Hiya Everyone, I'm back with an update. Whee. Thank you so much for your reviews!

To the people who said that this would never happen because Buri and Raoul married, well, to them I say that Alanna never went to the convent either. It's fanfiction, little details like that get changed :P

To the people who say they don't like the pairing… sorry. I wanted to keep it a surprise so I didn't say who the pairing was in the summery.

To the people who say I rocked, thanks a lot basks in the glory you guys are awesome too.

And finally, to the person who said I sucked, thank you for providing the means for me to make smores for my lovely reviewers gives everyone smores

Enough of my rambling, here's the next chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter Two

Raoul banged on Kel's door a second time and waited impatiently it to open.

"'Scuse me, milord, are you looking for her ladyship Sir Keladry?" A servant who had been dusting the ornate doorframes asked.

Raoul grunted and affirmative.

"She left a few minutes ago, to the practise courts I reckon, she had 'er sword with her."

"Thanks," Raoul said, flipping a coin to the servant as he strode off down the hall. He should have known Kel wouldn't be sitting around brooding. She'd be taking her frustrations out on whoever was foolish enough to spar with her.

Sure enough, there she was beating the tar out of a tall wooden post used for sword practise. A few squires and some soldiers looked on with awe and fear as woodchips rhythmically flew off of the post. One of them held a bag of ice to his eye- apparently someone had been silly enough to fight her.

"Um, Kel?" He said, coming up behind her.

She jumped and spun around. "What?"

"About that... thing we talked about last night, I have some, er, news to tell you." He looked uneasily at the many pairs of eyes fixed on him. "If you would like to go someplace more... private. My quarters, perhaps, or yours." He added quickly.

She nodded. "Mine are a little closer." She wiped the sweat out of her eyes and led the way. They didn't speak until Kel had locked them into her rooms. It was true that they were somewhat bigger than her old ones- she had a sitting room as well as a bedroom and dressing room. She went straight to the later and he heard the rustle of clothes as she got changed.

"I didn't expect you so soon." She said, her voice muffled by clothing. Raoul sat gingerly on a chair, wondering exactly what he was going to say to her.

"Well, uh, I didn't want to keep you waiting." He said.

Kel emerged from the room in a tan shirt and breeches with a darker brown tunic overtop. Her hair stuck out at weird angles, but she didn't seem to notice. "So?" She asked, taking a seat on a chair across from Raoul.

"Well," He cleared his throat. "I- you know, I never used to stutter, right?- about last night, I, um, would... like to, er, continue- with, you know- if you want to, I mean, umm." Why was her hand on his knee? Now his hand was on her hand and he squeezed it.

"Good," She whispered.

Raoul looked up and swallowed, combing his fingers through her hair to make it lay flat. "Really?"

She smiled. "Of course, silly." Kel leaned forward, her eyelids dropping.

Raoul didn't need any more of an invitation than that. He kissed her, letting a bit of fire sneak into it. Pulling her into his lap he soon realised that she had taken over the kiss. It was her tongue that was in his mouth, wrecking havoc on his self control. And there- there was that, that thing again. How did she do that? Raoul pulled his mouth away and she tried to catch it again but he started trailing kisses down her jaw. Kel tipped her head back, shivering as he gently nipped at her throat and nuzzled her collarbone. He kissed the little V of skin that showed through the lacing of her shirt.

She gasped and pulled away, but before Raoul could apologise she had taken a very intimate interest in his right ear.

"Kel," He murmured her name like a prayer, stroking her back. She left his ear and worked her way down his jaw, coming to a rest with her head leaning against his chest. He was glad to see that she was gasping just as much as he. With arms made weak by her proximity Raoul tugged her close. They sat quietly, their hearts beating against one another wildly at first, but they slowly calmed down.

"Well that settles that." She said, shifting her weight and resettling against him.

Why did she have to be the calm collected one? Raoul, after all, was the seasoned lover. He should be the one teaching her new things, not quivering under her touch like a nervous virgin. Stupid Yamanis and their stupid Yamani masks, he thought to himself.

"So what now?" She said, her breath warming his neck.

"I hadn't really thought that far ahead." He admitted. "But my leg is getting numb so maybe..."

Kel jumped to her feet. "Sorry," She said. "I didn't realise." She picked at the hem of her tunic.

Somewhat satisfied at seeing her distraught Raoul stood. She may know how to get what she wanted when it came to the body, but she floundered afterwards. Good, now he didn't feel like such a sissy.

"It's all right." Raoul rubbed the feeling back into his thigh and got up as well, standing close to Kel but not actually touching her. He dipped his head to whisper in her ear, "I hardly noticed." She quivered and Raoul gently bit her earlobe, then pulled away, adjusting his clothes and finger combing his hair. Kel just stood there, watching and looking a little lost.

Suddenly her eyes cleared and bore into Raoul. "We can't tell anyone." She said. "I mean, I'm not ashamed of you or anything, but if people knew, they'd talk. They'd say that's the only reason why I made it as a squire."

Raoul opened his mouth to protest, then closed it again. "You're right." He said finally, looking at Kel, his Kel standing in the middle of the room looking so alone. If they couldn't tell anyone then what was the point? "We won't tell anyone." He came closer but Kel jumped away.

"And what about Buri?" She demanded. "Gods, I'd forgotten about her." She put her face in her hands.

"It's all right," Raoul insisted, putting an arm around Kel. "We're not actually lovers, or in love. It was just that one night after the party. But we kept up the ruse to avoid other matchmakers. It benefited Buri just as much as me."

"Really?" She looked up.

Raoul nodded. "Really. I promise."

Kel bit her lip, then said "Well, keep it up then. If everyone thinks you're with her they may not pay attention to me."

"You're right." Raoul nodded. "You are the clever one." He kissed her forehead. "What will you do about Dom?"

"Dom?" Kel's voice was muffled against Raoul's chest. "What are you talking about?"

"Aren't you two... you know?" He said suggestively.

Kel shook her head. "Well, no, not really, I mean he flirts and we've kissed a few times, but he's not actually interested in me."

"I don't see why he wouldn't be." Raoul nuzzled her ear, then pulled away to look at her face. "You're beautiful, you know that?"

"Raoul..."

"Really-truly-beautiful." He kissed her between each word and when he pulled away again her face glowed. Had no one ever told her that before? He found that hard to believe, but she seemed truly flattered in a way that she wouldn't be if she were used to such comments. "I don't suppose you could keep up a ruse with Dom, you know, to re-direct court gossip?"

Kel looked up at him uncertainly. "I don't know, he might be hurt."

"You could tell him." Raoul suggested, knowing he must tread lightly. "He wouldn't tell, and he might like to help you out."

"I guess I could ask." She said, finally wrapping her arms around Raoul's waist.

When Raoul left Kel's rooms he had a smile on his face and a song in his heart. He whistled a cheerful tune as we walked down the halls. Kel had promised to come and see him tonight. He wasn't completely sure what this visit would entail, but he had a fair idea. That night when there was a knock on the door Raoul jumped to his feet and eagerly pulled it open. A page stood in the hall and handed him a note.

"Lady Kel asked me to bring this for you." He said.

Raoul took the note and closing the door read it over. It said that she had talked to Dom and he had agreed, but insisted to taking her out for dinner because- she quoted Dom in the note- "We might as well have fun pretending." As long as he didn't take this pretending to far, Raoul thought darkly, hiding the note in a secret compartment in his desk. He should destroy it- if it were found Kel would never forgive him- but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Raoul went around the room, blowing out the candles and climbed into his lonely double bed.