A/N - My first fic! I'm excited! It doesn't seem that bad, I suppose. Hopefully I'll be brave and try to write more. Please review and let me know what you think.

Spring was on it's way and Veralidaine was about to head on her last mission to the north. King Jonathan wanted to make sure he had one final clean sweep of the southern parts of Scanra.

"Numair, we've been talking about this for 2 weeks. I just can't understand why you intend on me traveling with an escort. I was hoping I could fly and be there in a day or less! It makes more sense for me to – "

"Daine, I've said it more than once now, skinners have been seen in the woods there; for my piece of mind and your safety, I want some of the Own to go with you! Alanna has a team of student mages trying to get rid of them, but they aren't having much success. I can't leave because the king needs me for the next week."

Daine was losing patience; a rare occurrence with her lover. She wanted to fly! She didn't want to spend a gods cursed month trudging around with a bunch of men. Granted she did know some of them, but that wasn't the point! She wanted no strings attached.

She felt a little irked. "So it's for my 'safety'? You have a thought that I can't protect myself?"

"Mithros, Daine. You know that isn't it." He groaned, covering his eyes.

He sat down by the window giving her an exasperated look.

"Odds bobs, Numair! Then what is it?" She threw her hands in the air. "It's a simple errand! A quick look around the place and I'm on my way back home. Nothing to fuss about, honest."

He popped up and grabbed her shoulders, jostling her. "Daine. Magelet. My love. This time please let the excuse only be 'because I love you and I don't want to see you hurt.' I'm not implying anything to your immaculate capabilities. I know perfectly well you can take care of yourself." He whispered the last part. He caressed her shoulders as she looked at the floor, blushing.

"I know you haven't forgotten, but last time you were involved with skinners, we almost died. It's not a fair thing for me to think about you, alone, with them out there. Just let me be a bit selfish." He pulled her towards him. Kissing her head he mumbled, "You're my darling and I want to keep you intact." His hands were smoothing her hair, trying to get her to understand his feelings.

"Oh..." was her muffled reply.

"Daine, look at me please." His voice was entreating.

She finally glanced at him. She wanted to wipe his worried look from his face so she gave him a peck on the lips.

"I'll take some of the Own. No more fussing." It really wasn't a big deal she figured. She saw the sense in having extra help, she was just being a bit selfish herself.

She grinned. "You know, maybe bringing the Own isn't so horrible. I bet I'll get to meet some new friends of the male variety." She flitted away from him to pretend to pack her bags.

She snuck a glance at him. As she thought, he didn't like the joke. She felt a twinge of guilt, but not much.

"I'll get to experience traveling like Lady Keladry might. One woman in a group of men. How interesting, don't you think?"

She was biting her lips and her eyes were tease. It was too much for the mage. He growled and grabbed her into a fierce kiss. When they broke apart she whispered, "You know, I might have to stock up on those before I leave." and reached up to kiss him again.

Curse her for it, the little minx knew just how to mess with him.