Kel found Anders in the Kennan sitting room. He stared at a chessboard, lost in thought. Kel cleared her throat and he raised his gaze slowly. "Kel." He nodded for her to sit down. "Join me for a moment, please."

Kel sat; a strange feeling in her stomach. Anders had always been the brother who looked out for her; the one who supported her decision to become a knight. She sat across from him and waited. There was no rushing Anders.

"Father told you that our grandmother is here?" He asked quietly.

Kel nodded. Anders sighed. "He warned you then. Age has done nothing to mellow her; in fact, she screeches now more than ever."

Kel tucked a smile behind her hand. Anders continued, "there will be plenty of men—single men—at this event. Grandmother has dropped hints that she will not allow you to leave this ceremony unattached. I heard you were bringing a guest?"

"Domitan of Masbolle." Kel informed him. Anders frowned.

"That feckless loaner? Tell me you're not considering him as a match." His voice was even, but there was an angry spark behind his gaze. Kel leaned back, surprised.

"I hoped that by having an escort, grandmother would refrain from asking about my prospects." Kel admitted, looking down. She raised her head again and searched Ander's face. "Domitan is just a friend, but tell me, would he really be such a terrible match? His family is in the book of Gold, he has lands to his name, a title—

"And he is 'just a friend'." Anders reminded her, with a small, tight smile. "I remember Masbolle when he was younger; fresh out of his training. I could still fight back then." A wistful look crossed his aging face. With a start, Kel realized her brother was approaching middle age. "He could command, he had charisma—but Kel, he's not the sort of man for a lady to get involved with. He is handsome enough, I suppose, but he will not give up his post for a woman. I remember several of my wife's friends who lost their hearts, and in one case, their honor to him." Kel stifled a gasp.

"Thank you Anders." She answered finally. "I don't think we'll have to worry about Dom taking an interest in me, however. I've found that men tend to fall for smaller, dimpled ladies who smell like flowers and have waistlines about the size of my arm." On an impulse, she rolled up her sleeve and flexed her large biceps. Anders chuckled.

"I have a feeling that if Domitan stained your honor; you'd not need any of us Mindelan men folk to fight for you. I'm proud of you Kel; as proud as a brother can be. And I feel there are plenty of men who will find you attractive. I've an old friend who particularly loves tall women. If you'd like, I could introduce you." He rose and kissed her forehead.

Kel hugged him fiercely. "Anders, thank you." She blinked back tears. It was good to see her brother again, even if it meant she'd have to face her grandmother later.

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Dom paced around his temporary quarters. He remembered Anders of Mindelan; and he was quite sure Anders remembered him. Dom cursed his luck. Anders was stiffly chivalrous, he had never approved of Dom's private life. Dom liked to think he'd grown up since then; that he'd learned from his past mistakes, but Anders wouldn't see it that way. No doubt Anders planned to warn his little sister. Kel was getting farther out of reach by the second; and as time passed, Dom was starting to realize how much he wanted her.

He pictured her in his mind's eye. Tall, fair skinned, with youthful freckles and thick eyelashes which hooded her soft hazel eyes. Her nose was delicate and small; her lips full and always ready to smile. She was tall, but Dom was taller still. Her body was a testament to her training; he'd never seen a woman more muscled. He found her build intriguing, something different from his usual fare.

She'd been his comrade, his second in command. She was fiercely intelligent, rivaling even Raoul in strategy. Because she'd worked with him so long, Dom had gotten to know her as a person; for a while, he had forgotten to see her as a woman. Since she'd asked him to come to the wedding, it seemed that was the only way he could think of her; as a lady. Not a gently reared, pale-faced girl; but a hard working, unshakeable, and unattainable woman. She too, had grown up in the last five years; it was evident that Kel was comfortable with who she was and what she could do.

Dom groaned. If Kel were with him, she'd say that Sakuyo laughs. He was about to make a fool of himself, and he knew it.

A/N: Wow guys, I wasn't planning to update this for a while (not until I'd updated Puppy Love and Beka's Cat anyway.) But when I checked my email after dinner, there were so many reviews I couldn't stay away. Thank you everyone, I'm glad you enjoyed the last two chapters, and I hope this one measures up.