Untitled Document

Now I know

By: The Mediator

Part 2

Neal sighed as he looked at the charcoal sketch of Kel in front of him. His finger trailed down the pictures cheek.

There was knock at his door, he scrambled to hide the picture under some books.

"Neal!" called Cleon's voice. "Are you ready? It's time."

He had forgotten all about the ball being held that evening.

"Where's Kel?" he asked as the two boys walked down the hall.

"She said to go on without her, and that she would meet us. She wouldn't even let me in, she just called through the door."

Neal shook his head, rolling his eyes which clearly mean 'girls'

Neal absently picked at the table cloth as young nobles were introduced. He looked up when the hall had gone deadly silent. A girl, a girl like no other was standing at the top of the stairs, her hands clutching the heavy velvet draperies behind her. Her hair was curled, and scooped up so the curls playfully swung as she walked, they were adorned with small sprigs of baby's breath. Her dress was a dark red one, tight at the top, and low enough to show her tanned skin, it flowed out gracefully into a full skirt.

"Squire Keladry of Mindelan," squeaked out the caller.

She walked down the stairs as if she had been bred as a noble lady her whole life. She daintily picked her way down the stairs. She curtsied to the royal family, and went and sat next to Neal.

"What?" she asked. "Has my face gone green?"

"Kel! What HAPPENED to you? You look...you look like a girl!"

"I am a girl Neal," she replied calmly.

"But..." he trailed off as Cleon came over and asked Kel to dance.

Through that whole Dance, Neal glared menacingly at Cleon. He wanted to KILL him, he wanted Kel to himself. His precious Kel.

It was when Cleon and Kel walked out of the ballroom Neal let out a growl of rage and followed them.

"You look beautiful Kel," came Cleon's voice.

"Thank y--Oh!"

Cleon had just kissed Kel, and Neal felt his heart drop to the bottom of his stomach.

"Cleon! Cleon GET off me!"

"What? But Kel--"

"I swear by the lady Cleon, if you ever touch me again I'll kill you." said Kel, then she stormed off in the opposite direction.

Neal followed her, and was surprised to find her crying.

"Shhhh," he said softly, putting his arms around her.

She let out a shuddering sob and leaned against him. "I was scared--I though he was going to do something..."

"I wouldn'tve let him..." said Neal resting his face in her hair.

"I--Thank you," she said softly.

Instead of saying Your Welcome. He kissed her. It was a simple soft kiss, a perfect kiss.

Kel pulled away from him and looked at him, tears making her hazel eyes bright.

"I know," he whispered as she opened her mouth. "I do too."