Before I fall
Too fast
Kiss me quick
But make it last

They were alone. For the first time since her arrival in Tortall, she was alone with him. Part of her wanted to run out of the room, but a much larger part couldn't let this moment go. She shifted in her seat, avoiding looking at him directly. Had they done this on purpose? Intentionally left the two of them alone?

He hated his friends. How could they – Alanna especially – leave him like this? Didn't they know him at all? Or was this some kind of cruel payback for past slights? He tried to think of what he may have done as a page or squire that his friends had been carrying around all these years. Alanna knew best of all how he was with her. She must be taking such pleasure in this. He hated her most of all.

"So," Thayet said quietly, shifting once again.

"So," Jonathan repeated, moving some of the papers on his desk. There were a lot of them. He could go on moving them forever. Thayet glanced at the door, hoping someone would come back in, or they would be interrupted. "If you want to go, don't let me keep you." Startled, her hazel eyes met his blue ones. "I don't intend on being that kind of king, especially not to my friends."

"Are we friends?" she blurted without thinking. She quickly colored. "I mean…"

"Aren't we?" he answered, leaning back. "We have a very important friend in common. I would think that would make us friends by default."

Thayet hesitated before nodding. "I suppose it would." She glanced again at the door. "Although, I can't say I think much of this 'friend' right now." Jonathan laughed, breaking the tension between them. Thayet smiled, relaxing. She saw in him now the same man she saw when Alanna, or one of his other old friends, was in the room.

"George is rubbing off on her," Jonathan said. "I'll have to keep an eye on her."

"I'd keep an eye on her anyway."

He caught her eyes again and smiled, sending her stomach cartwheeling. Alanna had told her he was handsome, but hearing it and seeing it were two entirely different things. Even after nearly a month in the palace, his eyes still captivated her. "She'd hurt me for suggesting she needed watching."

"She knows she needs it," Thayet said. "She's just too proud to admit it."

They fell into silence again. Jonathan went back to moving papers, Thayet returned to looking awkwardly around the room. Every so often, he glanced up at her. He had dealt with being attractive all his life. He'd learned to live with the swoons, the stammering, and the overzealous flirts. He was used to be being pursued, and rarely worried about having to chase someone himself. Women came to him naturally. Even Alanna had fallen for him, though he knew she would never admit it. But Thayet jian Wilima was different. He doubted she had to chase men. They probably fell at her feet. She had a determined look in her hazel eyes he respected, but guarded herself. He wanted to break through and find the woman hiding underneath. He suspected he could love her.

Thayet rose. "Maybe I should go," she said. "I don't want to interrupt you."

"No!" She stopped and turned around to see Jonathan on his feet. "I mean… don't leave. You're not interrupting anything."

"Are you sure?" she asked, crossing her fingers behind her back. She was talking about more than just his paperwork.

"I'm sure." He moved out from behind his desk and walked toward her. "There's nothing here that can't wait until tomorrow. Or the day after, or the day after…" He stopped in front of her. "Or, if I'm feeling particularly rebellious, the day after that."

"And no one would object?"

"No." He took a step closer. Her heart thudded in her chest. He looked so calm, and his blue eyes were so enchanting… He could hear his own heart in his ears, nearly drowning out the thoughts he fought to keep in order. "No one would object." One more step and they would be a hair's breath apart. One more step and he could show her how much he thought he could care about her, how much he already cared about her.

Thayet glanced down. "Your Majesty-"

Jonathan cut her off, taking half a step forward. "No," he told her quietly. She looked up hesitantly. "It's Jon."

"Jon." The word sat between them, reverberating in their heads. Neither was sure who took the step forward or who moved first, but suddenly their bodies were close. So close they felt each other's heat. "Jon," she whispered. He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her gently, pulling his mouth away slowly. He looked at her with questioning blue eyes. "Are you sure no one would object?"

"I'm sure." He brushed the dark hair from her face. "But let them object. I don't care." She began to move back, but he caught her. "She doesn't object. I promise."

The corner of her mouth hitched up. "How did you know what I was thinking?"

He smiled at her. "Because it crossed my mind too."

Thayet kissed him gently on the mouth, then stepped away. "Good night… Jon." With a small, sweet smile, she walked out. Jonathan watched her go, fighting a smile. Yes. He could love her. He might already.