Description: Numair has several heart-to-heart talks as the Tortallan delegation arrives to sign the peace treaty and take the mages home.

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

Author's Note: I based Varice's behaviour in this book entirely around one line from the book when Daine asks if she betrayed Numair to the emperor; "Maybe I would have, if he'd come to me. You don't know what it's like to be in the service of a man like Ozorne."

For anyone interested, a pink carnation means 'I'll never forget you'. I was going to be cruel and not reveal the meaning of daisies until a later story, but I thought I'd be nice. Daisies mean innocence, loyal love, 'I'll never tell'.

Chapter 15

Lindhall requested and was granted access to the spells to open the Divine Realms for Numair to study. The mage spent most of the afternoon in Daine's room reading quietly while Kitten and Zek played on the floor when a soft knock on the open door interrupted him.

"You have a visitor," Lindhall said.

Numair frowned and followed his friend into the common area. Varice gasped and covered her mouth with her hands as tears slid down her cheeks.

"Emperor Kaddar told me, but – I didn't believe him…" She flung her arms around his neck and sobbed onto his shoulder.

Lindhall left the room giving the pair some privacy. The mage placed his hands dutifully around Varice and held her while she cried. When she finally calmed down, he put some distance between them and scrutinised her warily. The woman produced a handkerchief and delicately dabbed at her eyes even though she wore no facial paint.

"You aren't pleased to see me." It wasn't a question.

"A more accurate description would be I wasn't expecting to see you," he said.

"Why? You think I wanted any of this?" she asked incredulously. "I begged Ozorne not to kill you… but it wasn't really you, was it?"

"No. Ozorne executed my simulacrum."

"You've learned some new tricks. You never used to be any good at illusion magic," his ex-lover smiled prettily trying to engage the mage in magic talk.

Numair studied the woman impassively. "Was it all a lie? Were you doing his bidding all along?"

Varice looked deeply hurt but wouldn't meet his eyes. "Ozorne asked me to get close to you – but I wanted to be with you again, so I didn't mind. I even hoped you might have still held a torch for me. I never refused a command from his Imperial Highness, whatever he asked of me. How else do you think I retained such a high position of power and influence in his court?"

"Did he ask you to bed me and influence the negotiations?"

"I don't think Ozorne ever really cared about the talks. He only wanted to know how much influence I had over you," the woman glanced quickly at his face and looked away again.

Anything he had shared with her this past week felt like a lie even if she still cared in some way for him. Numair didn't want to ask her if she'd been told to distract him so Ozorne could kidnap Daine. He was afraid how he would react whatever her answer.

"Is Daine alright?" Varice asked peering around him seeing the young woman asleep in the bed.

The mage blocked her view and gave his ex-lover a hard stare. "Daine is fine."

"She really cares about you." The woman looked up trying to locate some warmth in his features.

"What do you want, Varice?" he asked coldly.

"You never asked me to go with you – when you left Carthak, all those years ago."

The question took the mage completely off-guard. "I didn't think you would want to leave your life behind."

"You're right," she replied bluntly. "As much as I loved you, I wouldn't have gone with you."

They stared at each other silently for a long minute until Numair conjured a pink carnation and held it out to her.

Varice smiled and accepted it smelling the bloom. "You used to give me roses," she flirted.

"That was when I loved you. It was good to see you, Varice. I'm sorry my deception caused you any distress."

Numair walked her to the door and held it open expectantly. The woman paused in the doorway and smelled the carnation again. Placing a delicate hand on his shoulder, she leaned up on tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

"Goodbye, Arram."

Lindhall came to inform his friend the next day that the Tortallan delegation were arriving at the docks and invited him to join them in welcoming them back, but Numair politely declined not wanting to leave Daine. The older mage met up with Emperor Kaddar and his ministers in greeting the Tortallans. Duke Gareth and most of the representatives joined the new emperor to discuss the peace treaty while Alanna returned to the university with Lindhall to check on the mages. The Lioness gave Numair a bone-crushing hug when she saw him before leaning down to kiss Daine's forehead affectionately.

"Alright, laddybuck," the redhead towed the tall mage into the common area and plopped herself down onto an empty seat. "We saw the state of the palace on the way over here. You've got some serious explaining to do."

"That wasn't me." He held up his hands defensively as Alanna raised her eyebrow at him sceptically. "I swear it. Daine raised an army of dinosaur skeletons and rampaged through the palace after she thought Ozorne had executed me."

"And why would she believe that?"

Numair sighed and recounted all the events that had occurred since their ship left the harbour to the best of his knowledge. Daine would be able to fill in more of her story when she woke up.

"Goddess bless, when the two of you lose your tempers, you don't do anything by halves, do you?" the Lioness said once the mage finished his telling.

Numair blushed not sure if that was a compliment or a reprimand.

"Is Daine alright after being used by the Graveyard Hag? Did she suffer any ill effects?" Alanna asked.

"The badger god said sleep was all she required. I would welcome a second opinion. No one else has wanted to get close to her since she fell asleep."

"At least Carthak won't be going to war with Tortall anymore," the knight said sounding relieved. "I hope not, anyway."

"Even if we wanted to it wouldn't be possible." Alanna and Numair turned to look at Lindhall who had spoken from the other chair. "It seems Daine wasn't focussed solely on the destruction of the palace. She also had her animals steal and soil the supplies for the Army of the North. The ballistae and catapults are completely useless, as is every scrap of leather."

Mage and knight exchanged knowing smiles.

"I'm glad that youngster is on our side," the Lioness said seriously.

The three adults shared a meal with Kitten and Zek coming to join them. Alanna was overjoyed to see the dragonet was unharmed by her own experience. Numair resumed trying to persuade his old friend to return with them back to Tortall which took surprisingly little convincing. After they had eaten, the Lioness kicked the mage off to bed, which he agreed to only after Lindhall made him a sleeping draft. He didn't want a repeat of his previous nightmare, especially if Alanna would be in the next room. The Lioness agreed to sit with Daine and monitor her condition while he rested.

When Numair woke the next day, he was upset to discover he'd missed Daine getting up. The young woman was sat in the common area with Alanna wolfing down a sizeable breakfast. The smile on Daine's face when she saw him banished any worries or misgivings he might have had. She got up from the table and flung herself into his open arms as the mage held her tight, breathing in her scent.

"Good morning, magelet," he said setting her back on her feet. "Sleep well?"

"Alanna says I've been asleep for four days. I don't think anyone can say that isn't a good sleep," she grinned up at him.

He smiled, feeling better than he had in days seeing his friend up and about.

"Why don't you join us? Daine might have left something for you to eat." Alanna teased.

After breakfast, the Lioness said she was going to check on the progress of the peace treaty and invited the mages to join her.

"I think it's best we remain here for the time being. I doubt there are many in Carthak who would be happy to see either of us roaming the streets freely." Numair said.

"You're probably right. Are you sure I can leave the two of you alone?" the mage blushed crimson at the Lioness's unintended suggestion. "You're not going to start any wars or level any cities while I'm gone?"

"I've had my fill of destruction, thanks." Daine grimaced at the knight.

Once Alanna had left, Numair retrieved one of the tomes on the Divine Realms intending to go back to his reading and was a little shocked when Daine sat next to him, resting her head on his shoulder. Very carefully he lifted his arm and settled it around her shoulders as she snuggled into him. The mage swallowed nervously knowing they had sat like this before, but now it seemed far too intimate.

"I'm glad you're not dead," her voice was barely a whisper.

"The feeling's mutual, magelet."

She grinned up at him making his heart leap into his throat.

"Why'd you stop me from killing Ozorne?"

Numair swallowed. "I didn't want his death on your conscience. Not that way. You went mad after bandits killed your family and I couldn't have you risk your sanity for me. Ozorne got what he deserved in the end. He lost his empire and is being hunted by the very creatures he sought to control."

"I s'pose," the young woman huffed. "I hope Barzha makes a good meal out of Ozorne when she's through with him."

The mage sat silently not sure if he agreed with his friend's harsh sense of justice or not. Certainly, he had the incentive to want Ozorne dead, but the desire wasn't there. Even after everything that had happened between them Numair couldn't wish death upon his once best friend.

"Will you tell me all of it – someday?" Daine asked quietly.

"Of course. I believe you have some of your own explaining to do. Maybe we could go to my tower for a few days, once we return home. I think the king owes us a well-deserved break, especially after you managed to turn an unmitigated disaster and imminent war into a peace treaty with our greatest enemy."

"It wasn't all my doing."

Numair laughed. "Magelet, I have learned where you are concerned, you have a greater influence on events than you ever give yourself credit for."

The look Daine gave him set the blood in his veins on fire and he became far too aware of all the places their bodies touched. He looked away and fought to get himself under control before he did something stupid. Her face was so close and the urge to kiss those soft lips was almost irresistible.

"The Hag called me something –" Daine spoke haltingly. "She called me 'Weiryn's daughter'. I've heard his name before. Tait – the huntsman in Dunlath – he swore by him. I think – I think the Banjiku might have the right of it. I think I might be the daughter of a god…" She looked up at him nervously.

Numair recalled what he knew of the god from memory. "Weiryn is the Northern god of the hunt if I remember correctly. That would certainly make sense." Daine gave him a quizzical look. "Your skill with a bow, crossbow and any projectile weapon, your tracking and hunting abilities; they may all be attributed to him." He frowned in thought. "It doesn't explain your connection with wild magic though. Weiryn is a hunt god known for –"

"Hunting animals?" his friend interrupted with a smile.

The mage tweaked her nose and grinned. "Precisely. I wish I had access to my books or the university library. I'd like to discover if he had any other suspected offspring. Did they also have wild magic? It's so new to the world of academia I'm not even sure if there will be enough evidence to support my theory. Until recently, wild magic has only been considered fables and myths. There may be stories of strange connections to certain animals if I'm lucky."

"Have I given you a puzzle to solve?" she teased.

Numair smiled ruefully. "How do you feel about being a demi-goddess?"

"I'd rather not think about it if I'm honest," the young woman looked away disgruntled.

"You're still you, Daine." He cupped her cheek tenderly and titled her chin. "It doesn't change who you are. If anything, it finally gives you an answer to your mysterious parentage."

"You won't treat me any different, will you?" her eyes searched his face.

Numair removed his hand before he inadvertently pulled her into a kiss. "If by that, you mean will I start genuflecting and building a shrine of worship to you then, no. You'll always be my magelet."

Her eyes softened and for the briefest of moments the mage considered telling her how much he loved her but stopped before he made a fool of himself. Daine snuggled against his chest again and yawned loudly.

He went very still wishing they could stay like this and yet knowing he couldn't let Alanna find Daine asleep on him. "Maybe you should get some more rest. The badger did warn it was divine power running though you."

"You'd think I'd have had enough sleep by now," she grumbled. Daine rose and kissed his cheek making him freeze in an absolute stupor. "You'll wake me for lunch?"

"Of course, magelet." He had to fight the urge to touch the place where her lips had brushed against his cheek.

The young woman paused at the door and looked back at him. "Did you leave the vase of daisies in my room?"

Numair blushed and looked straight into her eyes. "They don't grow here in Carthak. I wanted you to have something to remind you of home," he lied.

"Thank you," she flashed him a beautiful smile that lit up her entire face. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, sweetling," he whispered. The mage had no intention of telling Daine what the true meaning of those daisies was.

The next day there was a break in the rain, so the mages took Kitten and Zek for a walk in the university gardens. Lindhall brought Bonedancer out to join them so the lizard-bird skeleton could stretch his legs and stop harassing Sunstone. The older mage produced some coloured stones for Kitten to play with and soon Bonedancer and Zek joined in. Daine and Numair found a seat to watch the three play happily when Alanna interrupted with the young emperor beside her. The two mages got to the feet respectfully and Numair bowed his head noticing Daine did not. She had become too accustomed to Jonathan and Thayet's rule who did not require constant genuflecting.

"May I talk with you briefly?" Kaddar addressed the young woman. "I won't take much of your time."

"Take all the time you want, Your Imperialness." Daine smiled and patted the seat inviting the new emperor to join her.

"Here, laddybuck. You come with me," Alanna said to Numair. "Just in case you get any ideas about striking the next emperor," she whispered conspiratorially.

The mage sighed and bit his cheek but didn't argue as he followed the Lioness back inside. He stopped just inside and hovered watching the young people talk.

"Leave them be, Numair. Daine isn't going to disappear if you take your eyes off her." The mage blushed and looked back at the redhead guiltily. "Lindhall told me you've barely left her side."

"I'm just worried about her," he lied trying not to let his jealously show. "I haven't done a very good job of keeping her safe, have I?"

"All of us could blame ourselves for Daine's disappearance. We all thought this visit was a trap of some kind and yet we still fell for it. Ozorne wanted an excuse to go to war and Daine provided the perfect opportunity to hurt you while he accused us of sabotaging the talks. Yes, you made a couple of mistakes, but you're only human despite being a black robe mage. This place holds a lot of bad memories for you. You can't expect to be on top form when those are riding you and affecting your judgement."

"Lindhall told me to stop feeling sorry for myself and trying to blame myself, as well."

"Maybe you should listen to your friends." Alanna suggested. "Daine's fine, Kitten's fine, and most importantly, we're not going to war with Carthak. Everything worked out well in the end."

The mage nodded absently and continued to watch his friend and Emperor Kaddar talk.

The Lioness came to stand beside him and placed a supportive hand on his arm. "Look, we're leaving tomorrow, and you can put all this behind you. I know Daine wants that as well."

"She spoke to you?" he asked worriedly.

"Daine said she doesn't like the person she's been here which is understandable. I don't think you like who you've been here either."

Numair shook his head. "No. I haven't felt at all like myself."

"I'll feel better once we're away from this place. Dawn cannot come soon enough."

The two adults watched Daine and Kaddar who looked to be having a very serious conversation, whatever it was they were discussing. The mage resisted the urge to lip-read knowing that would be a horrendous breach of privacy. His friend would tell him what they were discussing if she chose to.

"So, Daine destroyed half the palace and decimated the Northern Army because she thought you were dead," Alanna joked. "We should all watch our step. That's quite the protector you have there."

"Please don't make feel worse than I already do. I fully intended to tell her about my simulacrum," he grouched.

"Relax, I'm just teasing. Daine is afraid people back home will start treating her differently because of what happened here. We had a little chat yesterday after she woke up."

Numair scowled. "If people have an issue with Daine you can send them to me, and I'll have a little chat with them. That young woman is the only reason we aren't at war with Carthak. She should be praised not ostracised."

"You don't need to tell me that." Alanna retorted.

The mage made a silent promise to himself that he would stay close to his magelet and not allow anyone to shun her because of her actions in Carthak. Numair had thought to put some distance between them while he got over his infatuation, but he didn't want Daine to get the wrong impression. He'd make sure his friend knew she was loved and respected, even though he loved her far more than was strictly appropriate.

"When did you first notice?" the Lioness asked shrewdly.

"What?" Numair asked absently.

"That Daine's not a little girl, anymore. I think that's the first time you've called her a young woman."

He blushed and stiffened. "When we arrived in Carthak."

"It's about time," the knight elbowed him. "You might want to rein in your over-protective tendencies. Daine won't appreciate you for them."

Numair's face darkened as Kaddar rose and kissed the young woman's hand.

"Like that, I mean." Alana pointed at him. "Daine's old enough to make her own decisions and mistakes, particularly when it comes to love. If you chase off all her would-be suitors because you're worried they'll hurt her, soon she won't have any, and she'll resent you for it. I'm not saying you can't protect her, but you need to back off. We can all line up to beat-up whatever young cad breaks her heart, but until then, let her be young and foolish."

"I'll try," the mage said quietly as he stared longingly at his young friend.

Numair fell silent knowing Alanna was correct. He had no right to interfere in his friend's romantic interests, no matter how much he wished he could. It would destroy him if he lost Daine's friendship because of some jealous rage. She was at an age now where she would start courting and flirting with the young men who took her fancy, and Numair would have to stand in the background knowing she would never look in his direction. The mage would make certain he was first in line to hurt any young man who actually broke his friend's heart. He watched dejectedly as Daine and Kaddar shared a joke smiling at each other like there was no one else in the world.

Tomorrow, they would go back home, and life would return to normal, as normal as it ever did in Tortall. Daine would grow up and marry one day, and Numair had to accept that, and forget how much he truly loved and adored his best friend.