"Oh, Keladry," she heard someone call her name and turned. "Just a moment, Keladry. There's someone I want to introduce you to." The speaker was General Vanget, her district commander. She heaved an internal sigh and went to join him. "Lady Knight Commander Keladry, I'd like you to meet Sir Cleon of Kennan."
Kel had frozen in place when she caught sight of the man who was being introduced to her. Cleon was as tall and as broad shouldered as she remembered. His red hair fell to his ears in ringlets and his gray eyes were as expressive as ever. She could see that he was uncomfortable.
Their last meeting hadn't been a happy one. She had been on her way to the Scanran border to take her first command position at a refugee camp named Haven. He sought her out to tell her that their romance couldn't continue. His fief had been ravaged by floods and he needed to marry quickly so his people wouldn't suffer.
She had been relieved that he was ending it. She was trying to think of a way to gently let him know that she didn't want to continue their romance when he had started talking. But just because she was relieved didn't mean she was happy. Her heart was hurting for her friend who was being forced into a marriage he didn't want.
It was now years later and awkwardness still weighed on them like a winter cloak. He still loved her, but was married to another woman. She only cared for him as a friend, and refused to become a mistress. Their conversations usually remained painfully polite. Letters had stopped being sent and news was no longer exchanged between the two. Word of the other only came through mutual friends now.
Kel blamed herself for the loss of his friendship, despite Neal's reassurances that it wasn't her fault. If she was completely honest with herself, she was scared of this happening again. She would hate herself if she lost the friendship of another close friend. What if she fell for someone and she was the one left mourning when it was over?
"I imagine you probably met in page training, but I just wanted to reintroduce you to each other before you're sent back to New Hope," Vanget informed her. His voice drew her out from her thoughts. "Cleon is to be Merric's replacement when he leaves for the eastern border."
Kel forced her lips into what she hoped looked like a smile. "Is that so? New Hope will be glad to have you join us Cleon." Well, this should be fun, she thought to herself then internally shook her head. Sarcasm was the lowest form of wit.