A/N – Thanks for the reviews! Leasmom – Thank you! Exactly Kikimoo! I would like to point out there was an actual law around 1753 that made it so that anyone in the royal family had to get permission from the King and council before they could marry a commoner, so it's not that Alan is putting rules above family, it is the law. He doesn't have the full power to break them, and in his mind, they went behind his back so not only is he offended but he knows nothing about Nikolas because he isn't in their "circle". It's not that simple and he was in shock.

Chapter 16 – Requited Love

AJ gripped his brother's shoulder. "Worry no more, brother. It is the way it should be."

Jason put his hand on AJ's shoulder. "I will not do it unless you are by my side, brother."

AJ smiled. "Agreed."

They briefly hugged as Monica smiled. "We can't let anything tear this family apart."

They nodded their agreement.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Alan entered Emily's room with a lot on his mind. She is sleeping, so he sat next to her and tried, but couldn't contain his emotions and started to cry which awakened her. "Father?"

"I'm sorry, daughter. I am just happy that you are on the mend."

Emily reached up and touched his face. She is coming to understand the toll her behavior has had on the family. "Please do not hurt him."

"What you are asking me to do goes against everything I know."

"I'm aware of that, and I will leave with him if it's too much for you to bear."

"You would leave the castle and your family for him?" Alan said incredulously.

"I'm in love with him, father. I chose death when I couldn't be with him so why would it surprise you that I'd choose life if I could?"

Alan's shoulders slumped. "I will talk to the council on the morrow. That is all I can promise you for now."

"Thank you, father." She opened her arms and Alan hugged her tightly. Emily is his heart and death is just not an option.

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Elizabeth and Jason were left alone to finish their discussion.

"Elizabeth, I think we both know where our relationship is heading. I will ask you one last time. Do you think you would be happy being my Queen eventually?"

Just the word queen made her shudder. She would never have guessed that her life would have taken such a turn. "Yes, because I would be with you. You make me so happy, Jason."

He sat next to her. "I am over the moon for you, my love." He kissed reverently.

Alan cleared his throat as he entered the room. "I wish to apologize for my earlier behavior. Please forgive me, Lady Elizabeth," he said humbly.

"Of course, King Alan. Consider it forgotten."

Alan smiled. "Thank you. May I speak to my son alone?"

"Surely." She quickly moved into the hallway.

Jason watched as his father sat at his desk.

"I do not know what to do, my son. Your sister has me twisted in every which way."

Jason tried to make light of the situation. "She's a girl, father, that is what they do."

Alan smiled. "True…" His smile soured. "Your mother kicked me out of the room."

Jason chuckled. "Her anger will subside while you lick your wounds."

Alan sighed. "I am going to talk to the council tomorrow."

Jason nodded. The decision could go either way, he just wonders how much his father will fight on Nikolas's behalf.

"Your sister told me that she is willing to leave the castle to be with him."

"What? You can't let her!"

Alan put his hand up. "Settle, my son. I have no intention of letting that occur."

Jason tried to relax.

"I need you to go find Nikolas and bring him to me."

Jason got up and went to Nikolas's chambers and brought him back down.

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"Nikolas," Alan said calmly. "Please, have a seat."

Nikolas nervously sat on the couch.

Jason sat beside him as Alan began to speak.

"Apparently, my daughter is in love with you."

"And I with her, sir. I wish permission to marry her."

"You both have left me in quite the predicament."

Nikolas nodded.

"I will talk to the council tomorrow to see if they are agreeable. I can't guarantee that it will work in your favor."

"Understood."

"I love my daughter and would do anything for her. I think this proves it. I do feel very disrespected that you chose to court my daughter without supervision or our approval. We know nothing of your lineage or motives aside from the obvious."

"Please forgive me, King Alan. It was not done out of disrespect for you or Emily.

"I guess it cannot be taken back at this point. We can only move forward. I will let you know what the council decides as soon as I know."

Nikolas nodded. "Thank you."

Alan tracked him as he left. He doesn't seem like a bad man. Sight, he knows what he must do.

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Elizabeth stood in the darkness of her bedroom looking out of the window. The moon is shining brightly over the land and it's a beautiful sight. She has one more day with Jason and she already feels like her heart is breaking. Hearing a creaking of her door, she whipped around.

Jason slipped inside and shut it.

"Jason?" she said breathlessly. "What are you doing in here?"

She suddenly realizes that she is clad only in her nightgown and feels slightly exposed. They are breaking every rule at that moment. She is almost relieved to see he is in his nightshirt and pants. It makes her feel less improper.

"I'm sorry, but I had to see you." He closed the distance between them and then smiled at the state she was in before pulling her into his arms.

When Liz shivered, he immediately grows concerned. "It's cold, milady. You should be covered."

She stared up at him as he laid her onto the bed and covered her up.

"For the record, I'm not cold; it's just your touch that gives me the chills," she said coyly. "What's wrong?" His expression is very serious.

"I just don't know how I'm going to let you leave again." He sat next to her.

"I know. I was just thinking the same."

"Elizabeth, I'm afraid that I have fallen hopelessly in love with you." He lovingly touched her face. "I know that is crazy but it's the truth."

He feels as though he has known her forever. She is perfection, and he has never felt this way about anyone else before.

Liz couldn't breathe. It is astounding that he feels as deeply for her she does for him. Sitting up, she grabbed him around the neck and kissed him passionately.

"I love you with every fiber of my being."

Jason grabbed her face and kissed her hungrily. He shivered when he felt her hands go underneath his shirt and make their way up to his chest. "Elizabeth," he said softly before pushing her back onto the bed and attacking her neck. As his lips traveled down to her pert breasts, Elizabeth almost begged him to touch her there. Just when he was about to free them, her low moan snapped him out of his passion-filled haze and he ripped himself away.

"Don't stop," Liz whispered.

They stared into each other eyes.

"But we must."

Before Liz could respond, her door started to creak open. Jason leaped off the bed and ran behind the curtains.

Liz sat up. "Who's there?" she called out.

"It's just me," Courtney whispered.

"What's wrong?"

Courtney climbed onto the bed. "Nothing, I just can't sleep, and AJ's snoring could rouse the dead."

Liz chuckled.

"I thought I heard you talking to someone?"

"Not I," Liz said unable to look her in the eyes.

"At first I thought that maybe you and Jason were—visiting; for lack of a better word," Courtney said smirking.

Liz blushed. "Heavens no."

"What? I'm not a prude. He's handsome and those eyes and body are exquisite. Why shouldn't you have a little taste?"

"Because it's totally improper," Liz shot back growing more uncomfortable by the second. Even Jason was frowning.

"So you have never…"

"God no," Liz said as her face grew bright red.

"Well, well, I'm surprised that a man like Jason hasn't just taken you already. Haven't you ever wondered what it would be like?"

Jason had to fight from groaning.

Liz nodded.

Courtney smiled. "Well, there is hope for you yet. Trust me. The first time was one of the worst experiences of my life, but it got better over time and you will grow to like it, especially if the man is skilled."

Liz doesn't know what to say. Of course, she's curious, so she figured it's better to just let Courtney talk, and then maybe she will tire fast.

"Just make sure that he takes his time to help prepare you and it will feel much better."

"If you say so," Liz said. She has no idea what Courtney was blathering on about.

"Hmm, all this talk has made me a little flushed. I think I need to go wake up AJ," Courtney said grinning.

Jason fought the urge to hurl.

She slid off the bed. "Sweet dreams," she said before opening the doors and leaving.

Liz looked over at the curtains as Jason emerged.

"That woman knows no shame," Jason said curtly. "I had no idea that women discussed such things."

Liz started laughing.

"What's so funny?"

"The look on your face." She can't stop herself.

He pounced on her and he buried her screams with his mouth until she was melting into the bed. She could feel him growing hard against her and gasped. Jason rolled off her and stood. "I should go."

Liz sat up. Her heart was beating so loud she felt it could be heard from afar. "Goodnight, my love."

Jason smiled. "Goodnight."

She watched him slip out through the doorway and fell backward onto the bed.