Chapter 1

Numair Salmalín walked through the palace in Corus. Deep in thought, he headed towards his room. Because his mind was on serious matters he didn't notice the girl until he had run into her.

Daine fell to the floor

"Oh, I'm sorry Daine," he stuttered and he helped the giggling girl to her feet

"Numy, why are you so deep in thought? What's the matter?" she asked childishly

"I'm sorry sweetling," he murmured and pressed his lips to hers hesitantly.

Daine felt his hesitation and was worried. She wasn't sure why, but she was.

Numair pulled back after a few seconds and said hoarsely "Daine, we need to talk,"

They went to their rooms and sat down on the bed.

"Look, Daine, I've been thinking a lot lately and I've realised that I'm a cradle robber. I am too old for you. I have decided to move out so you can have these rooms.

I am still your teacher and friend but I'm afraid we cannot be lovers. I am so sorry magelet,"

Daine's eyes widened and then she slapped him hard "WHAT?! Get out! I hate you, you prick. You led me on. All you wanted was sex didn't you? You sicken me you bastard," she screamed

Numair got up, shocked, and left the room. Daine locked her door and threw herself on the bed sobbing. She didn't know how long she cried.

After about a week of this, Cloud, who had not been groomed all week, came into her friend's room, with a certain young dragons help.

She didn't say a word but she bit the sobbing girls arm harder than she had ever bitten anything before.

Get over the stork-man, she told her friend He is not worth it. Get over him and find yourself a new mate

Daine rubbed her arm and nodded. She wiped her tears and hugged Cloud. Then she went to find Alanna and Onua.

When they saw her they rushed over and hugged her saying how sorry they were. Daine shook her head, shrugging the words and hugs away.

"Alanna, Onua. I need a favour. If you ever see me about to cry over that... man... I want you to slap me. If I ever acknowledge his existence, slap me. Can you do that?"

Alanna and Onua were shocked but, due to the fact that their young friend was so distraught, they agreed.

It was the biggest mistake they ever made, for it destroyed their Daine.

Daine kept that promise for so long. She didn't look at him when he tried to talk to her in the halls.

"Daine? Diane? Please talk to me. Please look at me?" Numair pleaded. Diane walked on as if nothing was there, though her heart screamed for his loving embrace, his soft touch, his warm caresses.

She didn't cry when she saw him kissing a buxom noble woman.

She looked down in the courtyard and saw Numair pashing a woman. They broke away and the woman looked up and saw Daine glaring at them, tears threatening to overflow. The woman smiled smugly at the younger. Daine walked away.

She didn't cry when Alanna told the wildmage that Daine was pregnant to her old lover.

"Daine you're pregnant. Have you had any lovers other than Numair?"

Daine shook her head. It was Numair's child she carried in her stomach. She lurched to Alanna's privy and was sick. She wished it was Numair's strong arms wrapped around her shoulders, instead of Alanna's small ones.

She wanted to, but she wasn't going to give the... man the satisfaction of her crying over him.

She nearly cried when she had the baby on her own. The baby was beautiful. It was a replica of Daine but it had different eyes.

As Alanna passed the baby over to her Daine looked at her daughter and large Bambi brown eyes stared at her. She rested he head the baby's forehead and kissed her daughter gently on the cheek. Then she closed her eyes, to prevent any tears falling out.

Daine nearly cried. But she wouldn't. She'd never cry. Never.

This chapter was bad, but I think I improved it from last time. It was dumb and now I've flattened myself, (which is not good considering I am in counselling to stop that. Or at least to stop me thinking I am nothing and nobody. It's just the school counsellor, in case any of you were worried (i knew you would be!!!)).

The characters don't sound real. It was basically a prologue. But it was still s. Anyhoo, please review and tell me what you think. Oh and if it sounds familiar I got the idea from Topaz wolfs waking up. I read it and then I got this story in a dream. It's actually a c storyline but I really want to write it. Very predictable. Oh well. S happens ï