Book Two: KOTLC One-shots and More

Kind of an Idiot (Marella POV)

A/N: @DaggerNamedHope requested this moment from my matchmaking AU storyline.

"Okay, how do I look?" Marella asked, stepping out of her bathroom.

She'd spent a lot more time getting ready for Keefe's Winnowing Gala than she had ever spent before.

But she had just enough of a competitive streak in her that she wanted to look better than the other girls, even though she was not at all interested in Keefe.

She'd chosen a charcoal gray gown with a halter neckline and a dropped waist. She had kept her beloved tiny braids in her hair, but some of them were swept back into a half-up, half-down style with gentle curls. She'd also dusted some smoky eyeshadow and eyeliner onto her eyes.

She was pleased with how her whole look had turned out.

She was also pleased with Tam's reaction.

His eyebrows shot up in surprise as he looked at her, and was even momentarily speechless as she walked toward him, his eyes raking slowly over her gown and back up to her face.

"Whoa," he whispered. "I mean, you always look good, don't get me wrong, but...whoa."

"That's all you can think to say?"

Tam stepped closer and brought his hands to her waist, trailing his fingers along the fitted bodice of the dress down to her hips. "I didn't know it was possible to look fancy and dangerous at the same time," he murmured. "But you...you are definitely both." He leaned in and kissed her, his hands gripping her hips tightly before pulling away with a sigh. "And I can't believe Keefe is the one who gets to see you like this all evening." He rolled his eyes.

Marella laughed. "Oh, please. I doubt he'll even notice me. Sophie's going to be there."

Tam snorted. "True. And she could turn up in her dragon costume from the opening ceremonies and he'd still stare at her all night."

"And she still wouldn't understand what it meant. She'd probably think he was judging her for dressing like that."

"Well...have fun, I guess," Tam told her. "And come see me at Solreef when you're done, if you're not too tired."

"All those stairs..." Marella said uncertainly. "In a gown and heels."

Tam leaned in until his face was mere inches from hers. "But I'll be waiting when you finally reach the door."

"And Tiergan won't mind me showing up super late?"

Tam shrugged. "No, he doesn't get too bothered about stuff like curfews. He doesn't really take an authoritative role. He's very private, and doesn't want to get involved in our personal business--unless we ask for help. You could probably stay the night and he wouldn't say anything."

This time, it was Marella's eyebrows that shot up. Tam seemed to realize how that had sounded and he flushed. "I didn't mean--"

"I know," Marella told him, torn between feeling awkward and amused. And...maybe a little flustered. "You were just trying to explain how relaxed Tiergan is about things."

Tam's lips curled up into a rueful smile. "Like I said...you look dangerous tonight. Can you blame me for getting all tongue-tied and hot and bothered?"

Marella leaned in and kissed him very, very lightly. "I suppose not," she whispered. "I'll take it as a compliment."

After that, Tam leaped back to Solreef and Marella made her way up to the leapmaster, saying a quick goodbye to her parents as she went.