Just arrived back from Denmark. I'm well travelled, having visited both Denmark and Sweden for the first time!
Chapter 8; The, umm, thing. Kaddar's sweet!
"Kaddar?" The Carthaki Emperor turned at the soft whisper of his name. He saw Daine, face wet with tears, climbing the stairs. He waited for her.
"What did he say?"
The WildMage shook her head. "I don't want to talk about it."
Sympathetically, he hugged her. At the time it had seemed natural, but when she turned slightly, he wondered why. She wriggled a little, and then twisted her face towards him and kissed him.
"Very funny Daine." The voice was light. "I see where you're really going to live your days out."
Kaddar was confused. Why was Numair so calm? And why, in the name of the Goddess, had Daine kissed him? His dark cheeks flared up.
"Numair, I... I didn't..."
The mage faced the emperor. "Didn't want me to find out?" He motioned at his betrothed, who had tucked herself into Kaddar's chest. "She seems comfortable enough to stay there for life."
The tall man turned and went down the stairs.
The brunette was still watching the shadow vanish. "I know why this has happened."
Kaddar resolved to never bring Varice again, to anywhere. "Daine, I'm sorry. When Varice suggested it... I know I shouldn't have gone along with it."
She turned to him, blue-grey eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
"Varice's... She didn't tell you?"
"I was speaking about Numair thinking I was too young. What should Varice have told me?"
"Nothing. I was just-"
"Kaddar." A sweet smile appeared on her face; her voice was equally, dangerously pleasant. "If you don't tell me, I'll take you up to Balor's Needle and throw you off the top."
The Emperor of Carthak gulped. No noble in his country was as formidable as this country-bred girl right now. "I, er...When Varice found out about the marriage..."
"Can't the Emperor speak properly? Maybe he'd like to string two sentences together."
"Daine, Varice only came so she could be with Numair. When she found out about you two, she was angry. She decided to break you up."
"And what part did you play?"
"Varice was going to seduce Numair. I had to-"
"Go for me. Why?"
"She knew I was in love with you."
Daine's eyes widened. "So she manipulated you."
"You can't talk about manipulation! Why did you kiss me?"
Daine blushed. "He kissed Varice."
"I think you need to learn not to juggle people's emotions. Go and tell Numair." Kaddar closed his eyes, as he told her to go back to the mage. He knew it would make her happy, as he could never.
The brunette made to go, then stopped. "Kaddar, thank you. Thank you so much."
The man smiled. "I wish I could do more."
"I'll pay you back, some day," she promised over her shoulder.
Kaddar smiled, bitterly this time. "Go and marry him," he whispered.
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Got exams soon! Oh dear! Review, and no flames. Just some helpful comments would be cool.