Chapter 2

Adora decided to join her brother for lunch that afternoon. When she entered his chamber, she had to stop for a moment and look back at the closed door to be certain she was actually in the right place. This looks more like a garden than a bedroom! The only surface not covered with flowers was the bed where Adam lay with Cringer curled up at his side. Uh oh. It looks like Castaspella has decided to brighten things up. The princess bit her lip. Still, it could be worse. Perfuma could be visiting. Cringer began to dream, his jaw twitching in his sleep, and Adora suddenly wondered whether the tiger had attempted to eat any of the flowers. Restraining the urge to giggle like a loon, she tiptoed over to the bed.

Her stealth was a wasted effort, however, because Adam sat up in bed, yawned dramatically and said, "I'm awake, oh noisy one."

Her brother and his pet bounced in place, but Cringer just grumbled something about children, rolled over and returned to his dream. Adam snatched up a pillow, smacked her with it in the back of the head. She countered by launching herself at him and beginning to tickle his sides. "I give! I give!" he cried as she pursued him to the edge of the bed.

"I do not accept your surrender, sir," she announced haughtily. "I still have at least fifteen years worth of tickling to catch up on."

Adam laughed. "But not all today, Sis!" Adora continued her pursuit, and her brother called for reinforcements. "Cringer, help!" The tip of the tiger's tail lashed briefly, then he yawned and covered his muzzle with a paw. "Oh, thanks," Adam said dryly. "You're a big - ooof!"

"And you need to learn not to let your guard down!" Adora chortled, but her laughter broke off with a squeal when her brother started tickling under her chin. "Ack! Okay, okay, I surrender. Really!"

They collapsed on his bed, laughing and gasping for breath. Adam had a huge smile on his face and, though he still looked tired, the dark circles under his eyes were gone. Good. He's getting better. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to him. She was tempted to turn into She-Ra and heal him again, just to reassure herself that he really was well, but she knew he would object and accuse of her coddling him.

"Sooooooo," she said instead, "who are all the flowers from? Do you have one extravagant admirer or just a lot of them?"

Adam grimaced and rolled across the bed and off it, landing on his feet. He turned, plopped down into a chair by the bed and said, "Don't ask."

"Why so gloomy, brother dear? Most people like getting flowers."

He mock scowled at her. "You didn't see the delivery. I thought Teela was going to burst."

"Teela!" Adora gasped. "The flowers are from Teela?" Ancients above, don't tell me that the girl has finally come to her senses!

Adam's shoulders drooped and he gazed mournfully at his lap. "No."

Adora found herself restraining the urge to go find the captain of the guard and shake her until her teeth rattled. What is wrong with her? Is she so mad over He-Man's muscles that she can't see what a prize she has at her fingertips? Maybe if I -

"I've just got to face it, Sis," Adam said, unexpectedly breaking his silent contemplation. "Teela... she doesn't have... I'm not sure she even thinks of me as a friend anymore. At some point - " He stopped and stared blank-faced at the bed for a moment. Then, in a bare whisper, he continued, "It's been seven years since I first became He-Man. Somewhere along the way I stopped being Teela's friend and became a burden, the spoiled prince she has to baby-sit. It's pointless."

Her heart aching within her, Adora could only listen helplessly as her brother announced the failure of all his hopes. He's loved her since he was twelve. This must be killing him. Stretching out on her stomach, she reached for his hands and he reached back and clasped hers.

"Are you certain that's how she feels?"

"Isn't it obvious?" he replied. "She's never been one for subtlety, my dear captain. What she says is exactly what she thinks, and she thinks I'm... useless."

Adora frowned, considering how to best phrase her misgivings. "I'm not so sure about all of this, my brother. I mean, Teela seems awfully, well, possessive. Don't you think?"

He sighed and squeezed her hands. "She is that," he admitted. "I used to think it was a sign, an indication that somewhere deep inside she really did care for me, but... " He trailed off, sighing and closing his eyes.

"You don't think that anymore?"

"She despises me, Sis," he said candidly. "Oh, she still treats me kindly from time to time, and there are moments - getting fewer and farther between every day - when we can achieve something almost like our old camaraderie, but it's mostly habit. Maybe she feels a certain amount of obligation, almost as if it's her duty to be my friend. I don't really know. I just know that our friendship is over, and all you're witnessing is its exceedingly slow death."

Oh, my poor Adam. If only I could fix the world for you, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Adora asked the one question she'd never dared to ask her brother before. "Are you saying that your feelings for Teela have changed, that you don't care for her anymore?" Because I can see just by looking that you still love her.

Adam stood and walked over to the window. He leaned against the sill and gazed across the palace grounds, spread out before him in the glistening noonday sun. Adora joined him and placed an arm around his waist. When he spoke, his voice was calm and firm, but somewhere in its depths there was an echo of unbearable sorrow.

"If Teela ever needs anything of me, she has but to ask. I will always be there for her, no matter how far apart we grow. I love her with every little piece of my soul. I know that will never change. But I don't know how much longer I can play at being her friend when I want to be so much more."

He turned slightly and Adora pulled him close, hugging him until her arms ached almost as much as her heart.

The princess perched on a bench in the shade, watching - and critiquing - as Teela worked out not five meters away. There was no doubt that the captain of the guard was a skilled warrior. She was an able bodyguard, a good soldier and a loyal vassal to the king and queen. And at that moment, Adora hated her with every fiber of her being.

How dare she not want Adam? How dare she be so callous? How dare she prefer He-Man? I don't care how competent she is! If she says one rotten thing to Adam in my presence, I'll break her in two!

Adora sat, jaw clenched, and watched, fuming as the Eternian warrior completed a set of high kicks and started on a set of side kicks. Twenty-one years of Horde training leapt to the fore as Hordak's adopted daughter cum mind-control-experiment recalled fifteen separate ways to block the kick that Teela was practicing. And most of them would involve breaking her leg. The way I feel right now, that almost sounds like a bonus. The princess sighed. There are times when I can't help thinking that it's easier to be evil. Evil people can clobber anyone they want. If I were evil, no one would think twice about me having Teela assassinated. But, oh no... I wield the Sword of Protection. Just once I'd like to wield the Sword of Destruction! Just once.

Teela completed the set she was working on and turned, preparatory to beginning another exercise. She paused when she caught sight of Adora skulking in the shadows, and the princess wondered what the captain would make of her presence in this courtyard at this time. To her surprise, Teela walked toward her, stopping a respectful, but comfortable, distance away.

"Good afternoon, your highness," she said, gifting the princess with a broad smile.

How can she be so cheerful when Adam is so heartbroken? Adora fought back a growl, but failed to contain a grimace as she muttered, "Good day." She folded her arms tightly over her chest and crossed her legs. It wouldn't be right to hit her. I'm a champion. It wouldn't right.

"Is something wrong, Adora?" Teela asked, perplexed. Then, eyes widening, she blurted, "Adam hasn't gotten worse, has he?"

The princess blinked, opened and closed her mouth like a small fish, then exhaled slowly through her nose. Am I supposed to believe you care, dearie? "Adam is fine," she snapped.

Teela was visibly relieved, but her eyebrows climbed. "And the king and queen?"

"They're fine too," Adora spat out. "Everyone is fine. We're all just fine."

The eyebrows continued their climb as the captain regarded the princess with dawning comprehension. "Then I must be responsible for the look on your face," she said in tones of puzzlement. "So, what did I do to make you look like you want to grab me by the neck and swing me like a bolo?"

Adora blinked. Now there's an image. "I was under the impression that you thought Adam was being a hypochondriac."

Teela bit her lip and did not reply. Tilting her head, the princess gazed up at the captain, trying to see her as Adam saw her. Intelligent? Yes. Courageous? Undoubtedly. Beautiful? Clearly. Perceptive? Not hardly.

"Adam is all right, isn't he?" Teela asked again when Adora just continued to stare up at her. "You would tell me if something was wrong with him, wouldn't you? I'm his bodyguard, after all. I - I'd need to know."

The princess sighed and then stood. So it is just a job to you... or is it? Why can't you just kiss him and get it over with? "I would tell you if he'd gotten worse. Now if you will excuse me, I really need to get in a decent workout myself. I'm getting stiff and lazy sitting around this palace for days on end." Still irritated, Adora made to move around the captain, only to have her arm seized in a surprisingly strong grip.

Her smile suspiciously sharp, Teela said, "We could spar together. I would enjoy it and it could keep us both in fighting trim."

Adora almost discarded the suggestion out of hand, but then a strange and wondrous thought occurred to her. Sparring with Teela? I'd be allowed to hit her. In fact, it would be a requirement. She smiled icily and eased her arm from the captain's grasp. "By all means. Let us spar later this evening. After all, it would be unfair to start a match when you're tired."

Teela frowned ferociously. "I can take anything you can throw at me... Princess."

Adora's eyes widened. Amazing how insulting that title can be. "Perhaps you can," Adora agreed. "But, I wasn't actually planning on throwing anything at you. I was planning on throwing you."

"Plans seldom survive engagement with the enemy," Teela said, smiling frostily.

"Am I the enemy, captain?"

"I am certainly not your enemy, your highness. Though it is clear you dislike me for some reason." Teela paused for a moment, and Adora waited, curious to hear what more she had to say. "Maybe you're just jealous of me and can't admit it."

"Jealous!" Adora cried, incensed. "Why in the name of the Ancients would I be jealous of you? You don't have anything I want or envy!"

"Not true," the Eternian countered hotly. "I had Adam. I had years and years with Adam. Years that you can never have because of what the Horde did to your family. While you were on Etheria, I was Adam's only sister. We were practically siblings and you can't stand that! That's it, isn't it? That's why you're constantly glaring daggers at me! I know it is!"

Adora gaped at her. You vile little snipe! How could you suggest - The princess shook her head. Wait. Wait. Something she said. There's something interesting about what she said...

"After dinner, then, your highness?" Teela asked, her eyes snapping like emeralds in sunlight. "Shall we spar after dinner?"

"After dinner," Adora agreed.

Dinner looked to be shaping up to be much the same as the previous night as far as Teela could tell. Although, unlike the previous evening, she was on time and wearing her usual garb. Man-At-Arms raised an eyebrow at the reappearance of her armor, but he didn't seem to be actually displeased, and she breathed a sigh of relief. She exchanged warm greetings with the king and queen, somewhat frosty ones with Adora and Castaspella, gave Orko a smile and a wink and then sat down at her customary place beside her father.

There was still one empty chair at the table, between the Etherian queen and the princess, and Teela wondered who would be joining them this evening. Maybe one of the other Masters is in the capital. Before King Randor called for the first course, she got her answer. Prince Adam appeared in the entryway, Cringer standing at his side. He was wearing his customary garb as well, but his hair looked different somehow though she couldn't put her finger on the exact change. He seems nervous. Is he expecting to get yelled at for missing last night's welcome dinner?

To Teela's surprise, the king rose, walked over and put an arm around his son's shoulders. "Adam, I'm pleased to see you looking so much better," he said as he guided the prince to his seat. "Now, you be sure and tell us if you begin to feel tired."

Adam blushed scarlet as he took his chair and squeaked out, "Yes, Father." He cleared his throat quietly as his sister and Castaspella both favored him with dazzling smiles. "Good evening, everyone - Mother, Man-At-Arms, Orko, Teela." He nodded and smiled at each of them in turn as Cringer walked over to flop down on his cushion in the corner.

Teela waited until the others had finished greeting the prince and begun to speak amongst themselves, then she said, "Hi, Adam. You do look better." She smiled. "In fact, you look quite nice. I like your hair." she noted, for some reason earning a glare from Castaspella. What is her problem? That wasn't rude for pity's sake.

"Thanks," Adam said, grinning at her.

"So do I," Castaspella chimed in, dimpling at him before returning to a conversation with King Randor and Orko regarding the differing magical natures of Etheria and Eternia. Technically, Orko was Teela's dinner partner, but she found that she didn't mind forgoing his conversation this once. Instead, she cheerfully joined in Adam and Adora's discussion of the royal stables and the new horses that Stablemaster Elias had purchased earlier that month at the Northvale Market Fair.

Meanwhile, Queen Marlena and Man-At-Arms conversed quietly at their end of the table, periodically shooting unreadable looks in Adam's direction. I wonder what that's all about.

As they spoke of horses, riding and other summer pastimes, Adora and Teela actually managed to remain civil to each other, and the captain began to regret her earlier outburst. It wouldn't please Adam to know that they'd been arguing, and, if Adora was jealous of the childhood that Teela and the prince had spent together, well, who could blame her? I was acting like a jerk. So she glared at me, that's no reason for me to attack her on that subject. If I found out I had a sibling I'd never known, I'd be devastated too.

Determined to make amends, Teela smiled at the princess, laughed at her witticisms and generally behaved in as polite and cordial a manner as she could manage. After a while, Adora started giving her fishy looks, but Teela just kept smiling. Adam must have been pleased by how well they were getting along, because his eyes sparkled.

And he certainly has nice eyes. I've never seen anyone with eyes as deep and rich a blue as his. They share a lot of features, but Adora's eyes aren't nearly as pretty. And those lashes of his... sometimes I think they're longer than mine. Teela sighed. Maybe that's why he focuses his attentions on being a courtier instead of a warrior. He came pre-equipped with everything he needs to break girls' hearts. I mean, his smile's not exactly bad now, is it. His hair could use some -

"Teela?" Adam asked, breaking into her reflections.

"What?" she asked, suddenly realizing just how far afield her thoughts had taken her. Adora was eyeing her with a blatantly curious regard. Oh, crud. How long was I gone? "Yes, Adam?"

"Do I have something on my face?" He leaned slightly across the table as he whispered sotto voce.

"Ummm... no, why?" Teela could feel a blush creeping up her neck. Uh oh...

"You were just squinting at me for an awfully long time," he replied.

"Oh! I mean, oh, I was just, ummm, lost in thought. I guess my mind was a million light-years away." She smiled abashedly at him. "Sorry."

Adam blinked, looking for a moment as if he was unsure how to take her explanation. "That's okay," he said at last, flashing her a brilliant smile. She couldn't help noting how even and white his teeth were. "Have you ridden Aspiral yet?"

It was apparently Teela's turn to be confused. "Aspiral? Who?" Ridden?! What the in the Ancients is he asking?

"The large chestnut with the white blaze," Adam said. "He's in the fourth stall from the end of the west wing of the stable. He's a real high stepper. His gait's as smooth as silk, though."

"Oh! A horse, I mean," she shook her head, catching Adora's highly amused expression. "Yes, of course, that Aspiral. No, I haven't had a chance to ride him yet. I rather got the impression that Elias meant to set him aside for your personal use though."

Adam smiled broadly and chuckled. "Sometimes, it's good to be the stablemaster's favorite."

Teela sniffed, raised her chin and said, "He just likes you because you help him feed the horses and clean the stalls. You, your highness, have been kissing up to him for years."

Adam sat up straight and placed his hands squarely on either side of his plate. He threw out his chest. "You'd better believe it. Otherwise, he wouldn't let me nap in the hayloft," he agreed as Adora broke into a giggle. "So, Teela, are we still on to go shopping the day after tomorrow?"

Before Teela could respond, Castaspella turned around and placed one of her hands over the prince's. "Did I hear someone mention shopping?" she asked. The wizardess leaned closer and smiled cloyingly at him, her dimples very prominent.

"Yes," Adam replied, flushing slightly as she wrapped her fingers around his hand.

Why that brazen -

"We were going to spend the day shopping in Eternos and possibly a few of the outlying villages," he clarified. "You're more than welcome to join us, of course."

What! Teela grit her teeth and exhaled slowly. I didn't spend a week making the security arrangements to have this little tramp tag along! Who does she think she is? Then, inspiration struck. "You're welcome to come, too, Adora," Teela said, flashing her own dimples at the princess - all the while eyeing the Etherian queen with unconcealed hostility.

Adora bit her lip for an instant - Teela strongly suspected she was holding back highly inappropriate laughter - and then took a deep breath. "Thanks, but I'm afraid I'll be spending the day with Mother and Father. It's kind of a special thing we've planned, just the three of us."

"Oh, I understand," Teela said, giving the princess a genuine smile. Not knowing your own parents - I can so relate to that. I'm so lucky I've had Father all these years. As an adoptive father, he beats anyone hands down.

"I was not invited," Adam said. "I am so unloved." He slumped over the back of his chair and sighed dramatically, one hand pressed to his forehead.

Teela started to laugh, but a look of such abrupt and intense sorrow flashed across Adora's features that the laughter seemed wholly inappropriate, and she immediately stopped. What is that about? Something is bothering Adora. I knew it, I -

"Oh, I wouldn't say that, your highness," Castaspella drawled, leaning unpardonably close to the prince. Adam flushed crimson. "In fact, I'd say that you - "

"Adam! Are you all right?" the king exclaimed. Rising rapidly from his chair, he marched around the table, and placed a hand on his son's brow.

Teela wouldn't have believed it was possible, but the prince's flush deepened. If he gets any darker, he's going to start to resemble Clawful. Adam protested that he was fine while Castaspella looked on with evident, if questionable, concern. Adora also looked on, her eyes very wide as Castaspella nodded in solemn agreement with several of Randor's directives that Adam continue to rest and relax until such time as the palace surgeon declared him completely recovered.

Through it all, Queen Marlena and Man-At-Arms were strangely silent. They watched for several seconds, exchanged an indecipherable glance, and then returned to their observation of the prince. All right, that it! Is everyone here in on some big secret that I don't know about?

The captain frowned and rested her chin on her hand as Orko joined in the fussing over the prince. The small jester flitted around offering to fetch a variety of things that Adam didn't actually need. Teela could see that Adam's embarrassment was approaching the level of critical mass, and, for once, she didn't find it funny. So how do I distract them all? Teela caught Adora's eyes, and she saw in the princess' eyes that she too was anxious for the show to stop. So let's give them another show.

"So, Adora, do you want to hold our match outside or in the indoor practice ring?"

The princess narrowed her eyes, then, comprehension dawning, she said, "Inside. I wouldn't want you to be blinded by the setting sun when I show you how a real warrior fights."

"What?" Adam said, breaking free of Castaspella's hold on his arm and leaning across the table to face Teela. "You're going to what?" He turned his alarmed expression on his sister who smiled innocently at him.

The king was still standing behind the prince's chair, but his gaze now darted back and forth between his daughter and the captain of his guard. Well, that worked. Teela grinned at Adam. A pretty good apology, if I do say so myself.

When dinner finally broke up, Adora headed for her rooms to prepare for her sparring match with the captain of the guard. Teela - now what got into her? She was acting very strangely at dinner. The princess sighed. I'm not so sure that Adam is right about her. She's not just possessive; in her own way, she's very protective of him. Why else would she turn our little contest into a spectator sport unless it was to draw attention away from Adam when Father was embarrassing him? If I could only figure out what angle she's coming at this from...

Adora entered her rooms - it was still delightfully new and wondrous to have space of her very own that was neither Horde-controlled nor a leaky tent - and proceeded to search her wardrobe for the clothing she needed. Her suite consisted of a bathing chamber, a bed chamber and a sitting room - which no one ever seemed to actually sit in as far as she could tell. Though, Mother does use her sitting room. I wish I knew what she was talking about when she said it makes her feel like Jane Austen to receive visitors there.

The rooms had been decorated by her mother with help from her father and brother, and Adora loved it. It wasn't her exact taste, but it was close. But most importantly, it had been put together by her family because they wanted her to feel loved and welcome. They wanted her to know she had a home. Furniture and color choice were irrelevant - the suite was perfect.

In the bedroom, the walls were a soft, buttery yellow, the furniture was wooden and had been painted a bright, snowy white. Every surface was covered with soft cushions and throws in varying pastel shades. Most featured lace borders and other frills. And the comforter on the bed... Someone should write a sonnet about that bed. It's like heaven on Eternia. Pastel's not really me, but, oh, I love that bed. If only Sea Hawk were here. Adora sighed lustily. Naughty, naughty. What would Father think...? I know what Mother would think. I wonder if all Terrans are as open minded as she is?

Trying to allow thoughts of her beau to distract her, Adora changed into the clothes she kept for exercise and fighting practice. While they were almost indistinguishable from the rest of her wardrobe in appearance, they had been fashioned more sturdily to take the abuse they would have to withstand.

She shrugged out of her dinner clothes, slipped into her fighting garb and tied her hair back so it wouldn't get in her eyes during the match. While She-Ra's hair never got in her eyes during battle - her hair naturally being as magical as the rest of her - Adora had to be a bit more careful. She was sitting on the side of her bed just pulling her boots back on when there was a knock on her door.

"Come in," she called as she fastened the last tie. The door opened and her brother walked in, a not unexpected look of hostility on his usually amiable features. "Yes, Adam? Did you need something?"

"Where is it?" he demanded through clenched teeth.

Yup. He figured it out. "Where's what, my brother?" she asked innocently, batting her eyelashes at him. He's not happy about this. Ah well, I expected as much.

"My sword, Adora!" Adam exclaimed, coming to loom over her, hands on his hips, eyes flashing with the force of his indignation. "Where is the Sword of Power?"

The princess blinked and smiled lovingly up at him. "Isn't it where you left it?" The prince inhaled, his chest swelling to alarming proportions as he drew in more and more air without stopping. "For heaven's sake, Adam! Breathe out! Breathe out!"

"WHERE IS IT!" he shrieked, turning and kicking the corner of the bed. "I know you've taken it! You're coddling me! I know it! Duncan would never do this! Duncan thinks I should fight until I drop dead! The Sorceress wouldn't notice if I dropped dead as long as Skeletor didn't attack Grayskull! Only YOU would do this! Now - where - is - my - sword?!"

Goodness. He really is upset. Ummm... "There's no need to shout, my brother," Adora said calmly, giving him a stern and disapproving look. "I can hear you perfectly well." She reached out to take his hand, and Adam spun away. For a time he stood with his back to her, breathing hard, his fists clenched and hanging by his sides. Then, abruptly, all the air and ire drained out of him.

Turning back, he moved over and sat down by her side on the bed. "Don't 'my brother' me when we're fighting. It's unfair. You know it makes me melt." To prove his point, he leaned over and rested his head atop hers.

Adora chuckled as she put an arm around his waist. "Are we fighting?"

"Yes," he replied firmly.

"Why?"

"You're trying to manipulate me," Adam complained. His sister bristled and pinched him on the side. "Ouch!"

"I am not trying to manipulate you," she retorted hotly. "I am trying to control you. There is a very big difference. Manipulation is underhanded and sneaky. This is straightforward, 'I'm in charge,' stuff."

Adam grumbled but he didn't pull away. "Why did you take it?' he asked quietly.

Adora sighed. Good. Now he's going to be reasonable. "Adam, my brother, you're on holiday, remember?"

"That's silly, Sis," Adam groused. "I'm fine. The palace surgeon even said I didn't have to stay in bed any longer."

"He also said you should have steady rest and relaxation for the next month at least. Even he could see that you've drawn yourself far too thin. You've lost weight, my brother. That's not good."

This time Adam did pull away. He scowled at her, his jaw quivering with his umbrage. "You read his report! You see, you are a sneak."

Adora smiled at him, completely unrepentant. "I did not sneak," she announced, "I simply asked Father to let me read his copy of the report."

"His copy?" Adam squeaked. "You mean Father's read - oh, Ancients, no!" He buried his face in his hands. "Why? Why did Father even know? Why didn't you and Duncan keep this to yourselves? Teela would never have told anyone. She was convinced I'm just pathetic and lazy!"

Adora sighed and scooted over until she could put both her arms around her brother. He was stiff, but he grudgingly allowed the embrace. "Adam, I'm worried about you. So is Duncan, and, as it happens, he agreed with my decision to take your sword away. As long as you have it, you'll never rest! This is the only way I know to make sure you get proper rest. You - are - on - holiday. And that is final!" she said resolutely.

"But, Sis, it's dangerous. What if He-Man is needed? I told you how things have been here." He gazed pleadingly at her, but Adora refused to weaken.

"Then She-Ra will take care of it," she countered confidently. "Duncan has placed all of the Masters on alert, and She-Ra isn't leaving until her favorite brother is well enough to manage." Adora hugged him tightly. "Please, my brother, for me? Don't make this harder than it has to be. I'm keeping the sword, but don't be angry. Let us enjoy our time together. Please?"

Adam's stiff body relaxed in her arms and the princess knew that she had won. "All right," he agreed reluctantly. "But Adora, please be careful. I couldn't stand it if you - " He broke off and nestled his face against her shoulder. "Don't leave me."

"I will be fine. Unlike you, I have no trouble asking for help when I need it." Adora patted his head, reflecting that having family was quite a lot of work. Worth it, though. "And from now on, you are to call me when you need help. Your solo heroics won't be of much comfort to me if you get killed."

Adam sighed, and his answer came out muffled by her clothing. "I promise." Then, grumbling, he said, "Someone should warn Sea Hawk what a harridan you can be."

Adora laughed. "He already knows. Trust me."