Page 17 of Renaissance Bear

"I think he'll cover himself in glory," Alis said with confidence.

"Ooooh. Lady Alessandra has chosen herself a champion!" Ronan let go an ear-piercing whistle and yelled, "Fight well, Armsman! Your lady awaits!"

Jon flashed a brilliant grin in their direction and took a bow that made the people around Alis gooooOOOooohand tease her as the fights got underway. When Jon's turn came, hedidfight well, showing off the skill he'd displayed yesterday until Alis had distracted him. But yesterday he'd been playing to the crowd, too, and today he was more focused, clearly determined to win.After a while Ronan, next to Alis, muttered a reluctant, "God damn," and she grinned at him.

"I should have bet you on it."

"Good thing you didn't, my lady, or I'd have lost that wager." He hooted and applauded, though, when Jon was declared the victor, and offered Alis a polite arm as the unarmored fights came to an end.

"My thanks, good sir." She let Ronan lead her up to the celebration dais, where eventually the winners of the entire tourney would be honored. For now, the courtiers took advantage of its extra height to make a performance of offering their favors to their chosen knights, squires, and fighters. To Alis's delight, Ronan offered a rainbow favor to a good-looking bearded knight with dark hair and eyes, and the man blushed with pleasure. Alis murmured, "I see you've a champion yourself, good sir," and Ronan winked at her.

Jon, coming up next,hmphed good-naturedly at Ronan. "Is that my competition? He's pretty, but I could break him in half."

"There is no need, Armsman. I hold space in my heart for only one man." Alis bent to tie her favor—red to match her gown—around his upper arm, and for a moment found herself tempted to just fall forward into his arms.

The problem with that was it would cause a whole scene. A literal scene, with people responding to the image of a maiden swooning into a guardsman's arms. It could take a solid hour to extract herself from the performance, and she was supposed to be in the fighting ring herself in forty-five minutes. As it was, she barely had time to praise and admire Jon properly before she had to go change into her armor and switch Jasmine into the role of Lady Alessandra.

For the first time she could ever remember, Alis wished shewasn'tfighting as the Black Knight. Swooning into Jon's arms sounded like more fun. Even if it meant having to improvise herway through the scene it would cause, and it was very clear after that morning's near-disaster at the diner that improvisation reallywasn'tAlis's strong suit.

"Alis?" Jon spoke her name softly, drawing her all the way into the moment instead of lingering at its edges with regret. "Are you all right?"

He sounded so concerned, as if there was nothing more important in all the world than making certain shewasokay. His dark eyes were locked on her, gentle, caring, and deep enough to drown in. Alis wanted to kiss him as much as she wanted to fall into his arms, butthatwould cause a scene, too. Frustration or anger must have shown in her face, because Jon drew back a little, obviously worried he'd overstepped.

She caught his arm, or rather, the favor on his arm, holding him tight. "I just wish I could stay here with you forever."

"We might be able to arrange that." Without further warning, Jon swept her into his arms. Alis shrieked with surprise. The entire gathered audience burst into spontaneous applause and cheers as Jon cradled her close, the way he held her so effortless that Alis forgot how to breathe.

She remembered again a heartbeat later as a ranking member of the Silver Court who had joined them at the lists—a blond, elfin man who was probably wearing a wig, but wore it well—shouted, "Unhand that maiden, you blaggard!"

Alis, not quite in character, yelled, "The maiden doesn't wish to be unhanded!"

Laughter rose, but in storytelling terms, she definitelywasn'tsupposed to be swept off by a low-ranking armsman. Jon, from right up close, murmured, "Crap. Should I fight him for your honor or something? Sorry, I got carried away!"

"Lady, I fear your honor has been compromised!" Lord Argent shouted. "That, and perhaps your good sense! Peasant!Release the lady and I shall teach you a lesson about putting your hands on your betters!"

An incredibly stubborn expression came over Jon's face, and Alis thought,Oh no.

Stubbornness fixing his jaw in place, Jon turned slowly toward Lord Argent with Alis still in his arms.

Argent had a foxy sort of appeal to him, sharp features, a longish nose, a slim but strong build that his Renaissance faire garb, in silver and white, made the most of. Alis hadn't interacted with him before in their shared Court, but caught a glimpse of an emblem on his shoulder, and groaned very quietly. "I know him," she breathed against Jon's shoulder.

Well,shedidn't know him, but the Black Knight had crossed swords with him more than once. "He's brilliant with a sword," she said, still under her breath. "Left-handed, but fights with his right."

"Shit," Jon murmured. "Inigo Montoya?"

"If he's losing, yeah."

"How do people beat him?"

"With a stick, while he sleeps."

Jon's gaze jerked to hers and he laughed, then put her on the ground and bowed gallantly to Argent. "The lady has a small fear of heights, my lord. She only asked to be helped down from the dais. I meant no insult, and am sure she can defend her honor without my meagre assistance, as her tongue and wit are as sharp and magnificent as her beauty."

Alis swore Argent's expression soured for a moment before he bowed gallantly and swept a hand over his heart as he met Alis's eyes. "Then forgive me, lady fair, for not assuming you had asked for help, but instead assumed that this scoundrel had taken liberties. Perhaps you will do me the honor of considering me for a favor in the armored fights later this afternoon, as Iknow this miscreant lacks the skill, time, and talent for such endeavors."

"I will miscreant your ass," Jon said through a smile, so quietly that Alis was obviously the only person who could hear him.

She fought off the impulse to shoot him a huge grin, and instead managed a polite smile toward Argent. "My favor shall go to the best in the ring, my lord, as always."

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