Chapter V
Everything was fuzzyDaine moaned softly as she opened her eyes.
Since when have I been on a ship? she thought distractedly. Only ships make your vision sway like this
Ah, you're up! a gruff voice cut through the air. Daine smiled weakly at Alanna.
It appears so, she replied softly. When she tried to sit up, a jolt of pain ran down her neck until it reached her backbone and she stifled a yelp of pain. But Daine's face obviously didn't fool Alanna, because the knight pushed her down gently.
I guess I'd better not move, eh? Daine asked quietly.
Alanna nodded grimly. You shouldn't even be talking, youngling. That blow's given you a bad concussion – don't be surprised if the room starts to sway when I let you walk.
Daine nodded. Suddenly, everything came back to her. Serena – engaged – where's Numair? Daine asked, a dangerous glint in her eyes. I have a few words to say to himand none of them are Goddess bless'.
Alanna, after giving her a strange look, went to the door and said, You can release him. To answer Daine's inquiring glance, she said, The man was so worried that we had to restrain him.
Daine chuckled, but silenced herself when Numair entered the room, looking drawn and worried. She avoided his eyes when he bent down and hugged her tightlybut bit her lip hard when the movement jolted her sore bones.
Luckily, Alanna saw everything. She roughly pushed the mage away, with a hiss.
She's hurting, can't you see?
Numair looked down, for all the world a lost puppy. (*A/N I seem to like comparing him with cute, pathetic things: a kitten, a little boy, and a puppy!*)
Alanna left the room and Numair started his flow of talk.
Magelet, how're you feeling? I was afraid you weren't going to wake up, as you were sleeping for five days straight! I'm so angryI could strangle Serena but I don't know where she is! For that matter, I don't know why she came! She was my girlfriend a decade agoI don't know where she got the idea that we were still a couple! Magelet, how're you feeling? I was afraid you weren't going to wake up, as you were sleeping for five days –
Numair, enough! You're repeating yourself! And I'm getting a migraine, Daine exclaimed, pressing a hand over Numair's mouth. The man silenced with an embarrassed look and gave her a kiss. Daine almost melted but stopped herself before turning into a pool of honey. She shoved him away.
When were you going to tell me about that one, Numair? she demanded harshly. Numair blushed and stayed quiet. Were you never going to tell me? Or were you just waiting until our wedding to tell me?
it was over with her way before I met you! How was I supposed to know she was coming for me! I thought she was married – and she was – but her husband's dead.
Yes, I'm sure she killed him, Daine muttered dryly. The way she struck me, I'm surprised I'm not in the Black God's realm.
She wouldn't dare kill you, Numair said softly. She knows how over protective I get over mygirlfriends –
Is that what I am to you? A simple girlfriend? Daine cried in anger. No longer your student, love, and fiancé? But your girlfriend?
Numair pleaded, No, I didn't mean it like that! It's just a broad enough word! Would you like it if I said my women'?
Daine replied. I'm sorry.
I hope you are, Numair said. Daine frowned.
What more do you want! I'm sorry, Master Salmalin, that I insulted you with my petty apologies! I – wait, why the hell am I apologizing to you? You should be apologizing to me! Daine sat back on her pillows, her arms crossed over her chest and her eyebrows raised.
Numair sighed. Daine, I'm very sorry that I hurt you. I promise that I'll never keep such a thing from you again. He leaned forward and gave her a deep kiss. When Daine had her arms wrapped around him, he lifted her off the bed and walked out of the room.
Is that good enough for you? he murmured. Or do I need to go further?
Daine whispered. It's just fine. Daine pressed her lips back to her fiancé's and kept them there as he took her back to her room.
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Serena collapsed in her bed, wiping tears of laughter away from her eyes. It had been so funnyseeing the look on Arram's face when she whipped that lil' slut's ass!
Numair, she corrected. He goes by NumairNumair Salmalin if I remember correctly.
That's right. She sat up, a frown creasing her beautiful face. Tortall's greatest mage. I wonder if he's more powerful than dear old Rogerwhen he was alive they called him Tortall's greatest mage. Roger was a wonderful loverjust think that he was a virgin when he first came to my bed. I took care of that quick enough But Numair
She let out a blissful sigh, remembering howexperienced Arram – Numair! – was innocturnal activities No one, not even Roger could claim the title The Lady-Buck.'
That thought made Serena bristle. Daine Sarrasri had said that Numair did live up to his titleshe implied it, rather. She recalled the names:
Varice Kingsford, she held up one finger. Milaina of Coldhill, she held up another finger. Natasha of Four Roads, three fingers were up now. Myrtle, Melanie
And so it went on until she had a total of eight fingers up.
And those are all the important ones. If he's slept with so many of thoseimagine how many unimportant women he's screwed. And his fiancéshe's half his age! Arram – shit, it's NUMAIR!!! – has he turned into a cradle robber?
With that comforting line of thought, Serena got up and walked around her room in the inn. The walls shone with a dim pink light – Serena had warded her room so none of the palace mages would detect her being there.
She fingered a ring she wore. It was made of silver and had a tiny silver fang attached to it, instead of a diamond or coat of arms. The silver fang belonged to the jackal god, Teb. He was her mentorthe fang was to link them together.
I need to talk to you, Serena whispered.
She sat down and waited. A few minutes later, a silver light gathered. Serena had to shield her eyes until the light disappeared, leaving only the small predator called Teb.
- What is it, Pup?- he asked in an annoyed tone.
Teb, I need some help, Serena whispered. Teb growled.
- I'm not here to pull you out of every screw-up you get yourself into, Serena!- he warned.
I knowI knowbut I thought Father put you here to give me advice! she snapped back.
- Weiryn put me here to - he cocked his head, thinking. - Matter of fact, Weiryn put me here to oh, all right, you're right. Again.- Teb said grudgingly. He hated being wrong and Serena couldn't help but smile. - I'm here to give you advice and to pull you out of every screw-up you get yourself intowhich happens every two months. -
Serena scowled. Are you going to help me or what?
-Right. What's the problem this time?- Teb asked amusedly. Serena flung herself back to her bed and recounted the entire story of her relationship with Arram, how they parted, their time apart, how she'd found him again
And now I find he's engaged! she wailed in a finale. To none other than the Wildmage herself!
-Oh no...-
Serena flicked her eyes to Teb and kept them there. What the hell do you mean: oh no?
-Nothing, nothing-
TELL ME!!!
-WATCH YOUR TRAP, PUP!- Teb snarled violently. -Do not forget I am a god and you are but a mere mortalnever mind that you are the daughter of a lesser god and a princess-witch!-
Serena looked down, turning crimson. Forgive me. I did forget.
-That was obvious,- Teb retorted. -Now, to your question, I said oh no' because the Wildmage is a very powerful mage in the art of wildmagic – hence the name.-
I have wildmagic, Serena said quietly.
-Yes, and you can only hear and talk to jackals,- Teb said sarcastically. -No, no, listen to me, Serena. The Wildmage can talk to, hear, heal, and shapeshift into any animal. She can talk to animal-like immortals...but not command them...no one else sane can do that.-
Serena sighed dejectedly. Arram – Numair! – never knew that I had wildmagiche was crazy about learning all he could about it. No wonder he finds thatso appealing!
-Perhaps. But that's not the point.-
Then what is? Serena snapped.
Teb sighed mentally. -I detected, while you were speaking, in your voice that you want to hurt her.-
I do. I want to crush Daine. I want to wring her neck the way the cooks in the kitchens wring a chicken's neck. I want to blast her with my Gift. I want to rip her, limb by limb. I want to stab her in front of everyone. I want –
-You want, you want. The world doesn't revolve on the likes of you want'. Besides, you can't kill her.-
Why not? Serena asked in a tone that dared Teb to try and stop her. I have magic, don't I? I have the brains, the guts, and the nerve, don't I?
-You are her sister, aren't you?- Teb asked dryly.
Serena had gotten up from her bed to get a cup of water – now she dropped it.
I'm her what!?! she shrieked.
-Daine Sarrasri is your sisterhalf-sister if you want to get technical. You mean you didn't know?- Teb laughed cruelly.
Serena whispered, shaking. I never knewno one ever told mewhy didn't Mother ever say anything?
-Cause Daine's not her daughter.-
You meanWeiryn had another daughter. It wasn't a question.
-Of course he did!- Teb snorted. -The man's as fickle as your Arram! But Daine's ma is his mate now.-
Serena's eyes filled with tears. And I thought I was an only child. Father never told me.
Teb shook his head. -So, what do you want to do about Daine? Are you going to get your lover back?-
Serena sighed and sat on a chair, mind working. Then, in a dangerously soft voice, she said, I'm going to wait and pull only the thinnest of strings. Then I'll strike.
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