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Sorcerer, who is the master? Man and woman on a star stream, in the middle of a snow dream.

Sorcerer, show me me the high life- come over, let me put you ice. All around black ink darkness,

who found lady from the mountains---Stevie Nicks-Sorcerer—It's a real song, I swear! Eerie resemblance, huh?

Daine sat on the fence overlooking the snowy pasture. Only the horses with very shaggy winter coats (and a high tolerance for such frigid weather) where out in such cold, windy conditions. Daine wished she could keep a winter coat all the time, that way she didn't have to wear so many clothes.

Warm arms slipped around her waist. Daine jumped. She was glad Numair had a tight grip around her or she would have landed in the snowy mud puddle on the opposite side of the fence.

"Is that anyway to say good morning to me?" Daine asked, tilting her head to look at his face. If the heat from his body hadn't warmed her up, his very warm eyes did; inside and out.

"You looked cold. Are you? We can sit in your room and talk..."

Daine felt her cheeks flush.

"No, Numair, I'm fine. It's pretty out here, with all the snow and everything. Plus, we've got each other to keep warm."

Numair sighed. He was cold. But for Daine he would walk through fire. He certainly could handle the complete opposite.

"Are you having a good first day of Mid-winter, magelet?"

Daine nodded and leaned into him.

"Great. Do you have a dress to wear tonight?"

"Of corse, Numair! I've got more dresses than you think I do."

"Is it new?"

"Well, no,but it's still nice. After several years of having nice dresses given to me by you and the king to wear to different court things I have enough to wear the whole week. So don't think you're doing me a favor by getting me a new one, I have plenty."

Numair thought on this for a moment.

"Well I'm sure you'll be beautiful, new dress or old."

They were quiet for little while.Daine enjoying Numair's warmth and watching the horses doze in the cool morning sun; Numair enjoying the smell of Daine's hair and the way she fit perfectly in his arms.

Hesighed and kissed her cheek.

"I need to go and start working on my experiment, magelet."

"But he never makes you work on Mid-winter."

"Well, this is a little experiment of my own, Daine. Nothing serious."

"Alright. Come down to lunch at noon. We can eat together and then go to that new bookstore in town. I know you want to see it."

He cupped her cheek and turned her face to kiss her; first gently, then harder. She kissed him back, loving the way the heat of the kiss swamped through her body and made her warmer than she had been in months. He broke it, regrettably, letting their lips pull away with a satisfying smack.

"Noon," he whispered to her, and she nodded; the only thing she could do and stay upright on the fence.

Noon came with no sign of Numair. Daine had gotten there a few moments early to get a table, but the longer she sat the more convinced she was that he wasn't coming.

Onua came and took a seat across the table from Daine.

"Is this seat taken?"

"Well, it was supposed to be, but I don't think Numair's coming."

"Numair? I saw him earlier in the hall. I said hello, but he didn't hear me. He was reading something so I didn't expect him to. You of all people should know how he acts when he's got other things on his mind."

Daine knocked on Numair's workroom door. She had went through the unlocked bedroom and then through his living room and study to get there.

There was a boom, then a crash. She could hear the very colorful words coming from the other room.

Numair opened the door and looked down at her irritably. Heseemed much more tired than he had that morning.

"What?" he snapped.

Daine tried to peer around his shoulder.

"Are you alright? You didn't get burned or...magicked or anything."

Numair nodded. She could see how much of hismagic he had been using; his usual bright eyes appeared dull.

"Well I was going to see if you were still coming into town with me."

He sighed.

"I'm sorry, magelet. I was supposed to meet you for lunch, wasn't I?"

Daine nodded, not trying to hid her disappointment. He needed to be taught a lesson!

"I can't come, darling. This experiment is taking longer than I thought it would. Maybe next week we can-"

A loud sizzling sound destracted Numair. Daine looked around him to see a brown substance bubbling over from the large bowl it was in. Numair hurried to it and picked up a small leather bag, once again swearing his oaths. He sprinkled something that looked like crushed chalk on it and it quickly settled down.

"I'll see you tonight," she told him and shut the the door. She was soangry with him! Why did he have to work all the time, even when it wasn't necessary?

Daine dug through her make-shift closet and pulled out a blue dress. She slipped it on over her light corset (which laced up in the front so that no one had to help her) and skirts. She pinned up her hair and took a step back to see her self in her mirror. The dress was a darker blue made of velvet and was one of her favorites. It had a square neckline that came down past her collar bone about an inch with sleeves that gradually belled into three inches at the end. The bodice of her dress was perfectly fitted (even though it was a few years old) and the skirts were long and flowing . She traced the gold embroidery on the edges of her dress. Earrings! That's what was missing! Daine went to the small box on her dresser and searched around in it, looking for a pair she had bought herself.

She sighed and closed the lid. Every pair of earrings she owned had been given to her by Numair.

Numair looked around for Daine. He had seen her at dinner but since they had been seated at different tables her hadn't gotten a chance to talk to her. Finally he spotted her at the other side of the dance hall. He made his way through the crowd (something that was actually easy because of his height) and grabbed Daine's elbow. She turned around and her smile slowly disappeared.

"May I have the first dance with you, milady?" Numair asked as he bowed to her. She nodded and took his arm.

Daine was glad their dance was to quick for talking. When it ended he kissed her gently on the cheek.

"Let's go one a walk later, once it starts to get warm in here. With all these people in this dance hall it's going to fell like the middle of summer in a little while."

Daine nodded and they went on to new partners.

Numair collected Daine for their walk. It was too cold to walk far so they went and sat in a near-by courtyard.

Numair gazed up at the stars and sighed.

"Beautiful, aren't they?"

Daine nodded.

"Of course, magelet, I would chose you over a star any day."

He leaded over to kiss her but Daine swooped out of the way. He sighed and looked back up at the stars.

"I'm sorry, magelet. I was being inconsiderate earlier. Please forgive me?"

Daine sighed and looked into his eyes.

"Only if you promise to spend the rest of the week with me. I don't care how much you want to work."

Numair thought this over.

"Only if you move into my rooms the day after Mid-winter. And sleep with me Mid-winter night."

Daine's heart started beating quicker.

"But you should want to spend time with me."

"I do want to spend time with you, Daine. But I think you should want to move in with me. That way we can spend more time together."

Numair met Daine's stubborn look with one of his own. He looked deep into her eyes and saw how scared she was. Of what?

Of what you're offering her. She's afraid she'll be like he mother.

Numair looked back up at the sky. Daine sighed and took his hand. He had been hurt when he looked away.

"Fine. I'll move in with you. But you have to spend this week with me, no excuses."

"And you'll sleep with me on Mid-winter night?"

Daine looked at the tiles on the courtyard ground.

"If you promise to be nice. I've only kissed before."

Numair put his arms around her.

"I know, magelet. And I promise to be as easy and...instructive as possible."

She smiled into his face and met his soft kiss.

hmmmmmmmmm. Seems things are getting interesting. Keep checking- next to last chapter coming soon!

Winded Eagle