Description: Gainel, God of Dreams, sends Numair a dream to utterly confuse the poor man. The next morning, several of the representatives are escorted around the Imperial menagerie.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. Everything belongs to Tamora Pierce.

Author's Note: I don't believe Gainel has a preference either way over which mortals end up with who, but dreams are there to teach and, in this case, see the possibilities the mage has been burying deep within his subconscious. Plus, I'm evil, and I'm going to have fun torturing Numair through this book with his feelings, new and old.

Chapter 4

Varice entered Numair's dreams that night dressed in the same rose-pink gown which clung to every curve. Her blonde hair tumbled past her shoulders framing her beautiful face and bright blue eyes. His lust-filled eyes were drawn to the sultry sway of her hips as she slowly glided towards him.

"Hello love," he whispered huskily.

Varice smiled up at him running her fingers up his bare chest. Curling her delicate fingers around his neck she pulled him into a passionate kiss. Numair moaned in appreciation as he wrapped his arms around her slender waist and pulled her closer, more than happy to continue where that earlier kiss had left off. His hand slowly caressed up her back to tangle in her curls as he deepened the kiss. They parted briefly as he gazed into her gorgeous blue-grey eyes with those extravagantly long lashes. Numair smiled at his young friend and moved in to capture those soft, full lips that begged to be kissed…

The mage bolted upright in bed gasping for air as he threw off the covers and dashed into the bathroom. He dunked his head fully into a basin of cold water and gripped the sides of the sink trying to calm his erratic breathing. What was wrong with him? He'd been dreaming about kissing Daine. Daine! His fifteen-year-old student! Numair was mortified to discover just how aroused he was and hoped that had been the effect of kissing Varice at the start of his dream. A man couldn't be condemned for his dreams, but the mage was starting to think he should be.

He walked back into the bedroom and sat on the bed holding his head in his hands. Where had that even come from? The mage forced himself to calm down and engage the logical side of his brain. Yes, Daine was a very attractive young woman – girl. He could admit to being taken by surprise by her appearance yesterday in two very beautiful and mature-looking outfits. Numair had never seen her look like that before, but it didn't excuse his reaction. Back in Corus, Daine spent a great deal of time in his rooms, alone and unchaperoned, because he would never break that line of trust between teacher and student. Numair flopped back onto the bed and squeezed his eyes shut. It was just one dream. A product of an overstressed mind and it wouldn't happen again.

It was rare for the mage to be the first one at breakfast but after two hours of tossing and turning he'd given up on sleep. Numair had finished his porridge and was picking at a bread roll when the others joined him at the table. Daine and Alanna sat opposite him as the mage avoided looking at his student. Zek, the marmoset, left the girl's neck to sniff at the fruit so the mage offered the small monkey a grape. The marmoset devoured it and came to sit in his lap as Numair selected another grape and a prune for Zek to nibble on.

"It went well last night," Duke Gareth said to the entire table. "Some of the imperial ministers are more forthcoming than others, but that is to be expected. I am particularly happy with the reports I've had of you, Daine."

"Me, Your Grace?"

Numair glanced at his friend to see her blushing crimson.

"Emperor Ozorne heard from Master Lindhall that you cured his birds in one session." Harailt continued the praise. "The emperor is very pleased – says he has to think of a proper way to express his thanks."

Numair scowled hoping that the way Ozorne chose to express his thanks didn't involve land, titles and an estate with iron bars.

"It's like that with some men in high places," Gareth the Younger said from across the table. "Things that would impress us have no effect on them, but a kindness done to creatures they love, they never forget. I hope you'll continue to stay on his good side. The ministers' definition of concessions they will and won't make changed to our benefit after the emperor thanked us for bringing you."

"Which reminds me," Numair said as he offered Zek a piece of satsuma. "We're scheduled to have a tour of the imperial menagerie after breakfast."

"A menagerie?" the mage looked up hearing the horror in Daine's voice and was gratified to see she looked like his student again, dressed in a shirt and breeches.

"Ozorne would never ill-treat his animals," he said gently trying to soothe her. It was one of the emperor's few redeeming qualities.

Numair knew well Daine's dislike of menageries from her first visit to the royal menagerie in Corus. The trip was supposed to be a wonderful experience and had ended up in disaster. No one had appreciated the animal's discomfort at being caged until the Wildmage had a panic attack from the animal's distress. Since then, the king had worked hard with the college mages to improve the conditions for the animals.

"Don't slight him by staying behind." Gareth the Younger said sternly to the girl.

"She wouldn't think of it, Gary." Alanna scowled at the man, hugging Daine around the shoulders. "Leave her be."

Their escorts arrived shortly after breakfast and Numair was shocked to see Varice was one of them. She hadn't shared the same affection Ozorne and Numair had for animals when growing up so he hadn't expected to see her until the banquet. Prince Kaddar was the other escort dressed finely but with far less jewellery this morning. Varice looked stunning in a green silk dress which clung to her body and a white veil in her hair as she smiled warmly at him, brushing her lips against his cheek.

"I shall walk with His Grace, but stay close, please. You know so much more about animals that I do." She fluttered her eyelashes at him.

"Numair's loss is my gain, Lady Varice." Duke Gareth took the lady's hand and bowed.

Prince Kaddar bowed graciously to Alanna. "May I offer you my escort, Lioness?"

Numair smiled realising that would leave him to escort Daine. Despite last night's dream he would enjoy visiting the menagerie with his student.

Alanna grinned at the prince mischievously. "On such a beautiful day you shouldn't be stuck with an old lady like me. I don't believe Daine has an escort."

The prince turned to smile at the girl "Then I am free to offer my arm to you, lady."

Daine glared at the Lioness; a sentiment shared by Numair. "I'm no lady, Your Highness – just Daine."

The mage offered his arm to Alanna trying not to glare at her. "I was looking forward to sharing this experience with my student," he hissed at her as the group followed Varice outside.

The Lioness smirked walking at a slower pace to put a bit of distance between them and the others. "I wanted to speak to you, privately. To make sure you're being careful with Lady Varice."

Numair bristled. "I don't believe anything between Varice and myself is any concern of yours."

"Sorry for trying to look out for you!" Alanna snarled at him.

The pair walked in silence down a winding maze of paths that lead to the formal gardens.

"I'm sorry. That was rude of me." he muttered.

"You told me she was Ozorne's closest friend. Are you sure you can trust her?" Alanna's voice was hard.

Numair huffed out a breath and decided to be honest with his friend. "Varice indicated she might like to resume our old acquaintance last night." The knight opened her mouth to object. "I turned her down and returned to my rooms – alone."

"She moves fast," the Lioness criticised.

He swallowed nervously. "I didn't exactly discourage her advances."

Alanna peered up at him concern in her violet eyes. "Be careful. That's all I ask."

Numair reached over and squeezed his friend's hand resting on his arm. He knew Alanna only had his best interests at heart and she was right, he wasn't being careful. The mage didn't know if he could trust Varice or not, as much as he wished he could. Eight years was a long time, and if he had changed in that time, there was a strong possibility she had too.

The pair caught up to the group as they passed through the wrought-iron gates topped with the imperial seal. The menagerie was as magnificent as he remembered, with large enclosures to house the exotic creatures. Numair's eyes fell on Daine as he watched her face light up in joy as they wandered passed lions, chimpanzees, and macaques. He grinned as the girl approached the giraffes with her hands out to greet them while the tall mammals bent their long necks impossibly low to lip gently at her fingers.

"I never thought I'd see you smile like that in Carthak." Alanna said dryly.

"What?" He looked down at her and blushed. "No, I suppose not."

"You get as much pleasure out of Daine meeting new animals as she does."

"Absolutely!" The mage grinned boyishly at his red-headed friend and then turned to watch the Wildmage again. "I wish we could get closer so she could tell me what they're saying."

"I don't think that would be a good idea." Alanna nudged him and nodded towards Varice. "We don't want to offend our hosts." The blonde woman was frowning hard at the mage with an odd expression in her eyes.

Numair bit the inside of his cheek and tried to force a bland expression onto his features. The group continued the tour as they passed gazelles and antelope who stood in a fenced grassy plain. Kaddar was in deep conversation with Harailt about the royal menagerie in Corus when the mage realised his student had left the group. He caught sight of her wandering off alone down a curved path and excused himself quietly from Alanna to follow. Numair caught up with her at the end of the path as she gasped in awe at three hyenas.

"They're beautiful," she breathed.

"Spotted hyenas," he said smiling down at her. "From the grass plains of Ekallatum, far to the south. Night hunters, for the most part – see the eyes? They have the strongest bite of any mortal predator – it crushes even the bones of water buffalo. Hyena packs are matriarchal –"

"Matri-what?" Daine asked as Kitten whistled her own query.

He grinned at them both. "Their society is ruled by females. Each pack is led by sisters."

"Sensible of them." The Wildmage returned his grin as she looked up at him.

His heart stuttered at the warmth in her eyes, and he realised how much he'd wanted to share this with her. Numair could have spent hours happily wandering around the enclosures chatting with his student about the various animal species.

"Excuse me." Varice said coldly from behind them. "I'm sorry. These animals aren't to be shown to visitors. I don't know why the emperor keeps them, when he doesn't even like them… Numair, Daine, please come back. There's another part of the menagerie you haven't seen."

Varice stepped forward and linked her arm with his pulling him away. The mage swallowed trying to contain his anger at the interruption. They re-joined the group as the prince escorted them to another gated area Numair didn't recognise.

Kaddar opened the gate and Kitten charged through before skidding to a halt, screeching in horror. The mage froze in disbelief as he looked at the occupants of this new menagerie. The cramped cages held Immortals of all types and he finally understood the fate Ozorne had intended for the young dragon. Numair had a strong urge to pick her up and cuddle her protectively.

"This is my uncle's other collection. Each and every one was captured and brought here for causing trouble for humans." Kaddar explained.

The mage passed brass plates identifying each caged occupant; killer unicorns, griffins, hurroks, coldfangs, spidrens, centaurs peaceful and blood-hungry. The last cage held a pair of Stormwings which seemed an odd addition considering Carthak's allegiance with this particular Immortal.

"I thought your uncle was allied with Stormwings!" Daine rounded on Kaddar and Numair was amused to find his student's thoughts mirrored his own.

"He is," the prince replied. "The price of the pact with Stormwing King Jokhun was that Queen Barzha and her mate Hebakh be kept here. Believe me, she would have caused as much havoc in Carthak as Stormwings have in the north, if my uncle had not made the alliance."

Numair frowned thinking the only reason Stormwings caused any trouble was because Ozorne ordered them to. Stormwing nature was not to harry mortals but to desecrate the dead after battles.

"What do you feed them?" Daine cried indignantly shaking off Duke Gareth's hand as he tried to quieten her protests. "Do you bring folk in and scare them, so they can live on that? And these cages are too small. The griffin can barely open its wings."

Kitten let out her own barrage of chirps, squawks and whistles, giving her own opinion of this place.

"They don't need food, and they don't require more room." Varice said condescendingly. "You know these monsters don't fall ill and die. Unless you kill one, they live forever. Would you rather let them raid villages and destroy crops?"

Numair felt cold anger spread through his veins at the woman's words. When had she become so unfeeling towards this sort of treatment, regardless of the creature?

"We mean no criticism of the way the emperor chooses to run his domain." Duke Gareth gave Daine a hard stare as the girl looked down meekly at her feet. "Daine only speaks because her bond with all creatures gives her a dislike of cages. Your Highness, my lady, I regret to say I am not as young as I was. Might we find somewhere shaded, and sit for a moment? Your sun is fierce, even this early."

The mage followed the rest of the group out of the menagerie stiffly until he realised Daine wasn't following. He halted and felt Varice tug on his arm.

"Arram, come on."

"It's Numair," he said coldly. "You go on. I believe you are Duke Gareth's escort this morning."

The blonde looked between him and Daine before bustling away to catch up with the rest of the delegation. Kitten squawked at his feet and Numair bent down to pick up the dragonet stroking her scales which had a slight red tinge to them, indicating her own anger at the caged Immortals.

"I won't let them do that to you," he whispered kissing her head.

Daine turned and noticed her teacher waiting for her and hurried to catch up. The mage offered her his arm as they walked out of the menagerie.

"Shouldn't you be with Lady Varice?" she asked bitterly. Numair noticed the harsh tone in his friend's voice as she said the word 'lady'.

"I was waiting for you. Are you alright?"

"I know I should be glad those Immortals aren't hurting anyone, but it feels – wrong somehow." Daine frowned looking confused.

"Caging and mistreating a creature because you don't understand how to co-exist with it is wrong, magelet. The Immortals lived in our realm once, long ago, and I believe there is a way for us to learn to live alongside each other again. Your wolf friends are often considered monsters because they hunt livestock, but that does not mean they should be caged or starved. We protect the livestock and try to find better hunting grounds for the wolves." Daine smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling. "I'm sorry this visit to the menagerie was spoiled. I was looking forward to showing you around. It was one of my favourite places to visit when I was a boy."

"I liked meeting the other animals," the girl said softly scuffing her boots on the ground.

"Did the giraffe's have much to say?"

Daine grinned up at him as they chatted about the animals until they reached the Tortallan section and separated to their rooms. The walk back with his friend had calmed his temper considerably, but Numair still couldn't shake the dark thought that Ozorne wanted to put Kitten in one of those cages. The mage washed up and prepared for the opening banquet wondering if he was looking forward to seeing Varice again or not.

He exited his room wearing his black silk robe once again and went to join Alanna in the common area.

"Are you excited to listen to boring speeches and long-winded addresses about what we'll discuss in the coming days?" the Lioness grouched sarcastically. "I hate these sorts of things! Why did Jon have to send me here?"

"I believe the wording he used was that you represented him as the king and the kingdom's progressive attitude in regard to its treatment of women."

Alanna scowled at him. "How do you stay awake in these things?"

"I do have a role to play in assessing the other ambassadors and which of them I think will be most open to negotiations, but barring that, there was a fascinating scroll I was reading on the cumulative effect stress has on the body in highly demanding situations and how it can lead the person or persons to act erratically from sleep deprivation, fatigue, loss of appetite, migraines –"

"Very funny." Alanna said flatly not appreciating his joke.

Numair grinned. "I thought so."

"Where is Daine? She's the last one to be ready, again. I hope she's not picking up on your bad habits."

"She's probably struggling to tame her hair. I know mine always gives me trouble."

"I'm going to check on her." Alanna huffed and hurried up the hall to retrieve the girl.

Numair stood off to one side trying not to dread the opening banquet and the start of the negotiations. Nothing would be decided today. It was about posturing and polite speeches regarding how they all wanted to come together to discuss peace, then over the next six days the ambassadors would disagree on every issue and argue every detail. Alanna was correct, today would be very boring.

The escort arrived to take the delegation to the banquet hall as Daine and Alanna finally joined the group. Numair smiled trying not to notice how pretty his magelet looked in cream linen breeches and a pale blue dress with dark blue embroidery. She'd looked more like herself this morning compared to the young woman who walked at his side now.

"Was your hair causing you problems again?" he asked.

"No." Daine muttered. "Just a bit of excitement with the slaves."

Numair reached out a hand and squeezed her shoulder. None of the Tortallan's were comfortable with having slaves to attend them. The mage had grown up around this and it still didn't prepare him for dealing with them again.

"I really need to speak to you when you can spare a moment." Daine said looking up at him and Alanna. "I think – Something bad is going to happen."

The mage was about to tease her about developing seer's powers when they entered the hall and Varice practically pounced on him leading him away from the others. She found him a seat by himself and began to fill his plate.

"You must try these eel pastries. They are divine and the pastry is so light. Oh, and the snake medallions in black bean and red wine sauce. The elephant ear soup is quite spicy but try dipping the dormice rolls with coconut and poppy seed. Excuse me a moment, I must see to the Tyran minister's plate."

The blonde fluttered away to see to the lord's selection of food. Varice used to remind him of an exotic bird in the way she would dart around a room seeing to everyone's needs in an elegant swish of colour. Being a hostess suited her as she flitted between the ambassador's suggesting foods and drink for them to try. Numair wouldn't be surprised if she had personally prepared every item on the menu for the opening banquet. Now, as he looked at his plate and the contents of the table, he tried not to think about how each of these delicacies was made. The thought of dormice rolls made his stomach roll and he hoped she had done nothing with venison or goose.

Numair's diet had changed drastically since Daine had developed the ability to shapeshift last year. His student could change into any animal she desired but there had been a few mishaps, one with a palace hunter when the Wildmage had shifted into a deer and another with a group of bandits when they had gotten separated, and she had shifted into a goose. The memory of all the blood where the barbed arrow had pierced her wing – she'd turned instantly human making the wound considerably worse. Daine had nearly lost the arm because he couldn't heal with his Gift. The mage squeezed his eyes shut trying not to be sick. He preferred simpler foods these days and it was easier to eat the same meals as his friend while they travelled. His diet had reduced to mostly beef, pork, chicken and fish as those were animals his student had no desire to change into.

"Enjoying your plate? Oh, Arram, you haven't even touched the pastries." Varice chastised him before flitting away to advise another lord.

Numair tried to look anywhere but at the food when a paw touched his leg, and two palace dogs gave him matching pleading looks. He glanced up to see Daine smiling at him and the mage couldn't have adored her more in that moment as he gave her an answering smile of pure gratitude. The contents of his plate quickly disappeared under the table as the mage used sleight of hand to feed his two dinner companions. Numair spared another look at his friend wondering how she was coping with the food when Varice appeared filling his plate with another selection of 'delicacies'. She would never hear from him that he didn't eat any of the food she had worked so hard on. Maybe Daine could tell him later what the dogs thought in case the hostess asked for an opinion.