OMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGOD!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE 100 REVIEWS ON MY VERY FIRST FANFIC!!! I HAVE 100 WHOLE REVIEWS ON MY FIRST FANFIC AND NO FLAMES, ONLY COMPLIMENTS AND CC!!!! OMIGODOMIGODOMIGODOMIGOD— ::stops talking:: ::eyes go all fan-girl-ish:: "omigodomigod" has "dom" in it ::eyes glaze over dreamily:: ::sighs wistfully::

::weeps hysterically:: You guys make me so happy! Thank you! Thank you! ::wails:: ::sobs:: Thank you SO much! ::sniffle::

Oh—and thanks to everyone who complimented my fluff-skills. This is my first time writing fluff, so I'm glad It's successful! ::is overwhelmed with happiness:: ::reads awesome reviews again and faints::

Ummm...I'm sorry it took so long to post this chapter...I was grounded for a week, and then was down for a few days...sorry...I hope this chappie makes it up to you.

For Tortall and the Queen's Riders!

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Chapter Eleven: News

Dom had expected her to push away from the start, maybe even to blacken one of his eyes or bloody his nose—but she didn't. He felt her passion and the back part of his brain that was still able to think was surprised. Why would Keladry of Mindelan not mind kissing him? Or...maybe even /want/ to kiss him...no...that was impossible...

Finally he pulled away from her. He couldn't talk...he just made a small croaking noise and let go of her, backing away from her and trying to say something.

Finally he managed the words, "I-I-Ihavetogo..." then he turned from her and ran all the way to his rooms, leaving Kel standing in the middle of the practice courts, wondering what just happened and staring at the place where he had exited.

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Neither Kel nor Dom showed up to lunch, not wanting to see the other. Of course, with Neal around, nothing went unnoticed...

Kel was almost through with her twentieth practice dance when there was a banging on the door. Must be Neal, she thought, I refuse to answer it.

The thundering on the door continued and Kel continued her practice dance, repeating in her head, Will not open, will not open, will not open, will not open...

There was a green flash and the door swung open. Kel looked up at the ceiling and mouthed "Why me?" several times. /Of course/ her best friend just /had/ to be a mage.

Neal strutted over to Kel, closing the door behind him, and slowly asked, "What's going on, Lady Knight? Is there any reason why neither you /nor/ my dear cousin showed up to lunch?"

Kel flushed and lowered her gaze to her feet, mumbling quietly, "No...I-I just got caught up in practicing and forgot the time..." she trailed off and tried to clear the red stain off of her cheeks, fighting to keep her face blank and relatively innocent.

"Ha!" Neal exclaimed, pointing at her with an accusing finger, "you're the worst liar I've ever met! Tell the truth , dear Protector, why weren't you at lunch?"

She stuttered for a few moments, trying to think of something to say.

Neal smirked smugly. He was pretty sure he knew what had happened, but he would make her say it herself. Besides, watching her struggle to put on her mask was entertaining.

Seeing Neal's knowing grin, she finally just bursted out, "We kissed, all right? That's all! Now leave me alone!"

The door swung open once again to reveal bad news. All of Kel's friends (except Dom) were at the door. They had all obviously been eavesdropping, and all had cheeky grins on their faces. Merric flipped Neal a coin and announced, "You win, mate."

Kel turned white with fury—THEY HAD BETTED ON HER!!! She contained her rage just barely, still shaking, and pointed to the door, growling, "You'll pay for this on the practice courts, Queenscove!"

This was her friends' signal to run, and they did, closing the door behind them.

Kel sighed in exasperation and threw herself down on her bed. Could this day seriously get any worse?

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Both Kel and Dom showed up to dinner. Apparently Dom had gotten the same interrogation as her, and both of them were teased shamelessly by their friends.

Halfway through the meal, a panting messenger ran into the room, covered in dust. He unrolled a piece of parchment and gasped, "I have brought news from the Tyran border. Raiders have overthrown the Goddess's Hold," with that the messenger crumpled by the door frame, still wheezing.

Both Dom and Kel stood up, turning white.

Apparently this day /could/ get worse, because it just officially did.

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Dun dun dunnnnn...

Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much to all of my lovely reviewers! I'll continue writing if you continue reviewing! I'll post the next chapter at...say...117 reviews! Thank you all!

Fanta