From Toby's point of view:
Toby didn't know how to feel.
Hiding in the shadows, he watched as his mistress, the Lady Knight, stepped outside the mess hall after dinner. He watched as she just stood there, looking up, gazing at the stars.
Ever since their return to Fort Hope, Toby had kept close to Kel, not wanting to lose her again.
He knew it was irrational, that she hadn't known that their home would be invaded right when she left, and that she hadn't known that when she left him behind to go rescue their friends that it would feel like she was abandoning him. Just like everyone else had. He knew that in his head.
But in his heart, it was different. His heart told him how easy it was for others to forget him. Even if Kel did say she never would. He knew she meant it. But sometimes it was harder to remember than at other times.
Right now he was content to merely stay hidden and watch as the most important person in his life let herself relax and enjoy the night air. He knew that this peace wouldn't last, that someone would come along and need her for something, but for just this moment, it was nice seeing her at ease. It didn't happen near often enough, only when she was with him or with Neal.
Toby still didn't know what to think of the Knight that held his mistresses heart. That's right, Kel and Neal had finally admitted their feelings for one another and although they hadn't told anyone, Toby could see plain as day that the two of them were goo-goo eyed for each other. The quiet talks away from everyone else, the hand holding when they thought no one was looking. Toby didn't even want to think about what they did when he wasn't in the room.
It had been after she came back from the Palace and Toby had told her about the odd letters that Neal was always secretly writing. Kel had gone to confront Neal and something had happened, Toby didn't know what, but he could see that something had changed between them. Something big.
Just as he was thinking this, out of the mess hall stepped the other person occupying his thoughts this night. He watched as the man stood behind Kel and wrapped his arms around her. He watched as they whispered and laughed together. He watched as they walked hand in hand back to Kel's quarters. He watched her window until he saw the light come on.
Nealan of Queenscove.
The man that was going to take away his mother.
Toby didn't know how to feel about that.
On the advice from one of my reviewers I wrote this story to show what happens after True Ladies II, from anothers perspective. Ya'll let me know what you think! -Goldie
