Be warned, much angst in this LONG chapter. I was gonna pull another cliffy, but was feeling nice, so I didn't, but this chapter still leaves a few things unexplained. It'll clear up. Sorry if waits between chapters are longer from here out... I've developed an obsession with the TV show Bones.
Fyliwion, Adagio To A Wolf, and horseluvr13 - thank you! Muahaha, cliffies are so fun to write. But I'll try not to pull to many more.
cutiebeaky - That's okay, thanks for reviewing, but I hope you feel better soon! And don't kill yourself, this one's not a cliffy!
Scales - thank you! Numair's POV is my favorite to write, I think. But this one is in Daine's - she finds out something important. -wink-
Starling Rising - Cause Numair can be "fair foolish" at times, right? Overprotective of his magelet. It's so sweet!
Irish Ninja Chick - I hope it will continue to make sense, it's kinda getting crazy now! Be prepared for the angst.
EDITED
Tears of fury, hatred, and fear streamed freely from Daine's eyes. She didn't make any attempt to try and stop them. Never before had such strong loathing burned through her body; not even for the people who hunted only for sport, or for the men who had killed her family. Ozorne was crueler than them all – he was using her to torture Numair. Guilt racked Daine's entire body, and yet, in a small part of her mind, she knew that that was part of Ozorne's plan too. He wanted her to feel like it was her fault Numair had drained himself – if he wasn't so worried about her stupid honor, he wouldn't have done it, would he?
And that's exactly what he wants you think, another part of Daine's mind retorted. It's not your fault! It's Ozorne's!
She had to do something. Numair was pale, gasping; Ozorne's spell tightened dangerously around his throat. The emperor's eyes burned with a type of bloodlust that was more than just a desire to kill. It was a desire to cause pain, especially to the man that had always been better than him.
"Stop!" Daine screamed, desperate. Numair's dark eyes flicked towards her, full of pain and fear and so many other things she couldn't name. She couldn't ever remember seeing Numair so scared before, not even during any of the near-death situations they'd been in already. He'd never looked like this, like he was helpless against his worst nightmares. Daine tore her eyes away from him, boiling with anger.
"Let him go!"
"Why would I do that?" responded Ozorne, his voice fervent and low. Behind him, the Graveyard Hag stood, watching the scene unfold with her wrinkled face completely unreadable.
Daine struggled once more against her bonds, to no avail. The magical ropes chafed against her skin. "It's – it's me you want, isn't it? I destroyed your palace. I forced you away from your throne. It's me who has the wild magic you need!"
Hardly sparing her a glance, Ozorne left his flaming eyes fixed upon Numair. "All the more reason," he said at last, "to make you suffer more by watching him die, is it not?"
Cold fear clamped over Daine's heart like an expertly woven knot. She froze, unable to think or feel anything except terror. Numair.
A voice sounded suddenly in her ears, raw and overpowering. It reminded her of strong claws scoring deep slashes into hard stone. You'll have to do better than that, missy. Use all the talents at your disposal.
It was the Hag. Staring at her, Daine saw the goddess's face still deliberately impassive. Not a flicker of feeling flashed across her features.
Why are you helping me? thought Daine viciously, as if the Hag could hear her. But somehow, the goddess did, and her rich cackle reverberated in Daine's mind, even though the Hag's face stayed smooth. The words bounced around as if her head was some sort of echo-valley.
Because I can. Because I think you have a chance. Because at this moment I hate him more than you.
And that could change? responded Daine, not questioning the fact that she was having a mind-conversation with a goddess.
Yes. It could.
Daine glared at her intensely for a moment, trying to detect something in the goddess's gaze. But the Hag was a gambler; she knew how to keep a perfectly straight face and expressionless eyes. There was nothing to be seen.
I'll take your help while you're offering it, then, decided Daine. You've bound my magic. What else do I have?
Now a faint spark of amusement glimmered in the Hag's beady eyes. A strand of the silvery magic slipped off of Daine's shoulder, bringing the edge of her loose shirt with it and revealing much more of her skin than Daine was accustomed to showing. The Hag grinned wickedly.
Figure it out.
All at once, Daine was hit by a three completely conflicting emotions – disgust, fear, and hope. Her heart strained against its tight bonds. Could she possibly save Numair simply by seducing Ozorne? Was that really her only option? It was worth a try, even though the mere thought made an intense revulsion bubble up in her throat, one that she had to work hard to force down.
"Ozorne!"
At her sudden shout, the emperor mage's gaze shifted, lingering hungrily on Daine's exposed chest and shoulder. Numair turned too, strokes of blood still weaving down his face. But his eyes remained locked with Daine's, and the worry she had seen before was suddenly intensified a hundredfold. Forcing herself to look away, Daine met Ozorne's shameless glare defiantly before the emperor spoke, his words coated with false sweetness.
"I could make a deal with you."
It was foul. It was foul, nauseating, vile, and revolting, but Daine's mouth moved of its own accord, her mind conscious only of Numair's safety. "Fine," she heard herself growl, as if it were another person speaking. "Just let him go."
Ozorne considered her. His glinting eyes narrowed dangerously. Breathing hard, Daine watched as the emperor thrust out his hands and broke the glowing chain of green magic, leaving radiant cords still clasped securely around Numair's neck. Now Ozorne turned and approached Daine slowly; he didn't make a single sudden move, but it was clear that his stillness was not out of fear or caution. With two fingers, he reached out and caressed the side of her cheek, as gentle as the kindest lover. Daine shivered in disgust, and, out of instinct, she jerked her head away from his touch. Ozorne grabbed her chin fiercely, forcing her head back to meet his eyes.
"Need I remind you," he said icily, all traces of tenderness gone. Gold-painted fingernails dug harshly into Daine's skin. "That I am setting the terms here?"
"No!"
A strangled yell echoed from behind Ozorne, and Daine looked up to see Numair fighting all the harder against his bonds, even though he was completely drained of power. Farther behind him, the Hag watched mage intently with eyes narrowed in intense concentration. Grimacing, Daine tore her gaze from away from Numair and looked back at Ozorne, whose wicked smile had spread even wider. His face was barely an inch away from hers, held firmly in place by his harsh fingers.
"Would you like to know my terms?" the emperor said amiably. Daine shuddered as thick breath blew over her cheek. "I release him. And in exchange, you will return with me to the palace. You will make no attempt to escape. He will not come after you. Simple enough, is it not?"
"Yes," replied Daine, willing Numair to come to his senses and flee back to Tortall as soon as he was released. But she was also well aware of the fact that Numair would never leave her, no matter what the conditions were. He never worried about his own safety, only hers, but at the very least she could buy time for both of them. It was their only chance. "Let him go!"
"Are you worth it?" asked Ozorne, still keeping his face close. He took his free hand and slid it down Daine's side, brushing lightly against her chest and coming to rest on her hips. Horrified, Daine tried to twist her body out of his grasp, but Ozorne held her frozen in place, defenseless, and pushed her back against the dune. Smirking, the emperor mage glanced over his shoulder at Numair, whose expression was both tortured and furious. "Am I sure he won't try another rescue mission?"
Daine's heart pounded erratically against her chest, speeding up in a nervous tap-dance and then stopping abruptly with a terrified crash. It took all of her willpower to let the heat from Ozorne's body wash over her without putting forth any sort of resistance.
"Yes," Daine gasped, trying to keep her face composed, but she felt a tear slip down her cheek. She snapped her eyes closed, a steady mantra echoing through her mind - my tears won't make Numair's task any easier. Breathless, she forced herself to keep still as Ozorne's fingers smoothly traced her body and forced her hips down harder against his. She couldn't suppress a gasp of repulsion when his hand crept under the Hag's bonds and her shirt, trailing like a faint ghost over the skin on her stomach.
"Take your hands off of her," spat Numair, all in one quick breath. Ozorne's head whipped around, his eyes alight with cruel pleasure.
"We have an agreement, Draper," replied the emperor. Still facing Numair, Ozorne took his hand from Daine's chin and slipped it behind her head, twisting his fingers in her wild hair. In a sudden movement he yanked her head backwards, forcing her body to arch, and Daine bit her lip so hard that it began to bleed.
Don't torture Numair any more than he is already. Daine couldn't see the mage anymore, but in the bottom range of her vision, the Graveyard Hag was piercing her with a demanding glare, one eyebrow raised in a challenge. Instantly Daine understood the Hag's message, without needing the goddess to speak in her mind – distract Ozorne. Take his focus off Numair. Feeling a slight shift in the bonds around her body, Daine tested the wellspring of copper fire inside her and found it unrestricted at last. The goddess had freed her magic, but her body was still bound – if the Hag freed her completely, Ozorne would obviously know that he needed to defend himself. But now, Daine had the element of surprise.
Taking a deep breath, unable to believe what she was about to do, Daine pulled at her magic and created a long, strong tail, hidden behind her body. In a quick movement, she swung it around Ozorne's head and turned his face away from Numair. Before the emperor had time to react and wonder how her magic had suddenly returned, Daine pulled his face to hers and grabbed his lips in a fierce kiss.
It took all of her strength to not immediately recoil when Ozorne responded. Daine nearly retched at the taste of the emperor's painted mouth, and she shuddered as Ozorne's hands explored her body feverishly. Cold hands over down her sides, her legs, her back. She could feel Ozorne's grin as he pushed up her shirt and the Hag's bonds, revealing her entire stomach and chest. Numair's shout rang only faintly in her ears.
I can't take this anymore! Daine thought, appalled. She tore her head away from Ozorne, sickened, and did whatever she could to shove him away. Ozorne glared at her with a kind of fierce lust. With a sudden spurt of energy, Daine spat on his face struggled even harder against his tightening hold, a desperate need to be free washing over her.
Out of nowhere, a huge bang sounded, resonating with a crash that struck some chord deep in Daine's memory. Sparkling black light surrounded her, warm and comforting, despite the pulsing sense of power it contained. Numair's magic. The hands and bonds around her flew off and she fell to the ground, blinded and disoriented. She couldn't feel anything through the cloud of sand and darkness, couldn't see anything, couldn't hear -
"Numair!" Daine yelled, staggering to her feet. "Numair!"
"Daine, I'm here, are you all right?"
Daine's knees went weak with relief. She almost collapsed again; only the new strength in his voice kept her on her feet. Strong hands gripped her shoulders, powerful but gentle, so different from the emperor's grasping fingers.
The magic disappeared, and Daine saw Numair standing in front of her, somehow freed from Ozorne's magic and looking restored and healthy, though still terrified. "Oh, gods, Numair," said Daine, her mind refusing to process what had just happened. She stumbled forward slightly, but Numair didn't lift her up into a bone-breaking hug like he usually did after their near-death encounters. Instead, he quickly stepped in front of her, more black magic appearing like fire on his hands.
"Tell me what you're thinking right now, Ozorne," said Numair, his voice low and dangerous, so different that it was barely recognizable. Something more than cold fury radiated from him. "Do you think you have power? Do you think you can overwhelm me?"
Daine was glad that Numair wasn't looking at her. She couldn't imagine seeing the anger in his eyes that she heard in his voice. It was one of the few times she could understand what his status as one of the most powerful mages in the world truly meant.
Covered in sand and sprawled on the ground, Ozorne went pale and didn't move. His gaze, suddenly filled with fear, flicked from Numair to the Graveyard Hag. "Slave – I command you! Bind him!"
The Hag met his gaze squarely and raised her bony arms. The engraved silver shackles around her wrists and ankles exploded, sending silvers of metal flying through the air all around them. "Sorry, dearie," said the Hag sweetly. "I like breaking the rules. Don't you?"
For a moment, Ozorne just gaped. Numair rushed forward and pulled him up by his gold necklaces, shoving him roughly against the dune that had so recently been Daine's prison. Lips curling, Ozorne's fear seemed to dissapate into reckless anger, and green fire burst into life at his fingertips. The flames licked at Numair's sides, pulsing and growing.
But Numair didn't seem to notice. He laughed softly, shaking his head, but Daine could tell that his eyes never left Ozorne. "You're a fool. You could never take me in a duel."
"You never fought me," spat Ozorne. "You never had the power or the abilities."
No one moved for a split second. Then Ozorne growled and cast out his hand, a jet of magic exploding from his fingertips for fly straight towards Daine.
In a flash of Numair's magic, Ozorne's spell disappeared and black fire spilled over his body. The emperor crumpled to the ground, dead.
Daine gasped, unable to tear her gaze away from Numair, standing frozen for what seemed like an agonizingly long moment over Ozorne's still body. At last, he whipped and rushed to her, not stopping until he was just a few inches away from her.
"Daine – Daine, are you all right?"
"I – I'm fine," she stuttered, looking up. His eyes were filled with worry and pain; he'd killed again. It didn't matter that it was Ozorne – Daine knew Numair too well. He hated to kill, in war or not. But whenever it came to protecting her, he did what he had to – wasn't this the second time he'd taken the life of someone who was trying to hurt her?
Numair always cared so much for her.
She couldn't stand seeing him in such distress, wondering if she was scared or on guard. Daine threw her arms around Numair's neck, standing on tiptoe and hugging him tightly. She felt Numair's warm arms envelop her; he whispered comforting words as Daine's knees gave way at last. He fell to the ground with her, still holding her and rubbing her shoulders.
"Gods," Numair breathed, his voice shaky. "You, magelet – you have no idea what you do to me sometimes."
Laughing weakly, Daine curled herself close to him, her heart expanding with emotion. "You give me my fair share of heart attacks too, master mage."
His arms tightened around her. Without warning, a new thought fluttered lightly into Daine's tired mind.
Is this love?
As soon as she had the idea, she glanced up at his face, her nose bumping against his. His eyes gleamed with powerful emotion, and the cuts on his dark cheek were still bleeding and fresh. I should move, Daine's logical mind repeated, over and over again. I can't be in love with him. He'd never want me.
She laid her head against his chest, breaking eye contact, and she felt his chin rest over her head. His heart was beating fast under her cheek, powerful and alive, and it was so gods-cursed comfortable. Daine couldn't bring herself to pull away, no matter how much she knew she should. But Numair wasn't moving either, though, was he?
We're alone and I'm terrified. Of course he wouldn't move.
"I'm sorry, Daine," he murmured. "I shouldn't have – I played right into Ozorne's grasp. I'm so sorry."
"Don't say that," Daine said fiercely, pulling back so she could see his face better. "I should be apologizing to you. You saved my life, Numair – again. I'm surprised you didn't turn him into another tree. "
"He didn't deserve to be a tree."
Daine smiled. "How did you do that, anyway? Get your Gift back so fast?"
"That would be my doing."
Daine jumped; she had completely forgotten about the Hag's presence. Numair's strong arms tightened around her again.
"You?" said Daine incredulously, turning her head so she could look at the goddess. "You? Why?"
"I told you," said the Hag casually. "I play by my own rules. You had a chance, but only with help from your mage here - so I helped him. And I like the tall men, remember?" She paused for a moment, considering, as Daine raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Well. And my dearest friend the Great Mother probably would have been furious if I allowed Ozorne to do what he was planning."
Daine could feel Numair wince at the thought, and so this time Daine tightened her arms around his neck. "I'm okay," she said soothingly. And she was; in his arms nothing else seemed to matter.
The Hag scrutinized them closely for a moment. "Well, dearies," she said eventually. "I'll take care of this. You can go home, and I have to call off a deal and get punished by the great Mithros."
She looked down at Ozorne's body and flicked her fingers, causing a column of white light to appear over the emperor's form. When it faded, the body was gone, not a single jewel remaining on the bleached sand. The Graveyard Hag turned back to Numair and Daine.
"Beware," she said gravely. "Ozorne told me that he had planned a 'present' for the Tortallans, and I've done my fair share of interfering in mortal affairs already. And to you, girl, I still don't like you, you know. But I won't kill you."
"Thank you, I suppose," said Daine, managing a half-smile.
"Close your eyes," advised Numair suddenly, as the Hag started to shine with white light. "You can't look at a god's true form."
"She probably could," came a resonant voice from the air around them, sounding like the Hag's. "She's half-god, after all."
"My da!" Daine shouted, remembering. "My da! Who's my da?"
But the Hag was gone, leaving Daine growling with frustration.
"We'll figure it out," assured Numair, standing and lifting Daine with him. He placed both hands on her shoulders and hesitated. "Daine … are you sure you're all right?"
This time Daine knew he wasn't asking about her physical well-being, even though one of his hands moved to gently rub the tender red marks on her chin.
"I'm fine," she promised, brushing his hand away lightly. "What about you?" She reached up to the bleeding cuts on Numair's face, her heart aching. Numair felt his own cheek, grimacing as he pulled his hand away and looked at the blood on his fingers.
"Doesn't matter," he said carelessly, pulling her into another hug. "I'm just glad you're safe."
Daine smiled slightly, her mind still not processing what had just happened. "Thank you," she murmured. Numair put a hand on her shoulder.
"For what?"
"For saving me, dolt," said Daine, smiling unconsciously. Looking up at him, Daine saw Numair's face break into a smile too, and though it was strained, it filled her with a tingling sense of joy.
The mage didn't speak for a moment, then he titled his head and focused on something slightly behind Daine, the ghost of laughter sparkling in his dark eyes. Daine turned, but didn't see anything. She frowned.
"What?"
Now he smiled as she turned back to face him, very confused. Laughing, Numair shook his head and pointed. "Magelet, you still have a tail."
Daine turned. Sure enough, her furry tail was still protruding from her backside, long and furry. With a grin, she pulled at her wild magic and made it disappear, glancing up at her amused teacher. "Thanks."
"It was nothing."
Shifting her eyes to the sky, Daine noticed the sun just clearing the midday mark, shining hot and bright against the dry sand. But even so, she was still grateful when Numair slung his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, rubbing her arm warmly.
"It's about time we made our way home," he said tiredly. "Does that sound like a good plan?"
"The best one we've had this entire trip," muttered Daine. Numair laughed. Daine looked up at him, and suddenly, she knew she'd been right.
She was in love with him. The feeling coursing through her was new, unfamiliar – but it couldn't be anything else.
I'm just being silly, she tried to tell herself, even though she knew she was lying. Squinting at the horizon, Daine imagined that she could still see the vast ocean, calm and glimmering with its seemingly never-ending waves.
No use in overreacting. I'll just ignore it and it'll go away.
Sighing, Daine knew that she didn't really believe her own words. But she also knew she couldn't tell him, and she couldn't start acting all strange around him. Their friendship was too important to put in danger by foolish one-sided feelings.
She didn't notice Numair watching her, worrying and thinking the exact same things as she was.