Thanks so much to everyone who read and reviewed my story! It means so much that you guys took the time to let me know what you though.

A special thanks to DreamerGirl1415 – it was great to see where my mistakes were and what I should work on. True constructive criticism is what any writer need! =D

And to Aria657 – Alanna and Raoul setting them up, mmm, what gives you that idea… ;) lol

Chapter Two

The Plan

Kel felt her eyes widen but managed to keep the shock off her features. It was her Yamani training alone that saved her from staring open-mouthed at her companions. Dom had the same charming smile on his lips that she had become accustomed to while serving as Raoul's squire, but the other two looked far from innocent. The glint in Raoul's eyes was enough of a hint for the young knight. Kel was sure he and Alanna had something up their sleeves and tried to see if the older woman's eyes betrayed her, but Alanna carefully kept her eyes glued to the stony path that led off into the vast gardens.

"I'm glad you accepted, Kel," Raoul said happily, "It would've made the mission so much harder had you refused." His tone was innocent enough but Kel caught on that there was more to his words than he let on. Apparently Alanna did too because her eyes whipped up from ground with lightning speed to pierce Raoul in a fierce glare. Raoul remained smiling.

"Roaul." Alanna muttered between clenched teeth.

"Alanna." He retorted calmly.

Kel would have thought it impossible but Alanna's eyes narrowed further. "Will you excuse us for a second." It was a request, not a question. Without waiting for an answer she lunged forward to grab Raoul by the arm and propelled the Knight Commander down the path.

Dom didn't seem to mind the abrupt scene. "Of course, take all the time-" The two knights disappeared behind a clump of bushes. "-you need." Dom's smile never wavered as he turned back to Kel. "She seems nice."

Kel failed to keep a small smile off her face. It was difficult being mad at her two friends when Dom was trying so hard to pretend that nothing had happened.

"She is. If you like her now, you should see her when she's truly in a bad mood."

Dom flinched. "I'm sure," he murmured. The Lioness was famous for the many great deeds she had achieved during her life time, but she would always be most known for her fiery temper. "Remind me not to provoke her into giving me a demonstration."

Kel lifted one eyebrow playfully. "I'm disappointed Sergeant Domitan. Here I was, thinking you were naught but a brave warrior in the King's Own, only to find out you fear a woman."

Dom laughed at her words. "I'm brave Kel, not stupid. Although," he glanced at the bushes, "at this moment it's difficult to say if being brave is not necessarily stupid as well."

Kel craned her neck to try to get a glimpse of the two, but her efforts were in vain. "He needs to learn to be more careful with what he says sometime. He's going to get into big trouble one day. I can't imagine how he's managed to get by without trouble thus far." She peered back to see what Dom though only to catch him staring at two young ladies who were giggling wildly as they passed by. "Hey," she nudged him in the side teasingly, "Watch it. You're a married man!"

Dom came to his senses in a rush. He turned to Kel once more, his face alight with the brilliant smile he normally reserved for the ladies he wished to charm. She had seen him do it many times when she was a squire, had seen him win the favour of females around him with such ease. She had sometimes secretly wished he would spare her such a smile, for him to look at her as if she was a beautiful lady of the court instead of the friend he normally saw her as. Now that she was getting her wish Kel felt almost intimidated by the result.

No, she felt heartbroken. Heartbroken to know that he only looked at her in this manner to comply with the charade they would have to portray. Heartbroken to know that that smile would never truly be hers.

She swallowed her sadness as he stepped forward and gently claimed one of her hands in his. "Of course dear wife, I was simply admiring the view." Kel's stared at him in disbelieve before she could hide her feelings behind her Yamani mask. "Of the flowers Kel!" he quickly added. He shook his head sadly. "You always assume the worst." The teasing tone was back.

"We wonder why." She muttered under her breath. Her eyes strayed to the hand still holding her.

"Tsk, tsk. Such mistrust Kel, you'll soon learn that I'm the best husband there is." He winked before lifting her hand. "But first let's admire that beautiful dress." Before she could even digest his words Dom raised her hand above her head and slowly twirled her in a small circle. She could almost feel his eyes carefully study the beautiful dress. Kel was suddenly extremely thankful that she had Lalassa to help make her look beautiful. She and the dressmaker were still unable to come to an agreement when it came to Kel's clothing. Kel felt it was only just to pay Lalassa what others would pay for the same service but the older girl refused. She felt Kel was the reason she had the dress shop in the first place and therefore wanted to make things for Kel in return. Kel had tried arguing but it was like trying to converse with a wall – there was simply no way she was going to get anywhere, no matter how hard she tried.

Naturally Lalassa had gone all-out for Neal's wedding and the dress had been half done before Kel had even gone to place an order.

"News spreads quickly in Corus," she had told an astounded Kel. The dress had been more than Kel could have even dreamed for. It was light green in colour to bring out the green in Kel's hazel eyes and was cut simple yet elegantly to suit Kel's personality. She would never be someone who chased the newest fashions as most of the ladies at court did, but she did enjoy wearing something beautiful when there was an appropriate time and place.

Kel breathed a mental sigh of relieve when she was facing Dom again – his inspection was making her a little uncomfortable – only to be spun around again, this time at a quicker pace.

"Dom!" Kel laughed as she attempted to block a third spin but Dom was quicker. The last turn was quick and graceful as if they were dancing. "What are you doing?" She was still laughing as he pulled her to a stop in front of him.

"I'm admiring my wife's dress as any good husband should." He said laughingly. His eyes met Kel's and sobered in an instant. Instead of joking they were now intense as their blue depths burned into Kel's hazel ones. "I'm serious Kel," his voice matched his words, "you look magnificent." Kel felt herself swallow, her palms becoming sweaty as her gaze remained captured by Dom's. Their surrounding suddenly seemed to vanish as by some miracle Dom was leaning forward towards her…

"Hey Yuki dear, I think I see them!" Neal's voice suddenly broke through the spell that seemed to have enveloped them and they wrenched apart as if their hands would spontaneously burst into flame. Neal came around the corner just as they managed to pretend they had stood that far apart the entire time. "Here you two are! I've been looking all over for you! It's time for your speech, Dom." He fixed an eye on him. "And remember you're not to call me Meathead."

"Of course not cousin," Dom was serious as he turned to leave, "I think we've established that it's 'Sir' Meathead." He left before Neal could retort.

"Someday," he muttered as he followed his cousin. Yuki's expression hid her feelings but Kel still noticed the glitter of humour in her eyes as she followed the men.

"Are you sure this is a good idea Alanna?" Raoul asked quietly as soon as the two of them were out of earshot of Kel and Dom.

"Yes," Alanna snapped, "But it won't work if you blab our plan before it's even in place." She sighed. "Look Raoul, I know the plan's risky but think of what's to gain if we succeed. Kel hasn't been herself lately, she's lonely but you know Kel, she would never be able to admit that to anyone. As long as she's lonely she'll be distracted and a distracted knight is a dead knight."

"Of course, her safety is the first thing on your mind." Raoul's tone was sarcastic.

"It is. It must work Raoul, it just has to." Alanna suddenly smiled. "And Kel had no idea that Darkwood has pledged allegiance to Tortall."

Raoul chuckled. "Neither did Dom. Jon's kept that one of the country's biggest secrets. Remind me to congratulate him."

"You can congratulate him if he agrees to the plan. At least he can be assured the two of them will be safe. Kel is a knight after all and Dom should be able to take care of himself, why else would you have made him a sergeant?"

"He makes good tea."

Alanna ignored him. "We have to set this plan into action tonight. We'll have to talk to Jon as soon as possible – and by we I mean you." She shrugged off his surprised look. "He'll never fall for it if I mention it, but you might have better luck. Now, time to go tell those two to pack." She walked off, not even glancing back to see if Raoul was following. "Alright you two, problems sorted." Alanna marched around the corner only to find that Dom was nowhere to be found. She glanced at Kel in surprise to find the young knight smiling.

"It appears my groom has left me standing by the altar." Kel said innocently.

Ok, and I leave it there. For once I'm actually in a writing mood! Please let me know what you think! =D