Sorry for the wait but here we go! Chapter 4! Thanks to SarahE7191 for beta-ing

"So, I heard that a certain hazel-eyed lady knight had a crush on a green-eyed friend in her page years."

"What?" Kel turned towards Seb, suspicion written on her face. "Who on earth told you that?" He chuckled and patted her arm which was twined through his own.

"Who do you think?"

"I'm going to kill Daniel," she growled, eyes narrowing as she turned forward. Sebastian laughed again and kissed her cheek. Kel smiled at him and turned slightly to look at a merchant's stall. It had been ten days since Kel had met Seb and she was glad she did. The day after the kiss, he had arrived at the palace and trained with her and her friends, but he had made no romantic moves and showed none of his earlier intentions. Kel was glad because it gave her a chance to figure out who he was around other people, and she liked what she saw. That night she met him after dinner and told him she'd be willing to give them a try, and not just because it was a possible way out of the betrothal. And it really wasn't. Kel was happy with him; he treated her the same—maybe even better—than Daniel had done. The next day, Seb had arrived at her door and asked her to join him in the practice courts, though he did hand her lilies first. Kel didn't mind, not one bit. The lilies were beautiful and made her feel cherished, but the respect in his voice when he asked to spar also made her feel like she had achieved what she had always wanted.

"Where do you want to go for lunch?" Kel turned back to him, looking up into his dark green eyes.

"Hmm," he murmured, rubbing his chin. Kel couldn't help but notice the slight stubble on his face. He looks good like that. More mature. "Well, my aunt told me of this little restaurant near the north market place that sells 'the most darling, dearest, delicious, delightful, divine, dainty, delicate cakes'." Kel laughed loudly at the way he imitated his aunt, high accented voice and all. "I swear that woman has an obsession with 'D' words!" When Kel wouldn't stop laughing, he nudged her. "It's not even funny; do you know what she almost called my twin cousins? Dee-dee and Deidre!" Kel couldn't stop giggling, well until he kissed her of course. She wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling warmth spread to her fingers and toes. Kel found herself melting into the kiss. Annoyingly, some young lads a few stands away began whistling and jeering so they soon broke away. Kel chuckled when Seb growled at the boys and just hooked her arm through his again, walking in the direction of the north marketplace.

Reaching the restaurant, The Golden Eagle, Kel's stomach grumbled loudly at the smell of food. Seb looked at her with mock horror and they laughed again before walking into the little restaurant. Kel looked around as Seb took their cloaks off. It was quite nice inside—elegant but humble. She could definitely see Dornia fitting in here.

"Sebastian? Is that you?" A redhead stood a few feet away and Kel appraised her as Seb embraced her like an old friend. She wore a green ensemble of tunic, shirt and breeches, her red curls tumbling over her shoulders. Her face was free of face paint, but she didn't need it. She was rather tall but not quite Kel's height. As Kel watched her, she couldn't help but feel a bit jealous and possessive, though she immediately berated herself for it. Don't be stupid, he can hug who he wants. Are you really going to let someone have that kind of power over your emotions? Kel straightened her back and waited patiently for the two to stop talking in a language she couldn't understand. Eventually, the redhead noticed her and stared openly.

"Seb, is that who I think it is?" Before Seb could answer she moved to Kel and looked at her openly and gasped, "It is! You're Lady Knight Keladry aren't you? I just have to say well done and thank you! You proved everyone wrong. When you became a knight my father finally let me come to Tortall to train as a rider. One question though, did you really have a griffin?" Kel couldn't help but smile slightly as she showed the girl her arms.

"I have the scars to prove it," she said shyly. The girl hissed sympathetically and then barraged Kel with other questions about her training. Seb realised that Kel still didn't know who she was and stepped in.

"Kel, this is Demi of Salus, my cousin. She arrived this morning."

"I'm the one who was almost called Dee-Dee, I consider myself lucky," Demi murmured dryly, raising one eyebrow. Kel laughed, that does it, I like her. "Call me Demi."

"In that case Demi, call me Kel."

"I feel the introductions should still be completed," Seb said, stepping beside the two. "Demi of Salus, meet Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan." They bowed mockingly to each other, and a mischievous grin spread across Seb's face. Taking Kel's hand slyly, he pulled her slightly closer. "Demi, meet Kel. My sweetheart." Pulling Kel flush against him, he kissed her so sweetly that she found she had no knees. Thank Mithros he's holding me up! Breaking away, Kel slapped him lightly on the chest and blushed slightly as she really wasn't one for public displays of affection. Demi was laughing so hard she was close to crying.

"Oh Kel, you poor thing. How did you get roped into that?" Seb huffed indignantly and walked toward a table, gently pulling Kel's hand. As they went past, Kel grabbed Demi's tunic and they sat down, still joking and laughing. As time went by, Kel liked Seb's cousin more and more. Like she said, she was in Corus to train as a rider and she was already pretty decent with a bow and dagger. She had just turned seventeen and was staying with her parents.

"Honestly though, we didn't meet here by coincidence, mother told you about this place and then made me come and wait for you two. She wants someone to see with their own eyes that you two are courting." Demi chuckled. "So what should I tell her, hmm?" Seb turned to Kel and simply said,

"This." He pulled her into another mind-blowing kiss and she blushed even harder, so she found it fair that she should get to hit him harder, so she did. Demi laughed and they continued to chat.

"So Kel, I hear that Ailie is becoming a squire in a month, are you thinking of taking her on?" Demi was mumbling around her mouthful of cake, crumbs falling out as she spoke. Kel grinned and flicked a large crumb of the table.

"You mean Fianola's younger sister? I was thinking about it, though I'm not sure I'll have time. Then again, with the New Hope business being put to rest, I suppose I will. I've seen her training sometimes, she's come a long way and I think she'll make a great knight. She's turning sixteen soon, she didn't start until she was twelve. So, my answer to your question – in this extended way – is, yes, I am going to take Ailie on this summer." Demi and Seb cheered quietly and after more talking, they paid the bill and left the little restaurant.

"Oh, Seb, I have to go and see Commander Buri but before I go, Mother says there's a ball tonight and she wants you to go." Leaning around him, she winked at Kel with green eyes. "You're very welcome to come Lady Knight." Kel laughed and agreed to go, besides, the ball was to celebrate a year without war, how could she not go?

"We'll see you at the ball, Demi." Seb hugged his cousin and wished her luck with the Commander. After Kel hugged her she could tell Demi was worried about trying out for the Riders, so she decided to give her some friendly advice.

"Don't worry, Demi. Buri is a great judge of character, she'll like you." The two women grinned at each other and hugged again before Demi went on her way.

When they reached the inn where Seb was staying, Kel kissed him goodbye and went to the yard to get Hoshi. She was just leading her out of the stall when she saw another horse emerging from the stall next to the one reserved especially by Seb for her. Kel looked to her right and laughed when she saw her sweetheart leading his palomino gelding into the cobbled yard. Mounting up, he looked back.

"Well?" He asked her, looking pointedly at Hoshi.

"Well what you silly Duke? I thought you said you had a lot of paperwork to do. So why exactly are you on a horse?" Kel swung up onto her mare and pulled up alongside him. Seb took her hand, thanking the gods she wasn't riding Peachblossom, and kissed it, eyes shining.

"I decided it could wait. I felt that a ride in the forest with my Lady Knight was long overdue."

"Your Lady Knight?" she snorted.

"I'm not big on sharing." Kel laughed at him and took her hand back after squeezing his, nudging Hoshi into a trot and leaving the yard, hearing Piper's hooves behind her.

They rode out of the bustling city and into the countryside, which only took less than an hour. Once they were off the roads, they both kicked their horses into a canter, then a gallop as they raced to be the first one to reach the hill just ahead. Pulling up triumphantly, Kel turned as Seb skidded to a halt beside seconds later.

"You cheated," he accused her, grinning.

"Oh please, I didn't cheat. I just thought you might like your handkerchief back." Seb laughed at her and they dismounted, leading their horses to the large oak tree on the hill. Slouching at the bottom, Kel looked out to Corus and saw the palace, sunlight glinting off and producing a marvelous image that filled her with pride. Looking to the right, she thought she might be able to discern a black line in the distance, Port Caynn. Kel sighed and leaned her head against Seb's shoulder, happy to be away from the noise and work. Watching Hoshi nibbling on some crisp grass nearby, Kel didn't notice Seb shifting slightly. She was completely taken by surprise when he suddenly scooped her up and into his lap, but before she could utter anything, his head lowered an inch and his lips were against hers, moving softly. All surprise was replaced by pure and utter joy. Gods he tastes good. Seb smiled, as if he heard her thought and pulled away. Kel grumbled in disappointment, until he began nibbling her neck. She had no complaints. Running her hands through his soft black curls, Kel kissed his ear. She felt a rumbling in his chest and his head came up to kiss her face again. Kel had not felt so loved in a long time and was completely lost in this man. She was so lost that she didn't hear the nickering of her mare, or feel the beating of horses' hooves, or see the three men who were sitting on their mounts not far away. Not until one shouted,

"Kel?"

Her head spun round as fast as lightning and immediately wished a hole would open up and swallow her. "Oh no." She looked back at Seb who was red and grinning at the men sheepishly, hair obviously mussed from the attention of Kel's hands. Kel knew she was probably blushing even more than him and that her hair was definitely in a worse state, but she still turned back to the men, putting on a brave face. "Daniel, Neal, Dom. Good to see you. What are you lads doing here on this fine day?" Standing up to retain some dignity, Kel straightened her clothes and held a hand out for Seb. He grabbed it, but unfortunately, he didn't balance his weight properly and Kel found herself sprawled on top of him. That seemed to be the breaking point for her three friends. Their hooting laughter rang clearly and it seemed to Kel that they were practically laughing in her ear. Grumbling about 'friends with horrible timing', she stood up again and Seb did too, though unlike her, he was grinning. "Well I'm glad you find it funny."

"Want to make them stop laughing?" He looked at her, grinning wolfishly. Kel nodded warily and he swept her into a deep kiss. Kel wasn't sure if breathing was even real. Though it did the trick, her friends were no longer laughing and were instead shouting.

"Mother dearest! We definitely did not come here to see that," Neal drawled, averting his eyes dramatically.

"Please! This is a public place, how indecent of you!" That was Daniel's mischievous baritone. The next shout sent the two knights into peals of laughter and forced Kel and Seb to break away to laugh.

"Nicely done Kel! Seb watch out, I'm told she bites." Wolf whistling, Dom jumped down from his horse. Following his cue, the other two dismounted and then removed their packs, which to Kel's delight, had chocolate – a delicacy from Carthak. Sitting down, they talked and sparred for a while before they spotted another horse riding up the hill. The rider jumped down and slammed into Kel.

"I've been accepted! I'm a Rider!" Demi was hugging the life out of Kel who did her best to return it before pushing the hyper girl off and grinning.

"Well done! I told you you'd be fine." The two hugged again before Seb stepped in and congratulated his cousin. Then, turning to the other men, he introduced Demi to Daniel and Dom, Neal having already met her.

"Lads, this is Demi of Salus, my cousin and new Rider. Demi, this is Captain Domitan of Masbolle and Sir Daniel of Grey Lake." The two men clapped her on the back in praise for being accepted and they were soon on first name terms. Kel couldn't help but notice that Daniel seemed to be watching Demi an awful lot. Hello, what's going on here? On the ride back to the palace, Seb and Neal debated over politics, Daniel and Dom talked about teaming up to train Dom's squad, and Kel and Demi rode at the rear.

"So Demi," Kel said, glancing at the younger girl out of the corner of her eye, "I couldn't help but notice that Daniel has been sneaking glances at you since he met you. What do you think of him?" The girl blushed and looked down.

"He's nice looking and all, but I know that you two courted and it's just a rule that you don't court your friend's man, current or not." Kel laughed and nudged her.

"Oh Demi, I don't mind. Besides we were never really a proper couple, we've always been better as friends. So don't let that stop you if you want to go for it. He's a great man; I think you two will really get on."

Demi looked at Kel and chuckled disbelievingly. "Who would've thought it – Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan, Protector of the Small and matchmaker!" Kel shoved her jokingly for the nickname and told her to think about it. "I will," she said quietly, glancing at Daniel's back.

"Good." Kel smiled and the two returned to joking and chatting. Before Seb and Demi left for the inn, Kel promised with a kiss to meet Seb before the ball and told Demi to meet her at her quarters in the knight's wing of the palace. Kel couldn't help but feel proud of herself as she rode back – she had managed to persuade Demi to ask Daniel if he would escort her to the ball and he looked ecstatic to do it. I hope they find happiness. Thinking about what was to come, she added, I hope I can too, whether with Seb or Seiji.

Well, I was quite pleased with that chapter! :-D In the next one there are two more guest appearances, one from an oldie and one from a newbie. Let's see if you can guess :-)

Thanks for reading!

JonesyMinimus