A/N: Thanks to anyone and everyone who took time out of their life that is –undoubtedly- busier than mine and read this! Especially Cygnet Shearwater and xXBeetle of DestinyXx. And remember: The more you review, the more I write. And I have no life, so I can write a lot this summer. Comment on every chapter if you wish!
"Hello Arram."
It was a woman, with a powerful Gift and the Sight, clothed in all black. Her hood hid her hair mostly, but Numair could see the light brown slightly. She was from the Yamani Islands if her accent was to judge, and she seemed slightly familiar. Glancing around, he noted six armed and Gifted guards and three Gifted ladies maids around her.
"In all my life, I have known four Yamani women to call me Arram; Duchess Dahlia Kareem,her mother Duchess Midori Kareem, her mother Dowager Countess Ashella Savezet, and her mother Countess Viria Calleda. Only one of them could have made it in here, with all these people, without anyone noticing. How have you been Dahlia?"
"Well enough, Arram, all things considering. My father never did get over that snakebite three years past. Ironic, I think, considering I and my mother are Serpentlyns"
"Yes, that is a bit ironic. I hate to be so rude, but why are you here Dahlia? I know you, you never come without reason. That's why I haven't seen you in six years. And please, I go by Numair Salmalin now. It's safer."
"Now I have also changed my name in, in accordance with the lunar eclipse that happened on my twentieth birthday. I'm Mira Tourmaline now. So, do you remember what happened all those years back when Ozorne decided to hold you captive?"
"It is a hard thing to forget. I ran, and you're the only reason I made it out of Carthak alive. I owe you my life."
"I hate to say it, but that's why I'm here. I ran into a spot of trouble, and I can't stay at home." Mira crossed her legs and looked down. It was a gesture Numair recognized from her, she didn't like to admit she needed help. Moving over to her, the mage sat on his couch and put his arms around his friend.
"You'll stay here with me Mira, that's the way it should be. I can talk to the king for you tomorrow and get you a spot as a healer. Gods know we need more, especially of your talent."
"Thank you Numair."
--
The next morning, Numair led Mira to see Jon. Along the way the pair bumped into Daine, who Numair quickly introduced as his student. Mira, he said, was his oldest friend. All three of them walked to see the King of Tortall, to unknowingly hide a killer right where no one would find her. In the infirmary.
For the first time in months, Numair silently reflected, he could think of something other than Daine. Mira preoccupied most of his thoughts, distracting him from his distraction. She was one of the best healers in the world, though that came from being a Serpentlyn, as did her Sight. Serpentlyns, Numair decided, would be Daine's next lesson.
--
"Serpent-whats?" Daine leaned against a tree in the clearing where she and Numair held their lessons. Mira had come, to Daine's displeasure, and sat on a limb above her.
"Serpentlyns. They are a dangerous breed of Immortal that I feel you should be informed about. Keep in mind though, Magelet, that not all Serpentlyns are bad. They are all powerful healers, and they have the Sight. The females can take on a human shape if they wish, and they can change into any kind of reptile." Numair sat on a log, watching his student. She didn't seem happy about Mira being there, and he couldn't for the life of him figure out why.
"Mira is a Serpentlyn, which is why I brought her today. She will teach you about some immortals I have never met and know nothing about. She can also teach you how to strengthen you're healing of animals, and possibly how to speak her language. This is a wonderful opportunity for you."
"If the Immortals only left the Divine Realms a few years ago, then how have you known her for so long? She would have been trapped with the others."
"Not entirely accurate little one." This time, Mira spoke. "Serpentlyns were permitted back into the mortal realms one hundred years ago, to heal and teach. I, of course, am not that old. Do you want to learn or not?"
"Of course I want to learn! It's like Numair said, a wonderful opportunity." Daine looked up at the Immortal and tried to repress her anger of the woman. She had not left Numair's side for the whole week she had been here. It was impossible to see him alone anymore, and some things she needed to tall him were not meant for anyone else to hear. Mira was taking Numair away from her.
"Alright then, I will begin by teaching you how to transform into a serpent. Keep in mind that all reptiles are cold blooded, me included, and that you are not. This will make things more difficult for you…."
--
That night, Mira walked into Numair's room with a small smile playing on her lips. "I do not think your little student likes me very much."
"Why wouldn't she like you? Daine usually does well with Immortals, not counting Stormwings and Hurrocks." Numair wrapped his arms around Mira, pulling her close to him. When they were younger, they had been that kind of friends. If he couldn't be with Daine, there was no reason he couldn't be with Mira.
"I missed you. I wish I could have left when you did." Mira leaned her head on Numair's shoulder. Her plan was working, they would never find her and Numair would never let them kill her even if they did.
"I missed you too Mira. You have no idea how much." Taking his oldest and closest friend by the hand, he pulled her toward his bed.
--
"In the morning, we try not to leave our lairs. Snakes do not do well in cold, as it can kill us. We prefer to snuggle up to our mates or siblings and not move until at least noon. Always remember that, or you could die in snake form."
"Alright, what next? How do I care for my scales?" Daine stretched out on the grass she was laying on, looking up at the clouds. It was warm today so she, Mira, and Numair were in the meadow for their lesson on reptiles.
"One of three ways; you lick yourself, your mate – or mother depending on how old you are- licks you, or you go swimming."
"How do you pick your mate?"
"The same way humans do. We look for the one most suited for us. The strongest, the smartest, the fastest, the leader. It all depends on what kind of snake you are. Now, when around humans….."
To Daine, Mira's voice just trailed off into unimportantness. Alanna was riding up, looking grim. "The King was attacked. Mira, you're needed."
&
Mira knelt beside Jon's bed, applying a cool salve to his burns. "If you don't tell me what happened, I can't help you."
"The burns were an accident, Kitten wasn't aiming for me. We were just looking at a book on dragons when three men burst in. Kit caught them on fire, but the third one jerked me into the way of the flames. She couldn't stop them in time."
"Dragon fire then…hmmm." Mira stood and went over to the window, throwing it open to the breeze. Out of the pouch she wore on her belt, she pulled a small vial filled with blue liquid. "This is the antidote to Serpentlyn venom. It will be ale to heal you quickly, due to the venom in it, but without killing you." She poured three drops into a cup filled with herbal tea. "Drink this and you will be fine."
"Well, it seems as if you earn your keep here Mira." Alanna drummed her fingers on the table and took another drink of ale. She, Numair, Mira, and Daine were at the Dancing Dove celebrating the king's recovery.
"I do try. Let's hope the king can get some more competent guards this time though, ones that won't let assassins in."
"We can only hope." Alanna said with a chuckle.
Numair gazed out a window, lost in thought. And, it seemed, that Mira's charm was wearing off. His thoughts were on how beautiful Daine looked in this honey colored lighting. The sun was setting through the window behind her, making her look like a Goddess in full power. Yes, Numair Salmalin was still in love with Daine Sarrasri.