Author's Note: This is prompt 2: Heartfelt. 48 to go. Hahha. Enjoy. Review. Alrighty. Bye. 3


Kel stood on the wall of New Hope, pressing her spyglass to her eye. A horn call had sounded and the trade caravan was rolling into view. The call came again, accompanied by the three short blasts unique to the Third Company of the King's Own. Her heart jumped and she searched frantically for the dark hair and easy bearing of a certain sergeant.

Merric, standing next to her, nudged her ribs. "Don't get too excited, Lady Knight." There was a wicked gleam in his eyes and Kel smacked his shoulder, a crooked grin on her face. He's right, she thought and reigned in her emotions.

"Open the gate!" Kel turned to some men farther up the wall, signaling. She looked for another second before climbing down to greet the party. When the wagons had all pulled into the town and the gates were closed again the young woman felt her heart drop. Dom wasn't there.

Wolset rode up to her and studied her face for a moment. She'd already reverted to her Yamani mask, hiding the disappointment she felt. He must have decided this was what she was hiding because he dismounted and put a hand on her shoulder. "Sorry, Kel. Dom wanted to come but Raoul gave him orders with another squad for awhile."

She felt her lip quiver and patted his hand. "Fanche will help the merchants," she muttered before retreating to her quarters. Right now she couldn't fight off her moods. It wouldn't do any good to have her men see her cry.

She angrily dashed away her tears. It had been seven months since she'd seen him. Her hopes had been completely demolished. For just a little while she would let herself cry.

Hours later found Kel curled up on her bed, sobbing into a pillow. A soft knock on her door made her attempt to quiet herself. It was useless to pretend she wasn't in, but she did it anyway. The knock came again a moment later. Then Kel heard the door open. "Kel?"

She froze, certain her mind was playing tricks on her. Dom wasn't here. So he couldn't be walking into her room right now. She sat up and saw him there. Her heart jumped and started flying just at the sight of the sergeant. "Dom!"

The man stood in her open door, black hair wind swept and blue eyes dancing. He crossed quickly to where she sat and pulled her into his arms. For a moment the two sat there. Finally he leaned back to see her swollen hazel eyes. "I'm so sorry, Love. I rode as fast as I could to get here."

Kel shook her head and buried her face in his shirt, breathing in his scent of hay, horses and soap. "I missed you so much," she said. Her hands captured fistfuls of his tunic as she said a heartfelt, "I love you."

He slipped two fingers under her chin and tipped her face up to him. "I love you, too." Dom's kiss started gently but grew harder as his longing overtook him. They surfaced for air. "Marry me?"


Author's Note: Ohhh, I'm mean. Teheheh.