The window was open, I don't even need to work on the clasp. The damn fool is making it easy for me to kill him. That suits me just fine, the quicker the kill, the quicker I can go back to the Guildhouse.

I creep into the room my eyes adjusting to the different darkness, searching for the bed. Startled perplexion enters my face as I see it. The goddamn bed is festooned with mistletoes. I am starting to think that this Lordain is a silly boy that's going to be an easy kill.

At least you are lucky, Kestrel Lordain. You will meet your death painlessly. The dagger descends in a blur but it stops before it reaches its target as blue eyes snap open and a strong hand grips my dagger hand.

I don't know why but when those blue eyes meet mine something intangible grasps at my soul. There is a glint of triumph in his gaze as he whispers.

"I have been waiting for you."

I am disoriented enough that I don't struggle as Lordain yanks me down. I fall on his chest as his mouth fastens on mine in a slow sensual kiss.

Anger bursts through disorientation and my free hand clenches into a fist…to punch down into an empty mattress as I fall face first into the bed. I swing my head to the side as I hear a rich laugh. The idiot has quick reflexes and has anticipated my moves. Something that hasn't ever been done before.

Well, he isn't going to be able to tell anybody about his lucky moves. I jump off the bed, draw the daggers from inside my shirt and throw it at him.

The daggers clatter down to the floor.

Impossible! Not one dagger penetrated the swirling sword he held.

"Aren't you overreacting over one single kiss?" He chuckles audaciously.

I don't answer. I do not answer dead men. Or soon to be dead men. Instead I draw out my sword.

"Oh, so its going to be that way, is it?" He smiles and settles into a stance.

I know that stance. It's the same one I saw Deadly Dancer, a lady gladiator, use in Ogma's Court, Somakul's main attraction. She always starts with that stance.

There was no doubt in my mind now. My first impression was a mistake, this is no silly idiot boy. Kestrel Lordain is a sword dancer.

This is going to take longer than I thought.

I look back at him to see his eyes roaming around my body, taking note of my accessories. "Aa. I see. You're an assassin. Let's make a deal. If you win, I'll let you kill me, no struggles. But if I win, you have to give me a kiss for each mistletoe around the bed."

Lordain might not be an idiot but he must be crazy. Normal people do not make deals with assassins, they either melt into quivering masses of fear or run for their lives.

"So what do you say?"

I throw another dagger in answer and as he blocks it, I close in. We are standing face to face now, bodies close, struggling for dominance.

"You have the most beautiful green eyes." He drawls admiringly.

I ignore that. I am not here to make small talk. I am here to kill him.

Clang!

I have him! My sword goes into an opening in his guard only to find it blocked as he brings another sword into play. "Not that easily, sweet one." He chuckles and with a deft twist he sends my sword flying into the air. I didn't even see how he did it.

He is that good.

The impact of the sword flying out of my hand also sends me falling on my back and on the bed. I struggle to get up but a sword on my throat stops me as I hear a delighted chuckle above me.

"Well, I won. And what a coincidence, under mistletoes too. This would be the most appropriate time for me to claim my prize, don't you think?"

And with the confidence of one who knew he had won, Kestrel swooped down to claim his mouth in a searing kiss...

TBC ^_~ Whee! So was this surprising? Or not? Kestrel is downright incorrigible, the boy is. ^^ I've completed a drawing of the two together so if you guys want it, tell me and i'll mail them to you ne?