Sorry about how long it took for this chapter to be posted. Like I've said before, this probably won't be updated regularly.

Chapter Four – A Challenge

The next morning, Kel did her best to avoid Neal. Her dream still disturbed her and she was afraid of what her face would look like if she actually stopped and spoke with him. Though she kept her distance and tried to ignore him, she could see that he was watching her, and it frightened her. She was afraid of him. She was afraid of loving him and afraid of him loving her. Like that would ever happen, she thought, shaking her head.

Unfortunately, Yuki happened to notice that Kel was rather edgy and tense that day. "Kel, is something the matter?"

Kel shook her head. "Oh, no."

"Oh. Well, I thought you might be nervous because Dom is coming to the palace today," she said slyly.

Kel's heart thumped loudly. "Dom? He's coming here? Today?" She seemed incapable of speaking in complete sentences and could only manage fragments.

Yuki nodded. "Didn't you know? The King's Own finished their big assignment and are retiring here for a couple of months. Dom will be here for the wedding."

As Yuki said that last word, Kel felt her body go rigid and her hands balled themselves into fists without her realizing it. "Oh yes," she said flatly. "The wedding."

"I don't like to admit it, but I'm so nervous," Yuki said.

"Well that's normal, Yuki. All brides are nervous when they're going to get married."

"No, it isn't that. It has to do with Neal. I don't know, Kel. Just lately, he hasn't seemed so affectionate and loving as he should be. He avoids my company as much as he can and sometimes I think he looks at me like he wishes I wasn't there. But of course, it could all be in my head. Maybe he really does still love me. I really don't know what to think."

Kel bit her lip. She suddenly felt bad for her friend and longed to tell her the truth about how Neal felt. But she knew couldn't do that. It was up to Neal to break the news to Yuki, and things weren't going to be very pretty when he did. She shrugged her shoulders. "I'm sure Neal loves you as much as you love him," she forced herself to say.

"Thanks, Kel. I suppose I just worry too much." She started to walk away and then stopped. "By the way, Dom will probably arrive in time for supper." She winked at her and then walked off.

Kel thought of Dom's blue eyes and his wonderful smile, and a longing to see him swept over her. She couldn't believe she had imagined herself becoming attracted to Neal. How silly of her. Dom was definitely the one for her. If only she could muster the courage to let him know.

She headed for her rooms for some quick practice with her glaive. Once she had her weapon, she looked out the window and saw that it was beautiful and warm outside. Why should she stay in her rooms when she could practice outside in that lovely weather? She left her rooms and went outside, planning to go to the courtyard to do a pattern dance. She never got farther than planning.

She had used an entrance that few people ever used, and there was absolutely nobody around, both outdoors and in the palace. As soon as she stepped outside, something touched her on the arm. Instinct took over and she held her glaive out, prepared to attack anyone who dared touch her.

"Hey, hey. Watch where you point that thing."

Kel lowered her glaive and sighed. "Well you shouldn't have made me think I had to defend myself! What are you doing out here anyway, Neal?"

"Well, I never got to say hello to my favorite lady knight." He bowed. "Good day to you, my lady. Fine morning, isn't it? The sun looks simply gorgeous, but it's nothing compared to the lights in your eyes."

She gave him a light whack on the arm with her glaive. "Stop that. You're being ridiculous. If you hadn't come and pestered me, I would already be in the courtyard doing my practices."

"Practices?" Neal raised an eyebrow. "I thought you would be in your room making yourself look presentable for that cousin of mine."

Kel's face turned crimson before she could stop it. "Don't be silly, Neal. You know that I'm not the kind of girl who cares about that sort of thing."

"Then why is your face red?" He touched her cheek. "And so warm too. Unless you're developing a fever? I'll have to take you to my rooms with me and heal you."

Kel's face went even redder, if that was possible. Was there a double meaning to his words? That's not what he meant! She screamed at herself. Since when did I become so dirty minded? She tried her best to scowl at him. "Can I please go and practice now?"

"Sure. I'll come with you."

"No!" The outburst had come out before she could control herself.

Neal looked slightly hurt. "No? What did I do wrong?"

She turned away from him. "Everything. Just leave me alone, Neal."

"How can I when I feel so drawn to you?" He wrenched the glaive out of her hand and propped it up against a wall. "I don't want to get accidentally skewered."

"Get accidentally skewered doing what?" Kel dared to ask.

"By doing this." He gently pressed her up against the wall and kissed her on the mouth. She wanted to push him away but she couldn't. Why did it have to feel so good? She didn't want this to ever stop, but she finally broke free of the spell and shoved his body away from hers. She kept her voice down to a furious whisper. "What do you think you're doing? Someone could have seen!"

"There's nobody around," Neal assured her.

"Neal, you can't keep doing this. Just leave me alone." She tried to keep her voice from shaking, but she failed.

"But don't you like it?" he said softly. "I know I do. I've found that kissing you isn't anything like kissing Yuki. You're so much better. Once I had a taste of your lips, I couldn't get enough of the flavor. Perhaps I'll never get enough." He leaned over and kissed her briefly, and then he pulled away. His green eyes were bright and his face was slightly flushed. Kel longed to just disappear and make this awful situation just go away. She picked up her glaive and gripped it tightly. "Good day to you, Nealan." Without a backward glance, she walked away.

Neal watched her leave and he didn't follow her. He was just as confused as she was. He didn't understand his behavior at all. Why was he constantly acting like this towards her lately? It didn't make any sense to him. She was his best friend, but somehow, things didn't seem that way when he kissed her and flirted with her. During those moments, nothing seemed to matter. He completely took leave of his senses and there was nothing he could do about it. It bothered him. And it bothered Kel even more. Kel didn't like it all and kept pushing him away from her.

He walked back into the palace, smiling to himself. I do like a challenge when it comes to women.

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