I Do . . . Or I Don't?
Dedicated to Chance, my dog
by Lady of the Wolves
Chapter 2: Numair's Turn
Numair Salmalin couldn't sleep. He and the rest of the Tortallan escorts, as well as the party from Tusaine were staying at a large inn just next to the Tortall-Tusaine border. It was dark and cold in the mage's room. However, the real reason he wasn't asleep was because he missed Daine.
He and "his Wildmagelet" as he affectionately called her, had been together since the Immortals War. After the end of the last battle, when he had proposed marriage to her, he had been feeling wonderful. Even though it had taken about a year and a half to get her to say yes, he still couldn't believe how lucky he was. Now that the date was set, the dress was bought, and (most of) the preparations were made, he couldn't wait to become his love's husband.
During the year and a half she had pondered his offer, several princes from everywhere (it seemed) had come to marry Princess Kalasin. (That is, they had offered marriage, but she had never accepted.) His Daine was beautiful, extravagant (prettier than Thayet, or that was his opinion anyway), and very noticeable, and he had seen some eye Daine. Many even tried flirting with her, but her heart belonged to Numair and she ignored them respectfully. Numair felt so lucky to be the one she had chosen.
He really didn't think he could live without her. Once, after a large argument they had over something (he couldn't remember), Daine had stormed out and not come back the next morning. He had been so afraid and when they hadn't found her after a week (even trying to use his focus), he thought she had left him forever and considered suicide until he found her and they made up.
They had lived together since then, and Numair could never get her off his mind. She was so smart, funny, caring, and....perfect. These thoughts raced through his mind as he tried to rest. "Curse it," he mumbled to himself, turning over in the bed that was too short; his feet stuck out. He couldn't bear to be away from her for even a few days.
"Numair?" a voice called from outside his door.
"Come in, Alanna," he said, straightening up in bed. The red-haired lady knight came in and scowled at him.
"Numair, you're talking to yourself. Again." Her eyes couldn't conceal the amusement she felt as her tall friend blushed.
"About Daine? I thought so," he said when she nodded. "I just miss her, Alanna. You understand, it's like George and your children."
"I know," the Lioness said. "But try to shut up and get some sleep! You know Duke Grakin won't approve of Tortall's greatest mage if he falls out of his saddle while we're traveling!" She laughed and left with a "good night."
Numair rolled over and snuggled next to his pillows again. "I love you, Daine," he whispered as she fell asleep.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but Duke Grakin, so far. And the plot!
Author's Note: Well? How is it?! I hope everyone likes it, sorry about it being sappy and all. I'll try to make it better later on. Please keep reviewing! Have a nice day and thanks.
~Lady of the Wolves