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Domitan of Masbolle
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Dom looked around the courtyard at all the stiff nobles. For Princess Shinkokami's birthday, Prince Roald had hired musicians from Yaman to come over and play their native music. They'd composed a song for her. It was being performed in the gardens. The princess looked radiant, her belly full with a new babe. Roald sat beside her, bouncing their young daughter on his lap.

But the royal family was not who drew Dom to the gathering. His eyes searched the faces. There she was.

Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan was standing with Cousin Neal and his lady, Yukimi. Kel was dressed in a blue gown with cream trim. An open gray Yamani kimono was draped over her dress. She looked radiant in Mindelan colors. Dom went to stand beside her as the music began.

A man playing a shamisen, a three-stringed Yamani lute, started the introduction. Slow moving chords and disjunct intervals were played rhythmically.

Then a woman began to sing.

"Hauksen no
sue hirogani no
sue kakete…"

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she whispered. Dom looked at her. He couldn't help but think that she was much better than the music.

"It's lovely," he said. "I just wish I understood the words."

"I could translate," Kel offered with a smile. Dom nodded thinking of how brilliant her smile was. Kel listened for a moment longer, then began to whisper the words in Common.

"A white fan
spreading out
lasting forever
the firm pledges
like the silver node of the fan
shimmering in shadows
the bough of the pine trees
the splendid leafy color of
a deep green
the clearness of the pond
in the garden approached
undisturbed by waves of wind
the surface of the water
what an enviable life
don't you think?"

Dom looked down about two inches into Kel's hazel eyes. She held his gaze for a moment, but then she looked down, a light blush rising on her cheeks.

"It is beautiful," Dom said, voice low. "Like you." Kel's blush deepened, but now she raised her eyes to meet his. "Sergeant Domitan, I do believe that you are flirting shamelessly. Stop toying with my maiden's heart," Kel scolded quietly and playfully.

"Why? Does it belong to anyone in particular?"

"Shh!" Neal said, breaking the mood. Kel and Dom hadn't been whispering very loudly, so Neal had not heard their words, just the low murmur of their voices.

Dom caught Kel's hand and pulled her away to a secluded place in the gardens. They could still hear the music, even with the flow of a white marble fountain.

"There," he said. "Now we can speak in peace."

Kel smiled and seated herself on the fountain's edge. The musicians were playing a wordless melody now. Kel closed her eyes as she listened.

Dom watched her. She looked so beautiful and happy. He sank slowly to sit beside her. Kel opened her eyes to look at him.

"My father loves this song," she began. Quickly, Dom cut her off with a kiss. At first he felt Kel go stiff beneath his hold, so he kissed her again. By the third time, Kel had put her arms around his neck, and was kissing back. Dom tightened his grip on her waist, pulling Kel close. His hand, unconsciously placed between her outer kimono and her dress, ran down Kel's hip.

"Dom!" she cried, pulling slightly away. Now her face was really red. She was panting lightly as well, trying to catch her breath.

"I'm sorry," Dom said quietly.

"Don't be sorry," Kel whispered. "I liked it. Just take it slower. I'm not a girl from an inn's upstairs room."

"I don't want to trifle with you, Kel," Dom said. "I love you." He nearly kicked himself for speaking so freely. Kel was about to laugh in his face; he just knew it. But when he looked up, Kel was grinning. She let her face draw close to his.

"I love you too, Dom."

Dom nearly fell off of his seat. As it was, the back of his tunic was soaked in the fountain. Kel flashed him a mischievous smile, then pushed him gently into the fountain.

Water rushed up Dom's nose and mouth. He splashed to the surface, sputtering.

"That my lady, was not fair," he said when he could speak. "You're lucky you're wearing that pretty dress, or I might return the favor." Dom tried to stand and climb out, but he slipped and crashed back down.

Kel winced.

"Do you need a hand?" she asked, standing. Dom grinned as Kel offered her hand. "Don't you dare pull me in there! I'm a lady."

"That you are, Kel," he said, standing up to kiss her.