So sorry there was lack of details in the last chappie. Or lack of everything, for that matter. Did you know I got flamed for my story Vow of Blood (sorta) by some person called Val Mora on Fictionpress? It was very depressing. Oh well. School's out, so I'll be posting more often. Now, everyone who has read a Death Goddess Assassin fic, let's all continuously IM her to make her update!

Disclaimer: I own nobody. Except Frenn and all them people.

"Frenn!"

It was strange to feel nothing but relief to see the man who kidnapped her. Frenn nodded grimly at her and winced painfully. Arden grabbed one arm and threw it around his shoulder for support.

"Is everything okay?" he asked worriedly. "Did we beat 'em?"

"For now, yes. We were able to hold them off. There were many casualties, including Darrl—"

Arden lowered his head, and Kel pitied him. He and the old man had become very close.

"—and a few others." The assassin turned to look at her. "Are you okay, little warrior?"

"I'm fine. But what about you?" Why was she so concerned?

Because you have begun to like him.

"Oh, most of it isn't even my blood," he said dismissively. "What is came from the gash my brother darling gave to me as his parting gift when we began to catapult fireballs on board their ship."

"I can't believe you two are brothers," Kel said quietly. "You're so…different. And then you killed his daughter—you're niece."

A shadow of pain crossed his face and he looked away. "I…" His mouth closed, and he looked down. He grimaced in pain, and clutched his arm.

She wanted to hate this man, an assassin who killed his niece and was assigned to murder her. But she found she just couldn't.

"You couldn't find her?"

"No, and don' yell at meh. 'Twasn't ma fault."

"Then who's was it, nitwit?"

Joren fumed and ranted around the cabin. His bunkmates, five or six sailors, stared at him, amused, as he fussed at one of them.

"I tole ya, 'twasn't—"

"I specifically told you to ignore anybody who insulted you or tried to harm you. One of Fran's men looks at you different and you go nuts. So, no girl; no coins."

"Oh come off it," Gil protested. "I tried, I really did."

"Sure, Gil," a man chuckled. "And ma name is Captain Lucas Murray."

"Shut it, Snipe," Gil grumbled. "I know your mother, I do, since I've been in her house more than you'll know."

Even Joren agreed this was a good jibe as he snickered. Gil shouted and leaped on Snipe angrily, and immediately the whole thing was dropped.

Leaning over the rail, feeling the ocean spray gently slap her face, Kel never heard him come up behind her.

"You'll fall if you do that."

She jumped and wheeled around, relaxing slightly when she saw it was just Arden, gazing at her from beneath his gold lashes. His eyes reflected the glow of the candle he held, burning a fiery pale amber. For some reason she was acutely aware of the fact he had nothing but breeches on, and she was still in her nightshirt.

"I-I wouldn't."

Arden moved up beside her, his body so close behind her she could feel his body heat. Her breath quickened. She suddenly realized she felt the same whenever she was around Neal. She resisted a groan. Please, don't let me have a crush on Arden!

His hand was suddenly on the back of her neck, and she was helpless to resist as he gently cradled it, drawing it to his face. Their lips met for a timid, soft kiss, then melted into something more passionate.

With a swift jolt she grasped what was happening, and reluctantly pushed away. His blue eyes, gray with desire, bore into hers and the words of protest died on her tongue. He pulled her back into her embrace and forced his lips on hers, his tongue invading her mouth. One hand slipped up to fondle her buttocks as the other firmly but not aggressively touched her breast. Finally she moaned, and grabbed his shoulders to keep from falling.

This time it was he that broke the passion, drawing away, bare chest heaving, face flushed, his entire body trembling.

"Keladry…" he whispered, running his fingers through her hair. He grabbed her hand, and gently tugged at it. She hesitated, then followed him nervously, fearfully, and willingly to his room.

I wonder what Kel is doing now…

"Who cares," he said out loud to the darkness.

"For the last time, kid, shut up!"

"Yeah. You talk again we'll throw you out!"

Joren blushed. He really needed to learn to control his speech. Sometimes it got a little out of hand.

"I'm sorry," he consented meekly.

See, now look what you made me do!

It wasn't my fault. Don't blame me for your doings.

Why, why did my conscience have to come back after all these years?

I was always there, Joren. You just locked me in a little house in your mind.

What did you do? Burn it down?

No, of course not.

Joren sniffed and rolled over.

I blew it up.

So…how was it? Good? Bad? No, I did NOT expect to put the whole Arden-Kel thing in there…it just happened. But don't worry.

I've got it all planned out.