She woke up in a few bells time to find the bed empty but her, but the pillow next to hers still smelled like Dom. She looked around – noticing the closed door she picked up the pillow and smelled it deeply. Kel slowly got up out of bed to not nauseate herself. Running a brush through her hair she marveled at how much longer it had grown, it was now touching her shoulders! Judging by the sun she guessed most of the family would probably be outside so she slowly made her way there – keeping a hand on the wall just in case she felt dizzy.
Dom looked up sharply at Kel as she came down to the stream, slowly walking – barely swaying – though he knew she was tired and had not eaten that day. She settled her gaze on him after sweeping the familiar faces. He knew she didn't want to be babied so he sat there – though his muscles were tense.
Neal watched in fascination worry and slight disapproval as she walked down the hill - wondering how she walked up it. Anders felt nothing but pride for his favorite sister. The face she made was the same one when she had broken her arm, when she was five but was still trying to practice with her naginta. Today they would relax and catch up but first thing tomorrow she was going to Mindelan and getting checked out, he didn't know what was wrong and he knew Neal wouldn't tell him. He knew he would need reinforcements to get her there though.
When Kel made her way to the group she stood leaning one hand on Dom's Shoulder and smiled in greeting to everyone. She carefully took off her breaches – which she had a pair of breeches that were cut off very short, not even going down to her midthigh. When she took off her tunic which she had only her breast band on underneath everyone stared. Most of them stared at the large scar on her side and one of them was staring at her beauty, Neal looked confused at the weird looks they were all giving her. Kel blushed and looked down only to see Dom smiling up at her, she gave him a questioning look.
"Your beautiful, oh Dear Protector." This comment earned him a slap on the back of the head from a certain lady knight and a glare from that lady knights older brothers and father. Her mother just raised her eyebrow in that non – expressive way that could mean so many things. Neal sighed – used to their flirting.
Dom stood up – taking off his shirt – leaving him in only a pair of mid-leg length breeches. He didn't even take much notice of the women who all giggled and switched between looking away and staring at his beauty, Kel's mother even took out her fan, hiding her smile and shaking it dramatically at Kel, whose blush only deepened. Kel had been refusing herself from looking at his chest though she had seen it many times – when she finally did she found it very close. She reached out and ran her fingers across a scar running from one shoulder to the opposite hip. Making his Abs tighten in response.
"That's from Scanra isn't it?" Only a whisper. He nodded softly.
"Yea, but it's not your fault." Her head snapped up – almost hitting his chin. She smiled softly at him and grabbed his hand and then pulled him –though he didn't resist much – towards the stream. She dived in coming up just in time to see him dive in. She looked around looking for him to come back up then giggled when he came up behind her, tickling her, lifting her out of the water and throwing her, this made her start a splashing fight. When Emily joined them, switching between holding onto Anders and Kel Dom smiled in fascination at how much Emily adored Kel, and at how much alike they looked. Kel was amazed that with her getting dizzy when walking and Anders barely being able to walk they could swim so easily. By the time darkness started to show Anders needed to lean heavily on both Inness and Connell, Kel had fallen asleep on a blanket, telling Dom about her memories of the stream. Dom picked her up almost effortlessly, he had carried men who weighed more and were resisting him before. Her only response was to curl into his chest and mumble something. He again carried her to her room, this time however he left before he fell asleep next to her, no matter how easy it could have been.
Authors Note: I know I don't do many of these, so this is one of my few disclaimers – though they apply to everyone of my stories and there for chapters. Tamora Pierce, her Characters, and her settings do not belong to me, unfortunately. Maybe one day, when I take over the world. . . Thank you for all the kind Reviews. I would like at least two reviews before I add another chapter – or set of chapters, that way I know if some people at least like the way my story is going. That's all I can think to say… oh yea one last thing.
REVIEW!!! Please :)
