A/N: Hello again! Here is the next chapter. I think I should just stop apologizing for me not writing. I just seem not to have the time, so hopefully you guys still want to read this story. Thank you so much for your reviews and speaking of reviews: You all were right. I accidentally put Jessica instead of Rebecca for Tamani's girlfriend. You guys keep me on my toes! Thank you!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything…It all goes out to Aprilynne Pike! 3

Enjoy!

That night I couldn't get to sleep. All of the guilt from kissing Tamani was washing over me. How could I have kissed Tamani? Should I confront David about it? What would Tamani say to Rebecca? I tossed and turned, not knowing what to do or how to fix it. Maybe I could pretend it just didn't happen and just be on my merry way, but how could I do that when Tamani was just so…ugh.

I finally slept and was jarred awake by my alarm clock telling me it was 4:00. I scrambled out of bed and went into the bathroom across from my bedroom. I attempted to brush my hair, then I turned on the shower and got in. I just sat in there, relishing the feel of the hot pounding jets on my bare back. I really needed a spa day or something to calm my nerves.

I got out of the shower, wrapped my hair in a towel and one around my body and searched for some clothing. I sifted through my dresser and decided on light wash jean shorts and a dark blue v-neck t-shirt. I knew Tamani would say to 'pick clothes that blend in with nature', but this was as much blend as he was getting. By the time I got dressed and ready it was 4:50a.m. I knew he would be here at 5:00 exactly so I had ten minutes to eat a good breakfast.

At exactly 5:00, as predicted, Tamani knocked on the door with three soft knocks. I opened the door and saw his perfect face. Forgetting about the kiss yesterday deemed impossible for the way he was grinning like a mad man.

"And how are you on this fine morning, madam?", he kissed my hand and bowed.

"I'm fine. And please cut the gentleman act. We kissed, nothing else. It meant nothing, okay? We both have people who mean a lot to us. We shouldn't have done what we did, but we did", I breathed out in one breath.

Tamani's grin faded into a small pout which made his lips that much more irresistible. I wish I could taste that sweet honey again…Stop it Laurel!,I scolded myself, Focus on the task at hand.

"Sorry, Tam. I just didn't want things to be weird. You now know how I feel so…yeah", I forced myself to put on a half smile as Tamani sighed.

"Laurel. You never have to explain your emotions to me. ", He looked deep in my eyes and was so close I could smell his honey lips, he then flinched and looked up my stairs, "We should probably get going, so could you get your bag, I don't want to chance going up there again".

"Good idea", I exclaimed and rushed up the stairs. I checked once in the mirror and saw the left over blushed from when he was looking at me. Get yourself together, I encouraged myself.

When I came downstairs Tam was looking at another picture of David and I in the living room. If I remember correctly it is the one on my birthday from last year.

"You really like looking at my pictures don't ya?" ,I teased.

Tam's face was serious. "Why did you erase me from your life Laurel?", he touched my face in the picture with the tips of his fingers, mimicking how he could touch me now. Gentle.

I just looked at my feet. How could I explain to him that I chose David for a reason. I couldn't have both. That would just be cruel.

Tamani cleared his throat and was at the door holding it open for me.

"Let's get going", he repeated.

I stumbled out the door and followed Tamani to the woods making sure to leave a note on the counter, lock the doors, and check any messages on my phone. As we walked to the forest I noticed Tamani didn't have anything with him, only the clothes on him now.

"Tam, where is your supplies and clothes?", I asked.

"We have to drop by my house and pick it up. After that we need to check in with the queen and see if all is ready to go, then we can begin our journey, okay?", he sounded irritated.

"Hey, don't get annoyed with me. It's not my fault your annoyed.", I scoffed right back.

He whirled on me and pinned me to the closets tree he could find. His arms were on either side of me and he got close to my face.

"You don't get it do you? You don't understand how hard it is for me to be here with you. Laurel, seeing you has brought back all my old feelings, all the ones I was trying to forget. And now seeing you here they have come back even stronger. The way you smell, taste, when you bite your lip, twirl your hair. All those things make me annoyed because all I want to do is be with you and only care and want you. And I can't do any of the things I want to do with you and it pains me. You're the only thing I want. Only you, Laurel.", he sighed and let go of the tree releasing me.

He ran his hands through his hair and picked up my bag and stalked off toward his house. I could only follow him. His words, those beautiful words, the way he said my name as if I was his life line. How could I forget them? He never spoke those things before all of those things pained me as well, for I still had to choose. I would be lying if those words made me get butterflies in my stomach and my heart was pounding never wanting him to stop wanting me. Those same words echoing in my head as we reached his house: You're the only thing I want.

The way to his house was like a distant memory, but I've never been inside. I was curious. Tamani stalked inside leaving the door open and ran up the stairs toward his bedroom, I supposed.

His house was beautiful and big. Through a long hallway I found a beautiful living room full with pictures and a beautiful carpet, sculpture, and couch. I scanned the pictures. Most were of Tamani and Rebecca and I couldn't help feel the twinge of jealousy. Some were of Rebecca and her family, and others were of Tam and his family. Then the realization hit: Rebecca lived in this house with Tamani. Tears sprang in my eyes, but I pushed them back. I hobbled out of the living room and settled onto the chair in the front of the house, hoping Tam would hurry, so the pictures of Rebecca would stop mocking me.

Then I heard the pound of footprints upstairs and arguing. I crept up the stairs hoping Tam was okay. As I walked up the stairs, the pictures were multiplying. I finally got to the sound of the noise and knocked on the door. I heard a mumbled 'come in' and entered the most beautiful bedroom I had ever seen. The large canopy bed was a shimmering gold and the chairs were a perfect pastel color. The beauty of this room overwhelmed me, and drew my focus to the two people in the room.

Rebecca and Tamani.

Rebecca was looking at me with anger and Tamani was looking out the large window.

"You brought her in our house, too?", Rebecca seethed.

"Yes, we are going on our mission today, as I said earlier. It's by the queen's orders, not mine believe me", Tamani answered in an annoyed tone.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier? You told me the past was the past, that you forgot about her. Why is she always showing up?", Rebecca countered.

"We'll talk about this when I get back, okay?", Tamani grabbed his already packed bag and went to Rebecca. He gave her a soft kiss on her check and whispered something in her that seemed to make her smile and giggle. I turned my head and started out of the room and out the door to his house, I didn't want to see them together.

Tamani still wasn't talking to me as he led me to the Queen's castle.

Boy, this will be a fun journey, I thought with extreme sarcasm.

FIN!

Thank you guys so much again and I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please read and review…it is the best feeling! 3

Lots of love

~Sweetpea