Chapter VI
I want up, Daine said, yawning. Numair, lying under the covers with her, shook his head.
No. You were on your feet until you were all but a leaf in the wind. You're still too weak to go running around.
Daine growled. Not fair. You know I can't stay on my back – speaking of my back, something's poking it. Since I'm so weak and helpless, would you mind taking it out from under it?
Grinning crookedly, Numair sat up, revealing disarrayed hair and a bare chest. was all he said before he rolled Daine over. With a yelp, Daine tumbled onto the floor.
Numair said teasingly.
'Ooops' is right, retorted Daine, standing and rubbing her backside. You asked for it! She did a flying leap back into bed and started whacking Numair with her pillow.
Their violent pillow-fight lasted for a while. It was stopped when someone knocked heavily on their door. Grumbling, Numair got up (wrapping himself with a sheet first) and went to open it.
Alanna stood outside. A knowing smile spread on her face when she saw Numair. Am I interrupting something? she asked dryly.
As a matter of fact – Numair started, but Daine interrupted.
No, do come in! she called.
Alanna did – and her smile widened when she saw Daine lying in bed, a blanket drawn around her.
Numair, I thought I told you she needed bed rest, the Lioness scolded with a laugh. Numair blushed.
But it's been clinically proven that ******* can improve one's health! he said innocently. Daine joined Alanna in the laughter.
Numair left the room to get dressed. Wrapping the blanket around her, Daine got up.
So, why are you here?
There's a letter for you, Alanna replied, handing it to Daine, who didn't open it.
Any page or servant could've delivered this. Why you? There's something else, right?'
Alanna nodded. Just wanted to check on you. You seem fine – which is amazing because you spent a night with Numair – but your eyes are a little unfocused. Can you see?
I see fine, Daine said. Alanna nodded then left. Daine, shaking her head, sat down and opened the letter.
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~*~ I know something you don't know! ~*~
That's what it said.
Daine put it down in shock. What the hell? Who? What?
Numair, reentering and fully dressed, saw her face. What's wrong?
Wordlessly, she handed the parchment – which smelled slightly of lavender – to Numair, who read it and swore violently.
The @$#% ^
Numair replied quietly. Daine looked at him with an annoyed statement. Excuse me? But people don't say @$#% ^.**** when it's nothing.
I – I was just practicing my speech for when I – for when I go to the – the fish market.
Yeah. Right. Daine hurriedly put on some clothes. Look, I'm gonna go to the city, see if I can get some oil for Kit's scales.
She left the room. Numair smelled the lavender and growled angrily.
he muttered.
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@~@
Instead of going into the busy part of the city, Daine went to the fields near the Royal Forest. It was a place she often went when she needed to think. Such was a time.
Daine sat down near a gurgling stream and dangled her feet in it. She lay back with a sigh.
Well, well, well. Look who decided to pay a visit.
Daine jumped up when she heard the cold, sneering voice.
Who's there? she said quietly.
Who do you think? replied the voice. A moment later, a woman walked out from the trees. Daine snarled.
What do you want?
Serena smiled, fluttering her eyelashes. You got my note?
It was you who sent it?
Serena nodded with a cruel smile.
Daine crossed her arms over her chest. So what do you know that I don't?
Her smile getting bigger, Serena circled Daine. Think about it. Your fiancé, Numair, before he met you, used to go after blondes. Why? Because they'rethey have a certain magnet that attracts them. Before he came here, he and I were lovers. Hah, I was the only one who kept him in her bed for more than two weeks. She twirled her dark brown hair around a finger.
Daine's eyes narrowed warningly, but Serena ignored her and continued. I don't know why he was suddenly attracted to a brunette, but it certainly did turn him on. Blondes are just a temporary toy for him. In the long run, Numair likes brunettes.
(*A/N Okay, I need to interrupt here. I'm a blonde, so don't think that I hate them. I don't. I'm just writing this for the story.*)
What are you going on about? Daine snapped. I'm a brunette, so what's your point?
Don't you get it? Serena asked – Daine shook her head. Your only my replacement. Sooner or later, he'll realize that he doesn't want a baby like you. He'll want older, sophisticated, brunette me!
Daine said coldly. Okay, here's a question. If what you say is true – hopefully it's not – why would he choose me as your replacement? I am nothing like you!
Serena leaned in. Because you're my sister, she whispered. That's what I know that you didn't. That's why he chose you – you remind him of me. He couldn't have me because I was married – before I killed the bastard – so Numair settled for the next best thing!
Daine stumbled back. she said harshly. No! I – I have nothing to do with you! You – you're an insane bitch from the Copper Isles – of course you'd make some shit like this up! No, I don't believe you!
Serena smirked. You'd better.
but ma always said –
Oh, I'm not related to your whore-mother. No, no, no!
You – you mean
Yes. Weiryn is my father. He's your father. I wonder how many other illegitimate children he has?
Daine was white. She could feel herself shaking. Her voice shaked. But my ma is his mate, now. They're married gods!
Serena shrugged. So what? I'm still your sister –
Daine yelled, pointing a finger at her. And I don't care! Numair loves me for me and that is that! I don't want anything to do with you! Who cares if the blood of the same god runs through our veins? I don't!
Neither do I! Serena snapped. But it seems that I was denied in the wildmagic department.
You don't have wildmagic?
Shaking her head, Serena replied, No. Not like you. I can only hear and talk to the children of my mentor.
And that is? pressed Daine, determined to find out.
I'm not going to tell you. But- Serena grinned and examined a nail. I have the Gift, and plenty of it. Unlike you.
Daine crept away from her sister. You leave me alone. Hear me? Otherwise, I'll tell Numair. I'll tell the king!
Ah yes. The ass-hole with the big nose.
Despite the situation, Daine had to fight to keep from laughing. she blurted. The strong mage with the blue eyes.
Serena gestured: a pink flame appeared in her hand. You can't tell them while you're here with me, she said. I'm going to let you go. But don't you dare tell anyone that we're sisters.
Try and stop me, Daine gasped.
Serena snapped her finger and Daine stiffened. I have just put a sealing spell on you. You know that we're sisters but you only know it in an unconscious way. From this moment, you are unable to say that we share blood of any kind. So mote it be.
She snapped her fingers again and Daine slumped to the ground, out cold.
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@~@
Alanna was busy cleaning her sword when a frantic looking Numair interrupted her.
Alanna, have you seen Daine? he asked. Alanna met his dark, worried eyes with her violet ones.
she answered slowly. But I'd think she'd be –
She's not! Numair blurted.
Well, you don't know what I was gonna suggest, so of course –
No, she not in the palace! I've checked everywhere!
Alanna frowned. I though you had a focus.
I had an allergy and Daine ordered me to take it off! Then she locked it somewhere, Numair replied, while thinking, When I find Daine I'm gonna tell her to stop telling everyone that I have a focus of her. Then I'm gonna ask her where it is. Then I'm gonna dump her into bed He shook himself so those' thoughts would stop flowing.
Alanna stood with a groan, her hand rubbing her lower back. Seeing Numair's puzzled look, she sighed and said, I may be in my mid-thirties and I may be a very physically fit warrior, but I have wounded and strained myself several times, O Great One. I hurt too.
Numair grinned. Can we just go and find Daine? Please?
With a grim nod, Alanna and Numair left the palace and used their Gifts to search for the missing woman. After an hour or so, Alanna shook her head, her Gift partly spent.
Numair, I'm sure she's just out in the woods gossiping with the squirrels, she said wearily. She's been late before –
Yes, but never late with a partly-healed concussion! Numair yelped. Alanna shrugged.
You're worrying over nothing, you hear? I'm going to bed, it's late. Alanna returned to the palace. But Numair, being Numair, went out to the Royal Forest's edge and kept on looking.
He was approaching a stream when he saw a lump on the ground. Eyes narrowed, he ran to it and found that it was only Daine, sleeping.
he murmured, shaking her. The young woman muttered something, her eyes fluttering open. Daine, wake up.
Daine sat up, her face startled. ? Whenhow long have I been here?
You tell me, Numair replied, sitting down next to her. I've been looking for you all day.
Daine's face was confused. But I was just waking up in bed with you, then Alanna came in and I went to the city to buy some oil for Kithow did I end up here? She looked up at the sky and jumped to her feet. And, Goddess, it's so dark already. Honestly, the hours just keep on slipping by! She started muttering things under her breath unaware that Numair was sending her strange looks.
let's just go to bed, okay? he took hold of his fiancé by her arm and dragged her back to the palace. Daine was arguing with him, saying things like,
But I just woke upI forgot what I was going to saywhat is itit just slipped my minddammit, I almost had it she shouted. Startled, Numair plopped her into her bed and looked her straight in the eye.
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON??? he asked loudly. Daine stared at him innocently.
Whatever do you mean, Numair? she asked.
You've been talking nonsense all dayI knew I let you exercise too muchsleep. Now.
But I-
Numair snapped his finger, sending a black spark to Daine's head and she fell asleep. Again.¤