Keladry of Mindelan had never really been in love. There were boys, yes – well, one boy. But she didn't really think it was love. She was actually quite sure that it was not. Cleon of Kennan had been the first boy to kiss her, and he had been an experience. She liked him – but she had never really loved him. And now he was married, and she was still alone. To be a female knight was to be alone – because no one was like her, no one could really understand her, and certainly no one wanted her.
She wasn't a court lady. She wasn't a convent girl. She was just one of the boys.
But somehow, when the Scanran war finally ended and the knights came home, Kel found herself in an odd position.
She was standing in the stables with Domitan of Masbolle, and he had just asked her if she would go to the next ball with him.
"Pardon me?" She asked, unsure if she had actually heard him right.
He blushed. "I said, I was wondering if you would like to come to the ball tomorrow with me. As my date."
This time, Kel blushed, only her Yamani training keeping her from showing it. "I- I'd love to." She said. She smiled. He smiled back.
The next night, Kel was pacing her room. Her sparrows were on the window sill watching her, and Jump barked half heartedly every so often in an attempt to make her stop.
Finally, there was a knock on the door. Her hands shaking, Kel took a deep breath and walked slowly over to the door.
"Evening, Kel –" Dom stopped, staring at her.
"Stop it, Dom," Kel said, embarrassed. She didn't like the dress she was wearing. She was uncomfortable in it – but Lalasa had insisted upon it. She had said the cleavage was attractive.
"You look beautiful," he said, extending his hand.
Smiling, Kel took it and they walked down to dinner together.
She expected her friends to make fun, or to wink and grin, but no one did. No one except Neal, of course, but Kel and Dom were both adept at tuning him out.
As the night reached its glorious finale, Kel found herself walking back to her room, hand in hand with Dom. "Thank you," she said, "for inviting me. I had a good time."
Dom flashed a smile and Kel felt her insides melt for the umpteenth time. "Thank you for saying yes."
They reached Kel's door in silence. "Good night, Dom," she said quietly. Slowly and slightly awkwardly, she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.
As she turned away, she felt his hand slip around hers once again, pulling her back to him. She looked up at him, and then he kissed her. He pulled away, blushing. "I hope I wasn't too forward," he said. "I just – I knew you would never do it."
Kel bit her lip. "Fair enough." She kissed him back. They stood there a moment, mouths entwined, until Kel pulled away. "Listen, Dom… would you like to come in?"