Hey, this is my very first TP fic. Heehee, I just couldn't resist it. Please, please read and review. I'm really a sucker for reviews. All your feedbacks would be received with glad and open arms (smiling toothily…ooh! I just got off my braces!). I really believe that your reaction, whether they be positive or negative ones, would help improve my writing style. Of course, I need to know how you find my story (another reason why I need your reviews)...

So, I guess I should just cut my crap and let you get on with the reading, neh?

Heee!

Enjoy!


MADNESS

CHAPTER I: Developments

"Cloud…"

What is it?

"I-I think it's important."

In the middle of the night? What's more important than slee—

The mare looked idly up and was briefly startled by the dark worry in the young woman's storm-grey eyes. It tossed its head and bristled as the Wildmage's hand touched its head; her fingers were unusually cold and sweaty. The horse immediately sensed a radiating aura of wrongness that it had not felt coming from her for a very long time.

What is wrong, Daine? Something is different about you. Are you ill? Anxiously, Cloud pressed her nose to her human friend's forehead and was even more troubled when clamminess overwhelmed his scent.

"I'm not sure. Oh, I don't know!" Cried the daughter of Sarra and Weiryn, and hugged the horse tightly about the neck. "I—I just don't feel right. I feel so strange."

Yes, I sensed something. Daine released the mare's neck and looked at it sorrowfully.

"Oh, Cloud, I'm—I'm afraid. And the thing that makes it more frightening was—I mean, is—that I don't know what I'm exactly afraid of! What is wrong with me? Can you tell?" she pleaded.

The horse sighed, which sounded more like a low grunt. I'm as clueless as you are. But—nah, it can't be."

"What is it?"

Well, it's just that I kind of remember something akin to the symptoms you're having. Something that, I think, happened to you before. But I just can't remember! And with that, Cloud gave a hopeless whinny.

Daine smiled as best as she could and rubbed her life-long comrade's ear. "It's okay. Maybe it'll pass. I'd better return to Numair. I didn't tell him where I was going; he'll be worried sick."

Cloud snorted, As if you'll get lost here.

"You know my dear Master Mage. If he wakes up to find his bedside empty, he'd probably burn the whole Tower down."

So, you really do sleep with him now, eh? Quipped the mare slyly.

Daine glared and blushed despite the pallid tone of her skin. "I don't…yet."

When the horse rolled in the hay in laughter, her colour heightened. "Well, you know Numair! He said that he wants no one to think he's taking advantage of me. And he said too that he doesn't want me to think that way. And I know he ain't." She ranted. Taking a deep breath, she added with another blush, "But I don't think I am ready for—for you know…"

Cloud gave another loud snort. Really, Daine, I don't think I missed seeing that pregnancy ward attached to the badger claw you're wearing. Does that mean that you are ready now?

"Okay, you'd better get back to sleep," said Daine firmly, though still not losing the read stain on her cheeks. "I don't want to keep you too long."

Nor would I want to keep you a minute too long from your Master Salmalin; I wouldn't want to be horse stew.

"You know Numair wouldn't do that!"

Good night.

With that, Veralidaine Sarrasri kissed the horse and started her trek back up to the Tower. As she walked, her hand played with the new talisman fastened to the badger claw. A week ago, she had asked Alanna to magically fuse the pregnancy ward with her old guardian's token so that it would not disappear whenever she had to shape-shift.

Suddenly, Daine felt unbearably tired again. She felt tingling coolness emanate from within her body, which brought goose bumps to her skin. The thought of being chilly made the 17-year old laugh weakly; it was summer after all.

Am I sick again? And the vague memory of getting unicorn fever came to her. She shivered. The only snatches she could recall were tossing and turning in bed, fussing healers, and a very worried Numair grasping her hands. During that time, he and Daine were not yet lovers.

"Well, I'll try not to get sick again if I can help it," she grumbled, sounding a bit like the Lioness. Suddenly, she wanted very much to vomit. Again, she shuddered involuntarily.

The Wildmage sighed as she trudged up the seemingly endless stone staircase. More thoughts entered her head as she brooded over the possible causes of her current weakness. Pregnancy, she could easily cross out since she hasn't done anything with Numair—yet.

Oh, well. I'll just ask Nu—

"Great Mithros!"

Daine jumped at the angry voice and yelped as some one gripped her with trembling hands. Her eyes met brown ones, dark with worry and anger.

"Where have you been? I was so—"

Just as Daine was about to explain, she found herself swept into strong arms. The young woman gave a small "eep" and added something as muffled as "Oddsbobs—whatareyoudoing—Numair!—" But Numair appeared not to care and walked two steps at a time despite his burden.

When they reached the floor, the door slammed magically open which startled a very sleepy and indignant Kitten. Daine continued her tirade even as she was thrown roughly onto the bed.

"Look here—" she started breathlessly but was abruptly cut off when Numair's mouth swiftly gagged hers. After a few seconds of resistance, she finally gave in, frustration easily forgotten. Even the strange coldness and tiredness in her body was momentarily replaced by the surge of heat that she felt only when her body was this close to him. Her hands automatically went up to undo his shoulder length hair, and rested her arms about the neck, pulling him closer if it was possible. Numair was doing the same as he showered her face and her neck with kisses, touching her in every available space.

Kitten, after hooting and clucking annoyingly for a few minutes, went back to sleep when she decided that neither of the two would be noticing her for a very long time. However, she flicked her ear as she felt something strange in Daine…or was it just her imagination? The dragonet shrugged and fell into slumber.

They went up for air and continued, exploring with hands and hungry lips. Exhausted, Daine rested her head on the crook of Numair's neck, while he pressed his lips on her forehead. Then, she raised her head to examine his face intently and giggled helplessly.

"What?" he asked amusedly.

"Your hair's a mess," she said, trying hard to stifle her laughter.

Numair smiled, his eyes twinkling with mirth, "Yours is, too."

As his large hand idly stroked her shoulder blades, Daine blushed. It was only then that she realized that they had both discarded all clothing. This was the first time it ever happened. Usually, they would be able to control themselves, but now…

Maybe the pregnancy ward is making me more confident, she thought musingly. She almost pulled a blanket to cover herself when she stopped.

I love him so much. What have I to be ashamed?

"Where were you? You worried me," He said, suddenly stern.

I won't tell him anything. Not yet. I don't want to worry him. Not now, when everything was—I mean is—going so perfect… And maybe it was just a passing headache…

Right…a—

"Headache," she lied. "I wanted a bit of fresh air. Maybe I just missed sleeping with the horses so I went down to Cloud."

He sighed. He almost looked like a youthful schoolboy, Daine thought adoringly. Nobody who didn't know him would believe that he is the most powerful sorcerer in Tortall.

"Okay. Just next time, please tell me where you're going? I was genuinely beginning to think that you—you—"

He stopped. Daine saw his eyes flicker with emotion as he finally noticed the talisman attached to the badger claw.

"Daine…when did you—"

"Last week. I asked Alanna—"

Numair cut her off, gently yet earnestly, with a kiss. "I really love you…you know that, don't you, Magelet?" he murmured as he inhaled her wealth of curls.

"Yes. And you do know that I love you, too, Master Mage?" Numair wrinkled his nose, making Daine giggle once more.

"Of course."

"I'm ready," she whispered, looking her former teacher straight into the eye.

"Are you sure?" Numair knew her answer; nevertheless, he needed to hear the words.

With a wry smile, Daine snuggled against her love, feeling heat surge once more between their unclothed bodies and answered boldly, "Make me yours."

With eyes sparkling with tears and happiness, Numair kissed her once more and, as a light breeze swallowed the flame of a candle, they were soon lost in the dark of the night.


So…..

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