A/N – Thanks for the reviews! * Lrobinson01 – lol true * jloalso – Thank you! * starhine – lol * ilovedana53 – Thank you! * Kelsey, doralupin86 – Stay tuned! * Liasonisthebomb – No she isn't. Alan definitely came through! * Gabby1 – Nice change huh? * Virgy15 – I will keep your Courtney secret…. * Kikimoo lol he could still make her queen (you know that whole honest woman thing)

In Courtney's defense, saying someone else is hot (stating the obvious) when you're married doesn't mean your lusting after them. And you don't stop noticing men just cause you're married (Steve Burton….call me lol). You guys are great! Love reading your responses!

Chapter 17 – The Votes are In

The next morning, Alan prepared himself for the council meeting. He went into his bedroom and found Monica at her dressing table.

"Good morning."

Monica didn't say anything, continuing the prep of her hair.

"Monica, I'm sorry. I have made amends with the children and even extended an olive branch to Nikolas. Can you ever forgive me?" He placed a hand on her shoulder.

She turned to gaze at him. "Alan, you hurt me deeply yesterday, but I will always love you. You have my heart and soul. Don't you know that by now?"

Alan fought a smile. "I appreciate that more than you know. I'm about to go meet with the council."

Monica hugged him. "Good luck." She can tell by the worry on his face that this is taking a toll on him.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

The King sat amongst the other council members.

"We understand this is about a marriage. Are Prince Jason and Lady Elizabeth betrothed?"

Alan smiled. "Not yet, but that should be forthcoming."

They smiled. "That only leaves Princess Emily."

"As you all know, she had taken ill. It turns out her sickness was in response to her losing the man she loved."

A few of the council members turned to eye each other. "Please proceed."

"It turns out he is a commoner," Alan said getting to the point.

There were some grumblings and gasps.

"I see, and who may this man be?"

"Nikolas of Cambridge."

"I know of him," one of the members said loudly. "He is of good stock."

"After much talk with my daughter and Nikolas, he has made his position known and wishes to ask for Emily's hand in marriage."

"And how do you feel about this?"

"Clearly, I would rather not lose my daughter which I'm afraid that will be the result if their request for betrothal is denied."

"If we are all to agree to this, then Nikolas would need to be given title."

"Also, if something were to happen to your sons, we also need to take into consideration that Emily could be Queen," another man mentioned.

"If that were to happen, Nikolas would just be considered a Prince," Alan added. "He has no rights to the throne."

"Well, if you are agreeable to it—I still believe it's not for the best, but it's your daughter. I won't go against you."

"All in favor?"

Everyone gave their yeas and nays, and it was tallied. "It appears that the yeas have it."

Alan nodded. "Thank You."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Alan entered Emily's bedroom. Nikolas was sitting by the bed and they were talking.

"Father?"

"I bring you both news."

Emily nervously awaited it.

"We have agreed that Nikolas may ask for your hand in marriage."

Emily grinned. "Thank you so much, father." She stared lovingly at Nikolas as he held her hand and squeezed it.

"However, it will not be without rules."

"We'll do anything, father."

"I will not permit Nikolas to ask until he has properly courted you for six months."

"Okay."

"From there, I would like you to wait at least another three months before marrying. You are young, Emily, and I don't think anything I've asked is unreasonable."

Nikolas approached him and bowed. "Thank you so much, Your Majesty."

Alan still isn't totally convinced he is doing the right thing, but family means everything to him.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Elizabeth and Jason rode their horses into the forest and then stopped at a clearing. Jason hopped down first and then helped her off.

"That was so much fun," she said grinning. They had slipped away while no one was paying attention.

He tied the horses up and then grabbed a blanket he had put under a satchel and laid it on the ground. He sat down first, and she nestled between his legs and leaned against his chest.

"It's beautiful out here," She said gazing towards the forest.

"You're beautiful." He kissed the top of her head.

She turned on her side so she could look up at him. "I feel spoiled getting to see you so soon."

Jason smiled. "You're quite remarkable. You managed to find Nikolas, save Emily, and make me beyond happy in the blink of an eye."

Liz grinned. "I consider Emily my sister. I would do anything for her."

"What about for me?"

"I would do anything for you as well. All you have to do is ask."

"Every time I look at you, I find something else to love about you."

Elizabeth blushed as Jason peered into her eyes intently before dipping his head down and claiming her lips. Their mouths fused as their bodies started to react to their passion.

Liz turned in his arms further and pushed him down onto the ground and straddled him. Jason groaned at the contact. "Elizabeth," he said huskily.

"Yes, Jason?" she said coyly, knowing that she is driving him crazy.

He reached up and touched her breasts as she shuddered at his touch. "Two can play at this."

She started to move a little which made Jason growl. "You're killing me, woman." He flipped her onto her back as she laughed. He pushed some of his weight onto his hands which are on either side of her, forcing their bodies to have even more contact. A jolt went through her body as he pressed against her. He groaned and rolled onto the ground next to her as she protested. "What are you doing?"

"Saving your virginity."

She rolled onto her side and playfully ran her fingers down his chest and when she got closer to his belt Jason grabbed her hand.

"Elizabeth, please, you're going to drive me mad. I only have so much control."

"I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. I just want you so badly." She quietly laid back.

He kissed her gently trying to soothe her embarrassment which led them right back to where they had started.

"I just can't keep my hands off you, but I want our first time to be special. I want it to be our wedding night and then I promise you that I will please you over," he stopped to kiss her, "and over again."

Elizabeth shuddered. "Okay. I will try not to tempt you so much."

Jason grinned. "I'm not sure if I'm okay with that either."

She laughed. "Make up your mind. Do you want me or not?"

"Oh God, Elizabeth, I always want you. No matter what you're doing, your body calls to me, and I long to be inside of you," he said devilishly.

"Such talk is not helping our cause."

"Neither did you trying to touch me."

Liz blushed.

Jason stood. "Come on. We should be getting back before father sends out a patrol."

Liz grasped his hand, allowing her to help her get on her horse, and then he untied it.

"The last one back is a vacuous trollop," Liz said urging the horse forward.

Jason untied his and hopped on and tried to chase her down.

They got off and walked towards the castle and are stunned to see her father moving towards them.