A Wistful Love

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters in this story. They all belong to Tamora Pierce.

Chapter 6

Love Lost

It was dusk. Kel stared down from the battlements, trying to figure out how to fix her relationship with Dom. At dinner, they'd run into each other. Instead of their usual easy camaraderie, their conversation had been tense and uncomfortable. Dom had made his excuses early, as if he couldn't stand to be near her any longer. Her other friends had sensed that something was up, but only Neal had any inkling of exactly what. Confused with both her own feelings and Dom's, Kel had left soon after, desperate for air, the stifling atmosphere of the mess almost suffocating her.

Now she stood leaning against the heavy stone wall, staring out across the map of Corus. What had happened? How could her friendship with Dom unravel so fast? One minute they were easy friends, the next uncertain strangers. Frustration seemed to be a part of her now. A sigh escaped her lips and she tilted her face to the darkening sky. Closing her eyes, she pictured Dom's face in her mind's eye. An unconscious smile lifted the corners of her mouth.

He was perfect. Not in the sense of never doing anything wrong, or never making mistakes, but in the way he went through life. He was always cheerful, kind, and never afraid of hard work. Though he was quite the ladies man, he was never cruel. He was loyal too. Kel remember when he had joined her in her mission to rescue the refugees. He'd been steadfast then, willing to risk his life for commoners. He'd truly cared about the people at Haven. Instead of seeing them as his underlings, he'd treated them as individuals, people with feelings and their own unique personalities.

Kel pictured his face, with its twinkling blue eyes and mobile mouth, always ready to smile. His dark unruly hair was always falling into his eyes nowadays. He hadn't cut it lately and it was longer than he usually wore it, brushing his collar in waves. He was still very fit. Even now, with the the peaceful lull of battle in Tortall, he kept his skills sharp. She would often see him practicing in the courts, sometimes with another group of the Own, and sometimes by himself.

Kel often wondered if he ever thought of her outside of their run-ins or conversations. Was she only a passing thought, a good friend but nothing more? Though she was sure it was her imagination, Kel would often catch him looking at her with a strange glint in his eye, but whenever she'd look again it would be gone. Her wishful thinking was obviously putting emphasis on meaningless things. Troubled, her thoughts in turmoil, Kel continued to stare blindly across the horizon.

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Dom sat with several other members of the Own. They were all lounging around in Wolset's quarters, playing cards. Though he tried to keep his mind on the game, Dom would often get distracted. After numerous reminders from his friends to pay attention, Dom excused himself for a breath of fresh air. He knew that his comrades could tell something was bothering him and he caught the subtle exchange of looks whenever they thought he wasn't looking. Soon enough they'd confront him on his problems and talking was the last thing he wanted to do at the moment. He knew that they didn't buy his excuse, but let him go nevertheless. He was in no mood for a heart to heart and they knew it.

Determined to clear his mind once and for all, he headed to the battlements. At this time of night it would probably be deserted and he needed peace and quiet to think. Taking the steps two at a time, he pushed open the heavy oak door and stepped through. With a sigh of relief, he walked slowly towards the wall. He stopped short when he realized that someone was already there. Realizing that he wouldn't find what he needed there, he turned and began to walk away.

Kel heard the footsteps approaching. Setting her face in polite lines of disinterest, she turned and greeted the stranger. She couldn't make out who exactly it was, but she recognized the silhouette of a man.

"I was just leaving. If would like the battlements to yourself, they're yours."

She watched as the man froze, his whole body going still. Then slowly, he turned, and faced her. Taking one hesitant step forward, he spoke softly.

"Kel? Is that you?"

At the sound of his voice, Kel's face closed. What was he doing here? What were the chances that they'd meet up here of all places?

"Dom? I didn't recognize you. It's so dark up here this time of night."

He took another step forward and moved into the small pool of light made by a nearby torch. His face was unreadable. His blue eyes, which were normally welcoming and warm, were shadowed. His mouth, usually tilted with a tireless grin, was unsmiling. His stance was stiff and rigid. This was not the Dom she knew.

"Kel, what are you doing up here?"

He kept his voice nonchalant, trying to continue the charade that nothing was wrong. Slipping his hands into the pockets of his breeches, he studied her face, looking for some telling sign to what she was thinking at that moment. Searching it, he found nothing, her expression as stone-like as ever. Suddenly irritated with her whole mask, he fought back his frustration and dropped his gaze to the stone flags beneath his feet.

Kel paused for a moment before answering. She was obviously not going to tell Dom that she'd been thinking of him. Searching for an answer, she settled for a vague excuse.

"The palace got a little stifling for me. I needed some air to clear my head."

Dom lifted his face again, his blue eyes searching. "Really? Is that all?"

Kel frowned, letting her confusion show through. "Yes. Why do you ask?"

With a soft growl of self-disgust, Dom turned away from her. What was wrong with him? Here he was interrogating her, trying to make her say what he wanted to hear. Of course she wasn't thinking of him. She'd probably passed the tension between them off as a simple mood. His hands clenched into fists in his pockets. He couldn't keep this up. All he was doing was straining the solid friendship he'd shared with Kel. He heard her approach and when she touched his shoulder with a light hand, he stiffened and closed his eyes. Her touch, as always, made him tingle.

"Dom, what's wrong?" When he said nothing, she dropped her hand to her side. It was obvious that he didn't want it there. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to poke my nose in where its not wanted. I just wanted to help—"

"No! I mean...its fine. I'm fine. I really don't need your help at all. I'll leave. I don't know what I was doing up here anyway." Stalking forward, he paused, then with a sigh of defeat, turned to face her.

Kel was staring at him now, her face not an emotionless mask, but full questions and—hurt?"

"Kel...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you. It isn't your fault I'm in a bad mood. I'm just a little frustrated right now."

Kel ducked her head her head and buried the pain. It wasn't as if they were on the best of terms lately anyway. He wasn't expected to pour his problems out to her. "No, don't apologize, everyone's entitled. Like I said before, it's none of my business."

Dom sighed again and ran a hand through his dark hair, much like Neal often did. Then lifting his gaze to hers he gave her a sad smile. "Its just that right now, there's someone I've been waiting for who doesn't seem to return my feelings. It's made me a little moodier than usual."

Kel stared at him in surprise for a moment before recovering. "Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't know." She paused again, then lifting her face back up to his, she gave him a quiet smile. "I hope it works out for you. The Gods know that you deserve someone special. Is it someone I know?"

Dom's blue eyes seemed to deepen as he studied her face carefully. She didn't seem to be affected by the news overmuch. Swallowing hard, Dom closed his eyes and felt his heart squeeze tight within his chest. She didn't care. If she had cared for him even a little, she'd would have been upset. But she wasn't. No he thought humorlessly, she'd wished him luck. Exhaling a shaky breath, he flashed a her false smile and shook his head.

"No."

Kel's face didn't change. "Oh well, I'm sure things will work out."

Dom gazed sadly at her one last time before turning away. "Somehow, I don't think so." His steps echoing hollowly against the stone, Dom left.

Kel stared after him, her heart breaking. He was in love with someone. And that someone was not her. When he'd told her that he'd fallen in love, Kel's heart had seemed to stutter. Dom, in love? She knew that it'd happen eventually, but she'd hoping for more time. Just a day ago, she'd told herself that he'd make a wonderful husband. Now that reality was coming true. It didn't matter that he was worried that the object of his affections didn't return his feelings. He was probably fussing about nothing. There wasn't one unmarried lady that she could think of, that could turn down Dom's love. As it was, Dom was one the most eligible bachelors at court. His family, as Neal's, was from the Book of Gold. He was unmarried, young, charming and very handsome. He was, essentially, every girl's dream at a perfect marriage. Slowly, her back to the wall, Kel slid down and for the first time in many years, cried over a love lost.

A/N: Hey guys. I know this chapter is really sad, but I'd really appreciate reviews. Hopefully chapter 7 will be posted soon! Thanks -Lupus17