Carthaki Adventure
Chapter 2 ~ A Tour

AN: Thanks for the positive reviews guys! This is my most popular fic ever. Thanks for the suggestions too. Warnings: Fluffiness and possible OOC-ness. I'll try and get more out ASAP.

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Daine looked nervously into the mirror checked her reflection for the millionth time that afternoon. She smoothed her chestnut toned hair down and brushed it with a tortoiseshell comb to try and tame the wild curls. She sighed in frustration and resigned herself to the inevitability that her brown locks would always have a life of their own.

She was just about to give up hope that Kaddar would ever arrive when there was a knock at the door.

"I'm coming!" she called cheerily, adjusting her dress and slipping a silken scarf around her neck. Daine tried to practise walking gracefully and womanly on the way to the door of her suite, but decided she would walk normally rather than repeat her clumsy efforts.

"Daine? Are in there?" Kaddar's voice had an edge of impatience and anger to it.

Daine hurried over and threw open the door. "Good afternoon your highness. I'm truly sorry to have kept you waiting."

"You don't have to use all those court formalities with me Daine. You only need to address me that way in public or in front of my uncle."

Daine laughed heartily. "I would feel honoured to call you Kaddar. Now are we going to start our tour?"

Kaddar smiled awkwardly and shifted his weight from foot to foot. He was obviously incomfortable around her, although Daine was unsure if it was because she was from Tortall, because of her Wild Magic or because he was just very shy. "Shall we start our tour? Where would you like to go?" He asked.

"I would simply love to see the royal menagerie. You probably know by now how much I love animals."

"I should think so! It unnerves my uncle very much. He thinks your Wild Magic is some sort of threat to him. But he treats everything like that, something to be mastered and beaten down. He also wants to get his hands on your dragon." Kaddar sighed involuntarily.

Daine stiffened instantly and Kaddar could tell she was feeling protective of her dragon kit. "But I don't think he would be able to take him away from you. The bond between you two is too great."

"I suppose. I never thought about that," she replied.

"Didn't you ever realize it? You love kitten with all your heart, that's something Ozorne could never take away, even with all his cruelty."

"You speak of him like you despise him!"

Kaddar pulled her close to him and whispered in her ear, "Don't announce loudly to all of his spies and guards around us! If Ozorne found out about my treasonous ideas I would be hanged!"

"I'm sorry Kaddar. I didn't realize the danger. I knew that the emperor of Carthak was a ruthless man, but I never dreamed he could even think about executing his own relatives!" Daine replied sheepishly in a quieter voice.

"Oh, he would dream about it all right. He's already quietly ordered his army to get some of the more rebellious and vocal nobles out of the way. A lot of people resent the way he rules our country, many are upset about how he totally disregards the gods."

"I guess I should feel lucky living in Tortall. We have our problems, but I don't usually have to worry about corruption that could place my life in danger."

He released her gently from his powerful grip. "That's fine Daine. I could never be angry with you for long."

Then he held out his hand politely to her. "I am a horribly rude gentleman. I forgot to offer my services as your esteemed escort for our tour of the gardens and menagerie."

"You don't have to be all proper and formal with me, I'm your friend." Daine and Kaddar continued at a leisurely pace down the pathway.

"I know. But in Carthak we like to show our guests hospitality and kindness."

"You have been very kind to me so far. I am quite impressed with Carthak. All the animals and plants are amazing. It's exciting to learn new things." Daine exclaimed with a look of wonder in her eyes.

"Yes, we are lucky to have the diverse range of species."

Daine chuckled merrily. "You sound like Numair, using all your grand and splendid, scholarly words!" Remembering her teacher's new love interest brought a frown to her face. Seeing the confused look on Kaddar's face strengthened her will. She quickly smiled and pushed all thoughts of Numair from her mind. She wouldn't let him ruin her afternoon.

Kaddar looked concerned about her. "Is everything alright? I thought I saw you frown when I mentioned your teacher."

"Oh no. Everything's fine, you must be mistaken."

Kaddar was still worried that something was wrong, but he kept his opinions to himself. If Daine didn't want to talk about something then he wouldn't force her to.

They continued on their way through the Carthaki palace, stopping to admire the menagerie, the gardens, the magnificent yachts of the emperor, the unkempt temples of Carthak and the beautiful statues and exhibits in the museum. Kaddar and Daine both surprised themselves at enjoying each other's company. Daine was expecting a haughty heir and Kaddar an uncivilized, savage. He was even overcoming his extreme shyness and opening up to her.

When they were nearing the end of their tour and almost at Daine's rooms in the palace she asked about what Kaddar's life was like as a prince.

"Is it exciting? Or dull? Tell me what it's like to be you."

"My life is alright. It's nice to enjoy the comforts and luxuries of royalty but there are some aspects which I dislike. I'm tired of everyone treating me like some faceless entity, I want to be thought of as another human being! I just want to be an ordinary person. You don't know how lucky you are to be you."

Daine reflected on Kaddar's words and mulled them over in her mind. There was more to him than met the eye, that was for sure. And to think just this morning she had assumed he was a boring, stuffy prince. He was really passionate, caring and quite thoughtful.

"I suppose I'm lucky, I never really thought about it."

"That's just like you. You're so easygoing and carefree it's enjoyable to be around you."

He smiled warmly and Daine felt her heart flutter in her chest. Could she be falling in love with this thoughful, friendly and handsome young man? This was just supposed to be a casual fling to make Numair jealous. But her feelings for Kaddar made the recently discovered ones for Numair seem like a petty, childish crush. Besides, Daine thought with a toss of her head, Numair has Varice to entertain him and I'm sure she's doing a fine job of that.

"Thanks," Daine said shyly, blushing. Her mind screamed for her to stop thinking those thoughts but she couldn't control her pink cheeks.

They walked in silence to her room and then stood awkwardly by the door. Finally Kaddar broke the silence.

"Good afternoon, Veralidaine. I had a very pleasant time with you on our tour. Maybe you could join me for the evening meal tonight?" Kaddar didn't seem to be his usual, confident self. Could he be in love with her too?

Daine stared into his eyes and was mesmerized by the pulsing orbs of emotion she saw there. Daine's heart went out to him and for an instant she felt the weight of the burden on his shoulders.

Daine hugged him tightly toward her and he was staring into her beautiful, young face. He felt her innocence, the love she had for those dear to her and the warmth in her heart. For an instant he knew exactly what it was like to be Daine. Responsibilities and burdens were lifted off his shoulders for a brief second and he felt as if he was flying high above the pearly clouds.

Then he returned to the present and felt Daine's hot breath on his rosy cheeks. He put his cool palms on the side of her her head and tilted it back gently. Then he slowly leaned forward and brushed his lips gently over hers. For a minute they were two hearts joined together, beating as one, before Daine jerked back from the embrace.

It was like her body was on fire. This was surely what love was like. Her head swam with conflicting thoughts swirling through her mind. He was so kind, friendly and they seemed to have things in common! Yet he was also the prince of a nation hers was enemies with! And everything felt so perfect and right...

"I...I...I'm sorry," she stammered self-consciously, well aware that her face was changing from its fair tone to a deep shade of crimson. Realizing that she must seem very rude she quickly added, "Good afternoon Kaddar, I enjoyed myself thoroughly on our tour. Perhaps I shall see you during the evening meal."

Then Daine turned her back and closed the door behind her, sinking into a cozy armchair, leaving Kaddar standing in the hallway, embarassed. What was happening to her?