Disclaimer that I forgot to put on my first chapter: Only the character of
Sophia belongs to me. All else belongs solely to Tamora Pierce.
Dom stared at the bottom of his empty goblet, and glanced around his general vicinity for a servant baring drinks. Alcohol was the only thing that would get him through this state banquet. His head turned towards Glaisdan of Haryse, who was telling one of his famously long battle stories. The man was a good soldier and captain, but when it came to parties, it was best to avoid him. What in Mithros name is he talking about?, Dom found himself thinking, as Glaisdan's voice droned in his ears. Desperately, he looked for any opening or opportunity to sneak out. He knew he shouldn't sneak away. It was rude, and if Glaisdan noticed, he would certainly be offended. But, luckily for Dom, the storyteller's eyes were caught by a dark-haired court beauty, and as he watched her, Dom stepped quickly and quietly away. Free! He was free of Glaisdan's stories! With energy, Dom found himself a page carrying a tray, deposited his empty goblet, and picked up a clean one filled with red wine. As he stood and sipped, he watched the dancers. In a cleared area in the center of the room, couples performed dances to the trills and chords of twelve musicians. Pastel silk-clad ladies, curled, powdered, and corseted, pranced out their steps, as their partners led them. Dom idly scanned the ladies along the edge of the floor. None too bad looking, but none to extraordinary, either. They all wore expressions of eagerness mixed with embarrassment and wistfulness on their pretty, fresh faces. Domitan felt for them. He couldn't count the times he had watched his sisters do the same thing; neither of them were stunning, and their family couldn't afford large dowries for their younger daughters, so there hadn't been much to attract young men. They had eventually married, but at court balls they had always been wallflowers. Why don't I ask one to dance?, he thought to himself. It would make them happier. He started to move forward, but stopped short and caught his breath. On the end and slightly behind the line of waiting ladies stood...the pretty girl from the wedding. She was dressed this time in a long, periwinkle blue satin gown, low cut to expose a well-formed bosom. Over it, she wore a sheer, sleeveless silver surcoat, with beading along the bottom. Her hair was piled in mounds of curls on top of her head, with one long, honey-colored lock falling onto her cheek. She was engaged in an animated discussion with Buri and Queen Thayet. Queen Thayet said something, and then threw up her hands in an exaggerated gesture, and the girl laughed, her features melting softly into real beauty. Dom's heart skipped a beat. He wanted to ask her to dance so much...but they had never been properly introduced, and he knew rules of etiquette required that he had some knowledge of her before engaging her.
But it was his lucky night. As he was gazing at the gold-haired goddess, and debating the issue, he felt a hand on his shoulder, and a voice in his ear said, "which of the lovelies are you watching, Dom?" He turned to find Keldary of Mindelan standing beside him. "Keldary!" He exclaimed. "Good to see you! I thought you and Lerant were at Eldorne." "We had to come up for the state banquet, and other official affairs." Kel rolled her eyes. Then she repeated her question, pointing at the line of girls for emphasis. "Which one is it, then?" "That one, on the end, with the honey-colored hair," Dom answered, a little sheepishly. "Oh, Sophia?" Asked Kel, and then she chuckled. "I should have guessed. Who else? She is pretty, isn't she?" "You know her?" Dom asked eagerly. "That's Sophia of The Glen, my cousin." Kel answered. "She was at the wedding," Dom stated, eyes once again on Sophia. "She was indeed." Kel answered. "No wonder you were a wreck.You were distracted." And Kel gave him a punch on the shoulder. Dom glanced at Kel's ladylike attire, and decided not to return with a shove. Instead he said, "Tell me more about her. Or better yet, introduce me to her." "With pleasure," answered Kel, and with a smirk on her lips, led the way.
"Sophia, there's someone here I want you to meet," Kel said to the lovely girl, as she took her arm and gently turned her towards Dom. He felt his heart do a flip as she smiled at him. "Sophia of The Glen, meet Domitan of Masbolle. Dom is in Troop 1 of the King's Own. Domitan of Masbolle, Sophia of the Glen, my cousin, and Sergeant of troop 17 of the Queen's Riders." Dom tried to picture this apparition of beauty muddy, bloody, and bedraggled, maneuvering her pony around the bodies of dead bandits, and couldn't imagine it. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, My Lady," he said, choosing to address her with her born title instead of her earned one, Sergeant. He could relate to it better. He kissed her soft hand. She smiled at him as he lifted his head once more. "Domitan of Masbolle, you were Lerant of Eldorne's best man, were you not? At his wedding?" She asked. She had a low, clear almost musical voice. "Yes, Lady Sophia, I'm afraid I'm guilty as charged. And please call me Dom," he answered, as smooth and suave as he could manage. She colored slightly at his obvious flirtation, but didn't look displeased. "Likewise, just call me Sophia," she said. If he could have possibly done it without anyone seeing, Dom would have flashed Kel the thumbs up sign. As it was, he simply offered Sophia his arm and asked, "Would you care to dance, Sophia?" With color high in her cheeks, and her eyes sparkling, Sophia answered, "Very much, Dom."
Watching the tall couple on the dance floor, Kel mutter softly to Queen Thayet, "Instantaneous, Your Majesty. Who could have seen it coming?" "Do
you believe in love at first sight?" Thayet asked Kel, curiously. Kel
turned to look her queen full in the face. "I do, your majesty. But I believe what those two just experienced was more like lust at first sight." Thayet smirked. "You're right. Lust is a thousand times more common than
love."
* * * * *
Eight dances and two hours later, Dom and Sophia could be found sitting on a bench in the courtyard, surrounded by the queen's immaculately tended garden. As soon as she sat down, Sophia did a thing that no court lady does in the presence of gentlemen. She took her slippers off. At first, Dom was taken aback by this unladylike gesture, but then he took a look at the slippers she wore. They were tiny, pointed at the end, and had heels that became impossibly thin at the tip. Sophia gasped as she removed them. "Oh, that feels so good," She murmured. "Why do you wear those things?" Dom asked. "Because it's court fashion," she answered, with a sardonic grin. "You're not like Kel or Buri, are you?" he said, curiously, watching her. "I mean, you actually care about the things most women care about, like fashions and gowns and court gossip. And at the same time, you're a soldier and sergeant!" "Let's just say I'm conflicted," She answered. "I can't decide whether I want to be a man or a woman." Dom laughed, and said, "From my observations, I think your femininity would be impossible to hide." "I'm glad," she answered, smiling slightly. He noticed her shivering slightly in the cool breeze. This is my chance, Dom thought, Time to steal her heart. He considered himself rather a Casanova, and had great faith in his own abilities. "You look cold," he said, scooting closer to her on the bench. "Regrettably, I have no coat to offer you, as a true gentleman would. But I find that rubbing my arms with my hands works well." And impulsively, he began to rub her arms gently. She stiffened, and he removed his hands immediately. She fixed him with a reproving look, but her eyes were laughing. "I can do that for myself, but thank you." She said, with a tiny smile. Dom stood up, and bowed low to her. "Lady Sophia, I beg your pardon for being so forward. Your beauty is so profound that I had to touch you to confirm that you were not a lovely apparition. If you wish, I will leave." And he continued to bow low, waiting for her answer. He was confident that she would not send him away; no woman he had used this on had ever told him to leave. "No, you can stay. You are forgiven," she said softly, smiling flirtatiously. Dom stood up and returned to his seat, more than redeemed. I'm doing better now than before, he thought smugly. Good job, Dom, old boy. She watched the stars, eyes wondering. "Do you know what that constellation is?" asked Dom, pointing at a group of stars. "No," she said, turning to him in surprise. "I'm terrible at constellations, remembering what they look like." "That is Lilani, the maiden. Legend has is," Dom said, scooting slightly closer to her. "There was once a beautiful maiden, in the ancient days of the Yamani Islands. Every man wanted to marry her, but she was never satisfied with any of them, for they were all selfish, lazy, and pompous." Sophia nodded, her eyes begging him to continue. "Well, one night she was walking along the coast of the island, and crying because she was being pursued by her many suitors. She gazed up to the moon for guidance, and saw the man in the moon. She fell immediately in love with him, for she could tell he was kind and gentle. As she looked up at him, her suitors came closer and closer, and she cried louder, and stretched out her arms to the sky. And the man in the moon reached down and lifted his bride into the sky, and now she resides with him, ruling the skies as his queen. She is the most magnificent constellation, don't you think?" He concluded. Sophia was silent for a moment, looking away from him at the sky. Then she said, "Your story makes her magnificent. Your words make her beautiful. Your mouth is like a paintbrush for words." She turned, and looked him in the face. She began to say something, but trailed off as she realized that they were so close that their noses were almost touching. Slowly, he leaned in, and kissed her. Her lips were moist and soft on his, and he could feel the heat of her body on his skin. When he pulled away, she was smiling. "Well," She said, but could thing of nothing to say. She tried again. "That was..." But she couldn't think of an adjective. "Perhaps another try could help you make up your mind," he suggested boldly, and leaned in for another go, but the clock began to strike. "Oh, Mithros," Sophia exclaimed as the clock told them it was two o'clock. "I have to train new recruits tomorrow, early in the morning." She jumped up, and he jumped up with her. Cursing under her breath, she managed to wedge her feet back into the tiny slippers. "May I escort you back into the ballroom, Lady Sophia?" He asked formally, taking her hand. "I'll be fine, you don't need to." She answered quickly, smiling at him. "It was wonderful to make your acquaintance." He bent, and kissed her hand a little more enthusiastically than court etiquette called for. "Good night, Lady Sophia," He murmured, and she slipped through the doors and into the ballroom. A little harder to win over than most, he considered, But she's mine now. I don't think this is going to be just another conquest. And he laughed out loud, with happiness he couldn't suppress.
As he reentered the ballroom, Kel spied him and waved, motioning for him to come over to her. He strolled, trying his best to appear normal, but inside, he was a bundle of ecstasy, lust, and confusion. "So, did you enjoy tonight's ball?" Kel asked with a wink, as she pulled on her cloak. "Very much so," Dom answered, with a foolish grin. "I think I might start attending voluntarily."
* * * * * * * * * *
Sorry it took me so long to get this chapter up! I'll be faster with the third installment.
Dom stared at the bottom of his empty goblet, and glanced around his general vicinity for a servant baring drinks. Alcohol was the only thing that would get him through this state banquet. His head turned towards Glaisdan of Haryse, who was telling one of his famously long battle stories. The man was a good soldier and captain, but when it came to parties, it was best to avoid him. What in Mithros name is he talking about?, Dom found himself thinking, as Glaisdan's voice droned in his ears. Desperately, he looked for any opening or opportunity to sneak out. He knew he shouldn't sneak away. It was rude, and if Glaisdan noticed, he would certainly be offended. But, luckily for Dom, the storyteller's eyes were caught by a dark-haired court beauty, and as he watched her, Dom stepped quickly and quietly away. Free! He was free of Glaisdan's stories! With energy, Dom found himself a page carrying a tray, deposited his empty goblet, and picked up a clean one filled with red wine. As he stood and sipped, he watched the dancers. In a cleared area in the center of the room, couples performed dances to the trills and chords of twelve musicians. Pastel silk-clad ladies, curled, powdered, and corseted, pranced out their steps, as their partners led them. Dom idly scanned the ladies along the edge of the floor. None too bad looking, but none to extraordinary, either. They all wore expressions of eagerness mixed with embarrassment and wistfulness on their pretty, fresh faces. Domitan felt for them. He couldn't count the times he had watched his sisters do the same thing; neither of them were stunning, and their family couldn't afford large dowries for their younger daughters, so there hadn't been much to attract young men. They had eventually married, but at court balls they had always been wallflowers. Why don't I ask one to dance?, he thought to himself. It would make them happier. He started to move forward, but stopped short and caught his breath. On the end and slightly behind the line of waiting ladies stood...the pretty girl from the wedding. She was dressed this time in a long, periwinkle blue satin gown, low cut to expose a well-formed bosom. Over it, she wore a sheer, sleeveless silver surcoat, with beading along the bottom. Her hair was piled in mounds of curls on top of her head, with one long, honey-colored lock falling onto her cheek. She was engaged in an animated discussion with Buri and Queen Thayet. Queen Thayet said something, and then threw up her hands in an exaggerated gesture, and the girl laughed, her features melting softly into real beauty. Dom's heart skipped a beat. He wanted to ask her to dance so much...but they had never been properly introduced, and he knew rules of etiquette required that he had some knowledge of her before engaging her.
But it was his lucky night. As he was gazing at the gold-haired goddess, and debating the issue, he felt a hand on his shoulder, and a voice in his ear said, "which of the lovelies are you watching, Dom?" He turned to find Keldary of Mindelan standing beside him. "Keldary!" He exclaimed. "Good to see you! I thought you and Lerant were at Eldorne." "We had to come up for the state banquet, and other official affairs." Kel rolled her eyes. Then she repeated her question, pointing at the line of girls for emphasis. "Which one is it, then?" "That one, on the end, with the honey-colored hair," Dom answered, a little sheepishly. "Oh, Sophia?" Asked Kel, and then she chuckled. "I should have guessed. Who else? She is pretty, isn't she?" "You know her?" Dom asked eagerly. "That's Sophia of The Glen, my cousin." Kel answered. "She was at the wedding," Dom stated, eyes once again on Sophia. "She was indeed." Kel answered. "No wonder you were a wreck.You were distracted." And Kel gave him a punch on the shoulder. Dom glanced at Kel's ladylike attire, and decided not to return with a shove. Instead he said, "Tell me more about her. Or better yet, introduce me to her." "With pleasure," answered Kel, and with a smirk on her lips, led the way.
"Sophia, there's someone here I want you to meet," Kel said to the lovely girl, as she took her arm and gently turned her towards Dom. He felt his heart do a flip as she smiled at him. "Sophia of The Glen, meet Domitan of Masbolle. Dom is in Troop 1 of the King's Own. Domitan of Masbolle, Sophia of the Glen, my cousin, and Sergeant of troop 17 of the Queen's Riders." Dom tried to picture this apparition of beauty muddy, bloody, and bedraggled, maneuvering her pony around the bodies of dead bandits, and couldn't imagine it. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, My Lady," he said, choosing to address her with her born title instead of her earned one, Sergeant. He could relate to it better. He kissed her soft hand. She smiled at him as he lifted his head once more. "Domitan of Masbolle, you were Lerant of Eldorne's best man, were you not? At his wedding?" She asked. She had a low, clear almost musical voice. "Yes, Lady Sophia, I'm afraid I'm guilty as charged. And please call me Dom," he answered, as smooth and suave as he could manage. She colored slightly at his obvious flirtation, but didn't look displeased. "Likewise, just call me Sophia," she said. If he could have possibly done it without anyone seeing, Dom would have flashed Kel the thumbs up sign. As it was, he simply offered Sophia his arm and asked, "Would you care to dance, Sophia?" With color high in her cheeks, and her eyes sparkling, Sophia answered, "Very much, Dom."
Watching the tall couple on the dance floor, Kel mutter softly to Queen Thayet, "Instantaneous, Your Majesty. Who could have seen it coming?" "Do
you believe in love at first sight?" Thayet asked Kel, curiously. Kel
turned to look her queen full in the face. "I do, your majesty. But I believe what those two just experienced was more like lust at first sight." Thayet smirked. "You're right. Lust is a thousand times more common than
love."
* * * * *
Eight dances and two hours later, Dom and Sophia could be found sitting on a bench in the courtyard, surrounded by the queen's immaculately tended garden. As soon as she sat down, Sophia did a thing that no court lady does in the presence of gentlemen. She took her slippers off. At first, Dom was taken aback by this unladylike gesture, but then he took a look at the slippers she wore. They were tiny, pointed at the end, and had heels that became impossibly thin at the tip. Sophia gasped as she removed them. "Oh, that feels so good," She murmured. "Why do you wear those things?" Dom asked. "Because it's court fashion," she answered, with a sardonic grin. "You're not like Kel or Buri, are you?" he said, curiously, watching her. "I mean, you actually care about the things most women care about, like fashions and gowns and court gossip. And at the same time, you're a soldier and sergeant!" "Let's just say I'm conflicted," She answered. "I can't decide whether I want to be a man or a woman." Dom laughed, and said, "From my observations, I think your femininity would be impossible to hide." "I'm glad," she answered, smiling slightly. He noticed her shivering slightly in the cool breeze. This is my chance, Dom thought, Time to steal her heart. He considered himself rather a Casanova, and had great faith in his own abilities. "You look cold," he said, scooting closer to her on the bench. "Regrettably, I have no coat to offer you, as a true gentleman would. But I find that rubbing my arms with my hands works well." And impulsively, he began to rub her arms gently. She stiffened, and he removed his hands immediately. She fixed him with a reproving look, but her eyes were laughing. "I can do that for myself, but thank you." She said, with a tiny smile. Dom stood up, and bowed low to her. "Lady Sophia, I beg your pardon for being so forward. Your beauty is so profound that I had to touch you to confirm that you were not a lovely apparition. If you wish, I will leave." And he continued to bow low, waiting for her answer. He was confident that she would not send him away; no woman he had used this on had ever told him to leave. "No, you can stay. You are forgiven," she said softly, smiling flirtatiously. Dom stood up and returned to his seat, more than redeemed. I'm doing better now than before, he thought smugly. Good job, Dom, old boy. She watched the stars, eyes wondering. "Do you know what that constellation is?" asked Dom, pointing at a group of stars. "No," she said, turning to him in surprise. "I'm terrible at constellations, remembering what they look like." "That is Lilani, the maiden. Legend has is," Dom said, scooting slightly closer to her. "There was once a beautiful maiden, in the ancient days of the Yamani Islands. Every man wanted to marry her, but she was never satisfied with any of them, for they were all selfish, lazy, and pompous." Sophia nodded, her eyes begging him to continue. "Well, one night she was walking along the coast of the island, and crying because she was being pursued by her many suitors. She gazed up to the moon for guidance, and saw the man in the moon. She fell immediately in love with him, for she could tell he was kind and gentle. As she looked up at him, her suitors came closer and closer, and she cried louder, and stretched out her arms to the sky. And the man in the moon reached down and lifted his bride into the sky, and now she resides with him, ruling the skies as his queen. She is the most magnificent constellation, don't you think?" He concluded. Sophia was silent for a moment, looking away from him at the sky. Then she said, "Your story makes her magnificent. Your words make her beautiful. Your mouth is like a paintbrush for words." She turned, and looked him in the face. She began to say something, but trailed off as she realized that they were so close that their noses were almost touching. Slowly, he leaned in, and kissed her. Her lips were moist and soft on his, and he could feel the heat of her body on his skin. When he pulled away, she was smiling. "Well," She said, but could thing of nothing to say. She tried again. "That was..." But she couldn't think of an adjective. "Perhaps another try could help you make up your mind," he suggested boldly, and leaned in for another go, but the clock began to strike. "Oh, Mithros," Sophia exclaimed as the clock told them it was two o'clock. "I have to train new recruits tomorrow, early in the morning." She jumped up, and he jumped up with her. Cursing under her breath, she managed to wedge her feet back into the tiny slippers. "May I escort you back into the ballroom, Lady Sophia?" He asked formally, taking her hand. "I'll be fine, you don't need to." She answered quickly, smiling at him. "It was wonderful to make your acquaintance." He bent, and kissed her hand a little more enthusiastically than court etiquette called for. "Good night, Lady Sophia," He murmured, and she slipped through the doors and into the ballroom. A little harder to win over than most, he considered, But she's mine now. I don't think this is going to be just another conquest. And he laughed out loud, with happiness he couldn't suppress.
As he reentered the ballroom, Kel spied him and waved, motioning for him to come over to her. He strolled, trying his best to appear normal, but inside, he was a bundle of ecstasy, lust, and confusion. "So, did you enjoy tonight's ball?" Kel asked with a wink, as she pulled on her cloak. "Very much so," Dom answered, with a foolish grin. "I think I might start attending voluntarily."
* * * * * * * * * *
Sorry it took me so long to get this chapter up! I'll be faster with the third installment.