Chapter 3

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed my story thus far! Your comments have been helpful and encouraging. Being a first time writer, having someone critique my writing is both terrifying but also very enlightening, so please continue to comment as much as you please, I love it.

I apologize for taking so long to update and that this chapter is shorter than the others, my life is pretty hectic at the moment and writers block is no joke. All the frustrations. Bah.

Also, I noticed in the last Chapter that I had used both he/she him/her for Piper. Piper is in fact female. Just thought I would clear that up.

Thanks for reading & Enjoy :)
-Sass

Dom opened his eyes, blinking slowly. Not sure where he was or what had woken him. He took in his surroundings, the past day's events coming back to him immediately once he realized where he was. He gently moved his left leg, it felt stiff and there was a dark purple bruise still on it, but he could still move it nonetheless. He let out the breath he didn't know he had been holding. He knew he would have use of his leg again once his uncle and Neal had seen to it, but there has been a small worry in the back of his mind that maybe it had been worse than they thought.

There was a soft twittering that came from beside his ear as he moved. He turned and came face to face with two small black eyes. He smiled slowly, "Piper." He said softly. The small bird twittered again and hopped on to his shoulder, gently preening his hair with her beak. More alert as sleep started to leave him, Dom became aware of muffled voices coming from outside his room. It sounded as if there were a great deal more people than were normally permitted into the infirmary. Neal must be having a fit. He thought to himself. He strained to listen and could make out the sounds of people talking over each other, sounding less than pleased, and another, higher voice, softer and more calm than the rest silencing them with only a few words. There was a shuffling of feet, followed by a quiet knock at his door. A face peeked inside and saw that he was awake. Kel smiled and turned behind her.

"He's awake."

There was a sudden bustling as people poured into Dom's room. All of Third Company, Lord Raoul, and Kel, followed by Neal, a scowl on his face.

"Your face is going to get stuck like that." Kel and Dom shot each other surprised glances at having said the same thing, than smiled. Neal's scowl creased even further, and the deep rumbling laughs of Third Company echoed throughout the room.

"Too caught up day dreaming to look where you're going Sergeant?" Wolset asked, grinning. There were a few scattered laughs around the room.

"Thinking about how I can get you fired, actually." Dom shot back.

Raoul clapped a firm hand on Dom's shoulder. "We'll have you up and running in no time Dom! Then it's Captain for you!" At these words the men all cheered. There was no on in The Own who felt that Dom was not deserving of the promotion. Many in Third Company had actually lobbied Lord Raoul and encouraged the promotion without Dom even knowing. None of them would ever admit to it, but they were all fiercely protective of one another. Lord Raoul, had not needed much convincing, however, Dom had been at the top of his list when Flynn retired. They were big shoes to fill and everyone but Dom thought he could do it.

Dom, was never quick to assume that he would be the one who would get the promotion. There were men in The Own who were older, and far more experienced than himself. He could not believe that Lord Raoul would pass them up just because he had gained the favor of a few men in his company.

"Sir- I," but Raoul cut him off.

"Dom, you've earned this position more than once over, and you seem to be the only one in this damn company who thinks you don't deserve it! I will have no refusals and no trying change my mind!" Raoul's tone was stern but his face held a smile.

A slow smile crept across Dom's face. "Thank you, sir."

The room exploded with the sounds of cheering, everyone pushing to try and congratulate Dom first. It did not last long however. At the sudden outburst of so many men, Duke Baird had strode into the room and let out a short but piercing whistle and silence fell almost immediately.

"Will those of you who do not require my services kindly and quickly please leave this facility."

Hasty farewells were thrown over their shoulders as the men of Third Company and Lord Raoul swiftly left the room. Dom chuckled and looked over at Duke Baird who had watched the men leave with his eyebrows raised.

"Uncle, you must teach me how to do that!"

Duke Baird laughed. "Dom, I'm afraid that if you tried that on them you would end up with your bed tied to the end of Kel's brute of a horse." Third Company was famous for the tricks that they were forever pulling on everyone in The Own, especially on Lord Raoul and Dom. The only exception to this had been when Kel had been Lord Raoul's squire. She had never been at the mercy of Third Company, nor did she ever join in on the jokes. She had, however, often just stood off to the side, watching as the men had wreaked havoc, an amused expression on her face.

Dom winced at the thought, and Kel laughed softly. "Perhaps your right."

Duke Baird smiled and walked over to examine Dom's leg. Dark green magic flowed out of his hands and over the bruise, fading it slightly.

"There is not much I can do for this bruise anymore. It was much worse an hour ago. It should fade shortly, you just need to give the magic time to work." Dom nodded at this.
"You must keep off your leg for three days, and then from then it's only light exercise for the next two weeks."

"Two weeks! But-" Dom was silenced with a piercing glare. "Yes Uncle."

Duke Baird nodded shortly and looked over to where Kel and Neal had been watching. "Make sure he stays off his leg. It'll never heal properly otherwise." Neal looked delighted at the thought of bossing Dom around and was soundly smacked by Kel before he could even open his mouth. Turning back to Dom, Duke Baird continued, "Neal did most of your healing. He did an excellent job if I do say so myself. If you have any problems don't hesitate to come and see me." Dom nodded and both he and Neal exited the room. Kel quietly made her way over to where Dom was laying and sat down once again in the chair by his side.

"How are you feeling?" She asked, her eyes searching his face for any signs of pain.

"Better than ever thanks to you, Lady Knight." Kel rolled her eyes. Dom reached forward and grabbed her hand softly. "Really though Kel, you saved my butt out there. I owe you one."

Kel smiled. "There's nothing to owe, Dom. You would have done the same for me, no questions asked. I'm just glad you're okay." She reached out without thinking, she removed her hand from his and brushed some of the remaining dirt from his face. When she realized what she had done, her face flushed pink and she quickly pulled her hand away. Dom caught it before she could move it very far and swiftly placed a cheeky kiss on her hands. Kel laughed and gently tugged her hand from his.

"Get some sleep Dom, I'll be back later, okay?" She quickly stood and moved towards the door.

"I shall await your return, my knight in shining armor!" Dom said dramatically, throwing an arm over his eyes.

The quiet sound of her laugh echoed throughout her room as she closed the door. Piper flew back to his shoulder and nestled down, keeping her eyes on Dom the whole time.

"Gods. She is something, isn't she?" he murmured to himself.

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Kel ambled back towards the stables, hoping to go and thank Peachblossom for helping rescue Dom when she was interrupted by Neal. He stood in front of her, arms crossed, looking determined. Kel just stood there staring at him before he finally threw his arms up in exasperation.

"Kel! You're so ridiculous!" Kel raised an eyebrow and him and said nothing. "You're so obviously in love with him! Why don't you just come out and say it!" At this Kel scowled at him and walked around him, not wanting to hear any more of that Neal had to say.

"My love life is none of your business Neal." Neal quickly caught up to her and began to follow her to the stables.

"As your best friend Keladry, I've made it my business. You two are meant to be! You just need to come out and say it!"

Kel slowed and turned to face him. "Neal it wouldn't matter anyways. He's been promoted. He would never leave The Own. Not for me. It's his life, this is what he's been working for."

Neal shook his head. "He would be a fathead not to! He's missing what's staring him right in the face! And he loves you, I know he does."

"Oh really? He's professed his undying love for a Lady Knight?"

"What does you being a Lady Knight have to do with anything, I-" Neal stopped mid rant as the reality of her words dawned on him. He swiftly pulled her into a crushing embrace. "Kel. You're a strong, beautiful woman. Gods, any man in all of the realm would be lucky to have you! You know that, don't you?" He pulled away and looked down at her. She quickly turned away from him, trying to wipe the emotions clearly etched across her face before he could see.

"Neal, you don't understand. I know you're all proud of me for getting my shield, but no one wants a knight for a wife. I'm not soft or delicate or proper. I don't know how to cook or dance…" she trailed off, still not willing to meet Neal's eyes. He frowned, but said nothing else. Instead he let Kel pull out of his grasp and continue on her way to the stables.

Maybe Yuki can talk some sense into her. Neal thought to himself, determined now, more than ever to force his best friend and the man who was like his brother to see what everyone else could.
How can she think she isn't beautiful? This new realization troubled Neal. Kel was beautiful, and she needed to be shown how desirable she was. And Dom's just the man to do it.

With that, he turned and strode to his own quarters where is wife was probably now brewing tea, waiting to hear how Dom was doing.

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Upon reaching his rooms, Neal was not surprised to find that Yuki was sitting on her pillow silently sipping her tea, waiting for Neal to return. He quickly sat next to her and kissed her soundly, which left him both breathless and elated. Yuki said nothing still, only smiling as she poured him a cup of tea. Gratefully, Neal took and blew on it in order to speed the cooling process. He took a sip, scalded his tongue and placed the cup back on the table, silently scolding himself at his inability to be patient. The corner of Yuki's eyes crinkled in silent laughter at her husband's foolishness.

"So. I have a proposal." Neal said, momentarily forgetting about his tea. Yuki raised her eyebrows at him.

"You've already given me one of those Neal. We're married, I don't need any more." Neal rolled his eyes and ignored his wife.

"We need to figure out how to get Dom and Kel together." He explained.

"I thought that's what you were already trying to do?" she asked, slightly confused.

"I am. But they're both proving more stubborn than I had anticipated." He admitted, sighingin frustration.

Yuki's eyes crinkled in laugher again. "Nealan, do you not know our Kel? Of course she will be stubborn about this. She thinks she is unworthy of a man's affections."

Neal looked up at her words. "She told you?"

Yuki frowned. "No, but I have known Kel since we were children. She has always felt the need to prove herself as an equal, and now that she has, she thinks she will be seen as nothing else." Neal nodded.

"I had no idea." He murmured sadly.

"Oh Neal, it is not your fault. What could you have done? I will try to talk to her, do not worry love."

Neal smiled and kissed his wife once more. "I knew I married you for a reason."