Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. I don't own the setting. They belong to Tamora Pierce. It has all been said before.
Chapter 3: The wedding
~~~~~~KEL'S POV~~~~~~
"I'm going to kill Raoul." Kel muttered to herself. Yes, she thought, I definitely hate him.
Kel sat on her bed, pouting, staring at the cause of her misery. The dress was hanging on the back of her door. Kel was forced to admit it was a nice dress. It was reddish in color, red with a hint of pink. The pink tone undertone went well with the pink embroidery on the neckline, sleeves, and skirt. It was plain, the embroidery being kept to a minimum, to draw attention to the person, not the dress, or so Yuki had said. Kel didn't think the dress would look quite so nice when she was wearing it, but there was not much a choice. Kel was tall; this was the only dress that could have been done in time for the wedding.
There was a knock on the door, and Kel sighed, knowing it would be Yuki. She got up and answered the door. "Kel!" Yuki gasped. "You're not even wearing the dress! I should have known this would happen! I guess I did, sort of. . ." She motioned to the things she had brought with her. Kel frowned. "Keladry of Mindelan, go get dressed this instant."
Kel did as she was told, grabbing the dress and stepping into the dressing room. She pulled on the pink hose, she hated them, well she hated pink. Then she pulled the dress on, tying the laces, before she noticed how low the neckline was. She scowled then moaned with resignation, it could have been lower after all. Yuki had tried to get her to wear ladies' shoes, but Kel refused to turn an ankle for her former Knight Master, after all, her only meant to torture her. She wore slippers instead, made of soft leather, like those worn in the islands.
When she was done getting dressed, Yuki was waiting for her with face paint and hair tools. Kel groaned. "You want to look nice don't you?" Yuki asked
"No."
"Too bad." Yuki said, making Kel sit down. She pulled at Kel's hair for a moment. "I don't know what we're going to do. Why couldn't you have grown your hair out?"
"I didn't want it ripped out." Yuki flicked Kel in the head and started playing with her hair; Kel had no idea what she was doing. She only felt the pain caused by the tugging. When Yuki was done, she started working on Kel's face, giving orders the whole time. Whether it was 'close your eyes' or 'open your mouth' Kel obeyed, hoping the whole time she didn't lose control of her body and storm out of the room or knock Yuki over the head.
"Done." Yuki announced.
"About time." Kel mumbled.
"I heard that. Let's go or we'll be late." Yuki said, grabbing Kel by the wrist, and dragging her to the door. Kel went willingly until they passed a mirror. Kel suddenly stopped, the sudden resistance made Yuki jerk.
"What did you do to me?" Kel asked.
"You look nice Kel." Yuki assured her.
"I look like one of the fluttery women from Corus!" And it was true. Kel's hair though short was adorned with ribbons, which made it seem longer than it actually was. Yuki had also put something in Kel's hair, it looked sleeker than the limp hair she was used to. Her face was painted, though not overdone, just some face paint. That was popular at court.
"Most men like the court ladies." Yuki said.
"I don't need men to like me! I need them to respect me! I have a reputation to uphold Yukimi! I can't be seen like this!"
The bell rang, signaling the people still not present to make an appearance. "It's too late now." Yukimi said with a slightly amused look. "Come on Kel, if we're late everyone will stare as we come in, and everyone will see you."
She has a point, Kel thought. At least, as it is I can get there and lay low. If I get out soon enough, I can get myself fixed before the reception. "Fine." Kel said, letting Yuki tug her out to the hall.
When they got to the ceremony, Yuki left Kel and went to sit next to Neal. Neal kissed her cheek as she came and looked around. When he saw Kel he gave her a feeble smile and then turned away, seemingly looking for someone else. He didn't seem to find the someone else so he turned his attention back to Yuki.
Kel sat in the back row, so as not to be noticed. It seemed to work, there was only one other person in this row, a sergeant from the first company, he smile at Kel as he sat, but didn't day anything.
Just as the ceremony began, two figure burst into the room, two members of the King's Own. Everyone turned to stare at the latecomers. Kel did also. She was not so surprised to see Dom and Wolset. They blushed, and sat down in Kel's row. Dom turned towards Kel, and his jaw dropped. Kel smiled and he recovered, his eyes roaming her body once more before he sat and faced the alter. Kel was slightly embarrassed at his reaction, but it didn't stop her heart from turning when he looked at her. Not this again, though Kel. Then she remembered what the conversation she had had with Neal not long ago. She felt herself turn bright red, then forced herself to concentrate solely on the ceremony and not on the man sitting next to her. It was very hard to do, he thoughts wandered to him every time he moved or made a noise. The ceremony seemed to drag on forever. Finally it was over.
~~~~~~DOM'S POV~~~~~~
Finally the ceremony is over! I don't think I could have stood it any longer, Dom mused. Not with Kel sitting there looking like that. Gods she looks nice. Why didn't I say anything? I should have said something. Anything. 'You look nice', or 'Nice dress' or even 'Hi'. But no, I didn't say anything. Not one Gods blessed. . .
"Dom!" Someone shouted Dom turned to see Kel standing, he stared for a moment, she did look nice. "No one else in the row can move until you do."
Dom looked around, he was blocking the way, and most people had already left. "Very sorry. Why are you in such a hurry anyhow, we're all going to the same place. Why rush?"
"I'm going to go get all this. . ." She motioned at her attire, "off of me."
"All of it?" Dom asked grinning. "I'd like to see that." Kel glared at him. He realized his mistake. "I said that out loud didn't I?" Kel nodded once. "Right, sorry."
"Dom, I'd like to go please." Kel said, he could tell she was a bit upset. She didn't seem to like him at the moment.
Dom was hurt, for some reason he was unsure of. She's just a friend, he thought, this shouldn't hurt this much, yeah, sure it should hurt some, but . . . She's just a friend. A friend who happened to look angelic at the moment. Perhaps Neal wasn't so wrong, maybe he could like Kel. But Neal was talking marriage, maybe. . .
"Domitan!" She said, anger mounting. "I would like to go." Dom looked around they were the last two people in the room. "I already don't have time to change, and I look a real fool. That makes me mad enough, but. . ,"
"You look very nice. Beautiful even."
"Dom!"
"Right, sorry again. For delaying that is. But you do look beautiful." Kel's cheeks were flushed, but whether from anger or embarrassment, Dom wasn't exactly sure.
"Get up Dom." Kel said, grabbing his upper arm. It tingled where she touched. She forced his out of the row and headed purposefully towards the door.
They made their way to the room where the reception was being held. Everyone was already there, and turned to watch Dom and Kel enter the room together. "I seem to be late for everything today." Dom said with a smile.
Kel seemed to have cooled off. She smiled back at him. "You had good reasons, I'm sure."
"You are a most excellent reason for being late, Lady Knight. Would you care for a dance?"
"I'd be honored." Kel said, letting Dom lead her away from the entrance.
Dom saw Neal near the entrance, watching them with a frown fixed on his face. His lady tugged at his sleeve, and he turned towards her, speaking with her before leading her onto the dance floor.
After a few dances, Kel spoke up. "Dom, could we go sit now. I didn't know dancing could be so taxing." Dom was a bit upset at having to let Kel go, but he realized it had to be nearly impossible to move it the dress she was wearing.
They sat down and were soon joined by Neal and Yuki. Another man asked Yuki to dance, and Neal gave her permission to go. When she was out of earshot, Neal rounded on Dom and Kel.
"Why were you two late? Dom? Kel? What were you doing?" Neal asked. Neither one of the two spoke. Neal glared at Kel, then Dom. "What did you do to her?"
"Nothing, cousin Meathead." Dom said with good humor.
"Likely story." Neal shot back quickly. "Kel, I though we talked about this. I told you Dom isn't very honest! Same with you, Dom, we've talked. I am ashamed that either of you could do this!" Neal got up and got a drink, but didn't return to the table.
"What was that all about?" Dom asked.
"Neal has been acting rather strange. Since we arrived at Steadfast, that is." Kel said.
"Stranger than usual you mean?" Dom asked with a grin.
"Yes. He seems to think that you and I are. . ." Kel stopped. Dom knew what she meant.
"Lovers?" He supplied.
"Well, yes." Kel said. "He's confronted you too?"
"Yeah. He makes a very good overprotective older brother."
"I wonder what gave him these silly ideas." Kel said.
Dom's heart sank. Silly ideas? He asked himself, I rather like the idea of. . .us. What I wouldn't do to be able to act on them. But maybe I can. "He has no basis for them. He needs to be punished."
"You have my attention." Kel said with a laugh. "I definitely agree with you."
"Here is what we'll do…"
~~~~~~NEAL'S POV~~~~~~
The party is over! Neal thought, he'd spent the whole party watching Dom and Kel it was horrible. Kel didn't seem to know that Dom was cheating on her, despite all the hints he had dropped over the past few days. And Dom was playing innocent.
Yuki came up behind Neal and tapped him on the shoulder. He smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist, before leading her out of the room. He escorted her back to her room and bid her goodnight, making plans to meet up with her in the morning. She smiled and shut the door.
Neal heard voices approaching from the other end of the hall. It was Kel and Dom. He ducked around the corner and watched. Dom walked Kel to her door and looked up and down the hall, he whispered something to Kel, who smiled. She opened her door and stepped just inside, Neal could still see her. They were speaking, acting a bit giggly, what he wouldn't give to be able to hear them.
Neal watched as they flirted at the door, by his body gestures, Dom seemed to be trying to convince Kel to let him in. She told him no. Dom's shoulders heaved as he sighed, and he looked up and down the hall once more. He smiled, and leaned in to kiss Kel. Kel kissed back.
A/N: Review. Please Review. Tell me what you think, I want to know.
Chapter 3: The wedding
~~~~~~KEL'S POV~~~~~~
"I'm going to kill Raoul." Kel muttered to herself. Yes, she thought, I definitely hate him.
Kel sat on her bed, pouting, staring at the cause of her misery. The dress was hanging on the back of her door. Kel was forced to admit it was a nice dress. It was reddish in color, red with a hint of pink. The pink tone undertone went well with the pink embroidery on the neckline, sleeves, and skirt. It was plain, the embroidery being kept to a minimum, to draw attention to the person, not the dress, or so Yuki had said. Kel didn't think the dress would look quite so nice when she was wearing it, but there was not much a choice. Kel was tall; this was the only dress that could have been done in time for the wedding.
There was a knock on the door, and Kel sighed, knowing it would be Yuki. She got up and answered the door. "Kel!" Yuki gasped. "You're not even wearing the dress! I should have known this would happen! I guess I did, sort of. . ." She motioned to the things she had brought with her. Kel frowned. "Keladry of Mindelan, go get dressed this instant."
Kel did as she was told, grabbing the dress and stepping into the dressing room. She pulled on the pink hose, she hated them, well she hated pink. Then she pulled the dress on, tying the laces, before she noticed how low the neckline was. She scowled then moaned with resignation, it could have been lower after all. Yuki had tried to get her to wear ladies' shoes, but Kel refused to turn an ankle for her former Knight Master, after all, her only meant to torture her. She wore slippers instead, made of soft leather, like those worn in the islands.
When she was done getting dressed, Yuki was waiting for her with face paint and hair tools. Kel groaned. "You want to look nice don't you?" Yuki asked
"No."
"Too bad." Yuki said, making Kel sit down. She pulled at Kel's hair for a moment. "I don't know what we're going to do. Why couldn't you have grown your hair out?"
"I didn't want it ripped out." Yuki flicked Kel in the head and started playing with her hair; Kel had no idea what she was doing. She only felt the pain caused by the tugging. When Yuki was done, she started working on Kel's face, giving orders the whole time. Whether it was 'close your eyes' or 'open your mouth' Kel obeyed, hoping the whole time she didn't lose control of her body and storm out of the room or knock Yuki over the head.
"Done." Yuki announced.
"About time." Kel mumbled.
"I heard that. Let's go or we'll be late." Yuki said, grabbing Kel by the wrist, and dragging her to the door. Kel went willingly until they passed a mirror. Kel suddenly stopped, the sudden resistance made Yuki jerk.
"What did you do to me?" Kel asked.
"You look nice Kel." Yuki assured her.
"I look like one of the fluttery women from Corus!" And it was true. Kel's hair though short was adorned with ribbons, which made it seem longer than it actually was. Yuki had also put something in Kel's hair, it looked sleeker than the limp hair she was used to. Her face was painted, though not overdone, just some face paint. That was popular at court.
"Most men like the court ladies." Yuki said.
"I don't need men to like me! I need them to respect me! I have a reputation to uphold Yukimi! I can't be seen like this!"
The bell rang, signaling the people still not present to make an appearance. "It's too late now." Yukimi said with a slightly amused look. "Come on Kel, if we're late everyone will stare as we come in, and everyone will see you."
She has a point, Kel thought. At least, as it is I can get there and lay low. If I get out soon enough, I can get myself fixed before the reception. "Fine." Kel said, letting Yuki tug her out to the hall.
When they got to the ceremony, Yuki left Kel and went to sit next to Neal. Neal kissed her cheek as she came and looked around. When he saw Kel he gave her a feeble smile and then turned away, seemingly looking for someone else. He didn't seem to find the someone else so he turned his attention back to Yuki.
Kel sat in the back row, so as not to be noticed. It seemed to work, there was only one other person in this row, a sergeant from the first company, he smile at Kel as he sat, but didn't day anything.
Just as the ceremony began, two figure burst into the room, two members of the King's Own. Everyone turned to stare at the latecomers. Kel did also. She was not so surprised to see Dom and Wolset. They blushed, and sat down in Kel's row. Dom turned towards Kel, and his jaw dropped. Kel smiled and he recovered, his eyes roaming her body once more before he sat and faced the alter. Kel was slightly embarrassed at his reaction, but it didn't stop her heart from turning when he looked at her. Not this again, though Kel. Then she remembered what the conversation she had had with Neal not long ago. She felt herself turn bright red, then forced herself to concentrate solely on the ceremony and not on the man sitting next to her. It was very hard to do, he thoughts wandered to him every time he moved or made a noise. The ceremony seemed to drag on forever. Finally it was over.
~~~~~~DOM'S POV~~~~~~
Finally the ceremony is over! I don't think I could have stood it any longer, Dom mused. Not with Kel sitting there looking like that. Gods she looks nice. Why didn't I say anything? I should have said something. Anything. 'You look nice', or 'Nice dress' or even 'Hi'. But no, I didn't say anything. Not one Gods blessed. . .
"Dom!" Someone shouted Dom turned to see Kel standing, he stared for a moment, she did look nice. "No one else in the row can move until you do."
Dom looked around, he was blocking the way, and most people had already left. "Very sorry. Why are you in such a hurry anyhow, we're all going to the same place. Why rush?"
"I'm going to go get all this. . ." She motioned at her attire, "off of me."
"All of it?" Dom asked grinning. "I'd like to see that." Kel glared at him. He realized his mistake. "I said that out loud didn't I?" Kel nodded once. "Right, sorry."
"Dom, I'd like to go please." Kel said, he could tell she was a bit upset. She didn't seem to like him at the moment.
Dom was hurt, for some reason he was unsure of. She's just a friend, he thought, this shouldn't hurt this much, yeah, sure it should hurt some, but . . . She's just a friend. A friend who happened to look angelic at the moment. Perhaps Neal wasn't so wrong, maybe he could like Kel. But Neal was talking marriage, maybe. . .
"Domitan!" She said, anger mounting. "I would like to go." Dom looked around they were the last two people in the room. "I already don't have time to change, and I look a real fool. That makes me mad enough, but. . ,"
"You look very nice. Beautiful even."
"Dom!"
"Right, sorry again. For delaying that is. But you do look beautiful." Kel's cheeks were flushed, but whether from anger or embarrassment, Dom wasn't exactly sure.
"Get up Dom." Kel said, grabbing his upper arm. It tingled where she touched. She forced his out of the row and headed purposefully towards the door.
They made their way to the room where the reception was being held. Everyone was already there, and turned to watch Dom and Kel enter the room together. "I seem to be late for everything today." Dom said with a smile.
Kel seemed to have cooled off. She smiled back at him. "You had good reasons, I'm sure."
"You are a most excellent reason for being late, Lady Knight. Would you care for a dance?"
"I'd be honored." Kel said, letting Dom lead her away from the entrance.
Dom saw Neal near the entrance, watching them with a frown fixed on his face. His lady tugged at his sleeve, and he turned towards her, speaking with her before leading her onto the dance floor.
After a few dances, Kel spoke up. "Dom, could we go sit now. I didn't know dancing could be so taxing." Dom was a bit upset at having to let Kel go, but he realized it had to be nearly impossible to move it the dress she was wearing.
They sat down and were soon joined by Neal and Yuki. Another man asked Yuki to dance, and Neal gave her permission to go. When she was out of earshot, Neal rounded on Dom and Kel.
"Why were you two late? Dom? Kel? What were you doing?" Neal asked. Neither one of the two spoke. Neal glared at Kel, then Dom. "What did you do to her?"
"Nothing, cousin Meathead." Dom said with good humor.
"Likely story." Neal shot back quickly. "Kel, I though we talked about this. I told you Dom isn't very honest! Same with you, Dom, we've talked. I am ashamed that either of you could do this!" Neal got up and got a drink, but didn't return to the table.
"What was that all about?" Dom asked.
"Neal has been acting rather strange. Since we arrived at Steadfast, that is." Kel said.
"Stranger than usual you mean?" Dom asked with a grin.
"Yes. He seems to think that you and I are. . ." Kel stopped. Dom knew what she meant.
"Lovers?" He supplied.
"Well, yes." Kel said. "He's confronted you too?"
"Yeah. He makes a very good overprotective older brother."
"I wonder what gave him these silly ideas." Kel said.
Dom's heart sank. Silly ideas? He asked himself, I rather like the idea of. . .us. What I wouldn't do to be able to act on them. But maybe I can. "He has no basis for them. He needs to be punished."
"You have my attention." Kel said with a laugh. "I definitely agree with you."
"Here is what we'll do…"
~~~~~~NEAL'S POV~~~~~~
The party is over! Neal thought, he'd spent the whole party watching Dom and Kel it was horrible. Kel didn't seem to know that Dom was cheating on her, despite all the hints he had dropped over the past few days. And Dom was playing innocent.
Yuki came up behind Neal and tapped him on the shoulder. He smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist, before leading her out of the room. He escorted her back to her room and bid her goodnight, making plans to meet up with her in the morning. She smiled and shut the door.
Neal heard voices approaching from the other end of the hall. It was Kel and Dom. He ducked around the corner and watched. Dom walked Kel to her door and looked up and down the hall, he whispered something to Kel, who smiled. She opened her door and stepped just inside, Neal could still see her. They were speaking, acting a bit giggly, what he wouldn't give to be able to hear them.
Neal watched as they flirted at the door, by his body gestures, Dom seemed to be trying to convince Kel to let him in. She told him no. Dom's shoulders heaved as he sighed, and he looked up and down the hall once more. He smiled, and leaned in to kiss Kel. Kel kissed back.
A/N: Review. Please Review. Tell me what you think, I want to know.
