wearing Leo's favorite outfit on her: tan breeches, dark brown knee-high leather boots, and a fitted white shirt tucked into her breeches. Her long black hair was pulled back in a high horsetail, with a stray, shorter curl tucked behind her ear instead of in her violet eyes. She was tapping her foot obsessively, the sound echoing in the large, empty space.

Finally, Leo came in, hair sweat-dampened and mussed from his ride. "Leo!" Eliena screamed. Leo opened his arms and Eliena leapt into them, burying her face in his neck. He spun her around.

"I missed you," he told her, putting her down, but keeping her close.

"I missed you, too!" she replied.

"I'd kiss you, but I don't want anyone getting the wrong impression," he whispered. Eliena nodded. She knew what he meant.

"So, no one will see." She shielded them from sight in violet fire. Leo smiled and kissed her deeply. "That's better." Leo chuckled.

"You don't know how much I missed you, El," he said.

"Oh, I think I have an idea."

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"El, I can't," Leo told her. "I can't eat with the pages—I'm a squire!"

"Leo. You're with me, remember?" Eliena grinned. "Now come on!" She dragged him into the pages' mess for dinner. "Hello, Lord Wyldon!" She waved to the training master.

"Oh! Your highness!" He bowed. "You'll be dining with us this evening? And… Squire Leonard as well?"

"That's right. But I'm going to sit with Neal and Cleon and them. And don't make a big deal out of it. Please and thank you!" She and Leo got their food at sat down at the table.

"Hello, Leo," Neal greeted. "Have a nice time at the Swoop?"

"It was great, thanks," Leo replied.

"How was your mother's birthday?"

"Great."

"Why are you two talking like two old, stuffy nobles?" Eliena demanded. "Mithros, you two've been friends for several years now!"

Kel put down her tray and she spotted Leo. She nearly fell over. "Eliena, who's this?" she asked, turning slightly pink.

"Oh! Everyone, this is Squire Leonard of Pirate's Swoop, Leo. Leo, this is Cleon of Kennan, Merric of Hollyrose, Faleron of King's Reach, Seaver of Tasride, Esmond of Nicoline, and this girl here is Keladry of Mindelan," Eliena introduced.

"Hello," Leo said. "Nice to meet the people who've been entertaining Eliena so thoroughly." Eliena slapped him. "What was that for?"

"Watch your tongue, squire," Eliena teased, tweaking his nose. Leo bumped his shoulder against hers.

"And who's telling me this again?" he mused, tapping his index finger against his chin. "Oh, right! The Tigress herself!"

"Shut up," Eliena grumbled.

"When's your Ordeal?" Cleon, the oldest of the pages, asked.

"Midwinter," Leo replied.

"So soon!" Neal exclaimed. "Gods, Leo, why'd you have to go and remind me how much older I am than these hooligans?" Leo laughed.

"Trust me, Neal, I don't like it either," Eliena assured her friend.

"Where's Daine?" Leo asked. "Wasn't she coming?"

"Numair," Neal and Eliena responded in unison. Leo nodded knowingly.

"Did you miss Eli?" Neal quizzed, leaning in toward Leo. The squire eyed his friend.

"So many questions!" he avoided. Neal raised an eyebrow, and Leo put his arm around the princess. "What do you think, Queenscove?"

"That would be a 'yes'," Neal replied.

"Are you going to come watch our examinations?" Kel wanted to know.

"Of course!" Eliena replied. "You're my friends, aren't you? And I'm sure I can drag this one along." She poked Leo in the side.

"Drag? Who said anything about dragging?" Leo asked. "I'd go voluntarily!"

"Would you really?" Eliena cocked a black eyebrow.

"If there's time," Leo told her. Eliena smiled.

"Well, then." She ripped into her roll.

"I think Eliena wants us to stop talking and eat," Neal remarked. "And we should follow the princess." Eliena flashed him a smile and tucked in to her meal.

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Eliena started to take Leo into her room, but he stopped her. "Not tonight, El. I'm tired," he told her.

"That's fine, then." She kissed him. "See you in the morning?"

"I'll meet you here. Wear my favorite dress, will you?" Leo requested.

"Sure…" Eliena replied, confusion filling her violet eyes. "Why?"

Leo kissed her. "You'll see. It's a surprise." He left, leaving Eliena's brain swirling with possible thoughts.

Gods, she thought, I'll never get to sleep now!

Author's Note- TEASER! Next chapter shall be typed soon. "Another Chance" is awaiting some guest-written chapters, so I don't know when I'll get an update for that up. REVIEW, but I have a request that I haven't made in ages: no flames.