Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot line. All characters, settings, and anything known to have taken place in the novels or looks familiar belong to Tamora Pierce. I also have to give Friends some credit for inspiration in the upcoming chapters.

Flirting With Consequence

Corus loomed in the distance three days later when Lord Raoul's group of soldiers and knights were making their way home.

Kel reined in Hoshi and let her eyes follow the ribbon of grey-blue that was the Olorun River as it cut through the countryside. She sensed Dom come up beside her. Moments passed before he said anything.

"Ready to be home?" he asked, watching Kel's profile, while she never looked towards him.

"It's odd" she told him, still staring towards the city. "We've been dancing around this situation for months, telling ourselves we weren't ready to make our relationship known. If it wasn't for Wolset, we could continue to hide it for another year. Yet, somehow, I feel more ready now than ever before." She finally turned to look at him. His startling blue eyes boring into her, reading her like an open book.

"Do you suppose the entire court knows by now?" Dom suggested quietly.

"I imagine the Conservatives are enraged and calling for your head for having me. I imagine they are saying it's your own downfall for taking a woman of damaged reputation. And I imagine every eligible woman at court and their mother's are seeking my violent death for gaining the heart of the court's heart breaker." Kel smirked at him as she turned her horse towards the road to the city gates.

"It's going to be a disaster" Dom realized as he followed her. Her laughter carried back to him on the wind.

"Now Soldier, I was of the understanding that you embraced disaster with witty jokes and flirting" Kel called to him, turning in her saddle to watch him catch up.

He leaned out of his saddle and gripped her chin in his hand, bringing her lips to his. She grinned against him.

"I was under the impression that jokes, flirting and disaster is how we came into this mess in the first place" he told her.

"Of course, otherwise life would be boring" Kel laughed as she pulled away. Dom cocked an eyebrow at her.

"Somehow, I doubt life with you will never go so low as to be called boring" Dom told her, winking as he urged his horse into a full gallop.

He knew she would rise to the unspoken challenge. She always did. It's why he loved her.

A/N:

I want to thank everyone for their interest and encouragement. Whether my alterations based on your comments were noticeable or not, I did take them seriously. I look forward to the same diligence next time.

As for this story, it is completed. I am surprised at myself for being able to stay on task despite having only the first chapter as my inspiration. For that reason, despite your dismay in some cases, I'm not going to continue it.

Kel and Dom will reappear in my work sometime down the road, more likely sooner than later. I have two stories in the works, one of them Kel/ Dom, so give me some time to get through midterms and I will indulge you once again.

Thank you again for your dedication and keep up the good work on your own projects!

-Jez