Chapter 5; Leaving

Daine forced the remainder of her sadness down. Just because they don't want you doesn't mean no one else won't. Then she had to stop packing, because she was so afraid it was true.

Did anyone want her?

"Daine? Daine, are you running away?" I'm so glad he's intelligent. He catches on fair quick. She felt guilty for her sarcasm.

"No. I've been-" She paused. If she told him, it would most likely upset him, and she'd have to say they didn't want her, which would be painful. On the other hand, she really wanted to wipe the happiness out of their smug faces. The faces that seemed to say "I'm better than you. I'm just helping you because I have some spare time. Really, you're not worth anything to me."

While she was deciding, Numair was watching her. He wondered if she knew just how beautiful she looked right then. His eyes travelled to hers. He noted the red rims, and bloodshot whites. Obviously something had really upset her. His mind travelled to - no, it couldn't be. No, definitely not. Not after last time.

She shrugged. "It's nothing. I'm just a bit...restless, that's all."

It was evident that the reason she gave was not all, but Numair decided to help her out. "You want to see more of the world?"

Eagerly, she nodded. "Yes, that's exactly it. I just need to get out of Tortall for a while. To get away."

He was scared asking the next question. Well, not of the question itself, but of the answer he might receive. "Away from me?" He had clipped his tone so much, the words seemed to hang in the air long after they had come out of his mouth. He wasn't sorry for them, but what if she took it the wrong way? Oh Shakith! She was going to take it the wrong way! "I mean, a relationship needs a lot of work..." Get out of the hole.

She grinned. "I'll only be apart from you if you're staying."

"Are you sure this is what you want? I know Alanna and Jon would love you to stay."

They're the reason I'm going. Can't you see that, you stupid- With a deep breath, she controlled her emotions. No need to get angry at Numair. "Oh I think they'll let me go." The scene in the King's study would be reason enough for her to escape to the Roof of the World. She had a feeling the King was not too pleased with her.

He pulled her away from her packing, into a kiss. "Then I see no reason why we can't go," he murmured into her mouth.