I know I usually have 2 stories going at the same time. But the truth is, this is the last story that I have completed in a while. I have 2 or 3 that I'm still working on - and I might even post them in time. For right now, though...

The Appointment

Tyr thought of little else but his appointment with Alandra. It could hardly be called a date, being only 30 minutes long. He rehearsed what he was going to say to get an actual date. It shouldn't be too hard to get one stinking date out of the stubborn woman, should it? It wasn't like he wanted forever or anything. Yet, his mind whispered to his chagrin. Did he really want 'forever' right now? His mother had talked to him at length yesterday about settling down, and he'd largely ignored her as usual. But one phrase had stood out to him.

"You need to make your selection, my son. Before the choice is taken from you. You are not getting any younger." That had brought him up short. Not the getting older thing - that was standard fair for the woman. But she'd never talked about him possibly losing his chance with a good woman before. It brought him a strange kind of panic, something he'd never experienced before. But this was all ridiculous! He'd only met the girl once, a month ago, and had talked to her for less than ten minutes before she'd gone back to her life. What was it about her that had him tied in knots like this? He'd learned early on in his sexual career that one woman was pretty much the same as another. Yet this woman had his nose wide open and was making him question himself. The great Tyr Anasazi, reduced to a quivering schoolboy by a mere woman! It was enough to have him grabbing for that card the mystery man in the elevator of her building had handed him, intent on canceling his date. Yet, every time he went to do it, something about her smiles and laughter stopped him. By Allah, he'd become a mess!

When Monday finally arrived, he treated himself to a full-body massage to try and settle his nerves. When that didn't work, he settled for going to the gym for a few hours. This method was a little more successful. He bathed meticulously, careful to keep his locks from getting wet, and dressed in his Sunday best. The drive to her place of business was spent carefully blanking his mind. He was tired of the words 'what if' after days of having them popping up in his thoughts like a demented jack-in-the-box. All he wanted was to take the woman out, wine and dine her, and possibly schedule another, longer date to do it all again. Something told him that he would never get bored of her. But what if she gets bored of you? DAMN IT!

Alandra was waiting for him outside of the building when he arrived. She looked nervous, something that he instantly wanted to soothe.

"Thanks for meeting with me," he said before she could start the conversation.

"I must admit surprise, Mr. Anasazi," she shrugged, attempting to look casual while leaning against the decorative archway of her job. "You don't seem the type to schedule an appointment with a lawyer. I'm sure you have a legion of them in your royal directory. What did you want with me? I prosecute, I don't defend." This brought the man up short. She thought that he was looking for a lawyer. She thought that this was a professional meeting. Well, if that didn't beat all! He settled down on a bench not too far from her and chuckled, delighting in her shiver.

"I didn't come here for a consultation, Alandra. I came here because I can't get you out of my mind since we met a month ago. I want to take you to dinner if possible." He watched her facial expressions with glee. She was so expressive! Surprise, embarrassment, disbelief, delight, determination. Then her poker face was back on and he couldn't quite tell what she was feeling.

"You want a date? But… But I can't tonight! I already promised to go out with Walter Spiegel tonight. I figured… Well, it doesn't matter what I figured. I'm sorry. I just-"

"There's no need for apologies. I should have been clearer with my intentions. Should I contact your secretary to-"

"Oh no! Please, I can do it right now," she gasped, pulling out her phone. "Just let me… Ah! I'm free this Thursday after work if you want. Say seven this time?" She was typing frantically as she spoke. This made him smile and he came over to place a hand over hers. He could feel the heat coming off her face from where he stood.

"Thursday sounds perfect, Landi," he told her in a calming voice. "Shall we meet here again? I have someplace special in mind. We can drive there from here if you want."

"Y-yes," she stuttered, her embarrassment starting to show through her skin tone. The flustered woman went to say more, but a pair of headlights flashed in her eyes, distracting her. "Um… That would be Walter. And he's early," she griped, checking her phone yet again.

"Do you prefer early or late?" he asked. The woman swallowed hard before answering.

"I um… I prefer early. Usually," she said with a blush. Tyr laughed at that.

"I'll bear that in mind, my lady," he said smoothly. Determined to see her shiver again, the man seized her hand and kissed it. He got his shiver. "Have a wonderful night," he smiled. Because come Thursday you will be having your last first date, he added to himself as he walked back to his car.

"That's a rather large grin for a man who did nothing but talk to a woman for the last 25 minutes," Hazma laughed as they left the building behind.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Tyr said, feeling his face stretch into an even bigger grin as he put his date into his phone. Both of his bodyguards were laughing and commenting on his good mood, but the Prince couldn't hear it over his heart beating.

You will be mine, Alandra Shaveed.