Kel blinked as Neal lowered his sword and stared at her, a puzzled expression on his face.

"What's got you so distracted?" he asked. "Are you sick?" She could see a green glow forming around his hands, so she shook her head hastily.

"I'm fine, really."

"Fine? You call missing five blocks in one practice session fine? You could've been skewered by Scanrans five times over."

"Neal, must you be so dramatic?"

"Of course. You know you love it. What's distracting you?"

Kel pushed the image of brown hair and deep black eyes and the memories of the night before out of her head. She smiled at him. "Nothing. I'm ready."