A/N: Kind of a filler chapter, so sorry if it's a little slow. I promise things will get more interesting soon! ." Please R&R!
Chapter Three
"Who is she?"
He knew she'd ask. But actually hearing it made Dom catch his breath. He could tell her. All it would take was one word: you. Certainly this was as good a time as any, wasn't it? They were at a wedding. That alone added a level of romance to the whole situation. And now they were in a garden with clear stars overhead. He could tell her. He should tell her.
But.
So many things could go wrong. The first and foremost thing on his mind was what would happen if she didn't feel the same way, and he didn't have any reason to believe that she would. Their friendship would be totally ruined; he couldn't bare it if that happened. Plus he was in the Own. So even if she did, nothing could come of it. He couldn't marry. Of course there was always the possibility that the law would change. There was no denying that King Jonathan was changing many laws already. But he couldn't count on that. Could he? He wanted to. But if it didn't change, then their relationship would have been condemned before it began. He couldn't do that to Kel. He couldn't—wouldn't—hurt her.
He blinked, suddenly aware Kel was still waiting for an answer.
"Sorry Kel, I'd rather not say."
-
"You sent for me, my lord?"
"Ah! Dom, yes come on in." Raoul pushed the papers he'd been going over to the side of his desk as Dom obeyed. "I'm sure you're aware that Kel, Neal, and Merric will be returning to New Hope the day after tomorrow. I would like for you and your squad to accompany them and remain there until further notice."
Dom's face split into a wide grin. He'd hoped for this. But Kel had known she'd be leaving for some time now, and he'd given up hope when no orders had come. "Of course, sir. Was there anything else?"
"No that's it. You may go." Dom opened the door. "Take care of our Lady Knight while you're away."
Dom turned, grin still in place. "I will, sir," and left to tell his men. He had no way of knowing that Raoul starred at the closed door for some time, thinking.
-
Kel could have jumped for joy when she heard which squad was to accompany them, but she didn't. She did, however, allow herself a wide smile and a "That's great!" when Dom told her. After all, they were friends. Why shouldn't she show she was excited?
Kel awoke before dawn, as usual, on the day they were to leave. She dressed for the day, combed her hair, and picked up her glaive for a short exercise. Starting with a simple dance and gradually speeding up and adding more thrusts, spins, and slices. She'd worked up a sweat and the sky had lightened by the time she finished. She wiped her brow and sat down to clean her weapon.
It was then that she noticed her door was open. She raised an eyebrow at her visitor. "How long have you been standing there?"
"Just a couple minutes," Dom answered, walking in and plopping himself down on a chair. "I didn't want to interrupt for fear of being chopped."
She laughed. Picking up a polishing cloth, she sat on her bed and began work on the blade. "And is there a reason you're here?"
"Can't a friend come by for a casual conversation?"
"At dawn?" Was that a blush? Kel asked herself. But when she looked up again it was gone—if it had ever been there.
"Ok, you caught me." He admitted. "I got bored and knew you'd be up. I was thinking I'd come annoy you, but seeing as you have a weapon in your hands and I'm obviously unarmed, would you believe I came to see the famed Protector of the Small instead?"
She rolled her eyes. "Why do people insist on calling me that insufferable name?" she muttered.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Dom said in mock surprise. "Do you prefer 'Mother' ?" Kel picked up her pillow and chucked it at him. He covered his head with his arms. "I surrender!" He gave a cough that sounded suspiciously like "Protector." Finishing the cleaning, Kel hung her glaive up on its hook on the wall.
"You got bored," she repeated, as though this had just registered. "So what you really mean is that Neal woke you up, insisting that the sooner we leave, the sooner he can get back to Yuki—as untrue as that is. And you wanted to get away from his ranting."
He starred at her. "How do you do that?" he asked, wide-eyed.
She laughed again. "I know you, and I know Neal. Simple as that." Kel stood up. "Well I'm going to get some breakfast. Care to join me?"
"But of course, Mother." She whacked him lightly on the arm.
-
"Sweetheart what is it?" Buri asked her husband. "You have that thoughtful look in your eyes."
Raoul looked up at her, thinking about how best to word his observations. "I talked to Dom today," he said casually. "I told him he'd be going with Kel."
Buri bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing, but couldn't suppress a knowing smile. "And?" she asked in a strangled voice.
He frowned. "You knew," he accused. "You knew all along and you never bothered to clue me in!"
She did laugh this time. "Sorry, honey. But it's a woman thing. I did think you'd figure it out eventually. It just took a lot longer than I would've thought."
"How long has this been going on?" And here he'd thought he was so clever reading between the lines. He said as much, earning another laugh from his wife.
"Well...I'm not sure exactly how long Dom's liked Kel. But she's liked him for ages."
Raoul's head snapped up again. "Wait. You mean she likes him too!"
Buri looked at him incredulously. "She was your squire and you never even noticed!"
"Give me a break! She grew up on the Yamani Islands for crying out loud!"
She sighed. "I guess I should be happy you at least noticed Dom's side of the situation. In that sense you're already ahead of most men."
"And just what is that supposed to mean?"
"I'll let you ponder that. In the meantime, I'm hungry." And she left for the mess hall.