A/N: sorry it took me so long for this last installment!
Disclaimer: (because I forgot to put this at the beginning) I don't own Tin Man or any of it's characters – although I would love to own Wyatt Cain.
DG couldn't help the few tears that trickled down her cheeks as she walked away from Jarick. Whether it was the right thing to do or not, it still hurt her to hurt him.
She knew who she needed to talk to next – and she was hardly looking forward to it. Her parents had introduced her to Jarick in the first place, they were certain to be disappointed in the end of the relationship. The only question was whether or not DG should tell them why she broke it off. Would it worsen the blow, or help them to understand?
Before she could come up with an answer, she found herself at the door to her mother's study. She knocked quietly, half hoping she wouldn't be heard.
"Come in," came the queen's voice.
DG opened the door and gave her mother a nervous smile.
"There's the bride to be. Are you feeling better?"
"I am, thanks. But um, I need to talk to you about something."
"Well certainly dear, have a seat," her mother motioned to the chair on the opposite side of the desk.
DG plopped down and started subconsciously twisting a strand of hair around her finger. Her mother gave her a knowing smile.
"What?" DG asked, slightly defensive.
"What's wrong sweetheart?" her mother asked.
"What? What makes you say something's wrong?"
The queen motioned to the hair in DG's hand, "You always used to do that when you were nervous about telling me something."
DG pulled her fingers out of her hair, "Yeah," she took a deep breath, "It's about Jarick."
"What about him?"
"I broke off our engagement," DG said quickly.
Her mother remained silent for what seemed like hours before speaking.
"I thought you loved him."
"So did I. But that's just it – I love him, I'm not in love with him. I know he should be my dream guy and I know every girl would kill to be in my place, but he just isn't right for me," she heaved a sigh, "I was only trying to make everyone happy. I wanted him because I knew that I should want him. But I don't Mama," she felt like a little girl again as tears bloomed for what seemed like the tenth time, "I really don't."
Her mother got up from her chair and walked over to DG, wrapping her arms around her, "It's all right DG," she said, stroking her hair, "I understand. I'm not angry."
"Do you thank dad will be upset?" she asked.
"No," her mother said, giving a soft laugh, "Your father wasn't exactly an ideal candidate for royal marriage you know." Then, so quietly that DG could barely hear her, she added, "They're really both so similar."
"Who are?" she asked.
"Oh," her mother said, seeming surprised to find that she had spoken aloud, "Nothing sweetheart."
DG eyed her mother suspiciously.
"Your father and Commander Cain," the queen said finally.
It took a second for the words to sink in.
"Wait," DG said, "You mean … you know that the reason I'm not marrying Jarick is because of – "
"Commander Cain? Yes, I had my suspicions. So did your father."
"But how did you…?" DG began weakly.
"Three months ago when the Commander came to us and asked if we had any assignments for him – something that would take him away from the palace – we knew there had to be a reason. Then after he left you walked around as though a light inside of you had been snuffed out. When Jarick came along we thought perhaps you had moved on, but then Commander Cain returned…"
Her mother trailed off and gave DG a gentle smile, "I'm proud of you for following your heart my darling. I don't want you to do something simply because you think it's what others want."
DG nodded and stood up, giving her mother a hug, "Thanks mom," she whispered.
"You're welcome," the queen replied, giving DG a kiss on the cheek, "So, go tell your tin man that the wicked king and queen approve," she added with a laugh.
With a smile on her face, DG left her mother's study and headed back down the hall to Cain's room, where she knew he would be unpacking. Knocking loudly on the door, she didn't bother waiting for him to open it before bursting in.
"Hey there princess," Cain said, standing up from where he had been kneeling in front of a dresser.
He spoke casually enough, but DG could see in his eyes how nervous he was to hear what she had to tell him about Jarick.
"I broke things off," she said.
Cain let out a sigh of relief.
"And I told my mother," she added.
His face froze at that, "I don't know if that was such a good idea. She would never approve …"
"She already does," DG replied.
"What?"
"Funny thing is," DG said, moving closer to Cain as she spoke, "Not only did she approve, she already knew. So did my father. Looks like we were pretty transparent."
Cain laughed, "Apparently."
"So, Commander Cain – now that you have me, what are you going to do with me?" she asked.
"I don't know kid. I thought I could recite some poetry for you, maybe go out and buy you chocolates so I can woo you …"
DG narrowed her eyes, "You try to woo me Wyatt Cain, and I will kick your ass."
"You're my kind of girl princess."
"You're my kind of guy."
"So," Cain said huskily, tracing his hand along DG's cheek and moving so that their bodies touched, "This knight in shining armor of yours, did he ever push you up against a wall and kiss you senseless?"
"Can't say that he did," she replied, breathless as he placed a kiss at the base of her neck.
"Well," he said, "First things first."
With one hand he slid her against the wall and held her arms over her head.
"Do you have any idea how long I've wanted this?" he asked.
"Since the moment you saw me trying to attack a bunch of longcoats with a stick?" she guessed with a laugh.
He smiled, "Bingo. I just never thought it would happen."
"Cain?"
"Yeah?"
"Shut up and kiss me."
The End
A/N: I hope you enjoyed it! I'm sure I'll be starting another one soon – reviews are welcome!