Disclaimer: I wish I own Joren and Tortall and Kel but sadly...I don't.

Chapter 5 - One Confession

by Imperfectionist ;D

It took Kel a while to realize that it was Joren kissing her, and that she was enjoying it. It scared the living dead out of her. She pulled away, and blushed furiously. She couldn't bear to look at his face, so that he could see the embarrassment and the spark of ignition. She felt a strong finger curl under her chin and lifted her gaze to open up to the spine-chilling blue eyes possessed by Joren.

"Kel, I love you."

That was all she could stand, the raw emotions swarmed to her and it won't be any longer till she would lose the calm lake she always was and turn into a rapid river. Calmly she got up and left.

She leant against the closed door and tried to heal the racing heart and the flutters at the pit of her stomach. She was scared, her most hidden feeling wanted to escape from hiding and embrace the one which yearned for it. Yet it can't be done, it felt like yesterday Felix left this world to join the Dark Lord. It would do injustice to Felix; a sense of guilt would linger like a shadow. It took her to the moon, yet it took her down the mines when the three small words flowed out of those lips, addressing her. Tears rolled down her eyes and she climbed into bed, letting the dreams drown her tears and her confusion.

It has been 13 days and 13 nights since the night and Kel was relieved to know that Joren spoke nothing of it. She helped him train fresh soldiers in staff fighting; she would walk around and politely change or move whoever was in the wrong stance. The men they trained were kind to her, on the first three days there was a few snide up looks made at her. Kel suspected a few quick chats behind the barracks because after that they all treated her with respect.

She would go down into the practice courts every morning just before dawn and would do her morning exercises. She would train soldiers, talk to George while learning a few handy tricks. She would eat dinner joyfully with her new friend and fall into a slumbering sleep every night. Everything became a routine and despite the lack of the real action, Kel liked it very much.

She walked down the corridor towards her room, passing the brightly lit oil lamps and her comfortable boots clicked against the stone floor. She has just returned from an evening talk with George, he was telling her about the collection of ears he collected in his Rogue days. She enjoyed those times when one person's history was so interesting.

She touched the cold brass handle of her plain door and opened it to let a cold shiver jump at her. Instead of hard un-inviting feelings of wind, this blast of coldness was something which warmed Kel's heart. Sat on her bed was the glowing Shineal. She still was as pulchritudinous as Kel remembers, her long flowing hair framed her sharp face, and the Goddess's pale skin seemed to resemble the colour of the light side of the moon. Though there was something that seemed odd to Kel. Shineal was smiling, from ear to ear; the most she did was a smile where just the corner of her lips curved slightly.

"Good Afternoon Kel. It has been a long time since we last met."

Kel beamed with pleasure. "It is good that you thought to drop by."

"Yes I thought I should visit you. As there is one subject which concerns me."

"Is there anything wrong in the Divine Realms?" Kel asked anxiously, she hoped everything was alright, partly because she liked her stay at Pirates' Swoop and strangely because of the safety of Joren if he was to leave here. Shineal shook her head and patted gently on the bed, the bracelet she wears of delicate long thin pearls shook and dusts of snowflake scattered in all directions.

"Sit by me, and we shall talk."

Kel sat obediently and unrolled the sleeves of her shirt to cover her numb arms. "Is there anything wrong?"

"Not anything that concerns you. Let's talk of something happy. How is Joren?"

The girl was surprised, she knew how Shineal is in close proximity to Joren, and surely she would be talking to Joren more than her.

"He is fine."

"Has he been kind to you recently?"

"Yes he has." Kel found this a bit too much, she tried to keep the images of the small subtly hints he left her, especially the thought of the night he kissed –

"You don't have to hold this back from me. I already know." Kel held herself back from looking stunned and embarrassed. "Now tell me truthfully, how has he been treating you?" Shineal asked with a small mischievous grin. Kel could not help, but let the growing heat rise in her cheeks, one way or another she would let Shineal know.

"He has been nice, caring and sometimes I think he was being," Kel leant towards the Goddess and whispered, "romantic."

The mischievous grin that was on Shineal's face faded away, Kel leant away and saw that the elegant Goddess's face turned blank, frozen in place. It worried her slightly, as she knows that when the Goddess does that, it means there is something hidden from her by the Goddess.

"Do you love him?" Shineal asked.

A silence froze around them, and Kel could hear her heart beat faster and louder.

"Yes."

"Since when?"

Kel thought hard for an answer. "I don't know; I might have loved him a long time ago. Just never considered it as something I can take action for."

Shineal was silent, like the statue of her in her shrine in Corus. She was still and emotionless, slowly she rose. Kel rose as well, it was impolite to sit when a goddess was standing in front of you.

"I wish the both of you luck." Said Shineal in an icy voice. Kel kissed her hand; a cold shiver went down her spine. When she let go of the soft hand, Shineal has gone, taking away with her the cold.

AN: Yay! Chapter 5 is now up and this means I can get chapter 6 up. I have been itching to put it up, but the stupid thing is that I have to put chapter 5 up first! I'm sorry I have taken so long, I wrote 2 chapters though! One took me 2 hours and the other took me 3 weeks. And I had difficulty with this chapter so I'm really sorry.

Thanks for your reviews!!! I never received so much review in one chapter so YAY!! I have a feeling I'm getting popular, if I am I still have plenty more space for improvements! So thanks!! hands out mini chocolate muffins.

Thank you:

Dreamerdoll, Sora Icefreeze, Evilstrawberry, dracorium, Alcapacien, allianne of conte, Ti-Ti, ossini, anya, jumping-jo, Gwenny girl, Alenor, chicken puffs, BloodSoakedTiger, Mysticmoonempress, VampiricEternity, oceanspike, Parcheezie, Imperfectionist-angel85, PsychoLioness13, DragonDaine, Lady Masbolle.

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