Hello readers! I'm sooo sorry I haven't updated in a while, but anyways here is the next chapter!

Chapter 13: Temporary Goodbyes

"Thane is the most sought out guy?" I mean I can kind of understand, he was such a good looker, but then again, if he was, then why wasn't he married yet? I mean there must have been one girl he would chose.

I voiced my thoughts. "Then why do you have me? I mean there must be plenty of girls there he would take as his bride?"

Rena laughed. "Oh yes, there is tons of women at court, many more beautiful then you, girl." I glared at this. I mean I know I'm not the best looking girl out there, but I didn't need it rubbed in my face.

Aloria sighed. "Yes there are but Thane would just play around with them." No surprise there. "And they all either wanted him for his looks and or social status, not for him. And plus I didn't really like any of them in the first place except for the ones that already had a different love interests." Figures.

Just then a maid walked in with what it looks like a tea kettle. Aloria sat up then and waved her over. Rena slowly moved over to the couch where Aloria sat to lean against the back. The maid meanwhile poured three cups of tea before leaving the tray on the coffee table while she made her exit.

"Would you like some tea?" Aloria asked. I wasn't much of a tea drinker but I figure might as well have some.

I shrugged. "Sure." I reached over and took the offered tea before continuing. "So, who all is in the court exactly?"

Aloria took a sip before answering. "The court is mostly made up of old vampire families, but in the coming times, some of the supernatural courts are mixing. That's actually how I met Basillio." She smiled then, her eyes going dream-like. "Our courts were meeting together, for some reason or another, and that's where I say him for the first time." She sighed.

"Anyways," said Rena dryly, looking at her master before rolling her eyes toward me. "When you arrive at the court, it won't just be vampires there." Aloria nodded in agreement.

I pondered this for a moment. "Will there be other humans there as well?" I asked. I really didn't want to be the only human there. But at the looks on their faces that I was getting, I felt doubtful.

"Not usually," said Aloria, looking unsure. "There might be in occasion but they are usually servants of the nobility. I wouldn't expect any if I were you dear."

"Alright," I said slowly, thinking again. "So the bodyguards are here to protect me right? What kind of dangers might I get?" I had a feeling I knew some though, especially if Thane was so popular.

Rena answered me on that one, placing her finished tea cup on the tray left there. "Some still believe that humans shouldn't be…." She paused for a moment, as if looking for the right word to say. "…On equal ground with us supernaturals. I mean you guys are pretty weak compared to us." I glared at this part. I mean sorry we couldn't all be strong beautiful looking people. Rena just smiled as she continued. "Some might get offend that you are equal to them and might try and get rid of you."

"Also," Aloria jumped in. "Another danger could be jealousy from the girls, since Thane is now unavailable. Some of them can be harsh when they want to." I have no doubt about this. I could just picture the rich stuck up girls. I shivered in fear of what vampires and who knew what else would pick on me. "Furthermore some of the males might get the idea to…. play with you." Aloria looked at me with a serious look. "They usually aren't around humans of your status that often and might… lead you astray."

Rena snorted. "In other words, they might try and take advantage of you, not caring if you want it or not."

I gulped at this and put my tea down, which was half gone. Looked like I'd have to be on guard the whole time there; or try to get out of this mess before meeting the court at all.

We sat in silence for a moment, each of them looking at me, for some sort of reaction I guess before Basillio and Thane walked back into the room. "Hello ladies," said Basillio, his eyes twinkling with mirth. He then proceeded to walk over to kiss his wife. I was embarrassed and looked away as they started to get more into it. I mean I really didn't need to see that.

Thane walked quietly over to me, his face solemn. It wasn't till he say the blush on my face because of his parents did he start to smile. He sat down next to me, and I sunk more into the couch and slid towards him. He put his arm around my shoulders before leaning in to whisper to me. "We could try and out do them," he said his voice full of humor. I squeaked at the thought and viscously shook my head, blushing even redder. Thane quietly laughed at my reaction before pulling me more against him and relaxed into the couch.

During that time, his parents had stopped their make out session. Basillo's was one of satisfaction while Aloria had her dreamy look back on her face. Rena just rolled her eyes again, and resituated herself. The way she acted, apparently that happened a lot.

"So we have news for you lovely ladies," announced Basillo, as he put his arm around his wife. "Thane and I need to head back to court for the rest of this week to prepare for our lovely new addition to the family." Basillo looked at all of us. "During the rest of that time I would like you my dear to teach Stella her some of the court etiquette to help with the preparation progress." He paused until Aloria nodded her agreement. He then turned to me. "Stella, this is for your own benefit to make the transition smoother. I hope you do your best." I slowly nodded my own agreement to his terms. "Great," he said, withdrawing his arm. "Thane and I are to leave in the morning." He then got up and held his hand out for Aloria. He winked at her as he said, "Let's go make our goodbyes."

She giggled as they left the room together. I was kind of grossed out by that. I mean come on, they're old people! Thane was shaking his head at them before he looked at Rena. "Came you leave us for a little bit?" He asked her. I started to get nervous. "I want some alone time with Stella." Oh no.

Rena laughed. "Looks like your girl is kind of afraid of that." Thane just glared at her as she laughed her way out of the room. She called back over her shoulder, "If you guys go out I'll be following behind you."

Thane grunted before turning back to me, an evil look in his eye. "So….how are you going to see me off?" he asked, his voice husky. I shivered at the sound of it. His face started to lean closer.

"Ummm…," I stuttered, starting to blush again while leaning away from him. "Wave you goodbye?" Thane sent me a flat look. I shrugged my shoulders unsure of what to do. "What do you want?" I asked, dreading the answer.

He looks at me for a moment and then leans back and sighs. "Something you won't give me," and then he smiled. "Let's go somewhere," he said standing up and extended his hand. I looked at it for a moment before taking it. His eyes warmed as he pulled me into a snug hug.

I blushed again, unsure of what to do. Thane always had me off kilter that I was never sure of what I was doing. "Where do you want to go?" I asked, not daring to look up at him. I knew what happened when you did. You get a surprise attack from above.

I could feel him pause for a moment and then he tightened his arms even more. "Want to go to a dance club?" He moved his wrist, showing his watch. "We're doing good on time that we could stay for an hour or two." By the time he finished I was shaking my head. There was no way I was dancing with him. He probably dirty danced.

"I don't know how to dance," I claimed, though it was true, I didn't know how to dance at all.

I could feel Thane glaring down at the top of my head. It was then that I realized I was still in his arms. I hadn't even tried to move away. I then pulled back, not wanting to get to comfortable with him. I mean I was still trying to get out of this marriage and hopefully never see him again. Thane surprisingly let me go.

I looked back up at his face to see him frowning at me for a moment before smiling again. "Alright, we'll save that for another time, although that's not an excuse," he said grinning. "Let's go bowling instead." And with that he snatched my hand before yanking me down the hallway. "Rena!" he shouted through the house. "Were leaving!"

When we got to the front door, Rena was waiting. "Good, I'm bored," She said, straightening from the wall. As we made our way outside she asked, "So where are we going?"

"Bowling," said Thane, as he opened his car door for me. "I suggested dancing but Stella claims she can't dance at all, which," he pauses, looking in my eyes. Leaning closers, his breath hitting my face, he continued, "I don't believe at all." Leaning away again, he led me to the car with Rena following us like a shadow.

We all piled in the car, Thane driving, me in the passenger seat and Rena sitting behind us. We made small talk on the way there. Rena, even though she worked for the Serren's, acted like a close friend, and not a servant. She voiced her opinions when she wanted to, and she wasn't afraid to tell Thane if he was wrong on a point, which I silently applauded her. By the time we got there, Thane was just a tad irritated and Rena was smirking.

Thane jumped out of the car as fast as he could and made his way around the car as I was undoing my seat belt. He proceeded to open my door which I was surprised at but then he just yanked me out of the car. Rena slowly got out following us as Thane again, continued to drag me into the bowling alley.

"Bowling for two please," said Thane as we got to the desk. I quietly stood next to them, looking at all the people bowling. Since it was later in the night, it was mostly adults that were bowling, and some sketchy looking people. At that moment I was glad I was with Thane.

The man behind the desk proceeded to ask out measurements before handing over the appropriate shoes. Rena had come in and asked for a set as well. Thane looked unhappy that she was joining our little two-some, but didn't contradict her. He grabbed the hand that I wasn't carrying the shoes in and led me to the open lane. I was tempted to pull away, but strangely, Thane was starting to grow on me.

Now don't get me wrong, I was just kind of getting used to him, but I'm not giving in. No way. I was too young to marry. I looked back up at his face as I was putting my shoes on. Even though he looked slightly annoyed, his shoulders were relaxed as if he didn't have a care in the world. His head shifted as his eyes met mine. I quickly looked down, finishing putting on my shoes. I could feel a blush rising on my cheeks as I acted as if I wasn't staring at him.

"Are you ready to go?" I heard Thane asked. I looked up again to see him messing with the scoring, though I could still see the smirk on his face.

"Yep. Let's do this," I said standing up to go look for a ball. Rena was already placing her ball on the rack. They waited for me to come back with my selection before Thane took the lane. It was quickly obvious that he was fairly good at bowling. On the first throws he would get the majority, if not all, the pins.

I, on the other hand, wasn't the greatest bowler in world. I would get the occasional gutter ball, in which I would blush. But even then, I still got a strike or two. Rena managed to almost bowl a perfect game. I don't know what she did in her spare time, but she was good. To say the least, she ended up winning the first game.

"Wow Rena, how are you so good?" I asked amazed. I mean really who would have thought a vampire would be good at bowling?

She just shrugged. "When you can only go out at night, there are limited things you can do." Sitting down she placed her arms on the backs of the seats next to hers. "Bowling is one of them." Well I guess that makes since.

I glanced back at Thane, who was sitting at the score machine again. He looked over at me, the corners of his lips rising a bit. "Not bad, Stella." I rolled my eyes at this.

"Yeah right," I said, snorting and waved my hands at both of them. "Not compared to either of you." I leaned back in my chair, glancing at Thane again. "And how did you get so good?"

Thane got the next game ready as he answered. "Sometimes my friends and I just want to have a guy's night, so we would go bowling." He then proceeded to stand up and came to my side, offering his hand to me. "Ready for the next round?" he asked. "I could help you with your technique if you want," He offered giving me a hot look.

I blushed as I violently shook my head. "No thanks," I said, inching away from him to get some space, for there seemed to not be enough in that moment. I then smiled up at him. "I would rather ask Rena anyways, since she's obviously the pro out of you two." His eyes narrowed at this, before turning swiftly away to go get his ball to bowl. Rena just laughed and winked at me as I turned to smile at her.

The second game was way worse for me. My skill seemed to be going downhill at that moment. Rena and Thane were doing just fine, even better actually. It was starting to frustrate me because I was competitive. I had accepted that I was losing, but by then, I was just humiliating myself. I guess Thane started to notice my irritation and came to help.

"Stella, Stella, your stance is all wrong," he said, coming up to join me on the slippery wood. I turned and glared at him, one hand on my hip while the other one was holding the ball. He smirked stopping right next to me, causing my head to look up. "Here do this," he said, his smirk disappearing as he moved behind me. I made a noise of protest, which he ignored as he moved my body into throwing position. It was at this moment that I was blushing so bad I was surprised that I wasn't about to faint from all the heat. I could feel every part of him, as his body aligned with mine. This had to be the closest I had ever been to a guy up until that moment.

"Swing your arm back, and then bring it across your body," he said, moving my arm to follow what he was saying. "Then end your throw with your arm pointed towards where you want the ball to go." My hand, in his, was faced to the top pin. I nodded my head, to show that I understood. Then I felt something wet and warm touch my ear. Thinking it was a bug I waved my hand near my ear. Thane put the ball in my hand and helped me throw it down the lane. It wasn't a strong throw so it wasn't a strike but it was better than my other ones.

"Thanks," I told Thane smiling. I tried to turn but he was holding me to tight. "Thane, you can let me go now." But he didn't. Instead I felt the warm and wet feeling on my cheek this time. I let out a little shriek as I started to wipe my cheek. "Disgusting‼! Thane why did you lick me?" I wiggled my way out of his arms, and whipped around to face him. He was giving me the half sleepy, have predator look, looking like a content cat. I glared at him, still wiping my cheek to get the offensive saliva off of it.

"Oh you know you love it," said Thane, almost purring. Rena just started chuckling as I stomped back to my seat, still glaring daggers at Thane. I was not letting him near me again.

Bowling continued along, meanwhile Thane trying to get his hands on me and I was trying to avoid him as much as possible. Rena just shook her head at us as she beat us again and again.

After the last game, we packed up and switched our shoes, and moved to turn them back in. Rena was leading; apparently to make sure the "coast" was clear for us to come out of the bowling alley. Thane's arm appeared around my shoulder, pulling me in towards him. Walking out towards the car, I looked up at Thane's face. During the evening, Thane had shown me a side that I didn't expect. He actually seemed like a nice guy, though a little pervert. He even seemed semi-human.

Thane glanced down at me, catching me in my act. I blushed lightly, embarrassed, turning away to walk faster to the passenger side of the car. As I was reaching for the handle to open the door, Thane grabbed it and opening the door wide, all while smirking and his eyes twinkling.

"You guys can stop flirting with each other anytime now," said Rena, her face expressionless, except for her eyes, which was filled with mischief. "Or you guys could start making out and give me a real show?" she asked, humor in her voice.

Thane looked down at me his smile getting wider. I turned my gaze forward, not wanting to look at either one of them for the moment.

"Sorry Rena," said Thane. "I think Stella is a little too shy to be doing that in public." Thane shut the door and quickly got into the driver seat.

"So true," Rena said from the back seat. Both Thane and Rena chuckled a little. I felt a hand on my cheek for a moment before pulling away.

"Shut up," I told them. So yeah, I was a little shy in the romantic category, part of it because I haven't had any romance. "It's not like I want any from him anyways," I said, trying to insult him.

The car came to a stop at a stoplight as Thane laid his hand on my thigh, gaining my attention. His green eyes looked as if they were glowing. "You say that now," he said, his breath falling on my face. "But wait till later, my star." His lips brushed my cheek sensually as the light turned green.

I pulled away as his hand came up to my face. "The light's green." His hand left my side vision and the car pulled away.

The rest of the car ride was silent except for the radio. I was kind of tired; a combination of bowling and avoid Thane can take a lot out of a girl. Apparently Rena or Thane didn't have anything to say either.

When we pulled up to the house, Thane, being a gentleman, got the door and lead me in. Rena said her goodbyes before leaving to go further into the house, to do whatever she needed to do. I started to lean against Thane, yawning all through the house. We ended up going straight to my room.

"Here we are miss sleepy head," said Thane said, sweeping his arm as if showing the room for the first time. He continued pulling me along and sat me on the bed. I groaned and laid back on the bed. Thane just chuckled and sat on the bed with me. For a moment we just stared at each other, not knowing what to say. Then Thane sighed and collapse next to me. "So what do you want to do know, Ms. Stella?"

I looked at his astonished. Didn't the yawns give him a clue? "I'm tired, I kind of want to just go to sleep," I said. I adjusted to get more comfortable while still keeping an eye on him. He lifted himself on one elbow and turned his body more towards mine. I started to become more aware that we were two teens of the opposite gender laying on a bed. My bed. Warning alarms went off in my head.

I started to move off of the bed as Thanes arm reached out and pulled me back. Not looking at him I said, "Thane, this isn't a good idea. You should leave or at least let me up."

Thane reached up to brush hair out of my face. "I won't do anything bad," said Thane. "Why are you so afraid of me?" He slowly turned my face toward him. My heart at that moment felt like coming out of my chest, the banging was so loud to my ears that I knew Thane had to have heard it.

"Stella?" He questioned when I didn't answer. His eyes looked so sincere, so confused as if I were the mystery, and not him.

"I'm not used to this," I said, looking over his shoulder, trying to look at anything but his eyes. "I've never had a boyfriend in my life, never had a guy fancy me." I took some deep breaths before continuing. "And then you come along, marriage and all and…. I'm too young to be married and why me?" I looked up in his eyes then. "Why me? I'm so inexperienced, not as good looking as other girls and just all around normal?" I sighed. "And plus, I don't understand you one bit, you are so confusing," I said frustrated. I turned my eyes away from him again, fearing his reaction to my rant.

I felt his breath hit my face. "Stella, Stella." I saw him shake his head. "You think I'm confusing, you are the confusing one." I looked at him again because I couldn't believe what I had heard. Me? "You don't act like other girls around me, which makes me not act as I usually do. I try and predict what you'll do but so far you keep surprising me." He smirked. "And that's your charm. Yes you might not be as beautiful as other girls." Thanks Thane…. "But they are predictable in what they do, which makes then boring. You are more of a…" He paused, looking up like he was trying to find the right word. "More of a challenge I guess," he finished looking back down. "And I wouldn't have anyone else at the moment."

I sat there and just stared. Who could believe that Thane, Thane Serran, could have said all those kind things? I mean no guy has ever said that to me, except maybe Dar, but he was a friend I grew up with. My eyes started to mist up.

Thane smiled and gently wiped at the tear that had gathered at the corner of my eye. I closed my eyes at the feel of his touch, which surprisingly felt good at that moment. Then before I could open my eyes, before I had time to move back, my only warning was his breath on my face, I felt his lips on mine. And in the moment, my brain froze. What the heck was he doing? He slowly put more pressure on my lips, shifting his head to fit our lips even tighter together. But before I could get my wits about me and push him off, he pulled away. I snapped open my eyes to see him pulling back with his eyes slowly opening and the corners of his mouth turning up.

It was then I realized what had happened. I had just experienced my first kiss‼! Oh my gosh…. I was stunned into silence that I just looked at him. He laughed.

"See it wasn't that bad," he said cheerfully. "Nothing bad happened."

"I can't believe you did that," I said hoarsely. "You took away my virginity!" I started to beat him on his chest.

"No I didn't!" he said trying to take hold of my arms.

"My lips aren't virgins anymore!"

Thane caught hold of my arms, chuckling. "Okay, maybe I did take your 'lip virginity', but I'm not guilty over it. It would have happened sooner or later." He shrugged. I tried to kick him but he just pulled me into a bear hug. "And with that, I say goodbye." He stood up, bringing me with him and planted a kiss on my head. I was starting to get red as I kept remembering the kiss.

He pulled away from me and looked me in the eye, humor fading from his green orbs. "I leave tomorrow early, so I probably won't see you in the morning. I won't see you for another couple of days."

"Good," I said, huffing. "I won't have to see your ugly face for awhile then." Thane just laughed.

"But don't think you are off the hook," he said letting me go. "My mother has to educate you on proper etiquette training." He grinned as I let out a groan. He pulled me in for another hug before kissing my cheek. "See you later, my star." And then he was gone out the door.

I shut the door behind him and leaned against it. I still couldn't believe I had my first kiss. I was still in shock. I did my nightly routine of getting ready to bed, still remembering the feel of him holding me and the pressure of his lips. I would find myself pressing my fingers to my lips and then jerking them away. What was wrong with me?

I didn't really know but at least I could get distance from Thane for a little bit. I was almost too shy to see him again anytime soon but on the trail of that thought came another one. I had lessons with his mother…. I groaned again as I fell onto bed and turned off the lights. I would need my sleep, for I had no idea what Aloria had planned for me. But my gut told me it was nothing good. Just another day in the life I guess.

And there you have it! Another chapter done. Don't know when I'll be working on the next one, but I will say I'm working on another story, and hopefully will be posting that soon. I just want to thank all the people who have supported me when I don't feel like writing and all the wonderful reviews out there. You have no idea how much they help my motivation. Until next time! Oh and please review and tell me what you think. Thanks!