a/n: before you read the story, please read this. rest assured that whatever happens with this story, it is a Daine and Numair story; do not get any second ideas.

also, this is my very first tamora pierce fic; so please have patience with me.

AND REVIEW!!!

disclaimer: i own everything you dont know.

She put her weight on the railing, stubborn chin resting upon her open palm. She heaved a heavy sigh, and swung both arms across the railing, balancing herself on it. She unfastened the tie of her hair, and her curly brown locks spilled out to the air. Veralidaine Sarrasri, Tortall's Wild Mage, twenty years young, was on her way for the second time, to Carthak. She had been writing to Emperor Kaddar for the past five years, and in each of those letters, he had asked her to come out to visit him. Finally caving in, she decided to visit him out of courtesy. Besides, it's been a while, she thought to herself.

"We're almost there, miss!"

Daine turned her head towards the voice, to find the ship captain.

"How much longer?" she asked, looking up to the afternoon sky.

"Just a quarter of a day left!"

That wasn't too bad, she though. That's around three hours. She looked over the water and smiled to herself. Two gulls were flying overhead together. She looked at the scenery for a bit longer, and decided to pull herself off the railing. She crossed the boat, heading towards her room. Going into the hall, she turned to the room to her right first; her room. She went to her closet, laying out her outfit Queen Thayet had previously chosen for her back in Tortall. She had to admit, the queen had some really good taste, picking, and mix-matching colours and styles just right for Daine. She then took out her jewel box and fished the ice-blue drops, along with the matching necklace, that was given to her two years ago from Alanna and George. She smiled to herself, thinking that even though the Baron and his wife weren't the type to be shopping for jewelery, they had a good eye. The Lioness always complained about things like this, and would rather just wear her breeches to any royal affair. Daine agreed with her.

She walked out her room to go to the one across from it. Slowly and silently pushing the door open, she tiptoed in, incase she awoke him. Quietly shutting the door, she stepped into the room. There he was, sleeping silently, although his face looked tense. She stepped over to him, sitting on the floor facing him. Numair Salmalin, the finest mage in Tortall, rested upon the bed. She fondly brushed a strand of his long black hair out his face, caressing his cheek. He stirred and moved a bit, but hadn't awaken yet. She stiffled a giggle; no matter what, he was always a heavy sleeper.

She bent over and kissed him lightly on the lips, pulling back to see his reaction. A small smile played on his lips. Daine rested her arms on the bed, and propped her head on them, waiting for him to fully awake. His eyes finally pulled open as he saw her.

"Good sleep?" she asked, as he sat up on the bed.

He turned to her, smiling his boyish smile. "Better than others, I suppose."

"You know, if you walked around instead of staying in one place and sleeping, you'd feel better."

"What if I decide to unload my stomach on deck?"

"Get the crew to clean it."

He laughed, pulling her to the bed with him. It had been four years since the Immortal's war, and it had been four years since they admitted their love to each other. It had been four years since they've both been living together. To Numair, he wouldn't trade those four years, and the years to come, for anything in the world.

"How much longer?" he asked, resting his lips on her hair, nuzzling her and hugging her tightly.

She giggled at his movements, never seeming to get tired of them. "About three hours."

"Are you excited?"

"Are you kidding? Of course I'm excited! I haven't seen Kaddar in five years! And I'd like to see how his new zoo looks like."

"Ah... right, Kaddar."

Daine turned around to face him with a puzzled face. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," he replied, though his face still looked unsettled.

She knew why. She remembered the last time they went to Carthak. She even remembered that lovely talk he had with Kaddar, how Kaddar shouldn't like Daine or he'd hurt him. Or how he was glad they were leaving Kaddar. She shook her head.

"I'm only going to Carthak to see him, Numair. He's my friend."

"Of course..."

"Hey, remember Varice? Remember what you said to her when you saw her?"

At this comment, Numair had flinched. He remembered what he said to her. And he didn't want to.

"Please don't be jealous, Numair. Nothing's going to happen."

"How can I be so sure?"

"How can I be so sure nothing will happen between you and Varice?"

"She thinks I'm dead."

"But what if she sees you? I know she still loves you. And I know you know too."

"Well, I don't love her Daine. I love you."

She turned away from. Although she knew he meant it, she wasn't exactly satisfied. She didn't know why Numair ws having such a conversation like this with her. She had never liked Kaddar in that way. He's so suspicious, she though. Maybe all mages are suspicious.

"Can I ask you something?" she said, once again, turning to him.

Numair cocked an eyebrow. "Yes?" he asked, slowly.

"Did you love her?"

He breathed in deeply. He did not want to discuss this. It was in the past anyway. But he couldn't escape the question afterall, it was he who brought up past problems.

"Honest answer?"

"Honest answer."

"Yes, I did."

He saw her look away, and felt her move away from him. She wanted an honest answer, and it'd be worse if he lied to her.

"We both wanted different things, Daine. Varice wanted to be some kitchen girl. I wanted to be famous."

"Well, you both got what you wanted."

"The point is, Varice means nothing to me. You're all that counts."

"Promise?"

"Do I ever break my promises?"

"Yes."

She faced him, but she was grinning. He gave her an odd questioning look.

"When?" he asked, puzzled.

"Last year," she said, still grinning.

"What did I do?"

"You promised that we wouldn't be late for Jon and Thayet's banquet. And we were late."

"We were?"

"Yes, because you had to make sure you looked perfect."

He laughed at that. He couldn't deny that, he had to admit, he was one for good looks. He always had to make sure he looked perfect. But Daine never thought he needed all that time in front of a mirror. He was perfect the way he was.

"I'm sorry," he said, taking her hand and smiling. "I just wanted to look perfect for you."

No matter how corny his words were, they always seemed to make her smile grow wider.

"Well, no one's perfect, Numair."

"You are."

"No, I'm not."

"You're perfect for me. And I love you."

She settled back in his lap, resting her back on his chest, with a sigh of content.

"Would you still love me if I decided to work in the kitchen?" She asked him, playing with one of her curls.

"Knowing you, Daine, I wouldn't need to worry," he answered, resting his chin on her shoulder, kissing her face.

"And why is that?"

"Your cooking is atrocious."

She laughed and slapped him on the arm.

- - - - - - - - -

"I can see him!"

Daine had run back over to the railing; they were one hour overdo of time, due to the fact that winds had hit them at last minute. The delay had also caused Numair's travel sickness to work, making him hurl into the water. All Daine could do was stroke his backside in circular motions, trying hard not to laugh. She always found his face adorable after he threw up; he looked so vulnerable.

"You look quite happy."

Daine turned around from her spot to her see lover scowling, throwing the shore dirty looks.

She giggled at his reaction. "Gosh Numair! Show some respect - afterall, he IS the Emporor."

"He cant do anything to me even if I don't pay my respects."

"Numair, weren't YOU the one who taught me that a respectful person is one who earns respect from others?"

"Don't quote me!"

Daine laughed out loud at his words. She loved quoating him, and using his own things against him.

"Please, Numair? For me?" she asked, making big puppy eyes at him.

Numair could never resist her sad look, and finally broke out of his scowl into a grin. "Fine. But I know he's still scared of me."

"Numair, you're taller than him, older than him, more expirienced than him, and you're more powewrful than him. If I were him, I would be freaked out."

"You're scared of me?"

"No silly! If I were scared of you, would I be talking to you? Or... doing other things with you..."

She had started to blush and hid her embarassment with a small laugh. Numair on the otherhand, had walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her small frame.

"Would you like to do some of those things right now?" he asked, whispering into her ears, causing bumps to her flesh.

She loved it when he did that, and wanted to agree, but knew she couldn't. "Numair, we're almost there. Maybe another time."

"Hmmph! Suit yourself!"

Although he was a bit put off about it, he still maintained his smile and hold on her. She hugged him fiercely, taking in the scent of his clothes; they smelled like her perfume. She laughed inwardly to herself.

"We're pulling up on deck!" cried the captain to them. The couple broke apart slowly.

"I guess I'll be changing," Daine said, walking towards her room.

"Need some help?" Numair had questioned, with a glint in his eyes.

"No thank you; you need to be changing yourself."

"Would you like to help me then?"

"Honestly Numair!"

"Just playing with you Daine."