Chapter 8

Midwinter

***** (Midwinter evening)*****

Kel smiled as she looked at her self in the mirror; once again Lalasa had outdone herself. While Kel's hair was finally long enough for the stylists to actually do something with, everyone would be focusing on the deep green dress ornately decorated with small gold beads. The beautiful earrings and necklace which she received from her new benefactor matched the dress perfectly and nicely set off her eyes. Tobe sat with Irnai, playing a game while Jump lay happily asleep at their feet, belly full of whatever scraps he could get his paws on.
Kel's mother knocked gently on her door before coming in, dressed in a similar style to her daughter.
'Kel, are you almost ready?' She asked as she stepped before stopping in the doorway. 'Your putting a lot of effort into this for the Captain.' She commented with a smile.
Kel blushed in response as another knock came from the front door downstairs. She could hear her father greet their guest and invite him in. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard Dom's voice reply before making some comment about the weather which made Baron Piers chuckle.
Ilane shook her head at the look of panic on her daughter's face before ushering her out of the safety of her room. Kel waited for her mother to head downstairs, hiding behind the corner of a wall, staring at the two men at bottom. Her father took his wife's hand and led her away when she reached the bottom before turning around expectantly. Kel sighed before approaching the top step. Suddenly the bottom seemed a mile away and Kel's head began babbling nervously: what if I fall and break my nose, I could trip in these awful shoes, I could trip on the hem of the dress, I could lose my footing and tumble down the stairs. Her heart was beating quickly but she tried to keep her face calm.
She did make it most of the way down the stairs but just as she got comfortable, she tripped on the last step. Luckily a strong arm caught her around the waist before she hit the ground.
'Lets not try that again any time soon,' Dom grinned down at her, his blue eyes glittering.
Kel stared up at him, blushing, trying to get her heart rate under control, before she got herself resettled on her feet. His hand rested on her waist a little longer then necessary before he let her go. She sighed inwardly, grateful that this time her legs actually supported her. Ilane and Piers stepped through the door and began the walk to the palace, giving Dom and Kel a moment alone.
'I'm glad to see you wearing my gift,' Dom said quietly in her ear, 'it took a lot of effort to get Lalasa to help me choose.' His breath was warm on her neck but it made her shiver slightly.
Kel turned her face up towards his, 'You gave me the earrings and necklace?'
Dom chuckled and nodded, making Kel blush once again, uncomfortably aware of how close his face was to hers.
'We should go,' Kel said quietly, stepping away from him, trying desperately to hide the slight quiver in her voice. Dom nodded, his expression not quite readable.

Kel was glad when they reached their seats at the banquet. For the first time, she didn't feel cut off because she was alone. Kel was seated between Dom and Arina of Veldine, Merric's betrothed. While Dom talked vibrantly with Neal, who sat on his other side, Kel chatted with Arina. They shared various stories from their lives, Kel's mainly from her years as a page and squire, Arina's from those her father, Douglas, had told her from his years as a page with the Lioness. It turned out that Merric and his fiancée had been friends as children because their mothers were good friends and their marriage was decided before either one could walk.
The food was the other highlight from the evening. Since she was used to being the one giving it out rather than eating it, this was the first time Kel had had the chance to appreciate the delicate mixture of flavors which compliment each other so perfectly. She was also surprised by how much her table companions, excluding Dom, had drunk. Even Neal, who was usually pretty cautious, was giggling manically, leaning against his cousin, who was looking towards Yuki for some sort of help. Unfortunately, help didn't come until after dinner, when Neal was required to escorted Yuki, who was now basically asleep on table.
Over the next hour most people trickled out in their pairs, Kel included. Dom walked her back to her family's townhouse despite the thick snow that littered the ground. By the time they reached her door, the wind was blowing loudly and snowflakes decorated their hair and lashes.
'You can come inside,' Kel said, 'You don't have to go straight to the Own's housing do you?'
Dom shook his head, 'I've been out late enough, can you imagine the grief the men would give me if I was out much later? They're very protective of you so I don't think they'd be pleased.'
Kel giggled and brushed the damp snow from his dark hair, kissing him gently on the cheek before shutting the door behind her. Once back in her room, she tugged off the stupid heels she was wear and sighed, sitting weakly down on her bed, exhausted yet happy.