Tobe glared up at Dom reproachfully. Dom swallowed, not really afraid, but wary of the boy. He'd never met such a fierce protector before. Tobe had the heart of a warrior, the strength of solid wall, and the protective instincts of a mother bear. Especially for his mistress. Dom could see he wasn't going to get off easy, not after he was sure Tobe had seen him kissing Kel. Life could be worse, but it certainly could be easier.

"I thought you were going to stay as milady's friend, Master Dom. What were you doing?"

Dom inwardly sighed. There was no point in trying to lie his way out this; he had a feeling that Tobe would only accept the truth.

"I was kissing Lady Keladry. I'm sorry if you felt that I was going against what I said last night, but Kel and I are very good friends."
Tobe sneered.

"So I saw." So Dom had been right, Tobe had seen them together.

"I would like nothing better than to be an even better friend. I like Keladry. She's a wonderful person, kind, and thoughtful, and too good of a swordswoman to be messed around with. I don't want to hurt her, and I have no intention of doing so, if that is your worry."

Skepticism filled Tobe's face. Dom felt as if he was being scanned for lies, and ulterior motives.

"Milady needs a chaperone, not a lover." Tobe's random candor startled Dom into silence. He'd never thought that Tobe was overly reclusive, but neither did he realize how straight-forward he could be. Dom bowed to Tobe, and told the boy.

"I beg your pardon, Master Tobe, but I do believe that is for the Lady Knight to decide, not either of us." Dom turned smartly on his heel, then walked off down the corridor.

Tobe took a deep breath, then stepped inside the room that he'd pushed his mistress in.

The Next Day

Keladry was going to have a fit. She was going to scream. She could not believe that insufferable man! All she did was kiss him once, and he runs scared, as if she was a mother with a noble daughter to marry off! She huffed at the indescribable humiliation she felt. Unfortunately for her, she was being fitted for her bridesmaid gown, and got stuck with a pin when she fidgeted. Lalasa glanced up from the hem she was pinning.

"Milady, you know how to stand still for a fitting. What is the matter? You been jumpy and irritable all day." She sat back on her heels, and waited for an explanation. Kel looked down at her former maid, and knew that she could confide in her, without the fear of having Lalasa laugh at her foolishness.

"I am irritated," Kel began, unsure of how to approach the subject, "I'm very upset with someone."

Lalasa chuckled darkly, then said,

"Man troubles."

Kel looked at her friend, surprised.

"How did you know?"

This time, Lalasa laughed outright.

"Milady, we've all gone through them. It's that Domitan, isn't it? Oh don't look so shocked," She smiled, for Kel had looked as if she'd swallowed a fish whole, "We've all seen the way you two look at each other from across the conference room. Then yesterday, when you wandered off, he quickly excused himself. To follow you we all assumed. When we joked about love blossoming in the funniest of places, that young Tobe of yours hurried off like he had a Stormwing on his heels."

Kel couldn't believe her ears. If all this were true, why was Dom now making excuses not to be in the same room as her, and avoiding her gaze when he couldn't get out of being there. She was so confused, and it must have shown, because Lalasa chuckled again.

"I kissed him," Kel told her, "Last night, after we left the conference room. I kissed him, and he kissed me back. Why is he avoiding me now?"

Now Lalasa looked puzzled too. She seemed to ponder it a moment, then asked,

"What happened after you kissed?"

"Tobe came around the corner. I think he might have seen us, but I don't know for sure. He was acting very odd though. He sort of glared at Dom, and pushed me into my room with a word about Lord Raoul needing my reports. I didn't give it much thought, though, Tobe is always mothering me."

Lalasa thought it over for a minute, then stood up to look directly at Kel.

"If you ask me, it seems as if young Master Tobe has got it into his head to protect you from all would-be heartache."

"What? Why would he do that?"

"Because he loves you. Lady Kel, think this through. You rescued him from a harsh life, you gave him a place, and responsibilities. I'll wager he feels that he owes you something more than just what you expect him to give you. My guess is that he has somehow discouraged Master Domitan from coming to court you."

Kel goggled at her friend, who calmly resumed her place and pinning. Could that be true? Could the reason that Dom wouldn't come near her anymore be because Tobe had warned him away? Well, she would not stand for that. Tobe was very sweet to think he needed to protect her, but Kel would set him straight about that. There was no need to protect her from Dom, especially since she wanted him to be near her. She got all fluttery just remembering their kiss, and she was hoping that she could kiss him again. She had never felt this sort of reckless, caution-to-the-wind feeling when she was kissing Cleon. Somehow Dom managed to draw these things out from deep inside her. But how? Could it be that she was falling in love with him? Kel shook her head at that notion. Surely it couldn't be. Yes, she had spent many a day riding with him, fighting beside him, and laughing about things because of him. Yes, she knew he was an honorable man, who would uphold his duties to the very best of his abilities. But was it love that she was feeling, or just a very intense form of lust? Kel felt another headache coming on, and was glad when Lalasa declared that she was done with the fitting. Kel was happy that she had talked to Lalasa about this, but now she was even more confused than before. At least she had a plan of action. She would lie down until the worst of this headache passed, and then she would find Tobe and have a good, long talk with him.