Whoa, this is considered a quick update, for me! I hope I can continue with the once a week update, but if you review, it may help a bit... ok, a lot. You see, all you out there reviewed so nicely for chapter one and now I'm so happy, chapter two just sprang out! This is a lesson you all should learn.

Anyways, my thanks goes out to deathequalsoul, Lioness Queen, LouLaBelle13, SarahE7191, Lightish Red, fuegodealmas, Starzgirl, and Lela-of-Bast!

I love you all!

Chapter Two

The ride to Mindelan was quiet, gloomy, and downright awkward. Kel refused to ride with Dom, though she did not say it out loud, and Dom seemed to be sharing the same feelings. Instead of riding side by side amiably by they always used to, Kel dropped to the back of the group on Peachblossom to talk to Corporeal Wolset while Dom was in the very front, determined not to look behind him. That was okay with Kel, for she didn't think she could handle talking to Dom after the conversation they had last night. Instead, she kept quiet, only half paying attention to what Wolset was rambling on about.

The ride to Mindelan was only a few hours, but it seemed to drag on forever in the late summer heat. When the sun was fully raised to hang directly overhead, they stopped for lunch. While the men were eating, Kel slipped behind some tall, thick shrubs and began to pull off her tunic and breeches and shoved them into her bag. Then, she pulled out the long, silky green dress she was to wear for her visit with her family. Kel usually wouldn't care what she wore in front of her parents, but she had gotten a letter from her mother a couple days ago saying that she had something a big surprise for Kel when she got home. That only meant one thing; one of her older sisters probably had another baby or something. It wasn't out of the ordinary, but her sister wouldn't let her hold the baby unless Kel was cleaned up and they didn't consider men's clothes clean. And, Kel really wanted to see her little niece or nephew. Babies were just too adorable. Kel felt a twang of pain as she realized that she would never have a baby of her own.

Sighing, Kel slid into the dress that fit her perfectly (courtesy of Lalasa) and replaced her boots with green slippers. The dress was simple and a dark green color with a bit of embroidery along the modest bust line, but it worked well for Kel by drawing one's eyes to her pretty tanned face and big hazel eyes. Running a brush though her thoroughly knotted hair, she stepped out of the bushes to where the men were eating, "Is everyone done? We've got to go," She announced, her eyes searching for Dom to see how he's react to her appearance, "Mindelan is only an hour's ride away." To her disappointment, he didn't even look up.

Ignoring the wolf-whistles and catcalls, Kel saddled up Peachblossom. If anybody else were to jeer at her like that, they'd have a black eye and a broken rib in an instant, but she was friends with all her men and knew they were only joking. Being away from female presence did some odd things to men. Smiling slightly to herself, Kel continued to shove random things into Peachblossom's pack.

Unknown to Kel, Dom was secretly watching her from the corner of his eye. If anyone were to look Dom in the face, they'd see how his brilliant blue eyes gleamed with longing and would immediately know how desperately in love this man was. Kel looked so different, so mature, so beautiful in that dress that Dom felt like wolf-whistling himself. He caught himself just in time, as he remembered that he wasn't supposed to feel anything for Kel. Dom swallowed loudly as he realized that this was the last hour he was to spend with Kel and he still hadn't made a move. Kel felt exactly how she did toward him as three years ago. That was bad progress. Usually, Dom would meet a pretty girl, woo her, and have her in his bed in the time span of a week. Kel was different. She wasn't a bed toy. Dom wanted more, much more from her than just a one night stand. He respected her enough to not use her. But, now, Dom would never be able to get what he desired from Kel. It pained him in a way unheard of to come to realize that. Trying not to sigh in defeat, Dom copied Kel's actions and began to saddle his own horse…

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"Mother," Kel greeted, her lips curling up in a happy smile. She placed her hands on her thighs as she dipped into a Yamani bow out of courtesy.

Ilane's eyes sparkled with joy at the sight of her youngest daughter, but that was the only sign that she had even recognized Kel at all. "Welcome home," she said, her voice clear and even, but after living with her mother for ten years, Kel could hear the faint trace of enthusiasm and impatience, as though she really wanted to tell Kel what the surprise was, but of course, her Yamani training wouldn't let her burst it out.

"I'm glad to be home," Kel said smoothly, wishing that her mother would just get on with it.

"Tea?" Ilane offered, gesturing toward their fancy Yamani tea table.

"Thank you," Kel said, seating herself on a cushion. "Mother, I was wondering, where are Father, Inness, and Anders? Aren't they supposed to be home?"

Kel saw her mom struggle to suppress her giddiness as she handed Kel her cup of tea, but finally lost and broke out into a huge grin, "Oh, they're all having a mid-day meal in the dining room with Faleron of Carthak."

Kel frowned, "Faleron? Why is he here?"

If they were a normal family, Ilane would probably be squealing with joy. Instead, she just smiled, "That's the surprise I've been telling you about. Faleron has asked for your hand in marriage!"

A thousand thoughts ran through Kel's mind. Faleron? Kel couldn't believe this. Why would he want to marry her? They barely knew each other. They barely spoke to each other. Sure, he didn't pull pranks on her like the other boys, but she would necessarily call him a close friend, or even a friend. He was just Faleron, a man she knew. And she was just Kel, a woman he knew. Could it be that she was more than just someone Faleron knew in his eyes? Had he crushed on her during training school? Kel didn't think so because no had ever mentioned anything. Had he given any hint that he liked her during school? Nope, he didn't. There were dozens of court ladies who would die for the chance to marry Faleron after looking at his background and the amount of money his fief had. Out of all those court ladies, why Kel? Kel wasn't sure how she felt about this proposal. No wave of happiness ran through her, but yet again, she didn't feel disgusted.

"Kel?" Lady Ilane said softly, a bit troubled by her daughter's silence.

"I'm just thinking," Kel explained with a forced smile. Kel knew she should accept this proposal; it would do Mindelan so much good, but her heart rejected the idea strictly. She laughed silently to herself as she realized that her heart still clung on tightly to the possibility about a relationship between her and Dom. He already made it clear that he wants nothing more from you than friendship! She told herself angrily, Stop trying to seek heartache! Faleron is much better for you. He's sensible, nice, has a good background, and does not have a reputation as a court flirt! So much better... But her heart disagreed.

Ilane patted her daughter's hand, a strong gesture for one raised in Yamani customs, "Keladry? You know, you don't have to accept this proposal if you don't want to. I'll just go right now and tell Anders to stop throwing that party."

Kel blinked her surprise. Anders was throwing a party? Her family must have really needed this marriage if Anders was partying. Why hadn't her mom said anything? "Mother? How badly do we need this marriage?" She said softly, deciding to be straight with her question.

Ilane paused, halfway to the door. She turned around to look at Kel, "Well, you know how Mindelan was never the richest fief, " She hesitated, but Kel nodded her on, "We're in debt." She finally admitted.

Kel winced, "How seriously?"

"Bankrupt."

Kel's eyes widened, "And that's why you need this marriage with Faleron?" She asked, remembering that Faleron's fief was one of the richest currently.

Ilane didn't say anything for a while. Finally, "We don't have to have this marriage, but it would get us out of bankruptcy."

Kel nodded, realizing what she must do, "Okay, I'll do it."

"What?" Ilane asked, a bit surprised, her forehead wrinkling in a frown.

"You heard me. I'll marry Faleron." Kel said boldly, walking to the dining room to see her financee…

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Kel walked toward the tavern where all the men were staying, not sure how to break the news to them. The big gold and diamond ring felt heavy on her ring finger, as though her conscience was weighing her down. Then she laughed in spite of herself. Why would her men even care? It's wasn't as though someone died. A marriage was a happy thing. They'd probably be happy and congratulate her… even Dom. For some selfish reason, Kel didn't want Dom to be happy for her. She wanted him to… Well, she didn't really know. Did she want him to be jealous? For him to somehow snap her out of it and marry her himself? Kel gave a bittersweet laugh at her silly thoughts. That would never happen. Since she was now engaged to Faleron, she had to get over Dom- and fast. Somehow, she would.

Kel swung open the door of the tavern to be hit by a full chorus of greetings from her men. Well, a full chorus minus one voice. The one Kel was so desperate to hear one last time. Inhaling deeply, Kel wondered how in the world she was going to explain. She quickly pulled the right words in her mind and tried to let them out, "Hey, guys! I have great news!" She announced. A few murmurs of interest sounded through the room before it went dead quiet as everyone listened expectantly. 'Um, well, it just so happens that someone has asked for my hand in marriage." Her Yamani mask was set in place, but her voice quivered just the slightest. Suddenly the room was filled with cheers and hoots.

"Congrat-" Corporeal Wolset tried to say, but was drowned out by Dom's bellowing voice.

"What?!" He demanded, "You said 'no', right?" His handsome face was twisted into an angry frown.

Kel arched an eyebrow at how Dom was raising his voice. In answer to his question, she lifted her left hand high in the air, the huge diamond sparkling in the candle light. The cheers sounded again, this time so loud that they echoed though the large room.

"Who asked you?" Dom asked, marching from his spot near the fireplace to Kel and putting his hand roughly on her shoulder.

The Lady Knight immediately shook off his grip, "Faleron of Carthak. And I said yes, because I like him very much, for your information. We are to be wed in winter!"

Dom gazed at her sadly with his piercing blue eyes. Kel suddenly felt light in the head, but kept her head held high as though nothing was wrong. Her heart pounded. All she wanted to do was cancel the engagement and run into Dom's arms declaring her love for him, but couldn't. She'd be such a player if she accepted one man and yet tried to go for another. Finally Dom spoke, "You like him, but you don't love him." It wasn't a question but a statement of truth.

Kel's cheeks flushed bright pink with anger, but she managed to keep her temper down. "No, not yet," She admitted softly, "But, I'll learn to love him." But how can I? She thought, if you're always around? Kel needed some way to be away from Dom so that she could fall for her fiancée, Faleron.

Dom nodded, his jaw clenched tightly shut so that he would not say anything disrespectful on this happy marriage, "Well, good luck to you and Carthak," He said before walking away.

"Wait!" Kel called after him, "You have to take my men to the Border with you!" She said.

That made Dom stop and turn slowly to look at her, "Why?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.

Kel bit her lip, "I quit."

A few of the men had stopped talking long enough to hear her. "What?" Wolset demanded.

"I said, I gave up my shield," Everyone fell silent at that, "I quit being a knight." Kel finished, looking up to meet Dom's blue eyes with her hazel ones. His were full of shock and disbelief.

"Why would you do something like that?" Dom asked quietly, though he did not need to raise his voice to be heard in the silent room.

Kel stared at those deep liquid eyes for the longest time before answering, "Faleron's father wouldn't let him marry anyone but a lady. So I became a lady," Unconsciously, her Yamani mask crumpled down into a frown of regret as she watched the pain flicker in Dom's eyes.

However, Dom didn't voice his feelings, "Good-bye, Kel." He said for the last time.

Kel hesitated. This was it. She had to say something or else it would be too late. Never again would she be able to see Dom again. She had to tell him! He deserved to know! But, her courage failed her, "Good-bye, Dom." She said politely. Taking one last look deep into his eyes, she turned on her heel and exited the tavern. Kel didn't see what she wanted to in his eyes. She wanted to see love, longing, but instead she only saw confusion. Sighing, she treading back to her fiancée to make wedding plans…

Dom continued to stare after the spot where Kel just was, his eyes shining with the same emotion. Kel had mistaken it for confusion, but it was actually pain. Dom suddenly and irrelevantly wondered what a heart attack would feel like. Could it possibly be more painful from the heartache he was experiencing? No, that would be impossible in Dom's opinion. This pain he felt hurt more than the time a Bazhir raider had squished his leg so thoroughly that every bone had broken in his right leg. But, Neal had been there to heal him. Neal couldn't heal the internal pain Dom had right then. It was the kind of pain that could only be healed by one person; Kel. Although, brutally murdering Faleron and then stoning his corpse might help ease the pain a bit.

That's when Dom realized that his heart had still had a thin, silk like thread of hope that he and Kel would have their fairytale ending. That thread of hope was cruelly ripped in two when Kel announced her marriage to Faleron. Now Dom had no hope, and no desire other than Kel. He felt crushed like there was nothing worth living for. He had fallen and sunken low, and that wasn't good for living person.

I hope I didn't make a mistake... is Faleron's fief Carthak? I couldn't remember wheter it was him or Seaver... Anyways, the next chapter's setting is going to be one year in the future. It shows where Kel's life is after her marriage to Faleron. How was this chapter? Too ooc? And, Faleron, any ideas about him? Should he be mean and cruel, or nice and helplessly in love with Kel? Please drop me a review and the third chapter will come soon.