Atlanta Enchanted – Thank you! I know what you mean ... we all deserve our very own DOM!
Alannalovingwriter – Thanks for correcting that little spelling mistake. And I am very glad that you enjoyed the chapter.
Macko – The wound can take a couple of weeks to heal, but she can still use her left arm and there always is Dom to take care of her! ;)
DrStrangelove007 - blushes Thanks!
Lady Angelique of mystiqu – Thanks!
Dreamerdoll – Thank you so much! Yeah, you can put that part in your bio. I am a pretty organised person (most of the time!). Well, actually, I am a bit of a 'Neat Freak', as my dear friends like putting it!
Lady of Masbolle – Of course I will continue, but it might take some time, especially with school starting again!
Goddess Usagi – Thanks for reviewing!
Darkestflare – Thank you. The Protector of the Small quartet is really good. It's probably my favourite out of all Tamora Pierce books!
Sliverone3 – Thanks for adding me and my story to your favourite list. I will try and pick up the pace now, but it will get harder. I will try and get going so that I reach the important stuff soon, but that still might take a while! I like using lots of detail in my work, so I will probably get myself stuck if I quicken the pace too much.
Fugeeeee – Thanks for reviewing. How did your Spanish test go?
Lena-jade – Thanks for reviewing. It's good to hear that the characterizations are right.
Dragon shadows – It's good to hear that you like my fluff. It took me ages to write it!
Wake-Robin – Thanks!
PasychoLioness13 – Yeah, I am very proud of that one line! Thanks for your positive feedback!
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Chapter 11
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For the next couple of days Kel and Dom travelled slowly. They began cutting in a southern direction, trying to skim the Hill Country. At times they even felt the temperature difference as they came close to the Great Southern Desert, but they never saw the great planes of sand. Dom made sure Kel didn't do too much physical activity with her arm. They didn't trot or canter, but kept it at a slow and steady pace.
In the morning, Dom would make Kel stay in her bedroll while he prepared breakfast and packed everything together. In the beginning, Kel would argue and try and help him, but she quickly noticed that just spending a day in the saddle with a sore arm used up all her energy and that soon after dusk, sleep would take over, giving her hardly enough time to eat. The next day, she would sleep past her usual waking-time and Dom would have to rouse her.
Dom never complained. He blamed himself for her injury and now that he had admitted to her that he had feelings for her, her wellbeing had become even more important to him than before.
He took care of her, continuously cleaned and redressed the wound, half-feed her and made sure that no harm would befall her in her vulnerable state.
He let her think that she was independent and taking care of herself, but secretly, he was ready to jump in and aid her the moment something wasn't working for his companion.
About two and a half weeks into the journey they saw on the horizon the mountain range separating Tortall from Tyra. They had been avoiding towns and villages during their trip, but they would soon need to get new provisions in a town, so they began cutting straight east through a large valley between the Hill Country and Southern Wall, heading straight for the border of Tyra.
According to Kel's and Dom's mapping skills, they were about half way through the valley, when it began to rain. They had about a 2 day ride ahead of them before they would reach a settlement and a break in the rain was no where in sight.
Frustrated, both Dom and Kel sat in their saddles, both wrapped in their oilcloth coats, trying to think of more cheerful things than the downpour. The wind was biting as it whipped around the companions. The horses laid back their ears as they trudged across they muddy plain.
That night, they couldn't get a fire started. The few pieces of wood that they had discovered were drenched and no useable kindling could be found either.
Disheartened, Kel and Dom had finally found a make-do shelter under a rocky outcrop. Raindrops still reached them, but not with quite as much force as in the open.
Dom had picked some wild apples before they had rode into the valley, which he now pulled out. Even though they were sour, they munched on them in silence.
Kel had tried to dry off as best as possible, but she was still frozen. Her hands and feet were numb and she knew that her nose and cheeks were red from the cold wind, which had been blowing the whole day.
She felt Dom's gaze on her and looked up to meet his worry-filled eyes.
The tiny smile she gave him obviously didn't reassure him.
Instead he moved closer, and wrapped his arms around her.
She welcomed the touch and body heat emitted from him. Hiding her face in his shoulder, she felt better.
She had no doubts that he loved her, but what baffled her was the mere fact that he did. He didn't make flowery speeches, but was calm and steady and open with his affections.
She was pulled out of her thoughts as she felt Dom's lips touch her hair. Straitening up, their eyes met again for a breathless moment as heat surged through her veins. Then their lips touched gently. Kel's eyes fluttered shut and she felt Dom smile into the kiss.
During the last few weeks, since their first kiss, Dom hadn't flooded Kel with emotions. He had been gentle and caring. They had taken the time to enjoy the kisses they had exchanged and never did Kel feel like her personal space was invaded.
After a while they got up and unpacked their bedrolls. Darkness had set quickly and both Kel and Dom relied on their hands, instead of their eyes, to find their way around the shelter.
Kel set cross legged on her bed as Dom checked the mounts one last time before turning in. She heard him before she saw him. A loud thump followed by an oath could be heard. Dom dropped onto his bedroll clutching his head with both hands.
"Dom, are you alright?" Kel asked worried.
"FINE!"
Kel crawled over to him while avoiding putting any pressure on her half-healed arm. The wet weather made it even sorer than it already was.
Kneeling opposite her companion, she pried his hands away from his head. Using her hands, she felt his skull for any wetness, which would indicate bleeding. Instead of moisture she felt a huge bump forming near his brow.
Relieved that it wasn't anything serious, she applied force to stop the swelling from getting any bigger.
Dom groaned, but she ignored it. Instead, Kel felt him lean over until his head was resting on her left shoulder. She concentrated on his head till she felt his lips brush her neck.
The colour shot into her cheeks even though she knew that no one could see her. The lips didn't leave, but instead made their way up Kel's neck till they reached her jaw-bone. From there they travelled across where the joined her lips in a kiss.
Dom's arms had gone around her again and Kel felt herself slipping into the embrace. Her body wasn't listening to her brain, but were working on their own.
The kiss grew more passionate and without thinking, Kel took it a step further. She opened her mouth just enough for their two tongues to meet.
Shocked, Kel pulled back, breaking the kiss.
She knew that she was breathing heavier than usual and she was scared to admit that she had enjoyed the kiss.
Dom recognised the signs of fear on her face. Instead of pushing her, he planted a small kiss on her forehead and helped her get into her bedroll.
They both feel asleep to the sound of raindrops splattering outside.
Three days later, they saw the first cluster of houses on the outskirts of the town.
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When you review (hint, hint, nudge, nudge!), please tell me if this chapter actually went anywhere. I have the horrible feeling that it has no point. I hope you enjoyed the fluff!
Oh, this chapter is dedicated to a friend, who will stay anonymous, for telling me that this story isn't total rubbish and that I should hurry up and update.
Thanks for all the great reviews! I love the feedback!
Wolfy