Chapter Three: Decisions
He stood there, mouth agape. Was she serious? Obviously, if the hard expression on her face said anything, she was.
He bowed politely. "I believe I will choose the latter."
She nodded stiffly. "Of course, Sir Nealan. Now, if you will excuse me, I have much to do."
They both bowed, and Neal left the room, in a daze over what he had just done. Had he made the right choice? He thought he had. He still cared about her, but he just didn't love her anymore. Maybe he never had. Maybe it was just to mask his feelings for his best friend.
No. He said silently, giving himself a shake. He had loved Yuki. She just wasn't Kel.
Neal paid no attention to where he was going, letting his feet choose the path. Suddenly, he found himself in front of Kel's door. Knocking slightly, he waited for her to answer, unsure of why he was there.
She wore a worried expression on her face, he noted as he walked into the room and sank down on the bed.
They sat in a comfortable silence for several minutes, watching the fire flicker in the hearth. She didn't say anything, make him tell her what had happened. She just sat there, waiting patiently for him to speak when he wished to. That was another thing he loved about her. She had so much patience.
"She told me either get married now, or not at all." He said suddenly.
Kel said nothing, waiting patiently, as always. "I told her not at all. I didn't want to be rushed into something I wasn't sure about."
She reached over and gave him a hug. His body tingled at the contact.
"Do you think I did the right thing?" He asked abruptly. He needed to know.
"It doesn't matter what I think." She told him in a quiet voice. "It matters what you think." They sat in silence once more.
Neal knew she was right. But more importantly, he knew he was right. He couldn't do something that would change his life that much without being sure. And he was sure- sure that he loved Kel.
"Neal, the dinner bell just rang. Do you want to go, or would you like me to bring you back something?"
He hadn't heard, having been to busy with his own thoughts.
"I'll come; I'm starved." He got up with a yawn and offered her a hand, and the two made their way to the mess.
Kel took a seat beside Dom, who smiled and winked at her. She colored slightly before returning the smile. He reached out to touch her hand lightly before once more picking up his fork to continue eating.
Neal watched this display with an odd feeling. I'm....jealous! He noticed, shocked. He scowled and sat down, ignoring everyone as he picked at his food.
"Neal, are you feeling all right? You're scowling, and not eating." Kel's concerned voice made him look up.
"What? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking. About, you know." He lied, stumbling over his words.
She nodded her understanding. "Sorry," She apologized quietly. "I didn't mean to bring it up."
"What's going on here?" Dom looked between the two, a frown creasing his brow.
"Nothing," Neal told him tersely. He knew his cousin was just concerned, but how he had been with Kel still bothered him.
Dom blinked at the tone.
"Nealan of Queenscove, just because you are upset doesn't mean you need to be short with your cousin." Kel told him sternly. "And eat your vegetables."
"Yes, mother." He rolled his eyes and turned back to his food.
After dinner, Neal returned to his rooms, leaving Kel to practice.
I can't have feelings for him! She told herself as she swung her glaive around. He just broke things off with Yuki today! She is one of my best friends, and I develop feelings for her old fiancé the day they break things off! How could I do this to her?
It doesn't matter, Another part of her mind told her. It wasn't like he was going to glance at you twice. To Neal, you are just another sexless knight, and his best friend.
You cant, wont, do anything to damage that friendship. She added sternly.
Suddenly, a knock sounded on the door. Swinging her glaive around ant down, she walked to the door.
"Hey, Kel. Do you want to go riding?" Neal asked nervously. He knew he shouldn't be nervous. She was his best friend. It wasn't like he was asking to court her-though he would like to. He was just asking for a nice, quiet ride in the forest.
"Sure, Neal." She hung her glaive on the wall before following him to the stables.
They dismounted and left their horses to stand, drinking water from the stream.
"So, why did you want to come out here?" Kel asked, lying comfortably on the ground.
"Oh, I just wanted to get away from the palace for a little while." He lied easily.
"Oh." She answered, inwardly kicking herself. Yeah, Kel. Real intelligent answer.
"Yeah." They sat in silence for several moments, Neal just looking at her face. She was so beautiful.
Kel, who was watching the river, suddenly turned towards him and saw him staring at her. "What? Is there something on my face?" She started to rub at it, trying to get whatever it was off.
Neal took her hands and pulled them away from her face. "No, its nothing." He told her gently.
He stared at her lips. He wanted so much to kiss them. He leaned in, and, without thinking of what he was doing, gently kissed her.
Ahh, cliffie! I know I always rant on and on about how evil they are, but they are also immensely fun. For the writer, of course. For the reader, it is cruel and unusual punishment. Sorry, I just love that phrase. And that describes cliffies perfectly, too. Well, anyway, I have to finish the last few sentences of the next chapter, so it will soon be on. Hope you enjoyed this, by the way.
PsychoLioness13- Yeah, I know. I really like Yuki, too. That is kind of mean of Neal, isnt it?
chicken-puffs-thanks!
Dom's Lover-Thanks!
The Weaving Wheel-I tried! i was grounded, then the computer got screwed up. Nolee is awesome, isnt she? Not only is she an amazing writer, she is a nice reviewer!
VampiricEternity-Thanks. I hope you liked the chapter!
rie-thankyou, and I'll try. Im not really the best at adventure/action, however. Im more of a fluff person. I might be able to make it humorous, though.
oceanspike-thank you very much! I know, i am awful about short chapters. I'll try.
pinky-thanks. hopefully, the next chapter will be posted later.
Alianne Cooper- I hope you liked the chapter. Neal and Dom are both great, arent they.
Nolee of Stone Mountain-yeah, i got the insane bit. Yes, you do have to, and yes, he is. He's the greatest. Next to Dom, of course. Thanks for the review, and i hope this was soon enough!
mmm pie!!-thanks, ash.
