I stand there with fists clenched as Leo's words "a good match" echo in my head, causing the eagle to screech and the tiger to growl in objection.

Before I can rush over there to remove Leo's arms from around Elissa, it starts to rain and she runs off with her head down. Silently seething, I stomp into the training building.

Leo enters a little later and nods his head to Gawain. "Apologies for being late."

Gawain nods back. "Now that we are all here, I want you to pair up and continue with sword practice."

He pairs me with Leo, Ray with Drake and then himself with Bram, who is the best swordsman amongst us and more needing of challenge.

I still cannot believe the audacity of Leo and the anger fuels my moves. When a wild swipe narrowly misses cutting his arm, Gawain steps in and pulls me roughly to one side.

"That is enough. Leo, spar with Bram. Aren, I will not tolerate such reckless behaviour from you, young prince. Go outside and cool down."

Standing out in the drizzle does little to abate my ire; it merely lets it fester. My brother is taller, stronger, older, brighter, although not better looking than me. He could have any girl in our kingdom. Why should he try to steal mine?

Leo approaches me and from his clenched jaw it appears that he is angry too. "Aren, what on Elysium is the matter with you?"

"I saw you with Elissa earlier," I spit out. "Do you think her a good match for you?"

Leo sighs. "Brother I am not trying to steal her affections. Did you not see that she was crying?"

I deflate. "She was crying?"

"Elissa is worried that she is not worthy of you. I think one of the ladies was being unkind and I was just trying to comfort her."

"You swear that you do not covet her yourself?"

"Yes, I swear." Leo scrubs his face with his hand. "Aren, you are probably too small to remember that we were to have a sister, but fate deemed her not for this realm. I sometimes wonder what she would be like."

I strain my memory. I cannot remember mother being with child. Guilt eats at me, for if she has already lost one child then my loss must have worsened that wound.

Leo gently nudges my shoulder with his. "Perhaps, if you are not a dullard, I may get a sister one day."

I want to officially court Elissa. I just wish for a little time with her first, to enjoy what we have blossoming before informing my parents. I bet I know exactly which lady was causing her grief and I should have had more faith in my brother.

I rake my hand through my hair. "I am sorry, Leo, when I saw you together, my blood boiled. I did not think straight."

"No indeed! Jealousy does not become you brother." He throws an arm around my shoulder. "Come on. Let us get washed up and go for luncheon."

Belinda and Rosamond are already seated at the table that us younger members of court always use for informal meals. However, there is no sign of Elissa.

"Have you seen Elissa?"

"The last time I saw her she was with Leo." Belinda flutters her eyelashes at me.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. I wish she would simply desist. She will never be anything other than my best friend's sister.

As the others join us, I push my plate away. "I have lost my appetite."

Driven by the need to know if Elissa is alright, I leave the hall and run upstairs, taking the steps two at a time. I knock at her door and hearing a giggle, I rush in wondering who on Elysium she is with.

Elissa and Tabbi stare up at me wide-eyed. I probably look a little dishevelled. They are sat together demurely on a blanket on the floor and with a picnic laid out before them.

"What are you doing?" The words sound stupid to my own ears.

"I was feeling down, so Tabbi organised a picnic to help cheer me. Only it's been raining all morning, so we are having it indoors," Elissa says brightly.

"Belinda was being ... unkind. I am ashamed that I did not stand up for Elissa, so I am trying to make amends," Tabbi adds.

The girls share a look and my heart swells for I can see that two of the people that I care most about in this realm are getting on so well.

"Ooh, look at the time. I had better go," Tabbi announces all of a sudden.

My cousin kisses Elissa's cheek and standing, smooths down her skirts. I notice the little wink she gives Elissa before slipping out of the door and leaving the two of us alone.

Elissa looks up at me shyly, reminding me of a doe wishing to bolt. Then she stands up, straightens her spine and walks purposefully towards me.

"Aren, I know that my station is beneath you. I am a commoner, well probably." She pauses and bites her lip. "Actually, I have no idea of my heritage. You do not have to feel indebted to me in any way. I freed you and you brought me to safety, so we are even. If you wish to be with another, then I release you from any obligations that you feel towards me."

I can see that she is distraught and hold out my hand to hush her. "May I speak now?"

"Of course. Sorry. Was I babbling?"

I take her hands in mine. "Do you wish to be free of me? W-would you rather be with my brother?"

"Why would I want to be with Leo?" Her voice is incredulous.

"Leo will be King of the Animages one day. Many women want to be queen."

"Not me. I am freaking out about dating a prince."

I push, my guts churning, but I need to know, "Do you have romantic feelings for Leo?"

I am reassured by the look on Elissa's face, like I have suggested something rather unsavoury.

"No! What makes you think that?" She bows her head. "I have felt never this way before. But I do not want to entrap you, Aren. I can leave and..."

Cradling the back of her head with one hand, I silence her protestations with a kiss.

"Now, why on Elysium would I do a foolish thing like letting you go? I am obviously remiss with my wooing if you do not know how highly I regard you."

Seeing that the sun is once more shining outside, I grin and hold out a hand. "Let us adjourn to our arbour."

.......

I am full of high spirits when I knock on Elissa's door to escort her to dinner. She is dressed in a lovely green velvet gown.

"Hmm, this is nice," I murmur appreciatively as my hand skims over the soft material. "Where did you get it?"

She bites her lip, which just makes me want to kiss her. However, the next words out of her mouth cool my ardour.

"Er, Oren gave it to me. Oren, Lord of the Emerald Isle. Perhaps you know him."

The tiger growls. My female should not be draped in another male's cloth.

I pull away. It looks like an expensive dress to present as a gift to a lady and my tone turns sharp. "How were you acquainted with him?"

"I worked in the Rainbow Isles with my guardians. He, he asked me to stay, but I wanted to travel."

Was I wrong about her? Could she be avaricious? "Did you have your eye on a greater prize?"

"Yes," she snaps. "I'm looking for love."

I feel a cad, yet cannot seem to stop myself from petulantly asking, "Why not wear the dress I bought you?"

"I'm sorry Aren, I can't keep wearing the same dress each night. There are some here who look down at me because of my poor wardrobe. I just wanted to wear something nice enough to grace your father's table."

Provide, the eagle hisses in my mind. My female should have all that she requires.

She is not your female, I counter.

Why do you still deny that we are one? Would you feel better if I said 'our female'? The tiger responds this time.

Unaware of my internal turmoil, Elissa's fingers move to the fixings on the dress. "I will change if you wish."

The thought of the dress pooling around her feet is appealing in more ways than one. However, with the tiger so close to forefront, I do not think it wise, so place my hand over hers.

"No. Please forgive me." Whilst I have to admit that the emerald colour compliments her eyes, if it is up to me, she will never wear green again.

Needing her close, I pull her in for another embrace, insisting, "Tomorrow we are going shopping."

..............