Keladry of Mindelan was not one for drinking, but on her 14th birthday things changed. She woke up before dawn that morning to a loud banging on her door. She grumpily got up and changed into a red tunic with brown breeches. But when she got to the door the knocking stopped. Instead there was a letter with her name on it half way under the door. Out of curiosity she picked it up and began to read.
Dear Kel,
I bet you're wondering 'what in this Gods forsaken world was the reason for someone banging on your door before dawn'. Well, I just want you to know, it was all Merrics idea! So if you have any longings to kill someone, he will be in his room, asleep, with the door unlocked and a bucket of cold water by his bed. The real reason I woke you up was to tell you to meet us-me, Merric, Roald, Cleon, and Owen-
at the stables at noon, and bring your purse.
From your best friend who had nothing to do with waking you up,
Nealan of Queenscove-much preferred Neal-
P.S. The reason why we got you up so early is because you have to look decent.
P.P.S Not that you're never decent.
After Kel was finished she didn't know whether to be upset or thoughtful that they remembered her birthday. 'Wait' she thought ' he didn't even say it was for my birthday'. So she decided to be both. So she walked out the door to go find Merric's room.
When she was walking down the hall a hand grabbed her arm from the shadows. She followed her instincts and threw him over her hip. His leg caught on hers and he fell on top of her, pinned down to the ground as she was. When she recovered from the fall she opened her hazel eyes to meet icy blue eyes with some softness behind them.
"So Lump, looks like I win again." growled Joren. Who was sounding angry yet looking innocent. Kel was having a hard time hearing what he was saying. Not because she couldn't hear him,
but because she was starting to get lost in his icy blue eyes. No matter how much her head told her it was wrong to like your enemy, her heart was stronger. She grew a longing to be able to lose her self in his eyes. To be able to kiss his perfectly shaped lips. Imagining how moist they are.
When she finally realized she was staring she replied " Well, maybe if we had a fair fight the winner would't be a cheater"
"Is that a challenge?" Joren asked with a little seduction in his voice.
"Yes, and you get to choose the place and what we'd be fighting."
" How about right here, right now," Joren leaned in and kissed Kel passionately. Before she knew what was happening Joren pulled away "kissing."
Kel had heard of kissing challenges, but they rarely occurred because it was unlady like for a court lady, and there weren't that many lady warriors. Only the Queen's Riders and Alanna. Before she knew what she was doing she leaned in to his lips making a sweet, yet small kiss. " I accept."
When Kel tried to pull in for another kiss, Joren pulled back and said " How about a bet, if I win you have to embarrass yourself in front of all your friends by kissing each one of them on the lips before noon today." Kel's mouth nearly flew open, but she recovered it under her Yamani mask."And if you win, which you won't I will be nice to you and your friends," when Joren saw the I'm-not-that-dumb look on her face he added "and admit to everyone girls can fight just as good as guys can, if not better."
He muttered the last part but Kel heard it.
"You're on." was all that Kel said before they started kissing softly, then with more passion and lust. Joren's arms going around Kel's waist, and her arms tightening on the back of his soft and warm neck, Their legs entwined on the hard stone floor.
To most passing by they just assumed she was a new court lady. But when Merric took one step out his door and saw his Squire friend having a kissing fest with her worst enemy he nearly screamed "KEL!". When they didn't pull apart, too determined on winning, Merric pinched himself trying to see if was still asleep. When that didn't work he ran down the hall to Neal's room.
He pounded on the door continuously, and when Neal answered he almost got hit by Merric's fist. but he blocked and calmly asked "Merric, is there a reason your pounding on my door and then you try to hit me in the face?"
"Sorry," was Merric's breathless reply, " you won't believe what I just saw!"
"Well I think I would have to believe what you just saw, unless you've been drinking too much?" When Merric shook his head Neal continued "Tell me and I'll promise to believe you."
"KelandJorenwerekissinginthehallwayinfrontofmyroomlikemadlovers!" answered Merric still in shock of the event he came across only 5 minutes ago.
"I'm sorry," replied Neal, calmer than normal "I thought I just heard you say that you saw Kel and Joren kissing, madly." He was now on his bed holding his head in his hands, wondering if he hurt his ears lately.
"That's because I did," replied Merric, wondering if Kel's best friend is okay "and if you want to help break them apart, then you better foll-" he stopped because Neal was already racing out the door to wards Merric's room pushing past people in his way.
"Neal, where are you going?" a hand shot out and grabbed Neal's arm "Is there a reason why you're running jolly fast down the hallway like you just saw an army of vegetables!"
When Neal turned around he saw a rather plump page with a cherry look on his face. After concentrating he finally managed to decipher who it was. "Kel...and...Joren...kissing...in front of ...Merric's room. Got...to...break...them...apart"
Before Owen could respond Neal was already gone, leaving a really confused Owen who just went to see if any of his friends knew if Neal had gone delirious.
Kel and Joren were still at it, not caring what was happening in the outside world. All Kel could think about was how good his lips tasted, and how she never wanted to leave them.
When they were both into more than 40 minutes of kissing, out of breathe and sweating, She felt two strong, delicate, hands pull here away from the soft wet lips.
Joren sat back, dazed as why she had stopped. But a smirk crossed his face as he realized he had just won his bet. When he opened his eyes he saw Neal struggling to hold Kel because she was thrashing about trying to get back to Joren with her eyes still closed, hissing to Neal to let her go.
After Kel was calm enough, Joren stood up and leaned in an inch away from Kel's face.
"Too late, I win." He then left down the hallway only looking back once to see Kel, on the ground, glaring his way with Neal trying to find out what happened. Joren smirked once before returning to his walk down the hallway, deciding on the best way to spy on her new "errands".