"You're serious?"
"Completely serious."
Serrell smiled his wide smile at her. He was so handsome, and it made Alesone happy that he liked to be in her company. She also liked that it made Fleur jealous, even though they never told her what they got up to together. In the last couple of years, Alesone's friendship with Serrell had evolved into flirtation, then stolen kisses, followed lately by a lot of practically-but-not-actual sex.
With Serrell about to leave for Ironforge for a yearlong training period, to become an officer in the palace army, this seemed like the right thing to do.
"Come to my rooms this evening," Alesone said. "On official business, of course. By order of the High Princess."
At exactly the time Alesone indicated, there was a knock at her door. Serrell was there, carrying something in a canvas bag. "I brought some wine," he told her. "I assume you have glasses?"
Alesone nodded. She thought she'd feel nervous, but she didn't. It felt comfortable to have him in her rooms, like when they were small. He opened the bottle, then offered her a glass. They tapped their glasses together, then both took a sip.
"This is very romantic of you," Alesone noted.
"Don't get any ideas," he said. He'd always assured her their relationship was strictly friendship, even with the extracurricular activities they got up to.
"You're sure you've never done this with anyone before?" Alesone wanted to know.
"You'll be my first. I like that, Sunnie," he said, using her childhood nickname, and smiled. "I imagine there will be other women as soon as I get to Ironforge. In fact, I'm counting on it." Alesone rolled her eyes. "But it's important that my first time is with you."
She took his hand then and led him into her bedchamber. She had lit candles all around the bed.
"How very romantic of you," Serrell remarked.
"Don't get any ideas," Alesone repeated. He grinned. That grin got her every time — and she'd grown up seeing it almost every day. She was going to miss him while he was away.
He immediately got onto her bed and settled himself against the pillows, sipping his wine. She sat next to him, enjoying her own wine. She didn't drink very often, so it was already going to her head, making her feel flush in the cheeks — and in other parts of her body.
"When was the last time we were naked together?" Serrell asked musingly.
"Last month?" Alesone replied. "Skinny dipping in the palace fountain when no one else was around."
"That was fun," he said, leaning into her so he could nuzzle her neck. "You have a great body."
"I thought you liked big breasts," Alesone commented dryly, though she was bursting with butterflies at his touch.
"I do. Like Fleur's, you mean?" He straightened and winked at her.
"I'm surprised you've been more interested in me than in her." She sipped her wine.