Neal and Kel halted their horses at the entrance to Steadfast, where Neal's father, Duke Baird, waited for them. "Neal, a choice," he said. "Yuki is waiting for you in the common room. However, Dom is in a private room with a surprise. My opinion is Dom and surprise, because you'll be spending a lot of time with Yuki after you two are married."
Neal nodded. Baird led the two knights to the room where Dom awaited them.
The girl sat on the chair, twining her fingers through a mess of blue and silver yarn, the start of a scarf she was going to knit for Dom.
"What if he doesn't remember me?" she asked nervously.
Dom grinned. "You two were so close, both in age and in friendship. He may not remember right away, but he will."
Neal and Kel entered the room. Kel was pleased to see Dom.
A rustle of fabric caught Kel's attention. A tall girl with dark brown hair and blue-green eyes, dressed in a pale blue dress, was standing behind the King's Own sergeant.
Neal couldn't stop staring at the girl, staring as if he was trying to remember something.
Kel kicked him. "Neal, you're betrothed. How would you like it if I told Yuki you were staring at some girl?"
Neal ignored her. "Else?" he whispered. The girl and Dom grinned.
"Else was scared you wouldn't remember her." Else scowled at him.
"I now know your name. That does not tell me who you are, however," Kel announced irritably. "For all I know, you could be walking with Dom." Dom and Else blushed.
"Domitan, manners," Else said. "We don't want her getting...ideas."
"Kel, this is my younger sister, Elsira-Else-of Masbolle. Else, Keladry of Mindelan, lady knight."
"Else and I are super close," Neal told Kel. "She's two months older than me, the closest in age to me of my cousins, and, while not Gifted, interested is the theory behind magic."
"Does she know?" Else interrupted.
Dom shook his head. He told Kel, and then Neal dragged Kel off to go see Yuki.
If you can guess what Dom told Kel, I'll...I'll...I'll give you virtual cookies! Yay! Peace, Tory.