Kel rose early in the morning and spent longer than usual training. She would not let the Lioness down but she had become unfit in her self-wallowing.
She ate a hearty breakfast and joined in with the conversation. Her friends were happy to see her back on track but inside Kel was still suffering and her nights were still restless. As Alanna had said, it would take a while for Kel to be free of her pain but Neal was worried at the number of times Kel's infamous Yamani mask appeared on his friend's face.
As the days passed, Kel's pain began, very slightly, to decrease. The men became more relaxed and got to work. With Raoul's high-quality leadership and his strength and Alanna's assistance, their area was soon cleared up and they were able to return home, much to the men's relief. The war had been hard and tiring and everyone wanted to be home and safe with their family and friends and spend some relaxing time enjoying themselves.
They left in a few days, eager to be returning home, even Peachblossom was in good spirits! Kel felt she would have rather stayed there- she was sure back in Corus, everything would agonizingly remind her of Cleon. However, Neal was hurrying everyone along- he was anxious to see Yuki again. His behaviour was decidingly infuriating for Kel, who was still trying very hard to get on with life. Kel was sure the Gods were against her and she continually wanted to hit Neal very hard.
*
Back in Corus some time later (say… a couple of months)
Kel sat in a corner of the large ballroom, trying very hard to come up with an escape plan. This was the last place she wanted to be; she had more or less got over Cleon now, but seeing couples dance in each other's arms was not very helpful. Anyway, she had other things she could be doing. She smiled to herself as she watched Neal and Yuki dance. Yuki was beginning to get used to showing her emotions more but she often reached for her fan, to find Neal's warm hand stopping her. Kel sighed. It would be nice to have someone she could dance with like that, someone she could really trust.
'Hi Kel!'
Kel jumped. 'Dom!' She hadn't seen him in ages and she suddenly realised how much she had missed his dancing eyes and his quirky grin and cheeky remarks. She stood up and hugged him. He hugged her back, laughing.
'And how are you, Lady Knight Keladry?'
'I am very well, thank you, Sir Knight Domitan. And you?' She treated him similarly to how she treated his cousin, Neal.
He winced. 'Don't call me Domitan.'
Kel laughed. 'You sound like Neal! I won't call you Domitan if you won't call me Keladry.'
He laughed. 'Done. Do you realise how childish we must sound?' She grinned at him.
'I've missed you,' Kel said quietly. She was as bad as Yuki with admitting her feelings!
He suddenly went all serious. 'I've missed you too, Kel.' He grinned. 'Would you like to dance, o pretty lady?'
She raised her eyebrows. 'Yes, I would but a reminder, o knight in shining armour! Just because I'm now a lady doesn't mean I don't hit as hard anymore!'
'I'll keep that in mind!' he chuckled as he lead her onto the dancefloor.
It was nice to be with an old friend again and talk. Since being back from the war, Kel had met many of her friends- those that she made as a page and those she made as a squire but she really felt relaxed and comfortable with Dom. They talked leisurely for most of the time and Kel was sorry when she had to leave for her night's rest. As she lay in bed that night, she realised that she was glad she had not given in to her feelings and bedded Cleon; she wasn't quite sure why but she was.
*
'Hey Kel.'
Kel turned around from grooming Hoshi to see Dom collecting his tack.
'Oh, hiya Dom.' He better not make a habit of creeping up on me! Kel thought but she smiled at him.
He leant on the partition between Hoshi's stall and the next one (which was empty). 'I'm busy this morning but are you free after lunch? I was wondering if you wanted to go riding or something. We never really got to finish our discussion last night.'
Kel hesitated. 'Yeah, that would be really nice, Dom. But I'm sorry- I'm busy this afternoon. Maybe another time?'
His smile drooped a little. 'Yeah, maybe. Well, I'll see you later- I've gotta go.'
Kel sighed as he walked out of the stables. She wasn't really busy today; she just didn't want to get too close to anyone at the moment, even if it was in just a friendly way.
*
After lunch, Kel sat in her room, drumming her fingers on the edge of her desk. Her lips were pursed together tightly as she tried hard not to think about Dom. She felt really guilty about lying to him. In the end she sighed and gave in to her reasonable side.
Getting up, she left her room and walked in the direction of the Own's stables. Dom was not there so she headed to the rooms that belonged to the men of the Own. (A/N: Does anyone have any idea WHERE the Own stay when they're at the palace?) She got directions of a man to Dom's room and knocked on his door.
Dom's face lit up in joyful surprise when he saw her. 'Kel!'
She smiled shyly at him. 'Hi, Dom. Have I interrupted you?'
'No, not at all- I was just doing some unnecessary paperwork. Would you like to come in?'
Kel accepted and sat down on the edge of his bed.
'I thought you were busy, Kel?'
'Er…yeah, well, um- I'm not anymore.'
'Oh.' There was a pause. Dom tapped a tuneless beat out on his thigh and raised his eyebrows, searching for a topic of conversation.
'I was- er- wondering if your offer was still open, actually?' Kel hoped she wasn't blushing too much. She wasn't used to awkward conversations- what was the matter with her!
He smiled happily at her. 'Sure. I'll meet you down in the stables in five minutes, ok?'
'Yep,' replied Kel, standing up. 'Make sure you look nice and pretty now, Dommy,' she teased as she left his room.
'Oi!' came his outraged cry. 'I'll get you for that!'
Kel laughed heartily and rushed off to get Hoshi ready.
*
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