"Now, when Kel comes we must only talk about Dom." Alanna addressed Neal and Daine as they sat on a bench waiting for Kel to pass. "We must say how much Dom loves her and what a good person he is. Neal, do not mess this up or I will devise some unseemly plan to make you extinct."
"Yes Sir!" Neal responded saluting Alanna then hiding from her deadly gaze. They sat in silence listening for Kel. Leaves rustled behind them as Neal whispered, "It starts." The three of them inhaled and exhaled simultaneously. Alanna gave a nod to Neal and he began, "But are you sure my cousin loves Kel?" Kel stopped and dove behind a bush, wide eyed.
"Yes, I heard it from Raoul while on our way back to Corus for Midwinter. Poor fool." Alanna hung her head for emphasis.
"And I heard it from Numair," Daine added placing her hand on Alanna's shoulder. "Numair told me to tell her of Dom's love, but I believe it would be best to let him deal with it."
"Why would you say such a thing!" Neal asked with mock offence.
"Dom deserves as much as the greatest of men, but there has been no woman ever conceived with as much pride and independence as our Kel."
"I am not!" Kel whispered to herself as she tried to change positions. Her foot caught under her and she fell forward onto the bush and screamed, "OUCH!" Kel looked up and quickly hid behind the bush.
"What in Mithros' name was that!" Alanna asked with a false shock.
"Ouuuu, ruff, ruff, woof, woof." Kel cupped her hands over her mouth, trying with great effort to make the sound muffled and distant.
"Dog," Neal said placing cupped hands on top of his head as if they were ears. "I love my cousin, and I cannot bear the thought of him wrestling with affection."
Daine nodded at Neal, "How can such a wise, noble, and rare man such as Dom have to deal with his love in this manner. He will be sick at heart. Neal was right, we should not let his love stay inside, and we must tell Kel. I fell sorry for what she will do to him. Please, tell him Alanna."
"I cannot," Alanna sighed, "It is better for him to be turned inside out by this love. It is a better death to die of love than of torment by the one you love. Come, we must go. Dinner is approaching and we must tell Dom to deal with his love and move on. I will not enjoy seeing how crushed he will be." Alanna, Neal, and Daine got up from the bench and walked quickly away.
Kel watched them go, and then stood up, shaking. She picked up a flower from the ground and placed it to her lips. "Can this be true? I feel condemned for the way I acted toward Dom and my heart is sick and well all at once. I shot at him while he sat there, loving me. How horrible I must have made him feel. But Dom, love on! I will repay you for what I put you through. You deserve so much, and I believe it. I will be yours!"
Kel smiled as she fell to the ground, letting the breeze swarm all over her. For once in her life she felt an overwhelming sense of girlish pleasures and felt happier than ever. Her mind strayed to think of where Dom was at this exact moment…