A/N: I know it took a little longer that last time to upload one of my chaters but here it is and I will be uploading sleeping with the enemy to , hope you like it.

Baltor + Bloom

Chapter 3

by waterbendergirl

Bloom fumbled her dress nervously, making wrinkles in it, while the maids had tried so hard to get them out. She was wearing a sea green dress, thin at the waist but it widened at the bottom, 3 strips of pearls on each side holding it over her shoulders. Her hair pulled up with curls and braids, on the top a silver tiara resting.

The royal family had gathered in the great hall, awaiting the visit of prince Jared, he was next in line to the throne of Melody. One week ago they had announced his visit, it was apparently to fasten the bounds between the two kingdoms, but the king had to apologize because he wasn't going to make it so he send his son instead.

Jared would someday make a great king, he was intelligent, courageous, caring , but also gorgeous. He had dark hair, that sometimes looked blue when the light caught it, his eyes were crystal blue en his posture was very muscular because of the huge trainings he got in sword fighting to prepare him for battle.

Bloom had met him once, when the contract of the alliance was signed by all the kings.

She looked around, sometimes glancing to her right to see Baltor standing there. One week had passed since the kiss she and Baltor had shared. They both acted like nothing happened, although it tore her op inside. She could say he was her first crush, and she really thought that something beautiful could happen , but sadly it had ended in such a horrible way.

She was ripped away from her thoughts when the horns blue, giving a sign that the prince had arrived. Not soon after the doors busted open and prince Jared came in.

Bloom thought she stopped breathing when he came in, he was even more gorgeous than she had remembered, in fact she was sure that if she hadn't seen Baltor first she would have had to say that Jared was the most handsome man she ever saw. He wore a normal outfit, suitable for a king, a navy blue suit, adored by golden lings running through it and a purple cape. Jared first knelt before the king, taking a very deep bow and thanking the king for his hospitality.

Then he took a bow for Bloom, taking her hand and planting a soft kiss on her knuckles, the contact between their eyes never broken. "A pleasure to meet you my lady."

The place his lips had touched her skin tinkled, she felt a warmth rise in the pit of her stomach. She gave him one of her sweetest smiles and replied " Nice to meet you too." He held her hand, a little longer than needed and then moved on to her brother. He had only just arrived and he had already made a great impression on her.

Had she only seen the glare Baltor shot her, one of pure disgust. The minute the prince came in he saw a change in the expression of the princess, he felt anger boil when he saw the way the prince greeted the princess, he knew that was the proper manor but it still made him jealous.

He still felt puzzled about his feelings for her. The kiss they had shared, had left a great impression on him. He wouldn't say he was in love, but he couldn't deny he felt some kind of affection for the girl.

Suddenly the kings bombastic voice echoed through the hall "First of all I want to welcome prince Jared of Melody in Sparx, I hopes he will find his visit comfortable and pleasant and I hope this visit will strengthen the bond between our two realms. And now with further although I would like you all to join our great feast." With a motion of his hand he demanded that the musicians started to play, a lovely slow song.

Brandon started the dance, together with his fiancé Stella. Bloom could only look at them with amusement. Though it did rarely appear that people who were involved in an arranged marriage fell in love, they had clearly shown that it could happen. The way Brandon looked at Stella, it held so much love, she only hoped that someday someone would look at her in the same way.

They were soon followed by other noble couples, and if she wasn't mistaken she even saw Flora dancing with not other than her teacher Helia. So she wasn't mistaken when she thought those two had feelings for each other.

"May I have this dance?" Bloom looked up to see Jared, standing before her, with his right hand outstretched and a hopeful smile on his lips.

"Of course" she smiled back grabbing his hand and letting him lead her to the dance floor. He gently placed his right hand on her waist and with his other he took her small hand in his. She looked so small and fragile to his muscular and rough form. While dancing she occasionally gave him one of her sweetest smile, it made the jealousy Baltor was feeling only grew larger.

" I hope the journey to Sparx wasn't too exhausted" Bloom asked shyly, still a little uncomfortable with the close presents of the prince, he made her feel all warm and fuzzy, kind of like when she first saw Baltor.

"No, not at all, I rather enjoyed the different kinds of landscape. On Melody there aren't as many flowers as here and it seems the sky is much bluer, that's probably because your planet is much more closer to the sun."

"If you want I can show you the garden sometimes." She said nervously.

"I would like that." He smiled in return planting a soft kiss on her cheek.

--

Eleven days had passed since the prince's arrival and he had already left a great impression on the people but also on the royal family. Bloom and Jared had almost spend every day together in the gardens. No had missed the bond that grew between the two , even the king had noticed. He actually didn't mind, if his daughter could fall in love with someone of royal blood it would be magnificent, than he wouldn't be put in the position to force her in an arranged marriage. He hoped she could find the same happiness Brandon had.

"Knight to E 5" Brandon grinned "It look's I'm going to beat you again father."

"I swear, I don't know how you do this, that's the 5th time in a row you've beaten me."

Brandon only smirked "the student has outgrown the master."

"Indeed you have son, indeed you have. But not to change the topic or anything, how do you feel about Bloom getting so close to Jared?" Brandon looked up, afraid that his father would ask that , he actually didn't feel all comfortable about Jared.

"To tell you the truth dad I really don't know, I mean he's a nice guy and all, but he gives me this real creepy feeling. Bloom should be careful, she could have her heart broken."

"And you sure that doesn't has anything to do with the fact that she is your baby sister?"

"Perhaps, but I should keep an eye on that boy."

"If that will make your more assure I will ask the guards to keep an eye on him, but subtle, we have to remember he's a guest and the son of one of our oldest allies."

--

"It's so sad that it's raining outside , I really got accustomed to spending most of my times in the gardens with you, but as long as it's with you I think I can learn to live with it." He smiled. A soft blush appeared on Blooms as he looked at her with little sparks in his eyes. She had developed affection for him, it wasn't nearly as strong as the feelings she felt for Baltor.

"Come here" Jared said while pulling her on his lap , grabbing a strand of her hair, twirling it around his finger. "Jared" Bloom blushed. "You know Bloom, in the beginning I really didn't look forward to this visit, being so far away from my father's kingdom but now that I have spend some days here, with you, made it very pleasant."

Bloom cheeks turned into a deeper red and jumped out of his lap, adjusting her dress and walking through the window. "I think it's the first time in months that it rained in Sparx, normally it's always hot and the sun's mostly out. It is really a pity because I love being out in the gardens so much." She smiled while letting her fingers rest on the window frame. "That reminds me, I've never shown you my pound."

Jared shot op in amusement "Your what?"

"My pound, I never showed it, it lies at the far end of the gardens, I remember that I've nagged my father's ears of to get it. I just needed a place to relax and come at ease. I never knew my mother, but I think she would have liked it, from the stories my father told me she was also a garden lover, she spend every moment available outside."

Her eyes started to become watery, it was so hard knowing her mother would never see her pound. "I'm sorry, here we are , we should have a good time and I just keep brining things op from the past." She giggled through her tears.

Before she even knew it two strong hands slid up her arms, stopping at the top and massaging her shoulders. " I don't mind he whispered." Bloom leaned back in her touch and let his hands slide down her arms to her waist. He gave them a little tuck so she turned around and landed on his chest.

With one finger he lifted up her chin and whipped her tears away, rubbing her bottom lip with his thumb. Just like Baltor had done when he had kissed her, at the thought of it Bloom backend until she was with her back against the window.

Jared closed the space between them again as he slid his hand to the small of her back, just when he was about to touch her lips Bloom turned away "What are you doing?" she asked shyly. He lifted her head again so he could stair into those beautiful blue eyes.

He shoved the bangs away from her eyes and moved his face closer again : "I think you're one of the most beautiful woman I ever saw and during these past few days I've learned to care for you. I like you, don't you like me?".

Blooms flushed an even darker red, at the moment her head should look like a red tomato. Jared only saw it as a sign and leaned in to close the space between them and covered his lips with his own.

Bloom stiffened at first but the feeling of him kissing her was rather enjoyable, the kiss was totally different than the one Baltor and she had shared, it was must more gentle. He tasted so sweet, like strawberries. Jared moved his hands to caress her cheek , than moving to her red hear, letting his hand get stuck in those beautiful curls.

Bloom pushed his chest gently, motioning to stop. They broke apart but Jared let his hands remain on her hips. Bloom let her hand rest on his chest and just managed to let out one word "Wow."

Jared grinned and let his hand rest on her head, in hailing her scent "I know" he whispered in return.

--

Baltor hastily scrubbed the last dishes, after this his shift was over , but unfortunately he did miss the fact that one of the towels he quick grabbed was settled under a pill of clean plates, making them crash into the floor. Cursing himself for his sloppiness he bend down and started to collect the remains, he was soon followed by Riven. "Man, what is wrong with you? You've been like this all week, always with your head in the clouds.

"Ouch , dammed" Baltor sighed when he cut his finger to one of the sharp edges of the plate. It was true although what Riven said, he hasn't been himself the past days, first of all the kiss with Bloom still plagued his mind and the fact that a super prince appeared didn't make it better either. He had tried to convince himself he wasn't feeling jealousy but he couldn't fool himself. And now Riven had noticed also. Riven noticed the look on Baltor's face and he didn't like it one bit "Don't tell me you're still thinking about the princess and the arrival from the prince?"

"No" Baltor laughed nervously, trying to hid his real feelings, he paced through the kitchen "But don't you think…" Baltor started but he was cut off by Riven "not again, I'm telling you that the prince of melody doesn't has false intentions."

"You really have to put it away, instead you should better focus your attention on your duties" he said serious but soon a smirk appeared on his face "I mean, have you already count the number of plates you've broken this week? Luckily you don't have to pay for them or there wouldn't be much left of you salary at the end of the month."

"Just shut up" Baltor laughed throwing the towel straight in Riven's face.

--

"It looks like the sun is finally coming out." Jared smiled when sitting near the window, his head resting on his hand. It had rain like that the whole week, Jared and Bloom had spend the days together, they had talked , read books to each other and Bloom had thought had how to play chest.

When he mentioned he couldn't play it she had laughed at first, thinking that it was a joke, but when she saw the hurt expression on his face she immediately recognized that he wasn't playing a game. And now the rain had stopped and the sun was slowly making his path through the clouded sky.

"You want to go horseback riding?"

"You want to do what?" Bloom asked. "Horseback riding?"

"Don't tell me you've never rode a horse in your life?"

"Of course I've rode on a horse" she laughed nervously. "Well, then let's go to the stables."

"Um, I first have to change, I clearly can't ride wearing a wide skirt." She shouted already halve the stairs. "I'll meat you outside." Bloom rushed to her room, putting on the only pants she owned and pulled her hair up into a simple pony tail. She hurried down the stairs into the garden where she saw Jared standing, holding in each hands the bridles of two horses.

"Which one would you like?" he smiled warmly. Bloom carefully approached the horses, truthfully she was scared about them, they just were so big and , well big. "Are you having second thoughts?" he asked. "No it's just, I've lied, I've never rode a horse in my life, I've never sit one either."

"Well that's about to change, do you trust me?" he asked, holding out his hand hopefully. Bloom remembered the first time he asked her to dance, he had that same expression on his face, an expression of hope.

"You know I do" she replied. He helped Bloom on the horse and then climbed on it to, settling himself behind her, so he would have her between his arms, that if she would lose her balance he could catch her. In the beginning Bloom held on to him like her life was at risk but slowly she learned to relax and leaned into Jared's chest.

She rather enjoyed the ride, just being outside made her completely happy again. Unfortunately for the happy couple was surprised again as the rain started to fall from the clouds. Because they were a far end away from the castle they decided to take shelter in an old pavilion.

"Wow, that storm caught us completely off guard." Bloom smiled, settling next to the fire that Jared had started, though it had more of a weak flame instead of a huge bonfire.

"Aren't you could Bloom?" Jared asked but he didn't even wait for her answer as he draped his cape over her shoulders, they were soked wet. "I'm alright" she smiled as she leaned against his chest when he sat beside her. "I like this" she whispered softly. "I know me too" he said while pushed her shoulders a little so she would sit straight with her face turned to his.

"And I like this too" he said while planting a kiss on her lips and wrapping his arms around her. "This was the best time of my live, it's so sad that I'll have to return home tomorrow.

Bloom shot up , "What do you mean?" she asked suprized.

"I have to go home tomorrow."

"But what about us? When I will I see you again?"

"Look Bloom," he said while twirling her hair around his finger "what we had was fun, but it couldn't last, I mean I have a fiancé at home, this is just a fling, you know."

"So you just used me?" she shouted tears forming in her eyes.

"I didn't thought you would take this so serious Bloom" Jared said, trying to calm her.

"How would you think I would take it" she slapped his arms away and stood up, trying to create as much possible space between them. Jared stood up to , trying to touch her but she just slammed him across his face, leaving a red handprint planted on his cheek "You bastard" she hissed out, before running off into the rain.

"Bloom, wait , it's storming, let me take you back to the palace" but the words didn't even reached her as it lightning was seen in the sky.

--

"Ow my god" Baltor had came out of the kitchen to drop the garbage when he saw a trembling Bloom slowly coming his way, he ran at her, trapping her in his embrace but she just pushed him away.

"Bloom, are you alright?" Baltor asked , taking of his one jacket and laying it on her shoulders, why pulling Jared's cape off.

"Just leave me she said" her voice trembled, her face covered by tears, it didn't seem to end, the tears just kept coming, being dumped twice in two weeks wasn't good for herself. Baltor sad next to her, trying to wrap his arm around her shoulders but she just kept pushing him away, Baltor finally dropped his efforts and just buried his head in his hands. He looked up, determination written on his face "Not until you tell me what is wrong, you're clearly upset."

"Jared's leaving tomorrow, and he doesn't even care about me, he just thought of us as a fling."

"For what it's worth, Jared is just a kid and he's stupid for treating you that way." He said, trying to comfort her as best as possible

"That's not worth much coming from you" she cried out.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm so tired for falling for guys that don't fall back, it hurts.."

"Bloom , I…" but he couldn't even continue as Bloom spoke further.

"People always say the nicest things, your beautiful, your nice, your friendly, but none of them want to be with me. You say you want to help me Baltor, well say what I do wrong, tell me why I'm so easy to give up and then maybe I could fix it."

Baltor couldn't take the way she was talking anymore, he lifted her up her feet and grabbed the collar of her jacket "You are asking the wrong guy" he screamed before planting his lips on hers as they stood there in the rain.

So what do you think? I know it's a little longer then my other two but I needed to put all this into one chapter, otherwise it wouldn't fit with the following chapter.

Did the last scene seem rather familiar to you?

And what do you think about the pairing

Keep on reviewing

love ya all

waterbendergirl