Page 16 of Renaissance Bear

Alis gave a startled laugh. "That seems fair, to be honest. I've broken a couple bones and it's the worst even as an adult. How's your brother's knee, by the way?"

"Speaking of complaining all the time…"

Alis laughed again, and Jon wished he could just tell her the truth.

You can,his bear said, and Jon sighed.

Not here, I can't. She's not a shifter, and I can't exactly change into a bear to prove myself in the middle of a diner.

The bear looked around a little wistfully.But then we could eat everything.

Yes,Jon said dryly,while the rest of the patrons ran away screaming. It's not a good idea.

His bear sighed even more melodramatically than Jon himself had, and fell silent as Jon found his way back to the thread of the conversation. "Anyway, then once we got older and got involved in running the tavern, there was never any time to learn. And now I'm getting old enough to feel creaky and it seems like a less-good idea. Even the armored sword fights seem like too much work now."

"Oh yes. You must be ancient. All of what, thirty-two?"

Jon did his best to look offended. "I'll have you know I'm only thirty. For another few weeks, anyway."

Alis put her hand over her heart and bowed slightly. "Please forgive me, my lord. Your wisdom and kindness hath confused mine eye, mistaking thy good heart for experienced years."

"And here I thought being nice kept you young."

"Oh, hush, I was trying! I'm not good at improv!"

Jon grinned. "I think you're just fine at it. Look, can I give you a lift back to the fairgrounds? Since we're heading the same direction anyway?"

"Aw, I'd love to, but—" Alis glanced toward the parking lot. "I've got all my costuming stuff with me, so I need to drive myself back. But I'll see you at the lists?"

"Yes, although it's a good thing you're not fighting," Jon said, looking over the impressive number of plates she'd cleared. "You'll be in a food coma before noon."

"Aaah, you'd be surprised." Alis winked at him and went to pay her bill. Over Jon's objections, she also paid his, and shrugged it off. "You can buy me a beer and a turkey leg at the faire."

"It's a date," he said hopefully, and to his relief, Alis responded with a blinding smile.

"Itisa date."

Chapter 8

Alis was beaming when she got back in the RV. Jasmine crawled into the driver's seat with a relieved, "Whew. I was afraid I'd blown it for you. Sorry, I totally panicked and ran."

"It's okay, we got it figured out. And I have a date!"

"Oooh, sister! Do I need to clear out of the RV tonight?"

"Oh, God, I don't think so. We're going for turkey legs and beer, not roses and romance. But it's still nice."

Jazz beamed back at her in the rear-view mirror. "Yeah, it is. He seemed nice, for the five seconds I was freaking out at him. All right, get dressed. You took so long with breakfast you're barely going to make it in time."

Alis scrambled into her court gown and fixed her hair, jewelry and makeup before taking a selfie so Jazz would have a reference photo for when she needed to dress up, later. Then she blew her sister a kiss as Jasmine paused at the front gates to drop her off, and Alis hopped out of the RV to join the faire.

A sing-song ofI have a date!ran through Alis's head all morning. It was silly, but the tune kept running through her mind anyway.I have a daaa-aaate!It kept her smiling as shegreeted everyone in the Red Court, and as they played out their story, with the King and Queen encouraging the men and women of their court waiting to find romance as true as their own. Alis and a few others, men and women alike, went to the lists together, chattering in Faire-style speech and pausing to admire children, shops, and potential suitors along the way.

None of them held a candle to Jon Torben, Alis decided cheerfully. Of course, they weren't meant to: mostly the court members flirted with 'commoners,' the faire attendees, to make them feel like they were part of the experience. It was fun, but Alis couldn't wait to see Jon again, and was glad they were early enough to get good viewing spots for the second day of unarmored fighting.

Jon saw her as he was coming into the battle ring, and struck his fist against his heart in a salute. Alis waved her handkerchief and got a ribald comment from the woman at her side, whom she elbows in return. "I saw him first."

"He got his ass handed to him yesterday," one of the young men of the court said. He was tall and slim and his in-character name was Ronan. "It's a very fine ass, but I bet he lands on it again today."

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