Previously

"Welcome to Tortall,"

"Unfortunately our Black Robe mage has been detained by his studies," here Jonathan stared pointedly at Daine who gave him her best innocent smile, "I think Daine, that you are needed elsewhere." Jonathan winked.

"Thank you your Majesty." Daine curtsied, as was required in front of their party and answered Alanna's curious look by a look of her own that clearly said 'I'll tell you later.'

As she was bidding goodbye to everyone James took hold of her hand and placed a lingering kiss upon it. Daine quickly withdrew her hand and walked as casually as possible, so as not to raise suspicion, to her rooms, located in the palace.

As she reached the room that she shared with Numair she took a deep breath and whispered the password Magelet. When she had fist moved in with Numair he had set a password that would enable the speaker entrance.

The doors opened to a sight that shocked her.

The room looked exactly like she had left it, except for the note that lay in the middle of the rose pedals, on the bed. She cautiously walked over to it and picked it up. It look as if it were blank, but the second her fingers touched the paper Numair's scrawl appeared:

Magelet,

You are a little tease, excepting my proposal while I am in an important meeting

and you happen to have to greet our guests. I want to do this properly so please go down

to the stables and you will be told where to go from there. But before you go,

look under the bed and open what you find.

Daine put down the note and looked under the bed, where sure enough there was a package with her name on it. She opened it and let out a soft gasp.

Inside was a dreamy grayish blue dress that shimmered when the light reflected off it. It had off the shoulder sleeves and sapphire jewels woven all over the bodice. There was another box sitting on top of the dress, the size of her palm. It revealed to hold a sapphire necklace and two sapphire ear drops. There was a note on top of the dress that read:

Magelet,

I want you to change into this before you come down.

With all the love I possess.

Storkman

Daine smiled as she put on the magnificent dress, and was amazed when it tightened around her body so that it fit perfectly. She noticed with amusment that her dress was very low cut. She would have to get Numair back later.

She hurried down the hallway and towards the stables when she noticed that the delegates along with their Majesties, Alanna, Duke Gareth, Sir Roaul, and now George were still there. She was glad that the men of the own had left already. Daine walked toward the stables, very conscious of everyone starring at her, and of Prince James' mouth hanging open.

She was walking by them all when George called out to her. She turned around, blushing when she noticed that the Prince's eyes had strayed down a little below her throat.

"Daine I have something to give you." George pulled a package out from behind his back.

"It's from the Storkman." George chuckled.

Again Daine blushed, as everyone raised their eyebrows, and she opened the package. She gasped for the second time that night. There, inside the package, were two beautiful cloudy glass slippers. They were amazing. She was afraid that they would break if she put them on.

As if reading her mind, Jon leaned over and said, "Don't worry he magiked them so that they wouldn't break."

Daine looked up surprised. "How many of you were in on this?"

Alanna chuckled, "We'll tell you later. Just give me your boots and go to him." Daine did as she was told and put on her slippers and hurried to the stables. As she neared 'The People' called out greetings to her. She ran down to the last stall to where Cloud was waiting impatiently.

'Finally, I was wondering if you got lost. I don't have all day to help two-leggers frolic about.' Cloud said with a hint of amusement.

'I am not frolicking and neither is Numair. I was told to come here. Do you know where he is?' Daine asked, looking around for Numair.

'Maybe I do and then again maybe I don't.' Cloud said, continuing their silent conversation. 'In my saddle bag is a blind fold, I was told to tell you to put it on then hop on and I am to take you to him.'

Daine looked at cloud, and for the first time, realized that he was wearing a side-saddle. 'Side-saddle?' Daine raised an eyebrow.

'He didn't want you to muss up your dress.' Cloud looked like he had a horse smirk on his face.

Daine sighed, going over to the saddle bag and pulling out a black cloth, large enough to pull over her eyes. She covered her eyes, making sure that she didn't muss up her hair, but she just couldn't tie it behind her head. All of a sudden her hands went warm as somebody else's hands covered hers.

"Do you need help?" A voice whispered in her ear.

(A/N Cliff hanger. Is it Numair? James? Or somebody else?)

I will try to update soon. Read and please.