A/N: I promise that action is coming soon. Really soon, I hope. In the meantime, for the precious few who have reviewed the last chapter…
Allimba- Thank you. Beware of updates!
Dreamerdoll- You take up the majority of reviews. Thanks, and about Dom… Well, who wouldn't agree?
Keladry of Masbolle- Thank you. Your support is encouraging.
Queen-of-sapphires- Thanks. Maybe you are right about Neal, but with the stress of his wedding and all the years with Alanna, who knows? Perhaps he is just a bit neurotic.
PsychoLioness13- Thank you. More is on the way!
Jazy716- Glad you liked it1 Her is your update.
That is what happens. If you do not review, I can not write you a little thank you message. So please, people!
Disclaimer- Wish it were mine, but it is not. All property of Ms. Tamora Pierce.
'Why am I here?' Kel asked herself for the thirteenth time that day. She had been in Lalasa's shop for three hours being fitted for the dress she would wear as part of Yuki's wedding procession. The other girls in the procession, mostly young nobles that Kel was not very familiar with, chattered gaily around her. Kel sighed in frustration as one of the attendants stuck her with a pin.
Yuki had forgiven Kel and Dom, admitting that she and Neal deserved what they got. Neal had also forgiven them, but he did not miss the chance to grumble about the chocolaty incident. Alanna was furious with Neal for telling Kel that everything was her idea. She did not, however, blame Kel for her reaction.
Yuki pressed Kel for details about her and Dom, but had soon let up when Kel refused to say anything. The little Yamani seemed distracted as she bustled back and forth, checking the dresses and talking to the women. She seemed to glow with happiness, even in the stressful atmosphere. A rehearsal, presided over by the stuffy master of ceremonies, would be held in just a few hours. The wedding was tomorrow. Kel just hoped she could escape and retreat to her rooms soon.
Meanwhile…
Dom walked through the city with Neal, Owen, and Neal's year mates, all Neal's best men. Neal was happy, ridiculously happy. He seemed to bubble over with good cheer. Merric, in attempt to stop Neal's incessant babbling about Yuki, nudged Dom in the ribs. "So, sergeant, I heard about you and our Kel."
"Oh," Dom said, looking curious, "What did you hear?"
The conversation had caught Neal's attention long enough to turn his mind from thought's of his beloved. "Whatever you are about to tell us, cousin. Spill!"
"Can't and won't tell you a thing, boys." Dom smiled and stared unseeing at the sky, his thoughts obviously elsewhere (A/N: Hints- Kel, room, kissing).
Seaver's voice shook him out of his reverie. "If you hurt her, we will kill you. That is all I am going to say about it."
"If I hurt her," Dom replied, "I am sure she will kill me." At this, they all laughed. "Though, I don't intend to hurt her, ever." With even the short gap of silence that followed, Neal turned his one-sided conversation back to Yuki, too busy talking to notice the groans he ensued.
As they walked by the vendors, something caught Dom's eye. "Neal," he asked, interrupting his cousin's string of horrific poetry, "What color are the bridesmaid's dresses?"
"Dark red, like the trim on the tunics you will be wearing. Why?"
"Oh, nothing. I'll catch up with you in a bit. I just want to see something." Dom turned and headed toward one of the vendors, not noticing the shrugs of the knights he left behind.
Dom walked up to Kel's room and knocked on the door. She opened the door and beckoned him inside. "I am almost ready to go," she said, referring to the rehearsal.
"Can't we be fashionably late?" Dom teased closing the door and giving Kel a light kiss.
"No!" Kel playfully pushed him away and ran to the latrine with a brush in her hand. She wore a dress with light tan sleeves and skirt and a wine-colored top. It was simple and elegant. Kel come out of the latrine with her hair tied back in wine-colored ribbons and ear drops with small black gem stones. Dom, resplendent in blue and silver, smiled at her from his perch on her bed. Her heart seemed to stop for a moment as she stared at him there; it almost looked, well, right. 'Get a hold of yourself,' Kel scolded mentally. 'This is not good. I ought to start wearing my pregnancy charm again.'
"You look beautiful." Dom got up and produced a small, narrow box. "Before I forget, I wanted to give you this, for tomorrow." He nervously handed her the box and waited for her reaction.
Kel stared at him with an odd expression for a moment. She had not expected a gift. 'Maybe he really is taking courting me seriously.' She slowly undid the bow that wrapped around the box and lifted the lid. Her jaw dropped when she looked inside. There lay a beautiful necklace of dark garnets and matching earrings. Each stone was perfectly round and smooth; the set must have cost a small fortune. "Oh, Dom, you didn't have to…"
"I figured you didn't have much jewelry." His voice sounded strangled. "Neal told me the color of the dresses tomorrow was dark red, so I hoped you could wear this."
Kel looked from him to the box and back, her gaze locking with his. "I never expected," she started, but seemed to change her mind. "Thank you," she said quietly. "Of course I'll wear it." She wrapped her arms around Dom's neck and kissed him slowly. They were both breathless when they pulled apart.
"We better go," Dom said, his voice cracking a little. He offered Kel his arm, which she took, and walked her out the door.
Kel arrived back hours later, tired. The droning voice of the master of ceremonies bored into the attendants' heads. Neal and Yuki's wedding was considered an alliance of Tortall and the islands. Therefore, it was immensely important.
Kel almost invited Dom to stay the night. She loved Dom, so she did not want to act on pure lust. When she decided to invite him to stay, Kel had to be sure.
"Is this really happening?" Neal asked, staring at Kel. The two stood just inside the temple of Mithros. About two hundred people packed into the benches facing the altar. They were waiting for the wedding to begin.
"Yes, you are really about to marry Yuki. Now go," Kel replied, giving the nervous Neal a shove toward the altar. Kel hurried to fall into her place ahead of Yuki in the procession.
Dom was to be her escort. She placed her arm on his and smiled, seeing his gaze flicker to the necklace. "You're stunning, Lady Knight," he whispered into her ear as they began to walk down the isle. They split at the altar, he going to Neal's side and she to Yuki's. The high priest of Mithros talked about the value of matrimony. Finally Neal and Yuki recited the necessary vows. Kel could see that it took all of Yuki's Yamani training to keep her from crying.
"You may now kiss the bride," the priest pronounced. Neal pulled Yuki close and lowered his mouth to hers. The chapel vibrated with cheers. Hand in hand, being showered in rice, they walked to the carriage that would deliver them to the palace, where the reception would be held.
The guests were in a large ball room. Lacy white cloths decorated the tables and red roses adorned the room. Soft candlelight created a romantic atmosphere. Neal and Yuki stepped out on the floor for the customary dance, fixated only on one another. Unconsciously, Kel sought Dom out, further down the rectangular table the wedding thinking the same thing I am?' she wondered, looking away. 'He can't get married and stay in the Own and I'm the Lady Knight. Do we even have a future?'
Another song started to play, the sign for the rest of the wedding party to dance. Dom approached Kel and held out his hand. "May I have this dance?"
"I suppose, gentle sir," Kel replied loftily. He laughed quietly. The music was soft and slow. Dom pulled Kel close and wrapped his arms tightly around her waste. Kel rested her head in the crook of his neck, not caring who saw. Their earlier thoughts still fresh in their minds, being close helped ease the depression.
The song ended and they reluctantly pulled apart. "Care to take a walk, my dear?" Dom asked. Kel nodded. Everyone was too wrapped up in their own affairs to notice their absence.
Dom and Kel reached the rose bushes, walking in silence as the frozen ground crunched under their feet. Suddenly, Dom stopped and took both of Kel's hands in his own. "I know I've never said this, Kel, but I have known it for a long time. I love you."
His brilliant blue eyes drilled into her hazel. "I love you, too," she whispered.
He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her passionately. She equaled his kiss. Her hands creeped around his neck and busied themselves in his hair. He stopped to breath, but immediately pulled her back to him. His tongue pressed against her lips and, finding a way in, explored the crevices of her mouth. Their tongues met and Kel became very aware of where their bodies touched: thighs, his arms snugly encircling her, her breasts crushed against chest. She gasped as he moved his lips down to her neck. His hands began to undo the laces of her dress. She stopped him with a trembling. "Dom, don't, please. I'm… I'm not ready." Kel looked away ashamed.
Dom's eyes clouded over with hurt, and then cleared. He lifted her chin so she would look at him. "I understand," he said huskily. "I'll wait. You just tell me…" he trailed off. Kel's eyes betrayed her relief. "Let's go back," Dom said, taking her hand and smiling. 'I would wait forever,' he thought, looking at her with longing.
A/N: Another chapter down. Hopefully, I will update soon. That was a bit hard for me to write. Please be gentle in your reviews (HINT!) which you are going to write as soon as you finish reading this sentence (Major HINT!).