Description: Numair recovers from his mage duel and speaks with Daine about their future.

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

Author's Note: Just like at the end of my version of Wolf Speaker this isn't really a true chapter. I needed to tie up a few loose threads of the story and give a few hints as to how they will move forward. Numair seemed a little too odd to me in the last scene of the book, hence why I think he was suffering from his injuries. He's been so careful up to this point and then gets caught up in the moment. I still think after he's had some time to think about it, his reserved and more honourable nature towards Daine would kick in.

Chapter 17 - Epilogue

Numair remained on strict bedrest for several days, not allowed to get up or leave his room for anything other than a visit to the privy. The healers visited him often to check on his progress and to monitor the slow healing spells they had placed on his internal organs, especially his lungs which had been punctured. Daine and Kitten came every day to sit with him. The Wildmage was in high demand to heal all the wounded Rider and war horses including the many animals that helped them to defend Port Legann. Kitten was spending most of her time with Diamondflame and Wingstar, taken on flights across the bay or demonstrating her magic. Her dragon grandparents were very impressed at how advanced she was in her magic at such a young age. Onua visited occasionally giving updates on how the clean-up was progressing.

The mage was finding it increasingly frustrating being stuck in bed with nothing to do except rest and sleep. On his second day awake, Daine took pity on Numair and brought him some books to read before she went about her day which alleviated some of his boredom. When she visited that evening, he thought to ask where Jelly and Leaf were. He'd gotten used to their presence and kept expecting to see one of them trickle up the bed. At the mention of the darkings, Daine's eyes filled with tears, and she clung to him sobbing. The mage knew then that they had not survived the war. Despite being made from Ozorne's blood, Numair felt his own grief for the loss of Jelly and Leaf.

"They saved my life and Ozorne killed them," Daine sniffed against his shirt once she calmed down. "I didn't even know they'd come with me when I took off after him."

The mage stroked her back and placed a kiss in her hair, saying a silent prayer of thanks to the darkings. "They were very brave."

The young woman sighed and sat up as Numair offered her a handkerchief. "Spots is missing you."

"Tell him I'll visit as soon as I can," he smiled stroking her cheek tenderly.

"He's been off his food since we left him," she fiddled with a stray thread on her shirt looking worried.

"Mithros, Mynoss and Shakith!" the mage exclaimed. "We left him to the Skinners. Is Spots alright?"

"He made it back here on his own, but he was fair shaken up," the Wildmage looked up meeting his eyes. "I'm the only one he's let near him."

"Did you manage to convince him to eat?" Numair asked worrying about his gelding.

"He took a bit from me, but it's you he really wants to see."

The mage took her hand and kissed it gently. "I'll visit as soon as I can leave this room. I assume you told him I was alright?"

Daine nodded. "He knew how scared I was for you, though. I don't think I helped reassure him."

Numair pulled her against his chest making her squeak in surprise as he wrapped his arms around her tightly. "I'm doing just fine. I'll be fully healed in a few more days."

He eased his lips over hers kissing her softly. The young woman responded, deepening the kiss as her arms went around his neck so she could bury her fingers in his mane. The mage had started to notice how often she took the opportunity to touch his hair. Numair's hands stroked over her back as one drifted slowly up into her curls to caress her neck. She shivered agreeably and pressed herself closer against him, a soft moan escaping her lips. Like with most things, Daine was a fast learner, and her kisses were no longer tentative or sloppy. Now, the mage could feel the affects her hands and lips were having on him as he eased her back slightly. A polite knock at the door had them separating quickly as a healer entered to check on the patient. The Wildmage bid him goodnight and collected a sleeping Kitten from the end of his bed.

After his impetuous behaviour when Daine found him under the willow tree, the mage hadn't tried to propose again. He'd had plenty of time to think and reconsider his actions and was angry with himself for not acting more honourably. Numair had promised her they would talk once the war was over, and while he was happy that the kisses had continued, they still had not found a proper time to discuss their feelings or what to do about them. An opportunity presented itself when Daine visited alone one evening.

"No Kitten, tonight?" he asked closing his book as the young woman joined him on the bed.

"She's out for a night flight with Big Blue," Daine's nickname for Diamondflame.

"I have you all to myself then," Numair smiled.

"What are you going to do with me?" the young woman flirted, leaning closer and placing her hands on his chest.

"I could think of a few things," he grinned in response then mollified his expression and took her hands. "Daine, we should talk."

Her face fell and the mage would have pointed out it had been her suggestion, but he wasn't sure she'd appreciate it. "You're probably right," she sat back and looked at him expectantly.

"I think you should start," he said softly.

Daine fidgeted uncomfortably for a moment not meeting his eyes. Numair held his breath waiting for her to speak. "I want this," she said stubbornly. "I don't want to go back to how things were. I want to keep kissing you – and you kissing me." he smiled as she lifted her eyes to look at him.

The silence stretched and the mage realised she expected him to speak. Numair took a deep breath having thought a great deal about what he needed to say. "Firstly, I feel I should apologise for my behaviour when you found me after my fight against Inar Hadensra. I never should have proposed then seduced you all in one breath. It was utterly inappropriate and –"

"How is our patient doing?" Duke Baird walked in interrupting the pair.

Daine snatched her hands away, a flicker of hurt in her eyes as she got off the bed. The mage bit the inside of his cheek trying not to glare daggers at the chief healer. Of all the times he didn't need to be interrupted.

"He seems back to his usual self," the young woman said avoiding looking at Numair. "He could probably do with some more rest though, so I'll leave him to it."

"Daine, wait…" The mage called as she left the room.

"Sorry – did I interrupt something important?" the duke looked between the man and the closed door.

"We were just discussing a rather significant topic," Numair said submitting himself to the healer's assessment. "I had hoped she would have remained so we could continue talking."

"She'll be back tomorrow. I'm sure you can finish your discussion then," Duke Baird said smiling cheerfully, but the mage wasn't so sure. The look in Daine's eyes told him he shouldn't leave her with the wrong impression about what he'd been trying to say.

The mage had to wait for an hour before he was able to sneak out of his room. Numair headed straight for the stables, thinking the Wildmage would likely be with Cloud. It also gave him the opportunity to check on Spots and reassure his faithful gelding he was alive and well. The mage poked his head inside and was surprised not to see Onua or Daine. He walked along the stalls until he found where Spots was housed.

"Hello boy," he said as his gelding stuck his head out to lip his hands. "I'm sorry we abandoned you. We didn't intend to disappear like that," the mage stroked and patted Spots. "You wouldn't have liked the place we ended up. I am very glad you got back safely," Numair wished he had an apple or something to offer his horse. "I hear you've been off your food. You're not supposed to follow my bad example."

Spots whinnied softly and stuck his head in the mage's chest. Numair continued to stroke his horse murmuring words of comfort and reassuring him that he and Daine were both safe. He stayed until his gelding raised his head and looked up at him.

"Will you be alright if I leave you now? I'd like to find Daine. I'm going to ask her permission to court her," he whispered.

Spots whickered happily and nudged him with his nose.

The mage chucked, "Do I take it you approve?"

The gelding snorted and nudged him again.

Numair gave his horse one last pat and turned to see Cloud watching him from her stall. He approached the temperamental mare cautiously.

"What about you? Do I have your approval?"

The mage held out his hand knowing full well he could receive a nasty bite depending on the mountain pony's opinion. Cloud regarded him quietly then stepped forward and rested her head on his chest letting him stroke her. Numair petted her gently, a little in awe of finally receiving her approval before the mare nudged him.

"Thank you," he said softly. "Do you know where I might find her?"

Cloud swung her head in the direction of the port's battlements and the mage left in search of the Wildmage. Numair found her standing on the walls, staring out to sea, her curls whipping wildly around her face. He leant on the wall for support feeling more out of breath than he'd expected to be.

Daine turned, noticing his approach and scowled at him. "What are you doing out of bed? You're supposed to be resting!"

The mage smiled at her over-protective outburst and joined her. "We didn't get to finish our conversation earlier and – things still needed to be said."

She turned away looking out to sea again. "You've changed your mind now we're back…"

Numair pulled the young woman against him, wrapping an arm around her waist and cupping her cheek, forcing her to look at him. He leaned in to kiss her but paused when he became aware of the soldiers patrolling the walkway. Clicking his tongue in irritation, the mage called on his Gift and laid a simple illusion over them before capturing Daine's lips in a passionate kiss. They were both trembling when they parted, Numair stroking her cheek tenderly with his thumb.

"My feelings have not changed in the slightest. I love you, Daine. Before we were interrupted, I wanted to say that while I do wish to marry you that was neither the time nor the place to propose. I wanted to ask your permission to court you – properly?" he asked nervously.

"Court me? I'm not some noble woman, Numair," she joked.

"Nevertheless, you do deserve to be courted like a lady," he replied seriously. "I'd like to give you time to consider me – as a potential husband."

"I don't know about marriage…" Daine's brow wrinkled in thought. "All my life I've been told no one would ever want to marry Sarra's bastard –"

"I do," he asserted fervently. "Very much."

"What I mean is," Daine continued, ignoring his interruption. "I never thought I'd ever marry, so it's not something I've thought much about. I've seen enough bad marriages that I never believed it'd be something I'd ever want." Numair's face fell and his chest grew tight which had nothing to do with his recovery. "But – I do love you. And I want to be with you."

"But not to marry me," he said feeling despair creep into his voice.

"Maybe someday," Daine said patiently. "I need time to think about it."

Numair glanced up and met her blue-grey eyes. "I can give you time. If you truly want me," he caressed her face. "So long as you understand I want more than just sex."

"What do you want exactly? Other than – marriage," she actually seemed to struggle to say the last word.

"I'm not entirely certain," the mage admitted shyly. "I've never done this sort of thing before. I want more than what we have now – more than friendship – but without losing that. I want to spend time with you, talk with you, share my life with you."

"Isn't that what we do already?" Daine asked confused.

"Yes – but – I also want to kiss you – touch you. I want to hold you in my arms knowing no other man can get that close to you. I don't think I'm explaining myself very well," he ran a shaking hand through his hair.

Daine grinned gripping his shirt as she went onto tiptoes and kissed him softly. "You mean this?" she asked, the slightest hint of seduction in her voice.

"Yes," Numair lifted her into his arms crushing his lips against hers.

Her arms went around his neck as he held her tightly, intensely aware all the places their bodies touched.

"Why don't we just figure this out together?" Daine gasped when he finally released her.

"That seems sensible," he agreed. "Does that mean I have your permission to court you, then?"

She smiled, "I suppose you do."

The next kiss was gentle and sweet as Numair cupped her cheeks caressing her neck softly with his fingertips. "Could we keep this between the two of us – and Kitten – and the horses – for now?"

Daine giggled as he had to amend twice for those who were already aware of their burgeoning relationship. "Why? Are you ashamed of me?" she teased.

He gave her a hard look not appreciating the jest. "I would prefer for you to consider me without the gossips – or our friends colouring your decision," the mage answered honestly. "I want this to be something you chose because you want this – us. I'm still concerned I have misled you into believing yourself in love with me."

The young woman rolled her eyes. "You really think we can keep this a secret?"

"I prefer discretion in my personal affairs. My Gift has to be useful for something every now and again," he raised a hand indicating the shimmer of his illusion.

"Alright, we can keep this quiet. I'm not sure I want to listen to everyone's opinions just yet anyway. Though," Daine tilted her head, "Cloud and Spots are happy about this," she grinned up at him.

"That's all that matters. If our little family accepts us, then that's enough."

Kitten chose that moment to appear around the wall, croaking to break the mage's illusion spell. Numair removed his arms from around Daine and frowned at the dragonet. "We were sharing a private moment. One I did not wish to reveal to the night watch."

She squawked and chittered at him, going to the Wildmage and tugging on her breeches. The young woman picked her up resting the dragonet on her hip. "It's late. She's just tired and grumpy and wants to go to bed."

"Speaking of which, would you ladies mind escorting me back to my room, before someone comes hunting for me?" he asked guiltily. "I'm not sure I'll make it back on my own."

Daine slung his arm around her shoulders. "Isn't a gentlemen supposed to escort me to my room?"

Numair chucked and kissed her hair. "I promise to start behaving in a more gentlemen-like manner as soon as I've fully recovered."

The young woman grinned up at him tucking herself a little closer against his body. The mage knew he needed to tell her the details of his fight with Inar Hadensra and how he had died, but that conversation could be saved for another time. For now, Numair wanted to savour the fact he was alive, and that Daine appeared to return his affections.