Donner and Thalia: A Thief in the Night (Episode 2)

Chapter 9

9.

Donner was on his third glass of wine as Thalia stayed by his side. Laughing and having so much fun. "Your dress is so pretty, you're so pretty Thalia," he said with a voice that carried a bit of slur. The wine was definitely more of an adult beverage then the ginger beer the Dapper Spice let the younger patrons enjoy.

Thalia smiled, "Why, thank you, Sir Donner," she laughed as she took a drink herself, she had just as many glasses as Donner but seemed to be unaffected by the alcohol.

As Theodore took another bite of steak, one of the castle guards came to his side. Donner overheard the guard saying that a burglar had been apprehended by the castle's entrance.

"I'll be there shortly, take them to the stables, no need to interrupt the festivities," he said before waving the guard away.

"What was that about?" Donner asked, hand resting on Thalia's back as he took another drink of wine.

"Apparently, some guards caught a burglar trying to get into the castle, most likely no more than a pickpocket, nothing to worry about," Theodore said, waving his hand, dismissing any concern.

The band started another set, and Donner lit up and turned to Thalia, "We should dance again, not just because of some silly tradition, fun as that tradition always is. I want to dance with you, because dancing with you is fun," he smiled, standing up and holding his hand out for Thalia to take. She smiled and took it. Had he not been a little toasted Donner may have commented on how cool Thalia's hand felt in his.

They went to the dancefloor, and Donner took her cool hand into his and rested his other hand on her hip as she wrapped her other arm around his back. Donner never told Thalia about after his invitation to court how his mother forced him to practice dance moves with her. Donner's mother wanted to make sure that he would show that nice Thalia girl a good time.

"You're a good dancer," Thalia said. There was a hint of monotony in her voice. That's just Thalia being Thalia, Donner thought, though she didn't roll her eyes this time. This seemed like a moment where Thalia would sarcastically roll her eyes like she always did. Donner thought maybe Thalia enjoyed dancing with him just as much as he liked- no, loved, dancing with her.

As they waltzed, Donner felt warmth not just from the wine, but from holding the beautiful Thalia in his arms, cool as her body felt. "You're the only reason I'm here, Thalia," Donner said.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"We would have died in that cave if it weren't for you, that's why I wanted you to accompany me on my adventures, stupid as they are. Remember when we were kids, only five, and I thought I could solve who stole Ms. Gall's blueberry pie. I was so obsessed with figuring it out, then you just told me her dog ate it. I found it with blue stains all across its lips. I can't believe I thought a monster did, can't believe I thought it could beat it if I had to fight it at that age, I was such a foolish young boy. You've been doing that for me my whole life. I always look for a great adventure, and you tell me the solution that's right in front of my face." Donner smiled and pulled Thalia closer. "You've always done that. You've always given me the solution when it's right there in front of me, and because I'm so brash and always looking for some great adventure, I can't see it. When I'm a Knight, it's going to be you who keeps me honest," he said.

Was he about to say what he wanted to say? Was he going to risk the years of friendship he had with Thalia because of these stupid grown-man emotions?

Damn it all, he thought, "Thalia, I love you," he said.

"What?" Thalia said, looking just slightly flabbergasted.

"I love you, Thalia. I know I said I could have invited anyone to court. Could have brought Lenny, my trusty Wizard. I could have even brought Paul. He healed my leg for Thiximir's sake, but I knew I had to bring you. If I'm going to be a Knight. If I'm going to go to court and talk about my high adventures. I'll need my Lady by my side, Thalia, I want you to be my Lady. The Lady Fox, cunning, brilliant, beautiful, I love you, Thalia," he said, waiting with a pause in his heart for her reaction.

"Donner, I," Thalia shook her head. His confession seemed to be a lot for her to process. "You would really want me as your Lady, your ambitions always seemed so great. The way you talk of Lady Dema, I thought you would only be happy if you married a princess," she said, looking up at him and biting her lip.

"Who cares about some fantasy, the feelings I have for you, my feelings, they're real, you're greater than any fantasy I could hope to have. What man would care about some princess when there's a woman as amazing as you in their life?"

Donner gave her a dip in unison with the other Knights and their Lady companions.

"You are more beautiful to me then Lady Dema could ever hope to be, more beautiful than any silly princess." He rested his hands on her hips, "Thalia," Donner closed his eyes and pulled her to him, about to touch his lips to hers, then suddenly, there was nothing. He opened his eyes, no one in front of him, "Thalia?" Donner looked around, did he scare her off, why didn't he feel her move out of his arms. It was like she had just vanished, she was gone, gone like a shadow.

Donner's heart skipped a beat, and his eyes went wide the instant he figured it out, "Thalia," he said as he snapped back to sobriety and started pushing through nobles to make his way out of the party.

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