Chapter 7
"She'll be fine, your highness," She-Ra reassured him. "She's just exhausted and desperately in need of rest and nourishment. But there shouldn't be any lasting harm done. At least, my healing trance didn't detect anything."
The princess watched her brother digest that news, then relax infinitesimally. He looked down in the face of the woman who was sleeping so contentedly in his arms, his expression difficult to decipher. "Good," he said. Nothing more. Then, slowly, his eyes lifted from Castaspella and lit on Teela once more. There they rested, unfathomable.
What's going through your mind, brother mine? The champion heaved a sigh, surreptitiously, wiping away one last tear and clearing her throat. "Well," she said when she felt confident enough to speak again, "we need to get you three back to the palace." She glanced over at Swiftwind. Her mount stood nearby, silently watching the proceedings and, no doubt, memorizing everything he saw for later discussion. Their eyes met, and he whickered softly in response.
"I fear I cannot carry all of you, She-Ra," he admitted reluctantly. "Three of you, but not all four."
She-Ra heard a gasp behind her a whirled around to see what was wrong. Teela's eyes were as wide as saucers as she gaped, open mouthed, at Swiftwind. "It... talks," she squeaked. "I didn't know that it - " Swallowing, she broke off and shifted her appalled gaze to She-Ra. "First Battlecat and now Swiftwind. Are there any champions who don't come with talking animals?"
For a moment, no one spoke, then Adam broke into peals of laughter. "I think it's a requirement, Teela. But I promise you, Swiftwind has much more refined manners than Battlecat does." The horse pawed the ground and tossed his head, evidently amused by this announcement. Shifting the Etherian queen slightly in his arms, the prince walked over to his sister. Smiling, he winked at her and said, "All right, She-Ra, you climb back up into the saddle and I'll hand Castaspella up to you. Then Teela can get on behind you."
She-Ra blinked, and gazed with confusion into her brother's identical blue eyes. "Adam, didn't you hear him? Swiftwind can't carry all of us."
"I know, that's why the three of you need to go," he said, looking slightly puzzled by her question. "I'll make my way back to the palace on foot. Maybe I can - "
"Absolutely not!" She-Ra's eyes widened as the captain of the guard suddenly appeared behind the prince, her face a mask of fury. Teela clamped one hand down on Adam's arm and spun him around to face her. He stumbled, nearly dropping Castaspella, and the princess hastily took the queen of Mystacore from his arms. The instant that both Etherians were out of the way, Teela lit into the prince.
"How stupid could you possibly be?" she screeched, her voice growing in volume as grabbed the front of the prince's shirt and held it tightly in her fist. "How can you even suggest that we leave you behind? Adam, you died! Don't you understand that? You died, right there - " one arm whipped out to point at nearby spot on the ground - "right there, in my arms. Do you have any idea how that made me feel?"
Wide-eyed, mouth hanging slightly open, the prince stared, dumbfounded at his childhood friend. She-Ra, feeling more than a little taken aback herself, gently set Castaspella down on a relatively soft patch of earth and then waited, listening quietly, to see who would win the shrieking match. So far, Adam hadn't so much as made a peep. He just stared at Teela like mouse suddenly confronted by a python.
"Well?" the captain demanded.
The prince shook his head slightly, as if trying to clear it. "Teela, I have to stay behind. Swiftwind can only carry three people. Castaspella is in no condition to stay behind, She-Ra needs to fly Swiftwind, and you should return with them."
"I should return . . ." Teela repeated, her voice dangerously low. "I should return? Adam... your highness, you are Skeletor's target! The one who needs to get back the palace right away is you!" As she spoke, she placed her hands on the prince's shoulders, and though she started out angrily enough, by the end of the diatribe her eyes were imploring him to go. "Please, Adam. Just get on that... ummm... is it a horse?"
Adam shrugged uncertainly, and She-Ra rolled her eyes in exasperation. When they showed no sign of breaking apart, she said, "Teela is right, Adam. The Sorceress ordered me to get you to safety, and that's exactly what I'm going to do.
"But the others," Adam protested, turning an imploring look of his own on her. "Castaspella has to get back to the palace right away!"
"I agree," Teela said, causing the prince to turn back to her. "We owe her the best possible care, and she should be examined by the palace surgeon as soon as possible. So should you."
I couldn't agree more, the princess thought wearily. I'll feel better when you're all safely back at the palace. So let's get on with it. Stepping forward, She-Ra said, "Right. Now we need to - " But neither of them was listening to her.
" I won't leave you here," Adam said, his voice quiet but very firm as he looked down into the captain's drawn face. Teela looked silently into his eyes, clearly moved by his earnest concern for her safety. "I won't leave you."
Wonderful, She-Ra thought, glancing aside and catching Swiftwind's amused gaze. Could the melodrama get any thicker? She feared it could. The princess locked eyes with her companion. Their bond was a powerful one, strong enough to speak without words. And right now, Swiftwind was telling her not to worry. He would take care of her family.
She-Ra nodded. Turning back, she saw that Adam and Teela were still standing close together, arguing fiercely. Sighing, She-Ra placed on hand on each of their shoulders, startling them so badly that they both jumped. "I'm staying," she said. This was greeted by a further flurry of protests, but the she merely raised her eyebrows and regarded them with an unwavering silence and resolve. When their objections wound to a halt, she said, "I am staying, and it is not open to negotiation."
Something in her face must have gotten through to Adam, because her brother put a hand on her hand, and said, "Well, I suppose if anyone can take care of themselves, you can." He grinned wryly at her, and She-Ra smiled back at him. What did that confession cost you, Adam? First you have to admit that you can't do it all alone, and now you have to let me be the hero while you run for cover. Forgetting, for a moment, their audience, the princess reached up and brushed the hair out of his eyes. A sharply indrawn breath brought her back to herself, and she shifted her gaze to Teela.
The captain was standing motionless, stiff and radiating hostility. "Teela?" But she did not answer. Instead, the warrior walked over to Castaspella, gathered the Etherian queen into her arms, and then walked over to Swiftwind.
"Get in the saddle, Adam, and I'll hand her up to you," she said frostily. The prince hurried to obey. Swiftwind, sensible creature that he was, went down onto his knees to make their labors easier. Once Adam was comfortably ensconced with Castaspella cradled in his arms, Teela turned back to face She-Ra. Her face was exceedingly blank, almost aggressively neutral as she opened her mouth to speak. But no words emerged. Instead, the captain closed her mouth with a snap, pivoted on her heel and address Swiftwind directly.
"Do I need to take the reins, or should I just leave the flying to you?" she demanded. Then, as if suddenly remembering that she had no call to be cross with Swiftwind, she bit her lip and reached out to stroke his shoulder. "I've never... you're not like the other flying horses I've known," she explained. "I don't know what to do."
She-Ra's eyes rose into her hairline, and looking at her brother she saw much the same expression on his face. Good heavens, it seems to be a day for confessions all around. Swiftwind nuzzled her hand briefly - She-Ra was stunned by this after the "reins" comment.
"I will manage our journey, but you may hold my mane if you wish, Teela," he said, sounding amicable enough. He gave the captain another nuzzle, whuffling her hair for a moment, and She-Ra's eyes widened.
Swiftie's always friendly, but this? What does he know that I don't? The champion watched in silence as Teela carefully mounted her horse. Once she was securely in place, Swiftwind walked over to She-Ra, and rubbed her arm with his muzzle.
"Be careful, She-Ra," he said. "I will get them safely to the palace, and then I will fly back to find you."
"Don't worry, old friend. I'll be fine." Then, laughing, she added, "Skeletor's the one you should worry about. He's going to be very sorry he ever left Snake Mountain."
Adam's eyes widened to alarming proportions as the color drained rapidly from his face. "She-Ra, please, don't do anything foolish."
The princess blinked, then glowered up at her brother. "Foolish?" she repeated. "If I didn't know better, your highness, I'd think you didn't trust me."
"Don't make jokes!" he cried, clutching Castaspella tightly in his arms. "I couldn't stand it if you were hurt."
"He's right," Teela said, surprising both of them with her interjection. "You should wait until you can take He-Man with you to go visit Skeletor."
Adam's eyes flashed with barely suppressed ire. "Yes!" he said firmly. "You should!"
His eyes pleaded with her, and She-Ra felt her determination wavering. With Adam's return to life, his sister's determination to personally kill the Lord of Snake Mountain had died a quiet death. But her desire to harm him was not so easily exorcised. At that moment, more than anything else in the world, She-Ra wanted to go find Skeletor and pummel him within a hair's breadth of his life. He-Man confronts him alone every other day, for pity's sake. Why should I be any different? Adam is ridiculously overprotective, and I -
"She-Ra, please!" Adam begged, his entire body rigid with tension. "Please? For me?"
Letting out a long, exasperated sigh, the princess placed a comforting hand on her brother's knee. "I promise not to go alone." Adam's eyes held hers for a moment. Her gaze did not waver from his, and he gradually relaxed.
"Thank you," he said. And in his eyes, She-Ra read what he could not say aloud. "I love you."
She-Ra smiled up at him, hoping devoutly that he would not figure out that taking Swiftwind with her would mean that she wasn't going alone. As soon as he gets back from delivering them to the palace, we are going to pay a quick visit to old bonehead. There's a lot I want to say to him. Oh yes, quite a lot.
As the wind whipped past them, Teela did her best to sort out her jumbled thoughts and emotions. Adam had almost died. No, be honest, she chastened herself. He did die. My charge died... my friend died. That he had been miraculously saved from death, dragged back by the unreserved love and devotion of two extraordinary women did not alter the fact that Teela's incompetence had gotten him killed. If it weren't for Castaspella and She-Ra, Adam would be gone.
Sitting behind him on Swiftwind, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, it was hard for Teela to believe that all that warm and vibrant life had been a hair's breadth from extinction. The force of his breathing moved her arms, and Teela burrowed her face against his back, drinking in the living scent of him. How could I have been so blind? Why did it take me so long to see how I feel? Why did I wait until there was another woman in his arms? Why?
For what felt like an eternity of pain, Teela wallowed in her own misery. She was plagued by random, dream-like images of the man to whom she now clung. The happy times they'd shared, the hugs, the smiles... the tears. It all played out behind her clenched eyelids, as if she were the one who was dying and her life was flashing by her. Unbidden, tears sprung once more to her eyes, and the captain let them come. If anyone saw, she could blame it on the wind of their passage. No one need ever suspect the truth. No one need ever know...
That I love him.
Her hands spasmed, clutching at his shirt, and she felt him flinch. Of course, he couldn't take steps to remove her grip on him as long as he held Castaspella in his arms. She thought he tried to speak, but she couldn't hear him over the sound of the wind and her own sobs. But she could not stop crying, could not even make the attempt when there was so much that was worthy of tears. I've lost him in every sense of the word. Oh, Ancients, why was I such a fool?
Teela saw now that it was she, and not Adam, who has systematically beaten down their friendship, driving it into the ground, driving him away. And in destroying that fragile bond, she'd surely eliminated any hope that the prince might love her as she now loved him. How could he possibly? How could he ever return my feelings when I've been so unutterably vile?
Worse still, she'd hurt him dreadfully. Not one large hurt. Not one horrible act for which she could offer profuse apologizes, plead temporary insanity and move on. No, she'd wounded him in thousands of small ways over the course of years, chipping away at his pride, breaking off small bits of self-respect and grinding them under her heel. If he acts the buffoon, is it anyone's fault more than mine? Father's said it for years, if you tell a man often enough that he's a hero, he'll do his best to live up to your expectations. Tell him that he's worthless... and eventually he'll stop trying to be anything else. I did this to him. I made him this way because I couldn't see past He-Man's shadow. But no one can live up to He-Man's example! I would never have demanded so much of an ordinary soldier. Why did I always ask for more than Adam could possibly give?
I made Adam a fool, and then I mocked him for one. Teela's arms tightened still further around the prince's torso, and she felt more than heard him grunt in response. From the way his muscles were shifting under her hands, he must be trying to peer over his shoulder at her, but the captain could not bring herself to look up and meet his no doubt worried gaze. I've done so many unforgivable things.
After a time, when her tears had nearly dried and her thoughts had grown as still as deep waters, Teela opened her eyes and gazed at the land zipping by beneath them. They must be nearly at the palace. Were it possible, she would have delayed their arrival, for she was not looking forward to the conference she must now hold with the King of Eternia. Randor would not be pleased to learn of his son's death nor of his guest's incapacity. No. All in all, the king would be quite cross with his captain of the guard, and Teela could not find it in her heart to blame him. She had been in charge of the security for this outing, and she had failed dismally. No, there was only one thing she could do to atone for her crimes.
I'll have to resign my post, she thought wearily. I can't continue on as Captain of the Guard nor as Bodyguard to the Heir. I'll have to leave... She squeezed her eyes tightly shut again, fighting back tears. Not now. Don't let me cry now, she begged whoever might be listening. Not when I have to face Randor.
It was no use hoping that the king would be sympathetic. Even if he refused her resignation, Teela knew that she would have to leave. Her actions that day aside, how could she be an effective bodyguard to the prince feeling as she did? Her love for Adam would impair her reasoning and hamper her judgment. No. I have to go. There's no other option. If I stay, I'm endangering him by my very presence. If I leave...he'll be safer without me. Though it would break her heart to go, Teela knew in her bones that it was the right thing to do. He'll be better off without me. Safer. Happier. And I'll be...alone.
Adam directed Swiftwind to set down outside the palace infirmary. Teela immediately slipped her arms from around his waist, holding her hands momentarily on his hips as she dropped to the ground. Her light touch engendered a fluttering tickle in his stomach, and, gulping, the prince did his best to ignore the other, all-too-welcome, sensations her slithering touch induced. Their landing must have caught the attention of the medical staff because a surgeon and two apprentices came running up the moment that the winged-horse stopped moving. They fired off questions about Castaspella and Adam did his best to answer them with occasional help from Teela. He then allowed them, however reluctantly, to take the unconscious wizardess from his arms, leaving him with a strangely hollow feeling inside.
Snap out of it, Adam. She'll be fine. She-Ra said she'd be fine. As soon as the Castaspella was out of sight, Teela turned and walked away without so much as a goodbye. Taking a deep breath, the prince slid off of Swiftwind's back. He stood there, gently scratching the horse's neck while he tried to put him jumbled feelings in order. It was hard to accept that the events of the morning had really happened. He'd been dead, but the state had been atypically transitory. Stranger still, Skeletor had killed Prince Adam... not He-Man. Why was he targeting the prince, I wonder. Why the sudden interest in Adam as something other than a lure for his nemesis?
"Well, Swiftwind, I thank you for the ride and your timely assistance this morning," the prince said, patting the horse on the neck. "If you and She-Ra hadn't come when you did, I wouldn't be standing here right now."
Swiftwind whickered and turned his head to rub the prince on the shoulder. "That would have been a grave loss to both our worlds," the mount said. "I must go."
Adam nodded, stepping back to give the winged-horse room to take flight. "I know," he said. "Take care of She-Ra for me, Swiftie. Don't let her do anything foolish."
The horse tossed his head and whinnied. It sounded suspiciously like human laughter. "She-Ra is no more likely to do something foolish than you are, Prince of Eternia." With that, Swiftwind took to the sky, his great, rainbow wings beating the air. "Farewell."
Adam stood and watched until the horse disappeared from view. Then, he turned and walked determinedly into the infirmary. I must check on Castaspella. I owe her so much.
Hours later, the prince was sitting by the wizardess' bed holding a solitary vigil. One of the apprentices had long since fetched a book for him, but Adam stared at the pages without really seeing them. His mind was filled with thoughts of the women in his life. Teela... but that train of thought was too raw and painful to pursue. Frequently, he found his mind straying to his sister, wondering where she was and if she was all right. More often still, he found his eyes wandering back to the Etherian's queen's face. The surgeon has assured him that Castaspella was merely exhausted and would be fine after she'd slept for a few hours.
But Adam couldn't help but worry. His mind whirled in circles, coming back again and again to the wizardess, her incredible courage and deep affection for him. She could have died. If that spell had gone wrong, she could easily have died. Why would she take such an unbelievable risk unless... she truly loves me. And how can I possibly repay her sacrifice unless I love her in return. The prince rubbed his temples wearily, then dropped his hands into his lap as his eyes once more came to rest on the Etherian queen's face. Maybe it's time I let the past go. I'm hurting more than myself by clinging to a love that will never be reciprocated.
With a soft sigh, Castaspella shifted in her sleep, turning onto her side, still facing the prince. As she moved, the blankets fell to her waist, exposing the infirmary gown in which the surgeon had dressed her. Adam hastily rearranged the covers, tucking them up around her shoulder before tenderly brushing her hair out of her face. His hand lingered on her face, caressing the silky smooth skin of her cheek. Could she really be the one? he wondered. Could Castaspella be the mother of my children, the one that the Sorceress spoke of? I know she loves me... and I want to love her. If only I knew how to make myself return her feelings. The prince pulled his hand away, but a single roan curl remained twined around his fingers. He carefully untangled it, so as not to wake the wizardess, then sat back in his chair, lost in thought.
Gradually, the stillness of the room - in which Castaspella's even, rhythmic breathing was the only sound - had the prince dozing lightly in his chair. For a while he simply floated along, feeling nothing and thinking less. Then, slowly, his slumber changed. Kaleidoscopic images of the day darted through his dreams, finally settling on the battle with the Lord of Snake Mountain. He felt a ghostly echo of the pain that had consumed him when Skeletor's blast struck him. Then he saw once more the overly friendly face of his father, beckoning him onward, literally hustling him toward death's door. The bogus Randor smiled as he tugged at Adam's hand, the prince desperately trying to pull away. And through it all the phoney king continued to smile, a sickening sweet grin. The smile grew wider and wider until it split the simulacrum's face in twain revealing row upon row of glistening, dagger pointed teeth.
Adam screamed and jerked himself awake. A dream... It was just a dream. Just a dream. He shook his head briskly, determined to clear away the remnants of the ghostly terror. What was that creature? And what did it want with me?
Castaspella was still slumbering, and, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Adam leaned close to check on her. The wizardess was breathing evenly, and her skin no longer possessed the deathly pallor that had so alarmed him immediately following her collapse. She no longer looked like it was she and not he who had died. Rather, she seemed simply to be napping peacefully after a strenuous day of physical exertion.
His mind wandered as his gaze lingered on her soft, rosy lips, and Adam found himself recalling that day in the clearing when Castaspella had first kissed him. What an eye opener that was. Talk about physical exertion. If that had gone any farther... Slapping a hand to his forehead, the prince shook his head. Stop it Adam! Keep your hormones in check! You're not some rutting adolescent, for pity sake! The woman almost died to save you and here you are thinking about her -
The prince abruptly closed down that train of thought, leaping to his feet and turning toward the door. Taking a deep breath to compose himself, he exited the Etherian queen's sickroom only to find himself grabbed and all but pulled off his feet the instant he cleared the doorway. "Adam!" the king of Eternia cried, pulling his son into an appallingly tight embrace. "Thank the Elders you're safe!"
"Well, I won't be much longer if you keep smothering me," he protested, but his father did not appear to hear him.
"Don't crack jokes, Adam!" his mother chastised as she threw her arms around them both. "When Teela told us what happened..." She broke off, tears trailing down her cheeks.
Adam's eyes widened and he fought to maintain his balance while two sets of arms pulled at him. "Told you? Told you what? Just how much did she tell you?" he asked, flustered to have his morning adventures brought to the attention of his parents.
"Adam! What do you think she told us?" Randor barked, stepping back slightly and holding his son at arm's length. The king's face was a study in shock, his eyes wide and glassy, almost as if he wasn't really seeing his son at all. "By the Ancients! When I think what - "
"Not here, Randor," Marlena urged, taking her husband by the arm and pulling him toward a vacant room. "We don't want everyone to hear about - "
"Yes, yes, you're quite right, my dear, as always." The king took his queen by the hand and together they walked quickly into an empty patient room. It was only then that Adam noticed the figure who'd been lurking behind them, waiting for her turn to speak to him.
"Adora!" he shouted, then flushing, he hastily lowered his voice. "Sis, I thought you were... I mean, aren't you supposed to be..." Uncertain how to ask his question without saying things that absolutely couldn't be discussed in public, the prince opened his hands in a questioning manner, pleading for more information.
Grimacing, the princess said only, "I'll explain later," before taking his arm and marching him into the room where their parents were waiting for them. What followed was loud, a touch frenzied and decidedly wet as both his parents shed copious amounts of tears. Even Adora became teary eyed at several points and by the end of it, Adam was ready to strangle them all from sheer soggy frustration.
The only good to come out if the entire encounter, as far as the prince was concerned, was that he finally had a chance to sit his entire family down and talk to them seriously about the future... his future... Castaspella's future... and the very real possibility that their two destinies might become permanently intertwined.
When he was done speaking, his announcement was greeted by a stunned silence from all parties. Even Adora, who knew how seriously Adam was taking his relationship with the Etherian queen, looked dumbfounded. She rallied quickly, however. "Well," she said, clearing her throat self-consciously, "if that's how you really feel, then we'll find a way to make it work. Whatever it takes."
Adam smiled gratefully at her. "Thanks, Sis. I knew you'd understand."
Adora laughed and tossed her hair back over her shoulder. "Oh, I understand all right. The question is whether Sea - " She broke off abruptly, her eyes gone very wide. Both of their parents turned curious looks on her, and she hastened to add, "I mean, whether the other members of the Rebellion will understand if Adam and I decide to switch places."
Marlena smiled knowingly. "Oh, I'm sure they'll understand," she drawled. "That is if they really care about you." Adora gave a small, nervous laugh and began to play with her hair in a decidedly absorbed manner.
Well, that was a near miss, Adam thought in amusement. I guess Father still doesn't know about Adora's relationship with Sea Hawk. The prince grinned broadly. I hope I'm here when she tells him. That should be quite entertaining. Then, his jovial mood fading as rapidly as it had developed, Adam found himself wondering if Adora's beau really would understand if she chose to stay on Eternia while Adam went to live on Etheria with Castaspella. Will he stand by her? He seems to love her as much as I love -
Adam's thoughts screeched to a grinding halt as his father addressed him for the first time since the prince had explained just how serious his relationship with the Queen of Mystacore had become. His voiced sounded strangely hollow as he spoke. "I can't believe you'd really give up the throne," he murmured, staring blindly at a space a meter or so in front of his son. "I can't believe you'd abandon - "
"Randor!" Marlena cried, standing rapidly and placing herself between father and son.
Adam's jaw dropped open, every reply he'd considered falling away as he stared, dumbstruck at his father. When the king said nothing more, the prince turned to go, heading rapidly for the exit. I can't do this. I can't stand here and listen to what a coward he thinks I am, yet again. I just can't. But Adora was in his path and their mother joined her.
"That's it!" Marlena snapped. "You two are going to stay in here and talk this out! I don't have time to coddle either of your egos. I need to go check on Castaspella, and then I need to reassure Teela for the tenth time that we don't blame her for you getting your fool self killed!" With that, the Queen of Eternia turned and marched from the room, her daughter right behind her. As they left, Adam heard the distinct sound of a bolt being shot home in a lock.
Taken aback by this display of motherly prerogative, Adam stood and stared at the closed door for several seconds. Then, sighing, he turned around to face his father, the king. "All right," he said, resigned to the lecture he knew was coming. "Let me have it."
"Let you have what?" Randor asked, looking as bewildered as his son by this sudden change in the course of events. "What do you mean?" His eyes focused on Adam's face. "And why were you leaving, just now? I thought you wanted to talk about this?"
The prince stiffened. "I really don't know what more there is to say," he said peevishly. "Your opinion of my wishes is quite clear... as is your opinion of me."
The king blinked. "What?" he asked, brows knitting as he walked over to stand directly before his son and heir. "What do you mean my opinion of you?"
Adam snorted. "Come on, Father. Let's not dance around the issue for once. You've always thought I'd be a terrible king. Frankly, I'd think you'd be glad to be rid of me."
"That's the most absurd thing I've ever heard!" Randor boomed, grabbing his son by the arms when he started to turn away again. "How could you think I'd want this?"
Shrugging, the prince said, "It only makes sense. After all, if I marry Castaspella, then I'll have to go Mystacore with her. And if I do that, then I'll have to renounce my claim to the Eternian throne, and Adora inherits the monarchy." His throat feeling suddenly tight, Adam swallowed several times before continuing. "Isn't that what you've wanted all along?"
For several long seconds, his father said nothing. Then - "It most certainly is NOT!" Adam flinched from the sheer volume of the denial, then gazed at the king in puzzled astonishment.
"But I thought - "
But Randor was not yet finished. "You listen to me, my boy. If marrying Castaspella and going to live with her in Mystacore is what will make you happy, truly happy as I have been with your mother, then that is what I want you to do."
"But you said - "
"Now, just because I want you to be happy, and just because I am willing to support you in whatever endeavor you choose provided that it will bring you the kind of joy that I myself have been privileged to know, that doesn't mean I have to be happy about the notion of someone else inheriting the throne of Eternia." Randor scowled at him, looking as disgusted and fed up as his son had ever seen him look. "Where you get these notions of yours, I can't imagine."
"But Father," Adam protested, now utterly perplexed, "you've always complained about what a lazy lack-wit I am. I would think that having Adora inherit would thrill you."
The king snorted. "I have never called you a lack-wit, or even a half-wit for that matter. I know I've been hard on you, son, but that was only because I wanted you to be ready for the responsibilities that I knew would one day be thrust upon you." Sighing, Randor dropped his hands from Adam's arms and took a seat on a chair by the bed. Following after him, curious to know where this strange conversation was leading, the prince took a seat on the bed directly across from the king. He waited patiently, and after a few minutes of staring out the window, his father continued.
"Son, you've already had many more years to prepare for the rigors of the throne than I ever had. You've been fortunate, as have I, but no amount of schooling, no amount of training, no amount of grooming can ever really prepare someone to be a king. It's a hard, ugly transition, usually made at time when the recipient has already been emotionally devastated by the loss of a beloved parent. It is, in a word, wretched." At this, his father sighed and began to rub his temples.
"I never really thought about how hard it must have been for you, when Grandfather disappeared," Adam murmured, taken aback by the sudden and alarming realization that his father - his perfect and regal father - had once been an adolescent with all the fears, self-doubts and angst that entailed. Who knew? Him... insecure. The very idea shook Adam's world.
Randor nodded tiredly. "Very hard," he agreed. "I was lucky to get him back, even if he did leave me stuck with this tinsel toy on my head. But that's all really beside the point."
"Then what is the point?" Adam asked.
The king laughed. "You know, after spouting off like that, I'm not entirely certain." The prince gave a short laugh of his own, and, grinning, Randor continued. "I guess, I'm just trying to explain why I've been so hard on you over the years. I know you'll make a fine king one day, son. Whether you are king of Eternia or of Mystacore won't matter in that sense. You'll do your best for the people you serve. I just - " His father stopped and cleared his throat rather noisily. "I guess it's just kind of a shock for me to think of someone else sitting on the throne. I know that, if the need arises, Adora will make an excellent queen. But the truth is, she wasn't raised to it as you were. Frankly, well, I just have a very difficult time accepting the idea of someone else sitting on the throne of Eternia."
Touched, and more than a little surprised by his father's painful honesty, Adam blurted out, "I thought you wanted me to marry someone like Castaspella! Do you want me to stop - "
But Randor waved him to silence. "No, no, son. I don't want you to stop anything. If you love Castaspella, then I suppose I can adjust to the idea of someone else ruling over Eternia when I'm gone. It is all in the family, after all." The king paused and eyed the prince with an unnerving degree of scrutiny. "You do love her, don't you? You weren't just pursuing this relationship because you thought it would make me happy, were you?"
"I do love her," Adam defended himself. "I just don't know if, well, if it's - "
Randor grinned broadly, his eyebrows rising toward his hairline in an inquiring manner. "If it's a 'happy ever after' kind of love?"
"Father," Adam objected, his dignity offended. "This isn't a fairy tale!"
"Oh, I don't know about that," the king intoned. "After all, we have a handsome prince right here," he tweaked Adam's nose causing the prince to snort in annoyance, "and sleeping beauty is in the room across the hall."
Glowering at him while he sullenly crossed his arms over his chest, Adam muttered, "Mother should never have told you all those Earth fairy tales. You're a hopeless romantic."
"Nonsense, my boy. I'm a hopeful romantic. It's quite different, you know."