Summary: This story begins right after Lady Knight. Kel and Neal are at Fort Steadfast to witness Raoul and Buri's wedding, but something happens that may delay or even stop the plans.

Disclaimer: I own none of the settings, and only one or two characters in later chapters. Most of this wondrous stuff belongs to equally as wondrous Tamora Pierce.

Rated PG-13 for romance and possible language.

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Keladry of Mindelan, Lady Knight, sat mounted on Hoshi in front of the gate at Fort Steadfast, trying to smother a laugh as she watched her friend, Sir Nealan, fidget impatiently in the saddle. She and Neal had just arrived, and he wanted the gate to open so he could get inside and see his betrothed, Lady Yukimi.

Hearing her laugh, Neal turned to give Kel his most antagonized glare, "Well, some people think highly of themselves, laughing at a poor, poor lonely man." He gave a small, haughty sniff, and rode through the now open gate.

Kel didn't even try to put on her Yamani mask. With a small smile still hovering about her lips, she followed her friend into the fort, and was in time to see him sweep the beautiful Yukimi into his arms, and give her a long kiss in greeting.

A loud whooping noise suddenly shot through the air. Neal, startled, whipped his head up to look around, although his arms never let go of Yuki. His green eyes caught on something, and Kel followed his gaze, to look at the base of the infirmary. A tall, strong man, with a look of Neal about him, walked out of the shadows, still whistling.

Kel's heart suddenly thumped against her ribs, and moisture began to form on her palms. Domitian of Masbolle, or Dom, had been her secret crush for years. Although she knew nothing could come of it because Dom was a member of the King's Own, and therefore unable to marry, Kel just couldn't forget her feelings toward him.

Neal flashed his cousin a single look of distain, then returned his attention to Yukimi without a single word.

Laughing, the man strode over to Kel and gave her a hand to help her dismount from Hoshi. A rush of heat tore through Kel his touch, but she kept it under control and dismounted smoothly.

After she set her feet upon the ground and Dom had withdrawn his hand, Kel looked into his smiling face, and as he began to speak, she felt her heart race even faster. "Lady Kel, how've you been? The Own has missed you since you became a knight" Here he paused, as though unsure of himself, and Kel watched with fascination the deep rise and fall of his chest. After a few moments he continued, "I've missed you."

Surprised by the emotion in his voice, Kel looked into his eyes. She saw something there, and the knowledge of what she saw both thrilled and frightened her. Giddy thoughts ran through Kel's head, and she felt her knees begin to wobble.

Neal chose this moment to end his kiss with Yuki. He appraised the scene in front of him with a grave air, then let out a low whistle of his own. Kel and Dom were almost body to body, and staring into one another's eyes as though lost.

Neal decided to end this before someone else saw. With a few quick words to Yuki, they both headed over to Kel and Dom. The Yamani gently grasped Kel's arm, and pulled her away from Dom, saying, "Kel! It's so good to see you again! Come, there are many here who wish to see you, to talk with you. I'll go with you." With that she steered the still dazed Kel away from Neal and Dom, guiding her towards headquarters.

A furious Neal whirled around to face his cousin. Grasping Dom by the shoulders he said, "Look, you can't do that to her! You know as well as I that you aren't free to marry, and I don't want you toying with her! I thought you were her friend, I thought you wouldn't do that to her!"

Her punched an angry fist into his opposing palm before continuing, "To tell the truth, if you could actually do right by her, I think you two would be a great match, but you can't, and I don't want to see Kel hurt!"

Dom listened to his cousin's rant, then said quietly but firmly, "Don't think I haven't thought of that Neal. Don't ever think I would want to hurt Kel, I never will."

With that, Dom turned and walked away, leaving a confused Neal standing there. This is just what I need, thought Neal, more problems. If Dom says he will never hurt Kel, how does he plan on a relationship with her?

"I have to talk with her," He said, and headed in the same direction Kel and Yuki had gone.

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Not much happened in this chapter, but I wanted to set the tone before I got into anything big. I'm also a huge romantic, as you will see. I'm also out of time at the moment, so… R&R please!