A/N: Standard announcement that I am not Tamora Pierce and all recognizable people and places belong to her.

Kel waited by the palace gates tucking her impatience away behind her mask. The guards at the gate said nothing to her though she had been standing there for nearly half of a bell. They did whisper to each other from time to time but she didn't strain to hear them. It wasn't like Kas to be late and in a few more minutes she'd need to find a place to sit down to ease the growing ache in her thigh. She set her more extreme worries aside because it did her no good to dwell on them. Kas wouldn't suddenly decide she wasn't worth his time and not show. It was also unlikely anything serious had happened to him.

There was a chance he had been delayed at the forge with a project, which she couldn't fault at all. She knew how much he loved his work. It was also likely he had received an injury while working but likely nothing life threatening. They had discussed that sort of possibility one of the nights they had sat and played chess. She had talked over her injuries she had received in the past and he had given her tales of bad burns and sometimes missing fingers, toes, or larger appendages that were hazards of his job. But it was a rare case for someone to die on the job in a place like the Raven Armory and was more likely to happen to a new apprentice who thought themselves better than the basics. The masters at the Raven Armory usually pounded those flaws out of them like heated metal with errands and hard work before they even got close to using the forge.

Kel's thoughts turned to other reasons Kas could have been delayed that were just as likely. She had informed him that Raoul wanted to meet him that evening and that was likely enough to cause anyone to pause. But there was always the slight shame that Kas had admitted to one evening that he was never properly attired to be in the company of nobility on the palace grounds socially. In her rooms was one matter, out in the open was another. Well aware of his pride, she had complimented the somehow newly acquired high quality tunic, shirt, and breeches he had worn to the palace the last time to accompany her to the gardens. Her hunch about the outfit was it had been borrowed from Master Reeves or one of the other masters as he had been exceptional careful of making sure it stayed clean.

She had written to Lalasa about any shops she recommended for noble men's gear as she usually only dealt with women in her dress shop, and had received a rather thoughtful reply that she seek answers from her former knight master for shops that better catered to men of that sort of size. Not that she wasn't capable of men's gear mind, she had been doing it for Kel for years, but a female's frame was different. So Kel had gone to Raoul and had been given the names of several seamstresses and tailors that understood the particular issues with his build.

It had been her intention to write them with a fairly good description of Kas' sizing and have something for him as a gift, but all three shops had replied with the need to physically measure the man in person. She doubted there'd be any way she could get Kas to accept her paying for clothing to be made for him without her there to distract him from the costs of those sorts of outfits, so that sort of thing would have to wait until she was free of the palace grounds.

She also didn't want him believing she didn't appreciate the way he normally dressed. She liked the practicality of the middle classes with no need for embroidery on the hems or jewels pinned to every surface. She liked his well-worn shirts and breeches that spoke of hard work and too scuffed leather boots that he had likely owned for many years. She had made it clear on several occasions during that conversation that it didn't need to be for her that he wore something he deemed acceptable to be in noble company. He had acknowledged her opinion and had countered with his own feelings on the subject.

"Kel?" The voice was one she loved hearing but it wasn't the one she wanted to hear just now. It was Dom, coming from the road to the palace behind her rather than Kas in front of her calling her from her thoughts. "My Lord sent me to see what was holding you up. He and Buri have been waiting and it's not like you to be late."

"I was waiting for Kas," Kel turned to face him. "It's not like him to be late either but I can only guess at what is holding him up." Dom was dressed down for him, in comfortable breeches and a worn blue shirt that complimented his eyes. While the shirt was of obvious quality, it was old and bore signs of mending. It was rare for Dom to dress down to such a degree outside of the practice courts or even outside of his uniform. He normally wore fine cotton or linen shirts with slightly decorated tunics. He never wore the silk hose that most noblemen wore to display their status but she doubted she'd ever seen him without at least a tunic.

Dom's eyes followed hers and she saw him give a slight crooked smile and waved at the shirt and breeches. "My favorite shirt," he told her, his voice honest. "And My Lord mentioned your conversation with him about finding Kas something more suitable to the palace grounds. I'm guessing it's his comfort level not yours that brought that conversation up. It was suggested we leave finery alone for the evening."

"We?" Kel demanded, her eyes locked on Dom's. This gathering had been set up strictly for Raoul to meet Kas. That Buri was there was perfectly acceptable but 'we' sounded liked more than that.

"A small gathering," Dom's face remained carefully blank as Kel narrowed her eyes on him. She doubted it was small. She'd said it many times before that Raoul was a bad man. This time she meant it. Kas was likely nervous enough meeting him let alone however many others Raoul had seen fit to invite. If all of Third Company wasn't invited, she'd eat her tunic.

Kel looked out of the gates once more and saw not one man of Kas' size on the steps. If he had somehow gotten word of the party there was a chance nerves may have gotten the better of him. She didn't blame him one bit. She wasn't looking forward to a party either. She liked having Kas just to herself. She liked how very free he was with her when they were alone. In public, kisses were chaste and quick if at all, but alone his hands sometimes wandered over her body in a way she didn't want to chastise and he found all sorts of ways to make her feel small and delicate. But it wasn't just the kissing. He didn't shy from touching her even so much as holding her hand or putting an arm around her shoulders. He was interested in hearing about her thoughts on more than just battle tactics, weapons, and training. She was more than a comrade to him and certainly allowed to be female.

"How long have you been standing out here?" Dom demanded after a moment. "It's time for you to sit down I think. I'll go see if I can locate him. You go find Raoul." He spun her around to face the palace and gave her a slight push to send her walking. In a way she was grateful because Dom was able to do what she wasn't allowed to yet and descend the stairs to see if something was actually holding him up.

At Raoul's rooms she nearly grimaced outright as she entered. Raoul hadn't invited Third Company but that would have almost been a blessing. At least a good portion of those men were merchant's sons that would understand Kas' discomfort at the palace. Raoul and Buri's guests were Roald and Shinko, Neal and Yuki, Faleron, Merric, Seaver, Esmond, Owen, and Alanna. The women wore simple dresses and the men were mostly wearing simple shirts and breeches much like Dom had been. Despite that, Kel still found herself nervous on how Kas would respond if Dom did retrieve him. Not only were some very high ranking members of nobility among her friends but also the Crowned Prince and Princess. And Kas was well aware of the ranks of her friends mostly because those of higher ranks were patrons of the Raven Armory.

"You're alone?" Raoul asked when she stepped through the door.

"He's running late it would seem. Dom went to see if he could find him. What's all of this?" She fixed Raoul with her eyes rather than look around at her friends.

"We wanted to meet your man, properly, and I insisted," Roald's voice cut across before Raoul could even speak. "He's been up at the palace probably ten times in the last month to see you and not a single one of us has met him save your friend Dom."

"He will have to learn to get used to nobility if he ever escorts you to a feast, party, or ball," Alanna pointed out dryly. "Call it trial by fire."

"That's not what this is, Alanna," Raoul shot her a look. "Best behavior. You do know how."

"Oh piffle. You take all of the fun out of this," Alanna huffed, a grin on her face.

"Here, come sit while we wait. You shouldn't be standing so long yet," Neal nodded to an open couch where a cup of green tea sat waiting.

"Tell us a little about your man so we don't make fools of ourselves," Faleron pressed when Kel sat down. "All we got out of Dom was he is a journeyman swordsmith at the Raven Armory who should have had his mastery already with his skills. Then we got sidetracked talking about the different advantages of different swords."

"Where's he from?" Neal asked. "Which part of Tortall?"

"Port Caynn," Kel offered. She and Kas had talked at length about his childhood by the water after he had discovered Mindelan was near the coast and her childhood in the Yamani Islands was often spent near the sea.

"His parents are still there?" Roald questioned.

"No. His mother passed away when he was young and his father shortly after he moved to Corus to work for the Raven Armory," Kel supplied. Kas had admitted he remembered little of his mother but had a small portrait from his father's possessions. His father had died in a drunken brawl that had gotten out of hand. Kas' description of his father had been somewhat unpleasant but he had spoken of his master from his apprenticeship as he would a father.

"Commoners are all good and well to be friends with, Kel, but to take one as a serious courting partner?" Merric commented despite the glares he was receiving from most of the room. While the majority of her friends were accepting of commoners and Merric had improved from his time at Haven and New Hope, Kel hadn't planned on introducing him to Kas until Kas was more comfortable.

"Class doesn't matter, Merric," Shinko's quiet accented voice cut. "What matters is how he treats her. He must treat her well for her to enjoy his company so much."

"He can't treat her all of that well considering he likely can't afford it. He can't even afford to dress properly for escorting her on palace grounds," Merric replied.

Someone cleared their throat before anyone could respond and Kel looked up to see Dom standing in the doorway with Kas. Kas' cheeks were tinged pink with a blush and his eyes were down on the floor rather than up on anyone else. However long he had been there, it had been enough to hear at least Merric's last comment.

"Excuse me," he murmured, bowed low, and bolted out of the door before Kel could even rise to stop him.

"There is far more to how a man treats a woman, or anyone else for that matter, than how much coin he can afford to spend on them," Kel informed Merric. "Excuse me." She didn't bow or acknowledge more than Dom's murmured apology before she went into the hall to try and figure out where Kas had gone.

It didn't take long to find him, especially after she questioned one of the palace guards in the hallway. He had gone out of the nearest door and was leaning his head against the cool stone of the wall. She went to him and touched his arm when he wouldn't turn to look at her.

"I'm sorry I was late," he murmured without looking away from the wall. "I brought the clothes I was going to wear tonight to the forge so I could be here on time and when I located them after I finished working they seemed to have been used to clean one of the forges. I can't put it past my fellow journeymen to call that a joke. So I had to run home, but I didn't feel right meeting your mentor in soot smudged clothing, and nothing I have is clean right now." He turned his head just slightly to look at her. "Your friend was right. I can't dress properly to escort you around the palace. Certainly not to face the Crowned Prince and Princess, a future Earl, and a future Duke and Duchess. Not to mention your mentor who likely feels as your friend does."

"You know I don't care," Kel reminded him. "It's not how you dress that impresses me." She reached to take his hand and held it tight. "We don't need to do this tonight," she sighed. "Let's go back to my rooms and we can hide from the world for a while."

"Not your rooms," he turned to face her completely and put an arm around her waist to pull her against him. "You don't need to be cooped up in your rooms anymore, especially not because of me. Let's go find those gardens again."

Kel nodded and took his hand to lead him to the walled gardens they had been in only a few days before. They would be deserted at this time of evening but they were private enough if someone else did happen by. It was just as likely that he was afraid her friends would come looking for her in her rooms when she didn't come back to their gathering as it was that he was trying to keep her from being cooped up.

They reached the gardens and Kas pulled her towards a bench that was screened in with vine filled trellises. Rather than let her sit next to him, he pulled her down to sit on his lap and locked his arms around her to bury his head against her shoulder. He said nothing and she let him have his silence.

A boot scuffing against the stone path near them made Kel look up from Kas' shoulder to see Faleron round the corner and stop at the sight of them. He seemed to assess the situation for a moment before he came closer.

"Dom thought I might find you here if you weren't in your rooms," he started and then stopped to shake his head. "Roald asked Merric to leave after thoroughly giving him a reminder of chivalry," he commented after a long moment. Kas' head lifted slightly and Kel could see he was looking Faleron over. "We're not all like that. My cousin is slow to learn that wealth means little if you're an idiot and an ass. He'll come around or at least he'll keep his mouth shut if he can't wrap his mind around that."

"He's not wrong, My Lord," Kas shifted Kel off of his lap to stand and bow to Faleron. But Faleron closed the distance to force Kas to stand upright and took his hand instead.

"It's Fal to my friends," Faleron informed him. "And Kel's friends would still like to get to know you. She's an important part of all of our lives and you're important to her. That makes you important to us."

"Perhaps tonight isn't a good time," Kel stood to address Faleron. She appreciated everything he was doing and she'd tell him when Kas was well on his way back down to the city.

"No," Kas turned to wrap his arm around her waist again. "Tonight is a good time. I hope you'll forgive my attire and my retreat earlier."

"There is nothing to forgive," Faleron grinned at Kas and clapped him on the shoulder.

The collection of guests in Raoul's rooms had dwindled slightly down to Roald, Shinko, Neal, Yuki, Owen, and Dom when Faleron led them back in through the door. He had drawn Kas into an avid discussion based on the earlier discussion about the different advantages of different types of swords. Introductions were waved away as Faleron drew everyone else back into the discussion.

Kas had become so absorbed in the conversation that he had sat down next to Kel with little more than her tug at his hand. His arm went around her to tuck her in close against him as if they were alone. It wasn't until Roald inquired about Kas' decision to move to Corus rather than stay in Port Tythrenn or go elsewhere that he seemed to realize who was addressing him. Kel felt his arm around her back stiffen.

"Your Highness," he started but Roald held up a hand.

"Roald to anyone that can make Kel smile like that," Roald corrected. Kel watched Kas stare for a moment and then shake his head.

"I couldn't possibly be so improper, Your Highness," he tried.

"Of course you can," Roald grinned. "Or we'll die of old age following formalities whenever we meet. It gets tiring."

"Tiring the Crowned Prince out is Princess Shinkokami's job," Neal added with a snort only to be smacked in the arm with Yuki's fan. Neal let out a howl and began to lament about the abuse he endured for his wit. Kel was grateful and she sensed Kas was as well because it distracted from him and Roald. She felt him sigh and then shift against her before he responded to Roald.

"I came to Corus, Roald, because my master at my forge had arranged for me to work for a friend of his until I could prove myself to the Raven Armory. Master Alms always believed I was good enough to work for them," Kas' arm stayed tight around Kel. The conversation turned away from Kas then to Dom's promotion and the changes that would be coming to the King's Own as veteran men retired after the Scanran War.

"It's getting late," Neal announced when they had been talking for well over an hour. "My Yamani Blossom should be resting." He didn't even flinch as the fan came down on his arm again. "Kas, it was a pleasure to meet you officially." He stood and drew Yuki up with him to leave. As he left, others started to make their excuses.

"I'd like to walk you back to your rooms," Kas leaned down to murmur in her ear as the others bid each other goodnight. Kel only gave the barest of nods to show she had heard him and was agreeing. He'd likely stay a while longer, despite the time. He stood and helped her to her feet.

"Kas, it was a pleasure to meet you. Let's keep meeting on friendly terms," Raoul offered his hand to Kas as they neared the door. Kel recognized the threat and wasn't surprised that Kas did as well as he glanced down at her.

"I can't imagine finding myself meeting you under any other circumstance, Sir," he replied with a short bow of respect. At least he had taken her advice about how to address Raoul. Then he made his retreat, pulling Kel with him.

"Kel, Kas, I know you'll want a little while alone but I only need a moment," Roald caught them out in the hallway clearly waiting after the others had gone. Not even Shinko was nearby. "I know Fal spoke to you about Merric, but I wanted to as well."

"Your Highness," Kas started but Roald held up a hand.

"Roald to you, remember?"

"In private, sure, but in public and public spaces it would appear as though I don't respect my rank and that I think myself above it," Kas pleaded.

"Alright, fine," Roald relented. "Merric was out of line tonight. He had been asked to keep his opinions to himself if he wanted to be there. Unfortunately, and I know you are aware of this, he's not the only one at the palace with such views. I would like to ask you to pick a day to meet with me, here at the palace to amend some of the issue."

"Your Highness, I'm not sure I understand," Kas looked to Kel but she wasn't sure she had an answer to what was being discussed either. She had been trying to change views about commoners for many years and it was still noted that she cared too much even among some friends. It was unlikely anything Roald did would change those views either.

"Merric made one point tonight that can easily be smoothed over, simply regarding clothing. I assume you intend to stay courting Kel as long as possible. No, I'm not asking you about your intentions for marriage, but I'm assessing your level of seriousness for her. I believe you intend to keep her which means there will be feasts, balls, and parties you'll be expected to escort her to. It's a fairly simple fix so please allow me to fix it." Roald stood perfectly still, a calm smile on his face but his eyes were serious. It was rare for him to show favoritism to anyone but when he did it was worth watching.

"I don't want charity, Your Highness," Kas' grip on Kel's hand became tight marking his frustration. "I'm not courting Kel for an investor to pay for my mastery. I'm not courting her to elevate myself. I'm not courting her to receive new clothing."

"It's not charity," Roald's eyes stayed even. "I have a reason and I think you'll agree once you hear it," his eyes flicked to Kel and she couldn't help but narrow her eyes on him. The reason had something to do with her but he wouldn't discuss it in front of her. She was certainly not happy about that but Kas' hand was loosening to a comfortable grip on hers again marking he was relaxing. There was something he was understanding in Roald's glance that he was at least willing to accept.

"I have Sunday morning off. I'll hear your offer then," Kas sighed.

"Sunday, let's say as soon as you can after the first bell to maximize your time here. You'll have breakfast with me. I'll have someone waiting at the gate to direct you to the proper place." Roald didn't give him a chance to argue or bow as he turned and strode down the hall, every bit the Crowned Prince in charge of his domain.

"Are all of your friends so…" Kas stopped and Kel glanced up at him trying to figure out what word he wanted.

"Most of them," Kel stalled whatever word he was looking to find. Pushy, yes, when it came to what they saw as right. Determined, definitely. "Neal would have been less kind about it. For all he means well, he tends to either talk around an issue or cut straight to the heart without thought to how someone might take his words," she gave his arm a tug to start pulling him down the hall. "If you would like me to talk to Roald about all of this, I can. I can even go around him to Shinko if you'd rather I didn't address it openly."

"No," Kas let go of her hand to wrap his arm around her waist again. "I'll hear his offer and see what point he won't make in front of you."

The rest of the walk was done in silence as Kel become well aware that Kas was thinking over something. He wouldn't speak until he had decided on what he wanted to say. Rushing him or interrupting his thoughts wouldn't win her any rewards. At her door he stopped her again.

"You know I am not courting you for status or money, right?" His voice was soft.

"I'm well aware of that, Kas. Come inside for a few minutes," she nodded to the door she had just unlocked and opened. She wanted to spend at least a little time proving to him that she knew he wasn't after anything other than her. There had to have been more pushing that reaction in him than just Dom's offer to fund his masterpiece or Roald's offer to add to his wardrobe. Someone had mentioned trying to elevate his status and that wasn't one she had heard. She wasn't sure if it came from someone inside of the palace or someone he knew in the city. Either way she wanted to soothe his frustrations.

"I'm sorry," he sighed as she closed the door behind them. "I just get grumpy when I'm reminded I can't afford to truly treat you properly."

"I can afford what I need when it comes to things that cost coin. I don't need a man to spend money on me. I want the things you don't need to spend money on," she pulled him towards the couch but he stopped her with a sweet kiss.

"If you keep talking like that I won't be able to control myself," he teased her. "I'm going to take my leave while I still have some ability to walk away from you." He leaned down to give her one more kiss. "I'd love to say I will be back tomorrow night or the night after but I need to spend a night getting my clothes clean. I will not meet or have breakfast with the Crowned Prince coated in soot." He sighed.

"I'm sure you have neglected to do plenty of things working the hours you do and coming up to the palace all of the time," Kel smiled up at him. "You are allowed to take an evening to yourself."

"I may be allowed, but I dislike it all of the same. Not when I know I can be with you instead," his hands drifted down to her hips and pulled her in close. "Leaving you here is one of the most difficult things I make myself do."

"You could always stay," she blushed at her own boldness. She hadn't meant to make that offer but she didn't regret it falling from her lips. It opened doors that she wasn't sure she was completely ready for but she was willing to explore those options with Kas.

Kas was absolutely still and silent. She forced herself to look up at him and saw something glimmering in his warm brown eyes that made her knees feel weak. His hands stayed locked around her hips his eyes still on her face. Then he moved, shifting his head down to give her a kiss that filled her core with a fizzing warmth that made her limbs all feel loose. It gathered in her lower abdomen making the muscles clench in a way that needed some sort of release she wasn't sure she could give them on her own, but she was sure Kas knew whatever she needed. If moments earlier she wasn't sure she was ready, she was willing now.

"Not tonight," Kas murmured when he pulled back. One of his hands detached from her hips to come up to cup her cheek and then drifted into her hair to start running through it. "I'll have to get up very early and I wouldn't want to disturb your rest when you need it to heal still. But soon I will take you up on that offer." He leaned down to give her one more slow and sweet kiss. "Good night, Kel."

Then he was gone and Kel needed to sit to gather her thoughts. There was no way to describe how she was truly feeling. She was elated that Kas was thinking of her and her injury when it had gone from her mind, but she was frustrated because she wanted relief from the tension she had felt build inside of her when he had kissed her so.

He wasn't too far gone, she could always go and catch up to him. She could make her case for losing a little sleep for more time with him. She could beg him for whatever came after that kiss. But she was scared on top of everything else she was feeling. She wanted more from him, but now that he was gone from in front of her, worries settled back in.

She didn't know a single thing about pleasing a man. She knew she could ask Yuki or Shinko for advice but she'd likely embarrass herself trying to stumble over her questions, and she certainly didn't want any more information about Neal or Roald in that light. Part of her questioned going to Dom. That part of her was sure he wouldn't mock her questions or laugh at her embarrassment. But it felt wrong to go to him on such a matter.

As she forced herself to stand and go back to the bedroom rather than chase after Kas she realized she was being silly. Kas would very likely forgive her ignorance on such a matter and likely would be willing to educate her. He had to know she wasn't very experienced. She had been very honest about her relationship with Cleon.

She laid down on her bed and turned to meditating to settle her body, unaware of when clearing her mind dropped off into sleep.