Hello. So Chapter 7. None of my character's all Tamora Pierce's. Sorry about the wait. Enjoy

Kel was sitting at her desk trying to be quiet so no one would think that she was there when there was a loud knock at that door which made her jump.

"Kel!" Alanna yelled. "We know you're in there so open up. The ball tonight is for you so you have to be there." Kel sighed. Since she found out what the purpose of this ball she wanted even more not go. She went to let her friends in. Yuki, Alanna and Lalasa were all there already dressed.

"Thayet sends her apologies but she said to order you to come." Kel knew she couldn't refuse a royal order. Lalasa came round and helped Kel into her dress. Yuki put a little face paint on saying that Kel didn't need much because she was already beautiful and Alanna did her hair.

"Done." She said and stepped back to admired her work. Kel looked nervously into the mirror. She had kohl around her eyes that made them stand out. Small amount of lip rouge. Her hair had been piled on top of her head with ringlets that cascaded down her shoulders. Her gown was low cut but not too low, the skirts puffed out making her waist look smaller and the back was elegant showing her muscular back.

"Wow. You guys have done well for something hard to work with." Kel was pleased. For once in her life she felt like a real court lady.

"Good. Now come on. We have to get to the ball before Thayet sends guards to escort you here." Kel grimaced. She knew that Thayet was very capable of doing such a thing. The three of them left for the ball room while Lalasa tided up and went down to the city to start her class of self defence for the girls.

"Announcing Lady Knight and Kings Champion Alanna of Pirates Swoop and Olau." Alanna walked through the double doors. Kel waited nervously behind her. She hated doing this kind of thing and was always afraid of falling over her own feet. The footman took a deep breathe as Kel held hers.

"Announcing Lady Knight and Co-Commander of the Kings Own Keladry of Mindelan" Kel walked through the double doors and was greeted by a round of applause. She hid her blush behind her mask and made her way down the stairs towards the King and Queen. Before them she knelt.

"Lady Knight it is good to see you here and well. Thank you for all that you have done for this realm." The King said. Kel looked up to see both of them grinning. She thanked them and went in search of some friends. She saw Nathan in the corner and went over to him.

"You look beautiful." He whispered in her ear. She smile at him.

"So do you." Kel looked around she spotted Neal and Yuki already on the dance floor and Raoul and Buri trying to hid in a corner. Many men of the Own were here tonight since this was a ball for them. As Kel was looking around she failed to notice a stream of men and Knights heading her way.

"Dear Lady Knight, may I have this dance?" A young knight politely said holding out his hand. Coming up with no excuses Kel agreed.

Dom watched in envy as many men went over to Kel to ask her to dance. Why couldn't he do that? Every time he tried to make his way over to her another one would come and ask her first. Giving up Dom went over to the drinks table and sat down. Neal found him soon enough.

"Why are you mopping over here dear cousin? Many fine young women have their eyes on you." He said sitting down next to Dom.

"Why do you bother Meathead? Besides the one I want already has many dance partners." Neal looked around and spotted Kel dancing with a young knight.

"You should go and ask her for a drink. She has been dancing for a while now." With that Neal got up and left. Dom knew his cousin was right. If Dom couldn't dance with Kel he could at least save her from dancing too much. He wandered over to her. Tapping her on the shoulder he said, "Dear Protector, pray will you have a drink with me? You must be parched." Kel agreed and follow Dom over. They sat down together.

"Thank you Dom." She whispered in his ear not knowing the effect she had on his insides.

"No problem and I was serious about that drink." Dom poured Kel some wine. "Go on. You are aloud to have fun sometimes." She only nodded and drank her glass. Dom refilled it again and watched in awe how Kel downed the second drink. Together they talked and laughed and Dom could see that Kel was getting a little drunk. He knew he wasn't far behind but he had done this more often so it took a lot more than wine to get him completely off his face. As the ball died down Dom offered to take Kel beck to her rooms.

"Don't be silly. I know where to go." She said getting up. She stumbled and was about to fall when Dom caught her. Thankfully there were only a few people left.

"Kel you can't walk straight. Come on." He led her towards her rooms. She rambled on about anything that came to her mind. Outside her door Kel leaned back pulling Dom with her. She giggled and pressed her lips to his. Without thinking Dom reponsed. The reasonable part of his mind was saying that this wasn't Kel but the wine. He didn't care. He wrapped one arm around her waist and grabbed hold of the door knob. He turned it gently while hold most of Kel's waist so she wouldn't fall. Kel stumbled back never the less. Dom moved Kel towards her bed. They lay down gently. Coming to his senses Dom carefully got Kel out of her gown and into her night dress. She grumbled something unintelligent and fell asleep. Dom grinned at Kel lying on top of her bed covers. He picked her up and pulled the cover back. He placed back on the bed and laid the cover around her. Please with his work he left wondering if Kel would remember the night at all.

Hope you enjoyed that. Again sorry about the wait school and everything. thanks to all those who reviewed it

XxX