Chapter 9
Adora hummed to herself happily as she tucked a loose pin back into her hair. Most of the guests for the Mid-Summer Festival Ball had arrived, and it was nearly time for the royal family to make its grand entrance. At the moment they were cooling their heels in a parlor adjacent to the ballroom, waiting for the majordomo to call them in and announce their presence. Though the dancing hadn't started yet, there was already music coming from the next room, and the princess hummed enthusiastically along.
"You seem cheerful," Adam said, walking up and holding out his arm for her. He was garbed in shades of blue and white that were identical to her own, confirming Adora's suspicion that her mother had been planning for her to wear her Mid-Summer present to the ball all along. The fact that the circlet her father had given her for mid-summer matched the silver trim on the flowing, silken garments was the final piece of proof, though she hardly cared any longer. So they conspired. I'm happy. They're happy. And I can dance all night in this without once getting poked, scratched or squeezed in the wrong places.
She flashed Adam a self-satisfied smile as she placed her hand on the crook of his arm. "I am," she admitted. "Shouldn't I be? This is my first Eternian ball after all."
Her brother leaned closer and deposited a kiss on her cheek. "I guess I expected you to be a little more nervous after the fuss you made about everything else this week. You must have gone shopping at least nine different times in four days."
"It's my first Mid-Summer Festival too, and I wanted my presents to be perfect," she said haughtily. Then, somewhat less certain of herself, she said, "You do like that old journal and inkwell set, don't you?"
"I love them," he assured her with a laugh. "And Father and Mother loved their presents too. The last time I saw Orko, he was still burbling over that magical flute you found him. Man-At-Arms seemed a bit nervous though..."
"Yes, he did," she agreed, chewing anxiously on her lip. "He kept mumbling something about rats, or mice or something, and a village named Hamlin."
"Another victim of Mother's Earth fairy tales. Remind me to tell you this one some time. It's about what happens to people who don't keep their promises."
Adora's brows knit, as she considered his words. "But what does that have to do with rats?"
"It's complicated, but - "
"They're ready for us now, my dears," Randor said, walking over with Marlena on his arm. "Now remember, your Mother and I will start the dancing and when the first four measures are done, you and Adora should begin. Then everyone else will join in and - "
"And for the second dance," Adam interrupted, rolling his eyes, "you will dance with Queen Castaspella since she's the highest ranking female dignitary attending the ball. Mother will dance with Man-At-Arms, and it will be up to Adora and I to find suitable partners for ourselves. We know, Father, we know. We've been over this a hundred time this morning alone."
Randor harrumphed and smoothed down the sleeves of his tunic in a nervous fashion, but his good humor seemed largely unmarred by his son's chastisement. The queen was openly amused as she reached up and made a minute adjustment of her husband's crown. Adora could have sworn she heard her mother whisper something that sounded like, "Silly old goat," as they turned away.
"Well then," her father grumbled. "Let's take our places so they can open the doors."
Adora and Adam got quickly into position, but as was the usual way of such things - or so Adam claimed - there was some delay in the other room, and they wound up standing in position, waiting to enter.
"So, have you exchanged presents with anyone else yet?" Adora whispered, pitching her voice so as not to draw undue parental attention.
Adam nodded minutely. "Yes," he whispered back. "I gave Man-At-Arms, Orko and Cringer their presents this morning along with a lot of other people. I gave Castaspella hers just before the ball." He was looking straight ahead, but Adora didn't need to see his face to know what the blush that colored his skin had to mean.
"Did she like it?" she asked quietly. Her brother nodded curtly, seemingly unwilling to discuss the matter further. Oh, ho... Then, Adora realized which name had been left conspicuously out of Adam's list. "What about Teela?" she hissed. "Have you given her a present yet?" To her surprise, her brother's flush darkened and he began to shift his weight from one foot to the other.
"I tried to, but she wasn't there when I went by. I was afraid I might not see her tonight, so I left it on her nightstand."
"What did you - "
Before Adora could finish the question, the doors opened and the majordomo was announcing their entrance to the gathered throng. And a throng it was. She's never seen so many people together in one place when it wasn't a battlefield. Gulping, she clung tightly to her brother's arm as they followed their parents out onto the dance floor. At least Adam is a good dancer and doesn't mind when I step on his feet, she thought gratefully.
Despite her best intentions to be on time for the ball, Teela had underestimated the amount of time it would take to curl her long, thick hair, and she arrived several minutes late. As she entered the ballroom, doing her best to move at a demure if rapid pace, she saw that the royal family had already made its grand entrance. The king and queen were dancing together, talking and laughing while they moved as one in time to the music. Adam and Adora were also moving gracefully through the steps of the waltz on the far side of the room.
Adam...
"Pardon me," Teela said, squeezing by a startled major in his dress uniform.
"Captain!" he squeaked, snapping off a salute as he gaped at her. Teela nodded absently and continued past him. Making her way through the crowd to the edge of the dance floor, she watched Prince Adam whirling his sister expertly from side to side, guiding her effortlessly through the intricacies of the dance. For all her athletic skill, Adora had little experience with balls and dancing, even less than the captain herself had, and the princess looked decidedly nervous. But Adam never let her stumble, carefully turning the slightest misstep into a flourish of movement that thrilled the crowd and made Adora appear more expert than she could possibly be. As the set progressed, the princess began to look less nervous and more like she was having fun. By the time that a significant number of courtiers had joined them on the dance floor, Adora's rich laughter could be heard echoing through the room.
Teela smiled. He's a good brother. But then, he always was. As she watched, smiling affectionately at the prince's antics, the first dance of the evening came to an end. The royal family, who had clearly planned their moves ahead of time, immediately sought out new partners. Within seconds, the musicians had begun their second strain, and King Randor was leading Castaspella onto the dance floor. Queen Marlena and Man-At-Arms followed after them, the old friends slipping into a rhythm nearly as expert and practiced as that of the king and queen themselves.
Teela spared her father a last affectionate glance, then began to scan the crowd, trying to figure out where Adam had gotten himself to. She finally spotted him leading the Mayor of Eternos' wife, Lady Miriam out onto the dance floor while Adora danced with the happy gentlemen himself. She smothered a grin as they strolled leisurely by. Adam had slowed his pace considerable for the sake of his older partner, and there was a look of rapt attention plastered on his face. Miriam could talk for hours without ceasing, and had been known to go for days on the same topic. Teela wondered what she found fascinating this evening. Poor Adam.
Trying not to look like she was following them, Teela meandered through the crowd, nodding and smiling at the people she knew without ever once losing sight of her prince. I always knew Adam was handsome, but he looks utterly magnificent tonight. If only -
"Captain Teela?"
Teela stopped and turned to face Lord Stratos of Avion. "Hello Stratos," she said, smiling shyly, suddenly uncomfortably aware of how different she must look from the warrior that the Avion was accustomed to seeing. "Happy Mid-Summer."
"And to you, Captain. May I have this dance?"
Teela felt herself blushing as her eyes widened. "I'd be delighted," she stammered, reaching out and taking Stratos' proffered arm. Now what? I never expected to actually have to dance with anyone but Adam!
Forcing a smile, Teela chatted with the Avion about his homeland while he led her through a graceful minuet. When that dance was finished, she found herself on the arm of another young gentleman. Then it was Ram-Man. Then Lord Carnaven. Then Baron Slytek. The evening wore on and on, and Teela lost all track of Prince Adam. She was becoming desperate, certain that she would have to resort to outright rudeness to find him, when her last partner left her by the doors to a balcony, and she turned to find Adam's eyes upon her. He was standing halfway across the ballroom, but she was trapped by his gaze. A net could not have held her more firmly.
She didn't move, barely even breathed as he made his way through the crowd to her side. She thought someone spoke to her, asking her for a dance, but Teela merely shook her head, waving the fellow away without even really seeing who it was. Then he was there, staring down at her, his blue eyes blazing like sapphires. Heart pounding in her chest, half-afraid that he might be able to hear it, Teela dropped into a graceful curtsy. She'd practiced the move all morning, but she'd never imagined what it would be like trying to curtsy while her knees were shaking beneath her skirts.
Then Adam was taking her by the hand and leading her out onto the dance floor. For an endless time, neither of them spoke and Teela was hyper-aware of his physical presence. His right hand was incredibly warm against her lower back, the heat from it all but scorching her skin through her clothing. Every time his fingers shifted, it sent tingles shooting up her spine to the base of her neck. His left hand held her right in a firm but gentle grip, his thumb absently massaging the edge of her palm in a way that made Teela's breathing slow despite her racing pulse.
Oh, Ancients, I want him so much... Why did it take me so long to see him as something more than a foster brother? Leaning into his grasp, Teela rested her head on the prince's shoulder, uncaring who might be watching. He smells divine. And I don't think it's a cologne. To the captain's surprise, the prince's heart was beating as wildly as her own. Pulling back slightly, she smiled up at him, only to find that his eyes were half-closed - as if, he too, was lost in the sensations of their dance.
"Happy Mid-Summer," she whispered breathlessly.
He cleared his throat and swallowed. His voice, when he spoke, was surprisingly hoarse. "Happy Mid-Summer, Teela. You... look absolutely amazing."
"So do you," she murmured, feeling herself blush. "I don't think I've - "
Adam's eyes widened abruptly, his skin flushing darkly. "Not that you don't always look beautiful," he blurted. "You do. Look beautiful, I mean. All the time! I - "
"Adam - "
"No, really, I do think that - "
"Adam, listen. I - "
"I've insulted you. I'm sorry, I - "
"Adam!" she hissed, alarmed by his growing volume. If his babbling continued, other dancers were bound to notice. Blast it. Casting a furtive glance around, Teela took her hand off his shoulder, grabbed his chin, and planted a quick, relatively chaste, kiss on his lips.
The prince stopped babbling.
He gaped at her with wide, shocked eyes for several seconds. Then, as Teela chewed nervously on her lip, he reached up and ran a hand through his hair. "Sorry," he mumbled, dropping his gaze to their feet as he returned his hand to her back. "You do look nice, though."
Teela threw back her head and laughed. "So do you, your highness. So do you."
Adam snorted softly, then, to Teela's relief, he too began to laugh. "Guess I'm just a little nervous tonight." Meeting her eyes once more, he grinned shyly. "So, how did you like your present?"
Teela blinked. Present? Did he give me a present yet?
"I left it on your bedside table," he explained when she made no reply. Then, wide-eyed, he said, "Didn't you see it?"
He looked so hurt, so desperately disappointed, that Teela nodded quickly, biting her tongue, hoping he wouldn't ask any questions that would reveal her lie. "Yes, I saw it. It's... nice. Great." She smiled broadly. "But then, you always find just the right gifts for people."
Adam blinked slowly, and his face went oddly still for a moment. "I'm... glad you like it," he said, a peculiar tinge to his voice.
Desperate for a change of subject, Teela exclaimed, "I saw Cringer wandering around the halls with an enormous red and gold bow tied around his neck this morning. How'd you manage that?"
The prince laughed politely, seemingly willing to go along with her change of topic. "Actually, Orko did that. He and my mother were decorating everything in sight earlier today, and Cringer was unlucky enough to get caught in the crossfire." He pulled her close again, and Teela was more than willing to lay her head once more upon his shoulder. She could hear the smile in his voice, however, when he said, "Do you remember the time that Cringer... "
It was an old story, one that she knew well. And it was only the first. They talked and laughed, dancing all the while, oblivious to the world around them. Several times, Teela started to tell him her news, tell him that she had resigned her post and would be leaving at the end of the week. But she couldn't do it. It was so nice, just being held close to him. So comfortable. So right. She wanted the moment to last for along as she could make it. Surely, the morning would be soon enough for her news. Just let me have tonight. Just let me have this moment. Tomorrow the world will take him away again, but tonight is mine...ours.
Castaspella was standing on the edge of the dance floor, chatting with an Eternian wizard from someplace called Stone Mountain, when Adam and Teela whirled past. She blinked in surprise and followed them with her eyes. She'd seen them take to the floor during a waltz perhaps an hour earlier. Much as she loathed to admit it, they moved very well together, gliding through the motions of the waltz with a natural ease. No doubt they learned to dance together years ago, she thought with just the slightest hint of scorn. They must have spent many long hours in intense practice as children. That's all this is, the result of their time spent together as children. Though neither of them seems remotely like a child this evening.
Castaspella had been surprised... no, shocked by the Eternian captain's appearance when she'd seen her for the first time earlier that evening. Teela was dressed as befit a lady of the court in a golden ball gown that shimmered with her every movement. Truth be told, in that candlelit chamber, the dress fairly burned like the sun, eclipsed only by the flaming strands of Teela's hair. She was undeniably beautiful, and more than one gentleman's eyes had lingered on her stunning form as she danced by in the arms of the Prince of Eternia.
Castaspella's own heart had plummeted at the sight, for Adam was gazing rapturously into Teela's face, the love he felt for the Eternian captain blindingly obvious to someone who suffered from a similarly unrequited devotion. Ancients preserve me, she'd thought. Three words from her. That's all it would take. Three words... and I'd lose him forever.
Then, struck by the absurdity of the paranoia that was gradually consuming her, she'd quickly reminded herself that Adam had danced with a number of equally beautiful and entrancing ladies that evening. Why, at the time she saw them go by, Castaspella had already danced with the prince twice herself. Admittedly, she had been unable to get Adam to herself as often as she would have liked, but he had hardly ignored her.
But that had all been more than an hour ago, and the prince and his captain were once more floating by her, lost in the music and each other's company. Excusing herself, she abandoned her conversation with the Eternian wizard and began to walk around the edges of the dance floor, trying to follow their progress despite the crush of people that impeded her view. Eventually, as these things always do, the dance ended and couples broke apart, the revelers going in search of rest, refreshment, and other partners. But not Adam and Teela. Their movements slowed, their steps wound down to something that more nearly resembled a walk, then the music picked up, switching from a waltz to a tango, and they were gone again.
They stayed together through two dances... three... four... and no telling how long they were dancing together before I noticed them again! Eyes narrowing, Castaspella started across the room, determined to cut in if they didn't separate at the end of the current reel. Before she could even get close, however, she found herself face to face with the king of Eternia.
"Ah, Queen Castaspella, will you honor me with this dance?"
No! she shrieked internally. I've got to get that hussy away from your son! Swallowing and forcing a smile, she said, "Why, yes, of course, your highness." Some hint of her distress must have leaked through, however, for Randor turned his head and looked back over his shoulder, following the direction of her gaze. When he saw Adam, the king's manner changed abruptly.
"Who is that young scamp dancing with?" he muttered sourly, a frown turning him lips ominously downward. "I could have sworn I saw him dancing with her not ten minutes ago."
Uh oh, Castaspella thought, her eyes widening in alarm. But before she could say anything to turn the king from his course, Randor had excused himself and walked away, clearly heading straight for his son and the captain of the guard. Wonderful, Castaspella. Just marvelous. Adam will just love you sending his father to yell at him in the middle of a ball. I swear these people won't let their children grow up!
She waffled, turning first one way and then another before smacking her balled fists against her hips and hurrying after the king of Eternia. Why me? Why couldn't I fall in love with someone simple... like a Hordesman? Why me? Randor quickly outdistanced her, adept at moving through the throng as he was, and the wizardess knew that he would reach her love long before she did.
Adam inhaled deeply, savoring the dizzying fragrance of the woman he held in his arms. She wore no perfumes, and she needed none. There was a faint, lingering scent of honey in her hair, but she'd used that same shampoo since childhood, and he couldn't imagine her hair smelling any other way. It was glorious. She was glorious. And for these few precious hours, she was his.
When he'd first seen her standing on the other side of the ballroom, he'd hardly dared to believe that the vision before him was really Teela, looking like the risen sun in a gown of gold, her fiery hair falling about her bare shoulders. She'd taken his breath away. Truth be told, she'd taken away his very ability to think. Luckily, his feet had carried him to her side of their own accord. They'd danced in silence, locked in a unity so profound it neither required nor desired words. Unfortunately that hadn't prevented his subsequent descent into babbling idiocy.
And then... what did that kiss mean? What does she really feel for me? Is there still hope? Did I give up too soon? But there would be time enough to worry about that when the ball was over. For now, Adam was content to hold her in his arms while they talked over old times. If his cheek sometimes strayed to the top of her head, if he delighted in the feel of her silken hair against his bare skin, surely no one would notice.
He realized abruptly, standing there with her head pillowed on his shoulder, how much shorter than him Teela really was. The boots she habitually wore had pretty high heels on them, rendering her the same height as the prince she'd been assigned to guard. But tonight the top of her head came just to his chin. She's wearing slippers, he thought in wonderment. My tough, hard as stone warrior is wearing dancing slippers! What in Eternia could have brought about such a change? I'd sooner have expected Skeletor to show up dressed like a court maiden than Teela!
They were just beginning a new dance, stepping to the strains of a tango when the magic of the moment was irrevocably broken by the sound of a clearing throat. Yanked from his idyll, Adam jerked his head around, staring in the direction of the sound, and was disgruntled to find himself face to face with his father.
"Adam, won't you be so gracious as to introduce to me to your lovely dancing partner?" Randor favored his son with a scathing look that was decidedly at odds with the dulcet tones of his question. The prince blinked, uncertain how to reply, but before he could even try, Teela solved the problem for him by turning to face the king.
"I hardly think we need to be introduced, your majesty," she said, not even trying to hide her amusement.
"Teela!" Randor exclaimed, flushing darkly. "I didn't recognize - I didn't realize - well, for the Ancients' sake!" Taking her by the shoulders, the king pulled her close and planted a quick kiss on her cheek before releasing her. "I do apologize, my dear," he said, chuckling. "Only imagine my chagrin. I came over here fully intending to chastise Adam for devoting too much of his attention to a single young lady, only to discover that the belle he's been dancing with for the past hour is you!"
Adam watched in amazement as Teela ducked her head, blushing furiously. "I'm sorry, your majesty," she said. "I shouldn't have monopolized him the way I - "
The prince scowled at the king, infuriated to find himself being treated like a child on this night of all nights. Still, his father was right. By dancing with Teela for so long, Adam was drawing unflattering and unwanted attention to his old friend. The Ancients only know what sort of rumors I've started here tonight. Sighing, he said, "Don't apologize, Teela. It was my fault. I shouldn't have - " He broke off as Randor, smiling tolerantly upon his son, waved him to silence
"Nonsense, my dears," the king said, shifting his forbearing smile from his son to his captain of the guard and causing the prince to grind his teeth to control his temper. "It's only natural that the two of you should want to spend this evening together. After all," he said, taking both of Teela's hands in his and favoring her with strangely melancholy smile, "I know Adam is going to miss you desperately when you leave, as we all will. I only wish I could have convinced you to stay. I don't know how I'll ever find another bodyguard for my son who will have either your dedication or your tolerance for his shenanigans."
Teela, who had been smiling at the king with an equally affectionate expression, suddenly pulled her hands from his grasp, her eyes going very wide. She said something. Adam was certain she said something, but he couldn't hear the words over the sound of the blood rushing behind his ears.
Teela's leaving.
She's leaving her post.
She's leaving me.
She's leaving... and she didn't tell me.
Father knew, and she didn't tell me.
Mother must know.
Man-At-Arms must know.
And no one...
I can't. I can't! I can't do this!
Pivoting, Adam dodged Teela's attempt to grab him by the arm. Brushing past startled courtiers, he dashed for the nearest exit from the ballroom, uncaring what anyone thought of his performance. Damn them all! I am every kind of a fool! How could I ever have believed, even for a moment, that she actually -
Tears welled up, and he did not even try to suppress them. What did it matter? What did any of it matter? The world already believed him to be a coward. And Man-At-Arms - far from trying to dispel it - had actually encouraged the misconception. After all, it was protecting He-Man's secret that mattered... not protecting Adam's reputation. The prince's tears, cried in so public a place, would only further the impression of him as a useless, weak and sniveling fop.
And maybe, just maybe, the rest of the world is right. What use am I?
Adora was dancing with General Varille, a man who reminded her surprisingly of Bow both in his appearance and general mannerisms, when she noticed a strange scene taking place about halfway across the room. Her father, wearing a decidedly sour look on his face, was in the process of descending upon her brother at quick march. Adam, for his part was oblivious to the approaching danger. And no wonder! Is that Teela he's dancing with? Good gracious! Then, before she could be certain precisely what the problem was, she was whirled into a clump of fellow dancers and lost sight of her family.
The instant the set was over, she returned her partner to his extremely pregnant and good-natured wife, then hastened in the direction she'd last seen her family. Her father had just come back into sight, standing by himself and looking utterly perplexed, when Adora was hit by a speeding windraider. At least, it felt like a speeding windraider. She reached out blindly, fighting to maintain her balance, and found herself caught and held by a startled looking soldier, while the person who'd struck her dashed away through the crowd. Castaspella? She turned to thank the man who'd broken her fall, only to find herself nearly blindsided a second time. The soldier, whose name she still did not know, deftly picked her up with an arm around her waist and swung her out of the way. Teela! What is going on here?!
Adora exchanged a sheepish grin with her benefactor - she'd have to find out his name later - and said a hasty thank you. Then she hurried to her father's side, a thousand questions buzzing through her mind. She found her mother'd had much the same idea, for they converged upon the king at the same moment.
"What on Earth is going on here?" Marlena demanded as she drew even with her husband. "Why did Adam just run out of here like wolves were nipping at his heels?"
"I'm not certain I understand what just happened," Randor said, sounding as baffled as he looked.
Teela ran after Adam, cursing the dancing slippers that slid precariously on the smooth marble of the floor. He ran out of the ballroom and onto a balcony, disappearing from view as he passed through the doors. An instant later, she saw Castaspella slip through the same balcony doors, and Teela's temples began to throb. That was all she needed, for the Etherian queen to stick her nose in the middle of what was already an alarmingly screwed up situation. I should have told him. I should have told him right away. I never dreamed he'd be so angry...so hurt. I am an idiot! Teela was not far behind the prince, but by the time she made it onto the balcony, he had vanished into the night air like so much vapor.
Castaspella, however, was not at all hard to find. The wizardess was standing in the exact center of the balcony, a look of murderous rage on her face as she watched Teela's approach. Grinding her teeth, the captain walked directly over to the Etherian queen and fixed her with a level gaze.
"Where is Adam?" she demanded.
"And why in the name of the Ancients should I tell you?" Castaspella spat back. "Haven't you done enough damage for one night?"
"This has nothing to do with you, your majesty," Teela ground out. "It is a private matter between - "
"Private? Private!" the wizardess shrieked, hands balling into fists at her sides. "You made the crown prince of Eternia cry at a public gathering, and you say it is a 'private' matter! What kind of monster are you?"
Utterly stunned by the ferocity of the other woman's attack, Teela gaped at her, all thoughts of pursuing the prince temporarily forgotten. Her mouth worked for several seconds before she finally managed a mumbled, "What?"
"I knew you were cruel," Castaspella said bitingly. "I've heard how you taunt him. How you take every opportunity to insult and denigrate him, but I would never have dreamed that you would say something so vicious that it would reduce him to tears before his people."
Adam, Teela thought suddenly. Adam has been talking about me with Castaspella. He's been talking about us? Her mind reeled wildly. He talked with her about us! The captain shook her head, bringing her thoughts back to the moment, and realized abruptly that her adversary... her rival was still speaking.
"I have seen little of Eternia, it's true. But I have seen enough to know that you are the coldest - "
Her own hands clenching and unclenching with fury, Teela took a step closer to the Etherian. "I have had just about enough of your superior attitude, your majesty," she snapped. "Who do you think you are, coming in here, giving orders, throwing your weight around! Adam is my friend. He's been my best friend for as long as I've been alive, and I don't need someone like you telling me - "
"Friend?" The wizardess' eyes widened in disbelief. "You still call him that, yet I know for a fact that you impugn his courage almost daily. How can you call him a coward, and then call him your friend? Why he puts up with your constant slings and barbs, I cannot imagine!"
For several seconds, Teela said nothing, merely staring at the other woman while the silence of the night stretched around them. Then, speaking very carefully, keeping her tone astonishingly neutral, she said, "It must be so easy for you to judge me. You spent, what, a few hours with Adam on Etheria. And now you've spent a few short weeks in his company here on Eternia."
"I don't see what that - "
Teela held up a hand, cutting off the Etherian's words. "Yet you stand there and judge my relationship with him. I've known Adam for years. My whole life. His whole life. I've known him longer and better than his own sister, but you act as if all of that means absolutely nothing."
"You call him a coward - " Castapella began.
"He is a coward!" Teela shouted, momentarily forgetting herself in her anger. Her words began quietly enough, but as her frustration grew so did her volume. "Do you have any idea what it's like to think you know someone? To think you know everything about them? What it's like to believe that you could always - ALWAYS - count on that one person, and then have them desert you when you need them the most? Can you? I don't pretend to understand why he changed, but I refuse to believe even for a moment that you know him better than I do!"
Teela took a long, deep breath, trying to ignore the voice in the back of her mind that flinched at every word, screaming for her to stop now before she said something she couldn't possibly take back. "If I call Adam a coward, I have earned the right to do so with my own blood."
For what felt like an eternity, the wizardess said nothing. Then, as if unable to contain the words any longer, she lurched forward, exclaiming, "You're a fool! Adam is no coward. He is brave and courageous. He has a kind and noble heart. There is no better man on all of Etheria or Eternia!"
Brave and courageous? Adam? "You make him sound like He-Man," Teela said, unable to wrap her mind around this view of her childhood friend. Before Teela could reply, Castaspella continued.
"Obviously, I have never met this Adam you speak of so derogatorily. The Prince Adam that I know, that all of Etheria knows, is a hero. I would sooner have him by my side than a hundred He-Mans." She jerked her chin up, setting her auburn hair to dancing in the firelight. "I want to marry him."
"You what?" Teela gasped. She'd suspected it for some time, but to hear the wizardess actually say it...
"I know you do not love him, but is it so very hard for you to believe that someone else could? You don't care for him at all; can't you leave him alone? Can't you let him be happy?"
"Leave him alone? But Castaspella, I do care - "
"You have strange way of showing it, Eternian. You treat him like a doll, to be picked up and played with, then tossed aside when you grow bored. You have no heart," she said as tears began to slide down her cheeks, "but you have his love."
Teela's eyes widened and she sucked in a sharp breath as the Etherian's words struck her like a blow. "You can't be serious! Adam doesn't - "
"Oh, but I am serious," she said, her teary eyes flashing. "You have his love now, but you will not keep it. I will win his heart. And when I am his wife, I swear he will not even remember your name!" With that, the wizardess turned and stepped over the edge of the balcony in a flash of magical light, leaving Teela alone with her confusion - and her conscience.
Castaspella hurried through the gardens, walking quickly but not running for fear of drawing unwanted attention to herself and the prince she sought. There was no cloud cover, and the twin moons provided all the illumination she could have needed for her search. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. As she came to the intersection of two large garden walkways and half-a-dozen smaller ones, she knew she'd lost him. Narrowing her eyes, the wizardess turned in a slow circle, scanning the moonlit darkness and finding no sign of her quarry.
Adam... where are you?
Sighing, she took one last quick look around to make sure no one was watching. Then, holding her hands out before her, palms upward, she concentrated on drawing power from within and pooling it together. Slowly, a small, swirling mass of light formed, hanging in the air above her hands, sparkling like a jewel as it cast dancing shadows on the surrounding foliage. It continued to grow, spinning frenetically until it was roughly the diameter of a human heart. Satisfied with its size, and becoming more anxious to find Adam with each passing moment, Castaspella muttered a hasty incantation.
Fairy light, don't let him hide,
Take me to my prince's side.
Not my best verse, she thought off-handedly as the ball turned a deep, rich red - Is it blushing or am I? - but it will do. The witchlight shot off, careening around the edge of a bush and disappeared from sight. But the wizardess did not have to see orb to follow it. Impatiently flicking her hair back over her shoulder, she rushed after her guide.
Teela must have upset Adam more deeply than even I suspected, Castaspella thought angrily as she followed the orb through garden after garden, beyond the castle walls and into the harvest fields outside the city of Eternos. I never would have dreamed he'd run this far.
The moons were still high in the night sky, their light shimmering like gold over the wheat fields below, when the queen at last found her prince. Adam was sitting on the edge of a hay-filled wagon in the middle of an enormous field which had only been half-cleared. From her vantage point, Castaspella could see only a quarter of his profile, but he looked pensive as he sat, unmoving, and stared up at the starry sky. His hands hung loosely between his spread knees, but his back was surprising straight, his shoulders unslumped. His circlet must have been discarded at some point during his retreat for his hair moved temptingly across his forehead, swaying with the light breeze that carried the scent of hay back to her nostrils. The aroma was surprisingly arousing.
Or maybe it's the view.
The witchlight, having served its purpose, spun itself into tiny red sparks that scattered wildly, vanishing into the night. The wizardess no longer needed it to guide her, but for some strange reason, she couldn't seem to get her feet to move. Come on, Casta. Don't be so pathetic. What's he going to do? Yell at you for worrying about him? Taking a deep breath, she started forward, forcing her feet to take her closer, one step at a time.
The Etherian queen was watching her prince so closely that she knew the precise moment when he saw that she was there. His eyes widened as his head swiveled in her direction, and she realized abruptly that the brightness of his eyes was not due to moonlight. "Oh, my darling!" she cried, now rushing forward to climb hastily up beside him.
He regarded her with a teary gaze, studying her image as if uncertain how she could possibly have come to be there. He said not a word, merely watching her curiously as she settled next to him.
"Adam?" Castaspella asked worriedly, reaching out to brush tears from his pale cheek with her thumb. That wretched MONSTER! What did Teela say to cause this? What did she do? Fighting not to let her anger show, she forced a trembling smile. "Say something, my darling. Adam?" His only answer was to close his eyes and turn his cheek into her hand, rubbing his skin against her fingers.
"Are you - " She never finished her question. The wizardess' breath caught in her throat as his hand came up to cover hers, his thumb caressing her skin enticingly. Then his eyes opened, and she found herself captured by a gaze so painfully raw, so unbearably naked that she could not look away. When he spoke, his words were so soft that she nearly missed them.
"Do you love me?" he asked quietly.
Castaspella nodded, the world beyond him swimming in her vision. "Yes." Adam smiled, a bittersweet expression that made her long to hold him close and protect him from everything and anything that two worlds could throw at them.
"Do you want me - "
Yes! Ancients, please, yes! Her heart drummed madly within her. Her temples throbbed.
" - to come to Mystacore with you?"
Again the wizardess nodded, barely daring to breathe as he held her with his eyes. She cleared her throat nervously. "Yes," she croaked. "More than anything..."
His smile widened, brightened until it seemed to her as if it shone more brightly than the stars themselves. She leaned closer, and found that Adam was already leaning toward her. An arm slipped around her waist. A hand found its way into her hair, but Castaspella barely noticed these things as his lips met hers. He'd never kissed her like this. No one had... not for a long, endless time. This was no tentative kiss, no cautious exploration, no practice exercise. This was no insecure that boy she held in her arms. This was a man. At last...
Passion, purpose and promise - in one tantalizing embrace.
Groaning, Castaspella tightened her arms across his back, pulling him closer as she deepened the kiss. Oh, my love. At last, you will be my love. Then, just as abruptly as it had begun, the kiss ended. Adam jerked away, gasping and swearing under his breath.
"No! Stop! We have to stop," he exclaimed. "This is wrong! I'm so sorry, I - "
"I'm not!" she implored, reaching out and clasping his hands in hers. "Oh, Adam, don't you see? Don't you see how right this is? How right we are, together?"
"It's not fair to you," he insisted. "I don't want to give you false hope when I know that I'll always... We'd be living a lie. I do care for you, but I'll always love... " He started to turn away, but the wizardess held tightly to his hands.
"No hope is false, my love," she interjected quickly. "Adam, you promised me you would try. That you would give us a chance."
"And I have tried," he said, his tears making glistening tracks down his cheeks. "I've tried so hard. Tried to forget her. Tried to stop loving her. Tried to make this work. Nothing helps. I don't know what more I can do!"
"Do you have no feelings for me beyond friendship?" she asked quietly, gazing up into his shining eyes.
"I do love you," Adam said, pulling her into his arms and resting his cheek against the top of her head. She let out a little sigh, settling into his embrace. "I just... I can't love you the way that you wish me to, the way that you deserve to be loved. I'd always be thinking about - "
"And what of you?" she cried, tightening her arm. "Do you not deserve love as well, deserve someone who will hold you above all others?"
"You know how I feel about Teela," he whispered despairingly. "Nothing has changed."
"But it will, Adam!" she cried, pulling away just far enough to gaze into his eyes once more. "It will change. I can wait. We can take as long as you need."
"Casta... "
The wizardess grinned wryly and reached up to cup his cheek in her hand once more. "Teela's had twenty years to win your heart, my love. Shouldn't I have just as much time to steal it?"
Adam laughed despite himself, then smiled sadly. He shook his head. "I don't want to hurt you."
"And you never could," she said firmly, brushing away a fresh tear with her thumb. "You don't have it in you to hurt anyone. Oh, please, Adam. Give me a chance. Give us a chance." She buried her face in his neck. "Come stay with me on Etheria for a time. Come to Mystacore. We can make it work. I know we can."
He said nothing, did nothing for several seconds, and Castaspella waited impatiently, listening to the beating of his heart. Please, Adam. Please.
Then, ever so slowly, one of his hands trailed down the side of her breast sending tingles of pleasure darting through her skin. The Etherian gasped, her eyes widening in startlement. Placing her hands on either side of his face, she pulled his head downward and into a kiss. It was slower, softer than the first had been, but then, as if a flood gate had at last been broken, he groaned and tightened his arms around her. The kiss deepened, grew in intensity until Castaspella was no longer certain whose moans she was hearing.
Adam's fingers fumbled at the lacings of her dress, and they were falling backward into the hay. Before they'd landed, and without even thinking about it, she'd transfigured the prickly stalks into a soft bed of feathers. A moment later their clothing vanished, the warm evening breeze dancing tantalizingly across their bare skin. Adam...