Someone spotted my idea! I'm doing my fics in alphabetical (which is why it had to be Unhinged, instead of Insane King Kills Everybody). Kinda sad, but we all have our kicks. Denmark tomorrow - I unpacked, and still haven't repacked! Oh dear.
Chapter 7; Daring Deeds - Chapter names are worse than the summary!
"Oh, I'm sorry," Daine stammered. "I didn't mean to interrupt you... I'll go."
"No, you won't," Alanna said, firmly. "You two are going to get this sorted out. Now."
She left Daine and Numair standing at either ends of the room, avoiding eye contact.
After a minute of silence, Numair strode to the door, brushing past Daine's shoulder.
"This is silly," he muttered. Daine followed him into the empty corridor.
"You can walk away. Sure, that's the simple way out. Feeling pain, place blame, then walk off. But if you walk away now, that is the end."
"Is that a threat?" Numair asked softly.
"If it suits you. It's more a dare."
"A dare."
"I'm daring you to turn your back on all these years we've spent together. All the troubles we've faced. I'm daring you to marry someone you don't love, and have your perfect Gifted children. Be safe, but no fire. Passion."
"Sounds good to me. What would you do?"
"I'd return to Galla. Find a forest, surrounded by animals, and live out my days."
"No husband?"
She looked at him till he turned away. "How can you ask that?"
"So you'd let me go. Just... leave."
"On one condition. No, listen to me first. When you walk away, I want you never to look back. Forget who Veralidaine Sarrasri was. Forget us nearly marrying. Forget what we've been through."
"So you think I love you enough to stay?"
"No, I think I love you enough to let you go. To give you to Varice."
"And if I surprise you?"
Her eyes locked on his. "Weighing up your options? I'll summarise it for you. Walk away, pretty wife, obedient children, no pain. Stay, work it out with me, stubborn children, lots of arguments." Her obstinate chin was set. "That's the easy option. The one I think you'll take."
"You expect me to leave you, leave love, for Varice, for peace?"
Daine's reply was interrupted by Varice.
"Numair! I've been looking for you. I think I left something in your room." Daine burst into tears and ran off. She had almost believed him.
Almost...
--
Bet you're glad I won't be able to add anything. I have plenty of time to write in Denmark. Of course, it'll have to be inside my revision bks. Know why I do notes at the end of the chapter? So the reader'll calm down and not flame me. It works, too. Nearly always...
Oh, thanks everybody for reviewing Unhinged! I thought I'd get flamed for that! A r, Rosie.
I wondered, does anyone know any good pranks? I wanna use them in my other fic ( Return of Love), for when the children, Kel and Joren visit the palace. Could you put them in your review? Oh for anyone who is even THINKING of cutting a certain tall mage's hair, I don't want to write about hairdressers! That said, he might look kinda cute with short hair...
Ah, just review! Please.