Chapter 8: Leave Me Alone!
Author's Note: Ok-Numair forgot because he lost his calendar. And yes, he's that forgetful! For everyone who's read First Test, if he can forget to take a spell off several pages, he can forget a date! Anyway, he can in this story. And wouldn't YOU be upset if you forgot your own wedding?!
It was Daine. Drenched to the bone in her wedding dress, she had obviously just come from outside. She pulled off her dripping veil as she entered, and shut the door behind her. Everyone else watched with mouths hanging open.
"Hello, all," she said wearily as she made her way over to the table.
Queen Thayet was the first to speak. "Are you-are you all right?" she asked. Daine just sighed and shook her head.
Numair leaped up and ran over to her. "Daine! Oh gods, Daine, I don't know how to apologize, I thought tomorrow was the sixth! Daine?" He tried to hug her or at least take her hands, but she kept a steady distance from him. He tried to catch her gaze. "Magelet?" he whispered. "Please, Daine, I'm so sorry!" With this, he grabbed her shoulder, as her back was to him.
She whirled around and slapped him. Hard. He closed his eyes and didn't move. The she turned back to the rest of her friends. "I've decided to go on a trip," she told them, peeling off her damp gloves.
"But-what about-" Numair started, but fell silent as everyone, excluding Daine, glared at him.
Alanna broke in. "Where are you going?" The Wildmage looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I think I'll go to Maren. I have plenty of money saved up, and I've nothing better to do. I'll see you all in a few months or so; I haven't decided how long to stay."
Maura stood up. "Daine, may I see you privately?" she asked, and Daine nodded. Maura led her into a small room. "What about Numair?" she asked, once she had shut the door.
"Who is Numair?" asked Daine innocently. Maura sighed and gave her a Look. The Wildmage sighed. "You know what, Maura? I really don't want to talk about him. He left me standing at the alter when we were supposed to get married."
Maura sighed, crossing her arms. "Daine, it was an accident," she explained. "He came in here and was horrified! He was going to go after you! I think you should give him another chance." She patted Daine on the back.
Daine fought tears. "Well, I don't want to!" she said, trying not to shout. "You don't understand! I never want to see him again!" With that, she turned and left the room, heading back to her own room.
* * * * * * * * *
The Wildmage hurridly threw her wedding finery in a corner, pulling on breeches and a shirt. She packed quickly and grabbed her bag. She wanted to get out of there as fast as she could!
Once in the stables, a very angry dragon caught up with her. Kitten chirped and growled as she inspected Daine. "Sorry, Kit," the lady said, scooping her up and continuing on her way to find Freedom and Cloud. The rain had stopped shortly before she had returned, so she knew they wouldn't get wet, at least not right away.
As Daine hurridly explained to Freedom and Cloud, she heard heavy footsteps come into the stable. Muttering under her breath, she led out the horse and pony, then mounted onto Cloud, to give Freedom a rest.
She was about to nudge Cloud into a trot when she heard an out-of-breath voice call out her name. She turned toward the sound, in habit, and saw the tall mage she was supposed to be married to rush over to her. She turned her face away, trying to avoid more tears.
Numair rushed over to her, praying that she wouldn't leave. He grabbed onto Cloud's reins, and received an angry bite from their owner. "Daine, listen to me. Please," he added, as she angrily pulled the reins from him and moved Cloud away.
Daine faced him. "What?! What do you want?! Nice of you, to leave me standing at the alter! Why don't you go try and remember what else, all of the more important things, thant you were supposed to be doing!?" She kicked Cloud and took off down the path.
"Daine! Wait!" the tall mage roared, and, upon seeing that she ignored him, he ran to the stable to fetch Spots.