Chapter IV
Serena smirked. Of course it's me. Who did you expect?
Arram stared at his ex-lover, his mouth forming words silently. Finally, he managed to say, You're married.
Rolling her eyes, Serena replied in a sweet voice. The bastard- Arram winced -is dead. Died of some strange disease. Left me heartbroken, of course. I've been mourning for two years. Then I remembered youa friend of yours told me where you were.
Arram was a deathly white. Serena thought he couldn't go any whiter, but he paled considerably when she added, I've come to finish what we'd begun.
Wh-what did – we begin? Arram squeaked. Serena stood closer to him, her eyes pasted on his.
You know, she murmured, stroking his chin. Arram drew away, some strange emotion in his dark eyes. He kept on flicking them towards the crowd of people, as if he was looking for someone.
Arram, come to my bed, Serena whispered. miss you –
Arram stumbled back. Serena – he said in a firm voice. Serena, things have changed. I – I –
You what?
Arram gulped. I'm engaged. His eyes narrowed angrily when Serena started laughing.
You're engaged? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard come from your mouth! Serena whooped. Arram Draper, the lady-buck. The man who can't keep a straight relationship for more than two months! Until I came along! She laughed. You, you're engaged? For how long? You'll break it off in a week or so-
Shut up, Serena.
How dare you tell me to shut up! Serena shrieked. (*A/N this woman has a temper, eh?*)
Looking around desperately, Arram pulled Serena into the mob of dancers.
You will return to your home in the Copper Isles- he began.
I shall do no such thing! Serena snapped.
Where you shall forget-
Serena growled, I forget nothing!
You shall forget everything about me, understand? Arram raised his voice; dancers shot the pair worried glances.
shouted the woman, struggling out of Arram's clutch. No one tells me what to do! Arram Draper, you-
Shut the hell up! Arram yelled. The people all around them stopped dancing to observe the struggling couple. They stepped aside when a handsome man with piercing blue eyes walked to them, dressed in swirling black robes.
What is going on? he asked in a firm voice. Serena snarled.
None of your business! Now leave us before I turn you into the pig you really are.
Everyone gasped; the man frowned; Arram shook Serena.
Do you know who I am? the blue-eyed man asked quietly.
An ass-hole who pokes his overlarge nose into other people's business, Serena said bluntly.
More gasps. The man drew himself up.
I am King Jonathan, and you, madam, are creating a stir.
Serena blanched, but managed to fire, Then Arram and I leave! She grabbed Arram and dragged him out of the room.
There was a silence. Then Jonathan threw up his hands and called in a falsely cheerful voice, Let's party!
Nobody noticed a slim figure leave – except Alanna.
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Daine hitched up her skirts and started to run silently after the arguing couple. Her ears had shifted into a cat's, so she could hear every detail of the conversation perfectly – from the low, angry tones of Numair and the heavy breathing of the woman.
Who is she? And why'd she call Jonathan Unable to help herself, Daine giggled. She'd remember that look on Jonathan's face forever! Daine turned her thoughts to that strange woman – who was she and what did she want with Numair?
Daine stopped running when she saw that Numair and the woman had stopped in the library. Daine entered it silently, ears perked. She hid behind a shelf of books and listened.
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Arram faced Serena, trying to calm his frayed nerves. Let's start from the beginning, shall we? he said in a clipped, strained voice. What are you doing here?
Serena raised an eyebrow. From the beginning, eh? Very wellwhen you left Carthak after the Emperor pressed charges, I returned to the Copper Isles. I finished my education in a College of Sorcery, and then I went to freshen up my skills as a princess of the crown. Then my parents arranged for me to be betrothed – I married a Prince of the Copper Isles. He was my cousin twice removed. Then he died of some mysterious ailment and I came here, looking for you.
Arram hissed. Why did you have to look for me?
Arram, my sweet, Serena purred, running her hand across Arram's face affectionately. Have you forgotten what we had in Carthak? Both of us – innocent youngsters – lonely in the university. We met during a festival and shared one night of hot, undenied sexual pleasure. One night turned into two, three, fourwe lost count after all those years.
Arram gulped. His eyes kept on flicking around the dark room, as if he was afraid of someone overhearing them. Serena ignored his antics, her eyes glued on his face.
Before you leftremember that night? You said, don't worry, I'll be back when this blows over'. You never did returnand I got worried. You said that you wanted this relationship to continue – I assumed that you meant getting engaged, then married, and raising a family of our own –
You assumed wrongly, Arram yelped. I'm very sorry, Serena, but what we had is over. It's been over for ten years. Ten years! Don't tell me you have not found someone else to pour your affections on!
No, I haven't. Serena paused, then snarled, Why, have you?
Arram took a step back. He was so nervous and guilty that his mind couldn't grasp any thing. He didn't even remember that Serena was a powerful mage. He couldn't recall any spells that would aid him. The only thing that reached his frightened conscious was that he was engaged to another woman.
Have you? Serena pressed, pressing Arram towards a wall.
Arram didn't reply.
ANSWER ME, DAMN YOU!
Maybe he doesn't want to, said a new voice, cool and collected. Serena whirled around to face a young, slim woman. Her tanned skin was pale with a hot emotion – anger.
Who are you? Serena asked quietly. The woman ducked her head.
Daine Sarrasri, the Wildmage and betrothed to Numair Salmalin.
the bastard who shares her bed with animals, Serena said sharply. Daine frowned, her eyes glinting.
Since you know me so well, may I have the, ah, pleasure of knowing who you are? Daine asked.
I am Her Royal Highness, Princess Serena of the Copper Isles.
Daine didn't acknowledge the royalty. Instead, she walked past Serena and took Arram's hand. Come with me.
They started to walk towards the exit but Serena barred their way. She grabbed Daine and shoved her aside.
Just what do you think you're doing? Serena spat.
I'm taking my fiancé back where he belongs! Daine snarled. It took a moment for this to sink in.
fiancé? Arram is your fiancé? Serena gasped. That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard! She collapsed in a burst of wild laughter. Daine narrowed her eyes.
Numair is my fiancé. I don't know about ArramI think that person is in the dustbin in Carthak. You might want to check there.
That did it. Serena paled and clenched her fists in anger. How dare you! Arram – or Numair – is mine! He always was and always will be mine!
Daine snorted. Oh yes. Varice Kingsford, Milaina of Coldhill. Natasha of Four Roads. Myrtle, Melanie, Melody, and Menna – the four daughters of Lord Davide. Yenna, the Prostitute of Corus – yes, I'm sure Numair belongs to you and only you. She shook her head. Times have changed, Your Highness.
By this time Numair was a bright pink color, but when the two women began shouting he turned a strange purple.
He's mine! Serena shouted.
No, he isn't!
Yes, he is!
He is MINE! Daine yelled.
Ladies, I'm not a toy, Numair cut in mildly. Serena and Daine glared at him and said in a single voice,
SHUT UP!
Numair gulped and obeyed, looking like a chagrined little boy.
Now, your ladyship, you are to march that little butt of yours out of this room and you'll never approach my fiancé again! Daine snapped.
shrieked Serena like a cat.
Daine's eyes flared with uncontained rage. With a snarl of pure animal, she jumped on top of Serena. Serena stepped back just in time to gesture, and with the light of a pink Gift, Daine was sent flying to a wall, where she collided with a sickening thud.
That was enough to unfreeze Numair from his shocked position. He ran to the limp figure on the floor and gathered her in his arms.
Daine. Daine, wake up, he said harshly, rocking her slightly. Wake up!
She's not going to, Serena snickered; Numair turned and saw the woman smiling insanely.
What do you mean? Numair demanded.
I added enough Gift to stun her into a deep, deep sleep. Coma is more like it.
Numair's temper rose and he jumped up (*A/N and, I might add mildly, dropping Daine heavily on the floor in the process!*) and approached Serena, his outstretched hand glowing with his Gift.
He made the throwing motion; the black Gift sped towards Serena, but was intervened by a violet flame. Numair growled with wrath when Alanna stood in front of Serena, a wall of protection surrounding her.
Alanna, if you want to keep your health, move out of the way, Numair said in a dangerously soft voice.
Numair, think! Alanna snapped. Are you trying to create a war? Cause that's what's gonna happen if you kill this little wench!
Serena glared and pointed a finger enveloped in pink flames at Alanna, who gestured. The flame disappeared and Alanna turned to Serena.
You, madam, are to return to whatever godforsaken place whence you came.
But - Alanna...she made - you can't...Daine..., Numair stuttered, looking like a lost kitten. Alanna sighed and added in a silky voice to Serena,
If she dies, you die too. Got it? Now scat!
With a sniff and her chin high in the air, Serena swept out of the library. Alanna muttered something under her breath then walked placidly to the figure that was Daine.
Quickly, the Lioness checked the Wildmage's breathing and pulse and swore softly. Numair, like a frantic mother hen dotting over her chicks, hovered over her.
What's wrong? She's not going to die? She's not going to lose a limb, is she? Cause if she is, if she dies-
Hush, Numair. Daine's not going to dieshe just has a the rest was lost under Alanna's breath. Numair had to lean in to hear her finish: very bad concussion.
With a grunt, Alanna lifted Daine and slung her over her shoulder, ignoring the muttering mage. She took the woman to the healers, where Duke Baird proceeded to clear away the line of blood that had trickled down from Daine's head.
Alanna had to hold Numair with her magic to prevent him from breaking down the door that separated him from his fiancé
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