Disclaimer: I own none of Tamora Pierces characters (despite my wishes) and there is no infringement or whatever meant by me writing this story.
A/N: this chapter's got more of Dom's point of view in it 'cos we don't really know what he thinks yet. Thanks sooooo much for all of the absolutely wonderful reviews.WaterSpirit1: I know that matchmaking doesn't really fit with the period of the story but it just seemed to work. queen-of-sapphires: you asked about the whole steadfast/page/yuki thing and I just did this cos at the end of LK Neal and Kel were headed for steadfast and Neal was looking forward to seeing Yuki. Also if Lord Wyldon's there then Owen – his squire would be too.

Dom sat in the mess hall thinking about the night before. He had known for a long time that he had liked Kel as more than a friend and that he might even love her but he had never allowed himself to think too much about it knowing that men of the King's Own couldn't marry and so really shouldn't pursue relationships and the likelihood was that Kel didn't even feel the same way. But something in those beautiful eyes last night was making him think again. He could have sworn that he saw something there. Something for him inside her gaze.

He was brought out of his chain of thoughts by his cousin sitting down next to him.

'Hello,' Neal said, 'What were you thinking about??'

'Hey Meathead,' was Dom's reply, 'and it's really not any of your business what I was thinking about.'

'That's alright, you don't have to tell me,' said Neal, 'I already know anyway.' He finished with a smug look on his face.

'What!!' Dom replied, 'How can you know – have you become a mind reader now or something?'

'No,' Neal said, 'It's just I know from the look on your face that you were happy, and that you were thinking about someone and if you're thinking about someone who makes you happy it's probably a woman and if you're thinking about a woman who make's you happy it's got to be Kel.'

At that Dom choked on the piece of meat he had just started to swallow. 'What makes you say that,' Dom said between coughs, 'What makes you think that I like Kel, well, you know, like that?'

Neal laughed, 'Well, apart from your reaction just then. I've seen the way you are together – the way you look at each other. It's obviously you like each other.'

Dom turned very red and almost looked ashamed with himself after this.

'What?,' Neal said, 'There's no need to be embarrassed or ashamed. You're allowed to be together.' 'But we're not,' Dom replied, 'I'm in the King's Own remember? – I can't marry and it would be wrong for me to have a relationship with anybody because of that.'

'I see where you're coming from but you're wrong about the relationship part,' Neal said, 'Why shouldn't you be happy together. I doubt Kel's ready or willing to marry yet and I expect that you aren't either so why not just see how things go.'

'Okay so here's why, you meathead,' Dom retorted, 'What if they do go well – what if we so want to marry - what do we do then?'

'Dom, you're thinking too far ahead my cousin, there are too many what ifs there. By that time you may want to leave the King's Own, the law may have changed. So many things could happen that could change things. You should try and live for the here and now for a bit,' Neal advised, 'See where things take you.'

'Maybe that's true, but I think you're forgetting something. As much as I may love Kel, she probably doesn't love me,' Dom said sadly.

'Oh is that so,' Neal said with a smirk on his face whilst putting an arm around his cousin's shoulder, 'Then why was she crying to my bride to be about how she wasn't allowed to be with the man she loves when I peered in my room before coming here.'

'But how do you know that man's me?' Dom asked.

'Oh, something about the King's Own and members of my family always creating trouble,' Neal laughed, 'I couldn't think of anybody else but you. Of course she loves you Dom, now go and tell her you love her too.'

A/N2: I like Neal – I think he makes a really good friend to Kel. If you like it let me know – if you don't let me know too. I'm open to constructive criticism. Please review.