Julian:
"Line up!" Jasper roared at the incoming line of recruits. "Don't speak a word or you will be sent home."

All the men nodded and stood in a perfect line, waiting for orders. "You." Jasper pointed at me. "Give me 300 push-ups."

I gulped and kneeled down. I paused for a second, hoping that he would take pity on me and change his mind. After a long minute of Jasper's booted foot tapping the ground, I glared up at him and slowly began. One hundred wasn't hard for me but it was sure to be tiring.

I hugged my way through the push-ups and eventually when William reached the count of three hundred, I collapsed onto the floor. From where I lay I could see his dark leather coated feet grow closer and closer until he reached me.

Carefully, he reached out a foot and gave me a gentle jab, slightly moving my thin frame. "This, is what happens if you step out on line, if not worse." The entire line nodded in synchronization. "Now get up." His dark eyes glared down at me.

I groaned against the cold floor and slowly dragged my aching muscles in a sad attempt to stand up. Once I was stood up, my legs began to wobble and before I knew it, I had fallen over onto King Jasper. He let out a light squeak and dropped to the ground under the pressure of my weight. I lay there on top of the king for a second before he began to shout and try to push me off.

"Off you peasant! Get the hell off of me!" He wailed, trying pathetically to make me move off him. "Get. Off!"

I dragged myself off of him and William came running out of line to give me a hand. I gratefully took it and shot him a weak smile. Behind me Jasper was getting a hand from Thomas. He stood up quickly and began to wipe his hands all over his cloak, trying to rid himself of the filth. Whether it was me or the floor I had no clue. With a flick of his cape, he was storming off out of the room.

Jasper:
I felt sick. Utterly sick. I needed him in a way I had never needed anyone before. When we collided, something inside me cheered for joy. Despite the way he caused me to feel the need to throw up, he was attractive. There was something about him that drew me in like a fly on a web. I was useless when it came to him. I needed him, in the way I needed air, I needed him. He was my deadly craving. Why? Lord, I would never know! All I new is that he made me want to change, a change I had never wanted to make before.

Julian:
"Run!" Thomas called out to the group and a chorus of groans rang throughout the room. When he saw my bright red face, he called out to me, "Not you, Julian!"

I gave him a tight-lipped smile and made my way across the room to him. "Thank you, Thomas."

He gave me a bright smile but I could tell he had something else on his mind.

"Spit it out." I commanded, causing a startled look on Thomas's face.

He brushed back a blonde strand of hair and titled his head, obviously confused. "Spit what out?"

"Whatever you want to say."

"I-I don't have anything to-"

"Thomas."

"Fine!" His face blushed a bright red and he gave me a guilty look. "I was going to wait to tell you but I guess I will now...." he drew in a deep breath before continuing. "King Jasper wants you to meet him in his quarters after practice."

I gasped. "Whatever does he want me for?"

"I have not the slightest clue." Thomas looked regretful. "I would go, he can make one's life a living hell if you do not heed his orders."

"I will. But what do you think he really wants?"

"I have no clue, honestly." After a long moment of silence, he spoke up again. "How about this, you come find me once you two are done and we'll talk about it."

"Thank you, Thomas." He shrugged but I pressed on. "Really, it's very kind of you."

He eyed his lap and a slight blush graced his cheeks. "Thank you."

"Should I head up there?" I asked quietly, fearing the answer.

"I would say so." As I shakily stood up. He reached out a placed a hand of my arm. "You'll be fine. You're soulmates after all."

I gave a dry laugh. "As if king Jasper cares about that."

"I'd bet he cares more than he lets on."

"Thank you, Thomas."

I left the training room and began to wonder around, suddenly realizing I had no clue where to go. Luckily, I could stop a maid and within no time, I was outside his door.

I drew in a deep breath and knocked.