Chapter 4
Humming contentedly to himself, Adam leaned against a fence, one boot propped up on the lower railing and watched people stroll by while he waited for Castaspella to come out of the bakery. He wouldn't have thought it could take anyone so long to choose a few simple pastries, but then he wouldn't have expected half of the things he'd learned about the Etherian queen that day.
He'd known from the first time he met her that Castaspella was a strong, determined woman who spoke her mind and did not shrink from the duties of running a country alone. As a ruler, he knew that she was fair and honest, hard working and meticulous. Adora claimed that the wizardess was also mature enough to admit when she was wrong. Though she had absolute power in Mystacore, Castaspella earnestly sought out the counsel of her people, nobles and commoners alike. She actively listened to what they had to say. She heard their words, but she also watched their actions, their body language, their choices and she was adept at discerning what people meant when what they said did not match their true meaning. His sister also told him that the queen had even been known to go against her own wishes when public opinion was not with her. Yet, she would also do what was right and just, no matter how unpopular it might be. Overall, Adam believed Castaspella to be an honorable and even-handed ruler. She led her people gently, but with great strength of will.
What he had not quite realized was that the wizardess could be a positive little tyrant when dealing with strictly personal matters. One on one, she was downright bossy. Or maybe that should be a determined little tyrant, he thought wonderingly. When she gets that one look in her eyes... I bet her advisors run for cover. Growing up as he did, Adam was more than used to assertive women. His mother was no wilting flower, and the prince knew that she more than anyone else had shaped his psyche, molding his view of the universe. Then there was Teela.
As his friend, and later as his bodyguard and personal trainer... well, she was easily as domineering and dictatorial as anyone he'd ever met. In general, the prince thought of himself as a fairly mellow person, willing to go with the flow. Usually, it was only in his guise as He-man that he became truly assertive and commanding. His placid ways had begun as a ruse, a necessary element of the disguise that kept the people of Eternia from realizing their champion's true identity. But over the long years, that laid-back attitude had become ingrained habit. As a result, Adam often found it easier to simply go along with whatever his friends and family asked of him. Perhaps prolonged exposure had gifted the prince with a certain immunity to Teela's bossy ways, so that he no longer jumped every time she snapped her fingers, but he had no such protection to help him deal with Castaspella, and he found himself going along with her every scheme despite the misgivings that sometimes plagued him.
When they met at one of the palace's servant entrances, preparatory to beginning their shopping expedition, Adam had reminded Castaspella that they would be going strictly to those places where he was not well known. While he was certain that his father would eventually learn of his unauthorized trip outside the palace walls, he hoped to prolong the inevitable by not showing his face in places where news of his outing, and his current location, would instantly come winging back to gossip central.
Though she had put on a great show of reluctance when they first discussed his restriction to the palace grounds, at some point the clandestine nature of the excursion must have begun to appeal to the wizardess for an alarming twinkle appeared in her eyes.
"Yes, of course we should stick to areas where you aren't well known," she'd agreed. "But that's not enough. We must also refrain from using our titles for the day. I'll call you Adam - that is a common enough name here, is it not?"
"Yes," he'd confirmed, a hint of doubt already pricking at his conscience. Getting a guest in trouble with my father is not really a worthy thing to do, he worried. But how can I back out now, when I've promised her a special birthday celebration?
"Well then, I shall call you Adam and you shall call me Casta. I fear Castaspella might be too noticeable, and," here she'd dimpled and smiled demurely up at him, "I quite like hearing you call me Casta." The idea was only sensible and the prince had quickly agreed. But then... oh, but then the real suggestions had begun.
Before he quite knew what had happened, Adam found himself in a ready-made clothing shop purchasing an entirely new outfit for himself as well as one for Castaspella. The wizardess argued, and reasonably so, that if the prince was serious about passing unnoticed among the throng, his usual attire was too distinctive. I could hardly disagree with that, now could I? Fur-trimmed clothing was an affectation that only royals or soldiers could afford, and Adam couldn't say that he was sorry to abandon his traditionally effeminate garb. He knew with dreadful certainty, however, that Man-At-Arms would not be pleased.
It's just for one day, he told himself. One day's not going to ruin a disguise that's worked perfectly well for seven years. Adam could practically see Duncan's face and hear his words as he tried out one line of reasoning after another. "Prince Adam, just because no one suspects that you are He-Man does not justify you taking foolish chances," his mentor would no doubt say as he stood nearby, looking stern. "I am very disappointed in your behavior, young man." The prince shuddered. Man-At-Arms and his father had been friends for more years than Adam had been alive, and sometimes they sounded remarkably alike in their criticisms. Well, nuts to both of them. I'm going to have some fun for a change. Mother and Adora will understand. Teela's reaction to his current adventure - that Adam didn't even want to contemplate.
While Adam was the one who paid for their new clothing, he rapidly discovered that he had very little say in its selection. Castaspella chose every garment, both his and hers. Still, he supposed it wasn't entirely fair to say he had no part in the process. With an eye for minutiae that he should have expected in a skilled magic worker, the wizardess deftly quizzed him on his likes and dislikes. As they walked through the streets of Eternos, she pointed out passing merchants and tradesmen, minor nobility and farmers, eliciting from the prince his reaction to the garments worn by each. Before they ever set foot in the shop, she had ascertained how tightly he liked his breeches to fit, which colors he was sick to death of seeing, what cuts of a tunic he found irredeemably rakish, which food he most often spilled on himself and a myriad of other minor details.
Then they arrived at the shop. The prince stood back and observed her progress, mesmerized as Castaspella moved among the racks, table and shelves like a miniature whirlwind. Though, truth be told, she left very little disarray in her wake. An elegant and dignified whirlwind. Strange how it doesn't seem like an oxymoron, watching her.
The shopkeeper, Harmon, whose establishment Adam had selected for this endeavor because he was not given to gossip, eyed the prince and his companion with frank curiosity. Adam just shrugged and mouthed the words, "royal visitor." The shopkeeper's eyebrows rose slightly, and he inclined his head sympathetically in the prince's direction. Lovely, Adam berated himself. Somehow I don't think Castaspella would appreciate being cast in the roll of the inconvenient and unpleasant noble guest. But neither did he believe she would care to be labeled as his paramour. Harmon might not be given to gossip, but Castaspella's friendly regard could so easily be mistaken for... something more.
Yes, far better that Harmon should consider me saddled with yet another royal twit to wine and dine than that he should breathe a word to suggest that we're - Adam swallowed nervously as the wizardess flashed a mischievous smile at him from across the room - involved.
Some while later, they left their third shop, a leathersmith, with Adam carrying their newly wrapped purchases in his left arm as Castaspella slipped her hand through the crook of his right arm. Her fingers wrapped firmly around his bicep and she grinned impishly up at him.
"Now," she'd said, laughter lurking beneath the surface of her voice, "Let us find some nice secluded spot to change our garments before we move on to the next city and begin our real shopping."
"Don't worry," Castaspella assured him. "I've already bespelled our new clothing so it will be certain to fit properly. There'll be no need for further tailoring."
"Oh, that's good," Adam agreed, feeling unaccountably embarrassed by the whole venture. It's not as if she just suggested we find a nice, quiet spot to neck. Get a grip, Adam. There's no reason to act like a nervous virgin... even if you are one. They made their way back to the windraider, and the prince set a heading for the Evergreen Forest. That wilderness had a plethora of secluded spots appropriate for quick changes of dress. More importantly, several of the villages that the prince thought Castaspella and he should visit were located on the outskirts of the forest or were strung like pearls on the Winding River that ran through the middle of the forest. Once they'd changed into their new clothing, it would be but a short hop by windraider to the first stop on their itinerary.
Adam wasn't overly worried about being seen in the windraider and therefore recognized as a member of the royal family. He had carefully chosen a small windraider from the palace's vehicle pool, available to servants and courtiers alike, rather than taking one of the royal family's private vehicles. The palace vehicles were omnipresent in Eternos. They were not uncommon in the surrounding countryside, nor, for that matter, anywhere on the Fertile Plains. We'll be the next best thing to invisible, he thought with no small degree of satisfaction. Today, I can just be a regular person. Just Adam and Casta, shopping, gossiping and... flirting. The prince grinned wryly. I must be out of practice. She's won every round so far.
In no time they arrived at a secluded glen. Adam knew the place well because he'd used the spot to transform into He-Man on any number of occasions. Among its more useful features was a small pool fed by waterfall and an assortment of boulders, some big enough to hide behind, others ideal for perching upon to fish. Okay, so maybe I spent more time here as Adam than as He-Man. Casta won't tell anyone about this place. She's a queen; she knows how to be discreet. I think...
Shooting him a sly grin, Castaspella hopped out of the windraider the moment it touched down. Grabbing the package that contained her new clothing, she immediately made for one of the larger rocks, one that would provide ample concealment. "Coming Adam?" she called as she walked away. She looked back him over her shoulder, her long, auburn hair swinging through air.
Adam gulped. "I'll, uh, be right over there," he said, pointing toward a large boulder on the other side of the pool. The wizardess dimpled, flipped her hair back into place behind her and disappeared from view behind the rocks. The prince took a deep breath, snatched up his bundle of clothes and made for cover. We're just friends. We're just friends. We're just friends.
Though Adam was accustomed to quick changes, he was not used to actually physically changing his clothing under a time constraint. He stumbled and staggered and he attempted to quickly don his new garb without getting any dirt on it. He had the strangest suspicion that the queen of Mystacore might not be above peeking if she happened to finish before he did. Minx. The prince shook his head. Or maybe that should be lioness. I'm beginning to feel like a deer on the run. The question is what she's going to do if she catches me.
"Are you ready, dear heart?" the wizardess asked, her voice coming from alarmingly nearby.
If she peeked, so help me I'll - Adam muttered under his breath for a moment, then called back, "I'm ready." Walking back into view of the windraider, the prince was greeted by another sight entirely.
"How do I look?" Castaspella asked as she held out her skirts and twirled in place. The lightweight heather gray fabric swirled up around her calves as she pirouetted then settled once more at her ankles as she stopped, hands on her hips. The prince noticed that her eyes were closed and wondered why. Maybe she was resisting the urge to peek. He shook his head. Vain, Adam. You're getting vain.
"You look great," he told her. The gray skirt and chemise were a shade lighter than her eyes and trimmed with blue embroidery. Combined with the brilliant blue of her bodice, trimmed with matching gray embroidery, they set off her fair skin and roan hair to perfection. The neckline exposed a great expanse of silken skin, shoulders, collar bones and more than a little cleavage. "Really great," he added, compelled by honesty to give her the compliment that she was due. "One might even say spectacular."
The wizardess blushed and opened her eyes. "Why, thank you kind - " Castaspella broke off abruptly as her gaze settled on Adam. Her lips remained parted as she looked the prince up and down. Finally, she wet her lips, closed her mouth, swallowed and murmured, "Incredible."
Adam flushed scarlet. "Uh... "
"You look absolutely stunning," Castaspella said, walking over to stand before him. She reached out a hand to finger the edge of his vest. Like his new trousers, the vest was a dark charcoal gray. It was sleeveless and hung open to his hips. The pants were full in the legs - Elders, I hate tights! - and new, furless boots peeked out from beneath them. The shirt was somewhat snug across the prince's chest, but it had long loose sleeves that were gathered into cuffs at his wrists. Casta had chosen this particular shirt because she claimed that it exactly matched the blue shade of his eyes. All in all, Adam couldn't have been happier with the new outfit and its complete lack of resemblance to his usual clothing.
The way that the Etherian queen was regarding him, however, was more than a little nerve wracking. Her gray eyes never wavered as she gazed into his, and Adam's flush refused to recede. He cleared his throat and opened his mouth to say something, anything to break the tension of the moment. Before he could speak a word, her mouth was on his. His eyes widened then closed as she gently nibbled at his lower lip. The prince felt an arm slip around his waist as Castaspella pressed herself against him, then his senses were reeling and he became lost in the moment. Oh, my...
Blood pounded behind Adam's ears as, for a few befuddled seconds he returned the kiss. His hands found Castaspella's waist while his lips and tongue moved in time with hers, exploring the possibilities. His body thrilled to her feathery touch, his mind all but overwhelmed by new and unaccustomed sensations. When he tentatively joined in, slowly moving one hand down her side, across her hip and beyond, the wizardess sighed and leaned into him. The world spun dizzyingly. This was nothing like being kissed by Frosta. That experience had left He-Man feeling decidedly, well, cold. But this... he was on fire.
Then, reality returned like a plummet from the sky. Adam's stomach flip-flopped as his senses cleared, and the significance of his actions came home to him with a jolt. What am I doing! How could I do this to Teela? How could I do this to Castaspella? What kind of man am I? Placing his hands firmly on Castaspella's shoulders, the prince held her in place as he pulled away. She was breathing hard, as he was. He shook his head, let go of her shoulders and backed a further step away. He tried to speak, but words failed him.
"What is it?" Castaspella demanded. "What's the matter?"
He shook his head again and turned his back on her, unable to frame any kind of reply.
"Was it bad?" she asked, the horrified dismay in her voice impossible to miss. Her distress could not be ignored or brushed aside.
"No, of course not," he said, still facing away, rubbing his face with his hands.
"Then what is it?" He felt a hand on his back... two hands, and he jerked away as if scalded. "Adam? Please tell me what's wrong. I've shocked you. I can see that, but please tell me you're not offended or –"
Laughter burst through his lips. "Offended?" he asked, disbelieving his own ears. He half-turned to face her. "Why should I be offended? If anything, it's you who has been..." The prince trailed off, unable to bring himself to continue.
"Has been what? It's me who has been what?"
Adam sighed, and ran his fingers through his hair wishing that life, specifically his life, was simpler. "I'm afraid I've mislead you somehow," he began. Castaspella started to speak, but Adam forestalled her with a little shake of his head. "I thought it was just flirting," he said mournfully, "that it was just harmless fun. I never dreamed that you were serious about any of it. I certainly never dreamed that you were serious about... me."
The wizardess stared at him, blinking, and said nothing. Adam flushed darkly as he realized that he was once again jumping to conclusions. Just because she kissed you doesn't mean she wants to do more than that, you simpleton. She may not be serious at all. This could just be a fun way to spend the day as far as she's concerned. The prince closed his eyes and covered his face with his hands. No! No, she's not like that. She wouldn't play with me like -
Adam's eyes snapped open as Castaspella pulled his hands away from his face. Her warm gray eyes gazed up into his blue ones, her expression filled with affection. "It was never just flirting for me, Adam. And I assure you, I could not be in more deadly earnest." Taking a deep breath, she blurted out the words that he'd longed to hear for years. "I love you, Prince Adam of Eternia."
The prince closed his eyes once more, suddenly unable to meet the Etherian queen's gaze. Teela. Why couldn't it be Teela? Feeling slightly numb, and more than a shade ashamed of himself, Adam took a long, steadying breath. "Castaspella, I - you can't mean that," he said as he slowly opened his eyes, fighting to see past the mist that clouded his vision.
"But I do," she insisted, still clasping his hands in hers. "I think I've loved you ever since that time I brought you to Etheria through my scrying pool. It just took a while for me to realize it and a while longer for me to gather the courage to do something about it. I love you, Adam. With all my heart." She leaned forward, made as if to kiss him again, but stopped when he pulled away.
Wrapping his arms around himself, the prince walked over and sat down on the edge of a large, flat boulder. "Castaspella, I swear I never meant for this to happen. I never wanted to hurt you." I never wanted to hurt anyone. Some champion I'm turning out to be. What a wreck.
"You wouldn't hurt me, Adam. I know that." As she spoke, the wizardess reached up and brushed her lips with trembling fingers. She looked away, staring into the distance through the trees. "Do... do I disgust you? If my touch is revolting to you, I - "
"No, of course not!" Adam protested, horrified that she might believe such a thing. "That was amazing. Truly." She returned her gaze to his face, and the prince had to drop his own eyes, unable to bear the naked hunger he saw in hers. "It's just that - you see, the thing is - well, it's - I'm in love with someone else."
Castaspella sighed and, moving with slow deliberation, came to sit beside him on the rock. As she settled next to him, she took one of his hands in hers, squeezing it reassuringly. "How long have you been in love with Teela?" she asked quietly.
Adam sighed and ran his free hand through his hair. "For as long as I can - " Turning with a jerk, the prince eyed the wizardess with something dreadfully close to genuine panic. "How did you know?" he asked breathlessly.
The sound of the Etherian queen's laughter echoed through the glen. "Adam, it doesn't take a mystic to see that you love her." Squeezing his hand, she added, "You wear your heart on your sleeve, my love."
Blushing, Adam ducked his head. "Oh, wonderful," he muttered. "I had no idea I was so obvious."
"Only to someone who cares enough to notice, my darling." Still holding his hand, Castaspella raised it to her lips, gently kissing the back of it. Adam gulped.
"Ummm... " he said, feeling strangely as if he were under siege. "I would think that my being in love with someone else would be rather discouraging?"
"Well, it isn't precisely heartening," she agreed. "But I have hope that my suit may yet be accepted."
The prince's blush deepened and, unbidden, an image of them standing side by side sprang to his mind. With sudden, startling clarity, he realized that Castaspella had dressed them to match, both in blue and gray. Even the embroidery on their garments was similar. It was not a subtle statement. By the grace of Eternia... she is more than serious.
Adam searched for the words with which to kill her hopes. He was loathe to do it, but in justice to Castaspella, he could not leave her with any false expectations. I love Teela. I always will. Taking a deep breath, the prince steeled himself for the words he knew he must say. Before he could speak, however, one of the wizardess' hands settled lightly on the side of his face.
"Adam, I know you love Teela, but - forgive me for distressing you in this way, my dearest - but I have seen no sign that she returns your affections." Castaspella paused, her thumb gently caressing his cheek. "Am I mistaken?" she asked softly. "Does she return your love?"
No. The painfully true answer screamed inside him. No, she doesn't love me. She doesn't even like me. Why can't this all be over? he wondered, feeling perilously close to despair. Why can't it end?
Taking his face in both her hands, Castaspella turned him toward her. She brushed away the tears that spilled from his eyes with her thumbs. "Give me a chance, my darling. Give me the love she scorns. I know we could be happy together, if only you will try to let her go." So saying, the wizardess bent forward and kissed him once more. This time her touch was incredibly tender, almost hesitant.
Adam closed his eyes, uncertain for a moment how to respond. Then the words that he spoken to his sister but a few short days ago returned, echoing through his mind. I have to move on. I have to find something to live for. This could be my last chance for happiness. I have to move on!
Slowly, cautiously, the prince slipped an arm around Castaspella's waist and began to return the kiss. He felt her arms shift, slipping down around his neck as she leaned in, pressing herself against him. Adam moaned, his arm tightening around her as his free hand slipped up and into her hair.
"Damn that boy! How could he be so foolish?" the king shouted as he slammed one fist into the palm of his other hand. His words echoed off his office walls as he paced back and forth between his desk and the window. The sun hung low on the western horizon, sending orange-golden beams through the window and spilling across the room. Sunset was almost upon them. No one had seen the prince or the queen of Mystacore since shortly after breakfast.
I'm going to strangle Adam for this! I swear I am, Teela vowed. Some lunatic is threatening him, and what does he do? He makes himself an easy target. Idiot!
"Captain, I want you to go after them," Randor continued. "Right away! Find them before... before anything happens. How could Adam be so reckless?"
Teela nodded. She more than shared the king's ire at discovering Adam's flight from the safety of the palace, and she would cheerfully have gone after the prince whether he wanted her to or not. "Don't worry, sire. I'll find Prince Adam, and I'll bring him straight home whether he likes it or not. Even if I have to drag him back by his hair."
Randor waved a hand in impatient acquiescence/dismissal, and Teela turned to go. Before she'd taken a full step toward the door, however, her own father appeared and barred her path.
"Now, your highness, I think perhaps that you might be overreacting just a bit," Man-At-Arms said dryly. "I'm sure none of us wants to see Prince Adam embarrassed in from of Queen Castaspella. If Teela is sent to fetch him home, well, that could be rather humiliating. Don't you agree?"
"What?" Randor demanded, his gaze sharpening on his vassal's face as he stopped pacing. "What on Eternia do you mean by - " The king's words broke off abruptly, a strange expression coming over his face as his eyes darted to and fro looking at... nothing. "Oh, yes. Yes, I quite see what you... No, no, that wouldn't do at all." Randor reached up, snatched off his crown and ran a hand roughly through his hair. "Of course he would have wanted to be alone with - It's only natural that he should - but still, Duncan! It isn't safe!" His gaze returned to Man-At-Arms' face. "If something should happen to him... "
The king tossed his crown carelessly onto his desk and resumed his pacing. "Captain, disregard my previous order."
Teela shot her father a look of pure fury. Has he lost his mind? Have they both lost their minds? "But, sire! Adam isn't safe out there alone! Someone must bring him back to the palace!"
"Oh, I don't think the situation is all that serious, Teela," her father said, walking over and sitting down on a low couch that ran beneath the window in the wall perpendicular to the king's desk. "After all, Queen Castaspella is with Adam. He should be perfectly safe."
"Safe!" Randor exclaimed, turning and favoring Man-At-Arms with much the same look of disbelief that Teela knew she herself wore. "How can he be safe when some madman - "
"Or woman," Teela interjected. Those letters sounded like a woman to me.
"Or madwoman is threatening him?" the king demanded.
"Randor, calm yourself. Adam believes that the threat from that source has passed, and I for one am inclined to trust his instincts."
"Still... " The king gestured vaguely with one hand. When his current movements brought him to the window once more, Teela realized that the sun had finally given up the day and sunk beyond the horizon. Dusk colored the air with pink strokes.
Sighing, Randor dropped down onto the couch beside Teela's father. "We can't be certain that the danger has ceased," he complained.
"No, we can't," Man-At-Arms agreed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "However, you were willing to allow Adam to go shopping with Teela tomorrow. This isn't so very different."
The king groaned and ran both hands through his hair, reminding Teela startlingly of Adam for a moment. They're more alike than they know. If only Adam would grow up and take life seriously, he could be a great man like his father, like my father... like He-Man.
"Teela is his bodyguard," the king argued. "He would have been safe with her there to protect him."
"Right," Teela agreed. "That's totally different than going out with some floo- " she broke off, hastily censoring her words as Man-At-Arms turned a withering glare in her direction - "with some courtier."
In his best, and most intimidating, lecture mode, her father said, "Queen Castaspella is considerably more than a courtier, Teela." He began to tick off items on his fingers as he spoke. "One, she is the sole ruling monarch of Mystacore which implies a certain degree of competence and common sense. Two, she is a member of the Etherian rebellion against the Horde and, according to Adora, a skilled strategist. Three, she is a sorceress of immense talent and courage. Four, she is Prince Adam's friend. I think we can trust her to protect Adam, with her life if need be."
Man-At-Arms put a strange emphasis on the word, "friend," and Teela wasn't certain how to interpret his meaning. I'm Adam's friend too. Why does everyone suddenly treat me like a dimwitted lackey? I'm the Captain of the Guard. I'm the prince's bodyguard. And... I'm his friend. I should be out there with him - not her!
"Do you really think so, Duncan?" the king asked, an odd tone in his voice as well. He still looked worried, but something else lurked around his eyes, something that looked almost like -
Hope?
"Yes, sire," her father said, placing a hand on Randor's shoulder. "I'm certain."
"Well," the king said, inhaling deeply, his chest swelling to alarming proportions as a smile suddenly lit up his face. "Well, then, that changes everything!"
"It does?" Teela asked shrilly, utterly bewildered by the king's abrupt shift in attitude. "What are you two talking about?"
Her father merely raised an eyebrow at her expressively and said nothing. But Randor blushed scarlet. He mumbled something that sounded distinctly like, "Oh, dear. I've said too much." Then, in a voice that was both louder, clearer and forcefully cheerful, he added, "That will be all, Captain. I think we can trust the two - ahem, I think we can trust that Adam and Castaspella will find their own way home."
Teela gaped at him, then turned a disbelieving stare on her father.
"You heard the king, Teela. That will be all."
Eyes widening, blood pounding in her veins, Teela turned and marched from the King of Eternia's office. Mad! They are both gone completely mad!
"Thanks for the extra cookies, Nena," Adora said, grinning from ear to ear as she leaned over and placed a quick kiss on the chief night-cook's plump cheek.
"You're very welcome, dear. I hope you'll come down any time you get the midnight munchies," Nena said as she walked the princess to the kitchen door. "The Elders know I've slipped snacks to that brother of yours often enough. Now, get a good night's sleep."
Happily clutching her sack full of caramel cookies, Adora drifted out of the kitchens, humming lightly under her breath. If all the cooks are this easy to charm goodies out of, it's a wonder that Adam isn't as fat as an elephant. On the other hand, they may just be kind to me because I'm Adam's twin. The servants practically worship him - even the ones who have to pick up after him. It's got be that sunny personality of his, because I know for a fact that he never picks up his dirty clothes. But they love him anyway.
Adora sighed... only to have the sigh turn into a long and jaw stretching yawn. Will I ever belong here the way he does? she wondered as she drew a broken off bit of cookie from the sack and popped it into her mouth. The caramel melted deliciously on her tongue and the princess sighed again. Life here is so nice. I'd give anything to have my whole family around me all the time like this, but it can't last. The Elders were a stingy bunch. One champion for Etheria and one for Eternia. No more, no less. Adam and I can never stay in one place together for any real length of time. This is already the longest visit I've ever made, and I'll have to go back soon.
Adora turned a corner and passed into the halls that constituted the palace guest wing. This wasn't really the most direct route to her own quarters, but she was curious to see if there was any sign of activity in Castaspella's rooms. As she headed toward the queen of Mystacore's chambers, she gave herself a mental shake. There was no point in being gloomy. She would just have to make the most of the time that she had with her family. Besides, the only way I could stay would be if - The princess stopped in her tracks. Would be if Adam went to Etheria. Adora shivered, suddenly realizing where this train of thought was taking her. If Adam were to marry Castaspella then he would almost have to stay on Etheria. Castaspella is the only ruler that Mystacore has, so she couldn't come here. And if he was to stay in Mystacore then I would have to stay -
"By the Ancients!" the princess whispered hoarsely, stunned by the realization of what precisely was at stake, of what she stood to lose if Adam chose to marry Castaspella. "I would have to stay here, on Eternia, without Adam!" Without my brother, I'd feel so lost here. Her head spun for a moment. But I'd have Mother and Father. We could really get to know each other. We could be close. I could be a real daughter... She popped another chunk of cookie in her mouth and chewed frenetically.
"But the rebellion - " she groaned. "What of the rebels?" They would go on without me, she reassured herself. They would have He-Man. He'd adjust to fighting the Horde as I'd adjust to life with Skeletor. But there was one thing that Adora knew she could not adjust to. Not now. Not when they'd been through so much together. Not when he'd become the other half of her heart. What will I do about Sea Hawk? His ship, his crew, his father - his whole life is on Etheria. Would he even be willing to try coming to Eternia? Could he handle being a queen's consort or, good heavens, even being a king himself?
Pulling the last cookie from her sack, Adora began walking again, munching worriedly with each step. This is not quite the relaxing visit I had in mind. First Adam is on the verge of collapse. Then Castaspella starts acting like a love-sick stage heroine. Next, Teela decides any woman who looks at Adam for more than five seconds is evil. Last, my entire life may just be changing, and I only figured it out after a midnight raid on the palace kitchens. The princess swallowed the last bite of cookie and licked the crumby remnants from her fingers. I've got to talk to Adam. I wonder if he's still awake.
It took Adora less than a minute to come within sight of the queen of Mystacore's door, but when she did she stopped abruptly, still hidden in a shadowy stretch of hallway. Adam and Castaspella walked into view and came to a halt just before the doorway to her chambers. Her hand was tucked into his arm and they spoke to each other in hushed tones. An amusingly large cluster of packages floated along behind them, clearly under the sway of the wizardess' magic. The prince hastened to open the door to the queen's chambers and then backed out of the way. With a casual wave of her hand, Castaspella sent the packages zipping through the aperture and out of sight. Then she turned, standing in the still open doorway, and favored Adam with a sultry regard that made Adora blush, hidden in the shadows as she was.
In the dim nighttime lighting, it was difficult to tell for certain whether the prince was blushing as well, but Adora had no doubts on that score. He was probably so flushed that he clashed with his own -
The thought broke off abruptly. Adora's gaze sharpened on her brother's figure. He's not wearing his pink vest! He's not wearing any of his usual clothes! Astonished, the princess regarded her sibling with utter disbelief. He changed his outfit? SHE got him to change his outfit! This really is serious!
Dumbstruck, Adora watched silently as her brother and his companion started at each other for many long seconds without speaking. Finally, in a somewhat quavery voice, Adam said, "I really enjoyed... I mean, I had a good... It was a lot of... " He stopped and ran a hand wearily over his face. "None of this is coming out right."
The queen of Mystacore laughed quietly and crooked a finger, beckoning to him. The prince cleared his throat and stepped toward her. When he was within reach, Castaspella ran her hands softly down his arms. The prince shivered at her touch, but he did not pull away, not even when the wizardess clasped his hands in her own. "It was a marvelous day, your highness," she murmured, barely loud enough for Adora to understand her. "In fact, it was quite simply the best birthday I've ever had."
Adam grinned shyly and ducked his head, staring down at his feet. "I'm glad you had a good time."
"I had much more than a good time, dear Adam," she purred.
The princess gaped in shock as Castaspella, her friend and trusted ally, stood on tiptoe, slipped an arm around his back and kissed Adora's brother with all the evident passion of a frustrated lover. For a moment, the prince seemed too stunned to respond. Then, he gently but firmly pushed the queen of Mystacore away. "No, Casta," he said, shaking his head regretfully.
"You could stay with me," she urged at the same moment.
Despite the dim lighting, the flush that colored Adam's skin as the Etherian queen made her offer was markedly bright. Adora suspected that she was nearly as red as her brother. I shouldn't be seeing this. I really shouldn't be seeing this! But if I move, they'll hear me. Oh darkside...
"Casta, I - I'm more flattered than I can possibly say - "
"Then say yes," she countered instantly.
The prince gulped, took a deep breath and continued. "But I am not ready for this. I don't want to hurt you, and - " The wizardess leaned toward him, clearly eager to have her say, but the prince waved her to silence. "Please don't push me on this, Casta. I'm too confused. I want to do the right thing... and I need time to know what the right thing is." Adam freed his hands from Castaspella's and then tenderly cupped the wizardess' face. "Please." He kissed her softly on the lips, hardly more than a peck really, but the Etherian woman sighed and closed her eyes.
"Whatever you want, my love. I can wait." So saying, she turned and walked through into her chambers, closing the door quietly behind her.
For several seconds, Adam stood, gazing silently at that closed door, and Adora began to wonder if he had perhaps changed his mind. But then he shook his head, as if to clear it, and marched quickly away, heading in the direction of his own rooms.
As he passed from view, Adora let out a tremendous sigh and steeled herself to begin moving again. Before she could take a step, however, she noticed an odd glint coming from one of the side halls that overlooked the spot where Adam and Castaspella had said their good nights. The glint flickered in the shifting moonlight of an open window, then it moved rapidly away. Oh, no, Adora thought, her mind reeling from yet another shock. Someone else was watching. But who...