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Teela finished tying the ropes of her tent. It was getting dark, and they needed to finish setting up camp soon. If she had learned one thing about life in the wilderness of Eternia, it was that it was better to be hidden than to be seen by some creature.
It had been eight months since Skeletor was defeated, and all of Eternia was rebuilding from his rule—or rather, his lack of rule.
She and Adam had received a plea for help from a village a bit far from Eternos, Moonspire, which was being attacked by a small battalion of Skeletor's men. Even though he had been defeated, his henchmen were still out there causing trouble.
Defeating them was nothing for Adam and her, but not everyone had a magic sword or was trained in combat. The people of Moonspire thanked them enthusiastically after the job was done. Right after the dinner they prepared for her and Adam, they took to the road, and when it got completely dark, they set up their tents and built a campfire.
Adam said it wasn't a new experience; he had camped with his adoptive parents on Earth. He had brought the couple who raised him on Earth, Molly and Dean, to meet his biological mother and Eternia. Teela noticed they seemed very surprised, though she didn't understand why.
Adam had told her a lot about Earth. It seemed like a primitive place, but one that Adam seemed to hold dear.
She adjusted her tent. She looked back and saw Adam’s already set up… but where was he?
"Adam!" she called out.
"I’m coming," she heard his voice from afar.
He appeared carrying some firewood in his arms. He was untransformed, his sword tucked away in his tent. He placed the wood on the ground. "I'm sorry, I should have let you know, but the wood was running out. It’s cold."
She nodded.
He sat on the ground, and so did she. Both tried to warm themselves near the fire.
She felt bad. If he hadn't noticed yet, he would soon. She had been avoiding him. She only came this time because they had called for her too. Not to fight, but because the village wanted to report the movements of Skeletor’s loyalists to the newly appointed Captain of the Guard.
But she couldn't stay in the same room as him without feeling nervous.
She was in love.
Yes, she had told him he was like a friend to her, but… ever since she saw him on Earth, something had changed. Her longing and friendship for him had transformed so quickly. Her heart betrayed what she really felt.
And she didn't know how to tell him.
"Is everything okay?"
She looked at him. "Yes! Just… it’s cold," she clutched the blanket around her body.
She turned her face away.
She didn't know what to do. Adam was a prince… and her oldest friend!
She was ashamed; that was the truth. Ashamed to say she was in love. Afraid that people would think she got her position as captain because of a potential relationship.
"Teela."
She turned, her heart pounding. "Yes?"
"What aren't you telling me?"
Her palms began to sweat.
"Adam…"
"You can tell me… what is it? No matter what it is, I…"
"I’M IN LOVE WITH YOU!" she blurted out.
He stared at her with wide eyes.
Teela looked down, blushing. Why had she done that… had she gotten so nervous that she just let it out?
"Adam," she sighed, "…I… I am in love with you. I didn't want to say it. Because I didn't know what it would do to our friendship. Because I didn't know what it would do to my job. But I can't…"
"Teela… I love you, too."
She looked into his eyes. They were so blue.
"Are you serious?"
"I’m serious. I’ve liked you since I saw you saving me from that beast man. I think I’ve liked you since we were kids."
She stood up and moved closer to him. She knelt down.
"Adam…"
He leaned toward her face. This time, she didn't shy away. She kissed him.
His lips were warm and soft. The kiss… it was so delicate. So different from the way he treated his enemies.
She deepened the kiss. He followed her lead.
She had never imagined this. She was kissing Adam. Her prince!
She needed to breathe. She let him go, but finished with a few small pecks.
She smiled, and he did too.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you," she said.
With the stars as their witness, Teela confessed her love for her prince.
That night, Teela’s tent was empty.