Description: Daine and Numair finally have sexual intercourse.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. Everything belongs to Tamora Pierce.

Author's Note: This is the big one for me on writing mature content. I really hope you like it. Feedback very much welcome please.

Chapter 18

Daine practically bounced out of bed the next morning informing Numair that she would arrange for someone to take Kit overnight. The mage tried to emphasise she be discreet when making her request, earning him an eye roll from his lover. The kiss the Wildmage gave him before she headed out for the stables left him in no doubt of how much she wanted tonight.

Numair climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom to splash some water on his face immediately after Daine had gone. Looking up the mage caught sight of his reflection noting the white hairs and the age lines around his eyes.

"I wish I knew what she saw in me," he muttered to himself.

The Wildmage was excited to be with him tonight and yet all Numair felt was extreme nervousness and pressure not to ruin her first experience of sex. The mage couldn't remember feeling anywhere near this nervous on his first time with Varice. In all honesty she hadn't given him much time to think or get nervous about it which was perhaps his problem this time. He didn't usually plan to have sex with someone. It was usually a whirlwind of attraction, flirtation and then tumbling into bed. His mind never got involved in the situation whereas this time it was entirely too involved. Daine was too important not to think this through carefully, but it meant that he wasn't feeling the familiar thrill or anticipation.

Once he was dressed, Numair headed straight for the college and procured two light globes under the pretence of running some experiments on them. It wasn't a complete lie as he would test whether they exploded when his magic got away from him tonight. The mage was under no illusion that he'd be able to maintain control of his Gift being with Daine for the first time. Returning to his rooms, he installed the light globes in the main room and his bedchamber and set about checking all the wards and warming spells in his rooms. After a late breakfast, Numair went to the kitchens and requested a private dinner to be set up in his rooms that evening. The kitchen staff were not overly fond of him and did not appreciate the short notice, but the mage assured them he needed nothing fancier than what would be served at tonight's meal, only for a table and chairs to be set up in his rooms and for two plates to be brought up.

Daine came to collect him for the midday meal before their lessons with the pages. His mind was extremely distracted and was very glad the Wildmage was with him and able to keep the classes on track. They were supposed to be discussing the territorial displays of griffins and how to avoid antagonising the adults, but he'd already veered off topic once when one of the pages asked about using Immortal feathers in their arrows, which had him going off in a tangent and discussing all the experiments the college had been researching. The day passed far too quickly for Numair's liking, and he soon found himself walking back to his rooms with his lover.

"Who is taking Kitten tonight?" the mage asked quietly.

"I asked Tkaa to keep her amused. He's promised to teach her some new tricks," the Wildmage replied jovially.

Numair nodded in satisfaction thinking they would need to compensate the basilisk for all the babysitting he'd been asked to do, even though the Immortal was more than happy to look after the dragonet.

"I'm going to clean up before dinner," Daine kissed the mage seductively before entering the bedchamber.

She was so assertive these days as the mage watched her walk away with a slight sway of her hips. Numair never saw her act this flirtatiously outside of their rooms, except when she shapeshifted, but whenever they were alone together the young woman exuded confidence and sensuality. Normally her behaviour would have excited him, and the mage would have followed his lover into the bedchamber but tonight he intended to be very careful and not let his lust take control.

A knock from his outer door heralded the arrival of their meal as Numair allowed the servants to enter, bringing in a small table and chairs before laying the table for dinner. They had just left when Daine exited the bedchamber wearing the same red cotton dress with embroidered maple leaves she'd worn at the Fall Equinox. The mage's mouth went dry as his eyes roamed over her from head to toe. The young woman grinned at his reaction and approached slowly placing her hands on his chest and going to tiptoes to kiss him lightly.

"I thought you'd like me to wear a dress tonight," she flirted.

"You look beautiful," he whispered. That was certainly a demand for sex if ever there was one. "Dinner's ready," Numair said roughly holding out a chair for her.

"We're eating in your rooms?"

"Our rooms and yes," he corrected as the young woman took her seat. Daine still had trouble seeing them as her rooms. "I thought we could share a meal, just the two of us. Should I have dressed up for the evening?" the mage asked wishing he'd made more of an effort with his appearance.

"You always dress nicely," the Wildmage grinned at him.

Numair blushed faintly as he took his own seat. The mage picked through his dinner not feeling particularly hungry as his mind returned to his lover's expectations.

"You're not eating," Daine accused as she finished her plate.

"I wasn't very hungry."

"Which means something's bothering you," the young woman frowned. "You never wanted to canoodle with me tonight, did you?"

Numair took his lover's hand and squeezed it gently offering her a small smile. "I'm only nervous."

"Why? At least you know what you're doing. I'm the one with no experience in this." She bit her lip, her face starting to show signs of uncertainty. "What if I'm really bad? You might decide – you don't want to – ever again."

"Darling, I have experience and I'm afraid of disappointing you and for you to decide you'd rather be with someone else." The mage chuckled stroking her knuckles with his thumb.

"Why? I've liked everything we've done so far."

"I know," he reached across the table to stroke a stray curl off her face. "The dress helps alleviate some of my nerves."

Daine giggled. "I remembered your reaction the last time I wore it. I thought you liked me in blue but you're more – well, more when I wear something in red."

"Come with me," the mage stood, guiding her towards the couch.

"We're not going to the bedchamber?" the Wildmage frowned in confusion.

He was not going to explain to his lover why they were not going immediately to bed after they had just eaten. "We have all evening, Daine. What's your hurry?"

"I'm worried you're going to change your mind or make up some new excuse," she grumbled.

Numair sat on the couch and pulled the young woman onto his lap. "No more excuses, I promise." The mage smiled softly stroking his hands over her waist to her hips before pulling her closer. "I'm not sure I could resist you tonight dressed as you are."

Daine smirked, shifting slightly until she comfortably straddled his legs. "I was trying to impress you."

"Consider me suitably impressed," he flirted.

She leaned in slowly as they shared a long lingering kiss. The mage's hands stroked along her thighs as the young woman's hands found their way into his hair to release his mane from its tie. The kissing continued, deep and sensual, as their hands slowly caressed each other. It didn't surprise Numair when Daine's fingers drifted down to start undoing the buttons of his shirt. Spreading the silk wide, she broke the kiss leaning back to admire him as her fingers swirled through his chest hair.

The mage closed his eyes, breathing deeply, enjoying her touch until he felt her lean forward to nibble on his earlobe. She knew nearly all his weaknesses now as a shiver went down his spine. Numair's hands moved instantly to her back as he began to undo the buttons of her dress. Daine slowly left a trail of kisses down his neck making him moan when she licked the spot at the base which she had been delighted to discover.

She moved back allowing him to remove the upper half of the dress, sliding the fabric along her arms before she leaned in to plant kisses along his collarbone. Numair's hands slid up her bare waist until he cupped her breasts still covered with the breastband. Daine moaned softly her back arching as her eyes drifted closed while he caressed her gently.

"Take it off," she whispered, capturing his lips in a passionate kiss.

The mage chuckled huskily but did as he was told, carefully unwrapping the cloth until his fingers found skin. He caressed up and down her spine feeling the Wildmage shiver against him as Numair slid his fingers around her waist, stroking his thumbs along the underside of her breasts. The young woman moved back her eyes burning with desire as his hands moved up to cup them gently while his thumbs teased her nipples. Daine closed her eyes biting her lower lip as her hips rocked against him. Numair kept up his gentle ministrations as he kissed down her neck to suck on one of the many spots that made his lover moan. The young woman rewarded him with a soft cry before she very quickly climbed off his lap and shimmied out of the rest of her dress.

"Bed – now!" she breathed heavily holding out her hand to him.

She was wearing only her loincloth and necklace which held the badger claw and pregnancy charm. A slow seductive smile spread across the mage's face as he ignored her hand and tugged his lover forward to scatter kisses over her stomach.

"I haven't even touched you yet," he whispered sliding a hand between her legs to caress her through the fabric.

Daine gasped grabbing his shoulders for support as she trembled. Numair continued to stroke her as he kissed and licked over her skin enjoying the soft whimpers his lover made.

"Numair, bed, now!"

She tried to move away but the mage placed his hands on her hips, stopping her as he looked up into her intense blue-grey eyes.

"You're still wearing too many clothes," he smiled wolfishly as he slowly pulled her loincloth down letting it drop to the floor.

Wrapping one arm around her slender waist, the mage slipped his hand between her legs again feeling her legs buckle as he caressed her. Daine's moans were getting louder, and he could tell she was close when she twisted and danced out of reach.

"Bed!" she demanded.

Numair rose from the couch and stalked his lover into the bedchamber like a predator. Her eyes lit with fire as he neared the bed where she shoved him onto it, tugging his shirt off and throwing it to the floor.

"You're the one who's wearing too many clothes," she snarled as her lips crushed against his.

Daine's fingers fought with the ties of his breeches growling with impatience when she got caught in a knot. Numair chuckled at her enthusiasm as she moved away so she could see what she was doing. Having finally undone the ties of his breeches, she knelt on the floor to remove his boots and socks. There really wasn't a romantic way for anyone to remove practical footwear, not that it was his lover's intention. Daine rose to her feet and tugged at his breeches waiting for him to lie back so she could remove them, but the mage was enjoying himself too much to comply. His nerves had long since evaporated after he'd taken her to the couch.

"I can't take these off if you don't let me," she complained.

Numair was tempted to keep them on just to frustrate her but opted for the seductive approach instead. "Convince me, love."

Daine smiled slyly as she stepped between his legs to kiss him passionately while her hands caressed his shoulders. Breaking the kiss, she nibbled along his jaw to lick at the spot beneath his ear making him hiss in pleasure as he grabbed her hips. Kissing her way down his neck the young woman sucked hard on his shoulder making Numair gasp loudly. He didn't resist her when she pushed him down and dragged her nails over his chest. His back arched as he raised his hips obediently allowing the Wildmage to remove his breeches and loincloth. The mage was pushing himself back up when his lover knelt between his legs and took him into her mouth. Numair cried out and flopped onto the bed, his mind spiralling as Daine's tongue licked up and down the entire length before swirling around the tip. He couldn't form a single thought, especially when she sucked on the tip.

"Daine, stop," he pleaded. "I'll be no good to you otherwise."

The young woman grinned triumphantly as she crawled over him on all fours. Numair stroked over her waist and hips as she lowered her body to lie on top of him, capturing his lips once again. The kiss deepened as the mage's hands roamed giving his mind time to function again.

"Let's get more comfortable, shall we?" he asked when the kiss ended.

Daine smiled radiantly as she climbed off him and moved up the bed to settle on the pillows. Numair sat up and moved to lie beside her, skimming his fingers over the contours of her body leaving goosebumps in his wake. Her skin wasn't smooth and unblemished, it had a multitude of scars each one telling its own story. Daine's body was like one of his treasured books as his fingers traced and read every scar remembering how she had come by it.

"You are breath-taking, sweetling," he said leaning over her to kiss her tenderly.

The young woman wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him close. Numair gentled the kiss, moving away so he could gaze down at her beautiful face with those gorgeous blue-grey eyes framed by extravagantly long lashes, soft lips and stubborn chin. He opened his mouth to speak but Daine got their first.

"Please don't ask me if I want this because I do. So much!"

The mage smiled and brushed his lips against hers. "Alright, but know that we can stop this at any time if you want to –"

"I won't," she said firmly.

"I will, at any point, if you ask it of me," he finished as he rolled on top of her.

"What do I do?" Daine asked shyly.

Numair smiled warmly at her. "Just lie back and let me love you."

The mage worshipped her body as he slowly kissed his way down paying particular attention to her neck, breasts and thighs listening to her moans and gasps of pleasure. Daine needed to be relaxed if she wanted to have sex with him and there were very effective ways to achieve that. He stroked a hand down one leg lifting it slightly to kiss his way to her ankle where he scraped his teeth lightly over the skin making the young woman shiver. The mage had been accused more than once of only having eyes for a woman's chest, and while he did love Daine's breasts, it was her legs he adored. No other woman had legs as good as his Wildmage, so long and muscular. Finding out that she had sensitive ankles had been a bonus. Numair turned his attention to the other leg kissing his way up until he lay between her legs. He smiled as Daine spread her legs begging him without words to focus his attention there. The mage needed no further encouragement as he lifted her hips slightly using his tongue to relax her body.

Daine cried out and bucked her hips when he began to lick and flutter his tongue against her sensitive skin. Numair held her hips tighter, keeping her still while the Wildmage's head thrashed from side to side as he focussed on her pleasure. The young woman moaned loudly, arching her back when the orgasm washed over her. The mage released her hips and slid an arm under her waist as he slipped one finger inside her.

"Don't come down yet, sweetling," he whispered as he gently thrust his finger in and out of her.

Daine whimpered as her hands fisted in the sheets, lost in ecstasy. Numair replaced his mouth as he gently swirled his tongue in circles and inserted another finger. The young woman was panting heavily as the pleasure built again. The mage carefully curled his fingers searching for that spot inside her, smiling when she cried out. Daine began to whimper then moan as he drove her body up towards rapture, finally satisfied when his lover tensed and cried out as the orgasm crashed around her making her tremble violently. She collapsed limp on the bed gasping for air when he released her and kissed his way up her body.

Numair rested his weight on his elbows and waited until she opened her eyes before smiling lovingly at her. "Are you certain you're ready for this?"

"Yes," she hissed giving him a pleading look.

The mage sat back on his knees and retrieved the bottle of oil from the nightstand. Pouring a generous amount onto his hands, he warmed it before slathering it over himself then very gently slid his fingers inside his lover to coat her entrance. Wiping his hand on a handkerchief, Numair positioned himself over her gazing into the young woman's expectant eyes.

"Remember, I will stop any time –"

"Don't you dare," she glared at him.

The mage sighed and kissed her tenderly one last time before moving up. He guided himself to her entrance and as gently as he could, slid the tip inside her. Daine gasped and tensed instinctively causing Numair to freeze and groan as her muscles clenched around him. She needed to relax but there was no point in telling her that because then his lover would tense automatically expecting pain. In an ideal situation the mage would have distracted her with kisses or gone for her neck but due to their height difference that wasn't an option.

Resting his weight on one arm he stroked his fingers down her throat to her breast and began to caress her gently. Daine smiled blissfully up at him and gradually began to relax. Very slowly he pressed himself into her groaning loudly until he felt her tense again and stopped.

"Am I hurting you?" she looked up incredibly worried.

"No…" the mage rasped burying his face in the pillow. Wasn't he the one who was supposed to be asking that question?

She was so tight and the instinct to thrust into that glorious wet heat was overwhelming. It took all his willpower to keep perfectly still and let her adjust to him. Taking several deep breaths, Numair pushed himself up to his elbows again and planted a kiss on her forehead.

"Are you alright?" he asked checking to see if she was in any pain.

Her brow creased as she thought. "Yes…"

"Am I hurting you?" the mage asked seriously.

"No –" Daine replied too quickly. "It's just… uncomfortable."

"We can stop if –"

"No! You are not stopping!" She took a deep, calming breath as her muscles relaxed a little.

Numair sighed and kissed her forehead again. Of all the times for her stubborn streak to get the better of her. He was considering putting an end to this and suffering his lover's wrath when her muscles relaxed again, and he slipped further inside. The mage moaned loudly planting both hands on the bed to steady himself as he trembled, feeling beads of sweat starting to form. Daine's hands slid over his chest, caressing him gently as if trying to reassure him.

"Umm… are you sure I'm not the one hurting you?" she asked nervously.

"Quite the opposite, sweet," he reassured her.

Slipping his hand between them, Numair began to stroke her gently watching his lover's eyes flutter closed as she moaned softly, her muscles relaxing again as the mage slid most of the way inside her. He gasped burying his face in the pillow again, forcing himself not to react. Daine's hands stroked up and down his body until the mage pushed himself onto his elbows and looked down at her.

"Are you –" he started to ask.

"I'm fine," she rolled her eyes at him in exasperation.

His lips twitched in a smile. "How does it feel?"

"Big," she whispered in awe.

Numair couldn't help himself as he laughed and kissed her forehead in adoration. "Whilst my ego appreciates the compliment, sweetling, that's not quite what I meant."

"Nothing hurts," Daine offered him a small smile.

The mage gazed down at his lover, caressing her cheek gently as relief washed through him.

"Aren't you supposed to move?" the young woman asked looking at him from under her lashes.

Numair raised his eyebrows and stared at her incredulously. "I was giving us both a minute to get accustomed with each other."

"I'm alright," she said shifting slightly.

The mage hissed as her muscles clamped around him. "Don't do that, sweet."

"Sorry," Daine whispered looking worried.

The mage smiled reassuringly and kissed her forehead waiting for her muscles to relax before rocking his hips gently against hers. The young woman gasped as her eyes went wide in realisation. He continued to rock his hips, keeping the pace slow and gentle, letting her adjust to the feeling. Her hands started to wander over his chest and shoulders panting softly as she watched him. Numair closed his eyes briefly kissing her forehead again, fighting against his own desires. Opening his eyes, the mage studied his lover as he withdrew slightly and slid back inside. Daine hissed out a breath and Numair froze instantly looking for any signs of pain.

"No, don't stop! Can you – do that again?" she asked hesitantly.

The mage swallowed and repeated the motion seeing his lover's face melt in delight. Experimentally he withdrew partially and thrust gently earning a soft moan of appreciation from the Wildmage. Numair kept his thrusts small and gentle as he rotated his hips searching for the best angle for her. He could feel his own pleasure starting to build and ruthlessly tried to ignore it, refusing to succumb to his own release until Daine peaked first.

Spreading her thighs a little wider, both lovers cried out when Numair's next thrust buried himself fully inside her. The young woman threw her head back moaning louder which only spurred the mage on as his thrusts got deeper, withdrawing further each time. He couldn't keep this up as his own release threatened to take him. The mage bit the inside of his cheek, drawing blood, as he fought to maintain control. After what seemed like an eternity Daine cried out arching her back as her muscles spasmed around him. With a cry Numair thrust hard inside his lover as he let her take him over the edge with her.

By some miracle or instinct when the mage came back to himself, he hadn't collapsed on top of her. Withdrawing slowly, Numair rolled off the Wildmage panting heavily as he gathered her into his arms and pulled his lover against him stroking a hand through her curls. It was several long minutes before either of them could speak.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

"Like a woman." Daine nuzzled her nose into his chest hair grinning happily.

That was not the answer the mage had expected. "Dearest, if you weren't already a woman then we wouldn't be in bed together."

The Wildmage giggled against his skin. "In Snowsdale you aren't a woman until you've bedded a man for the first time."

Numair clenched his teeth in irritation. This was just another indiscretion to add to the increasing list of why he hated Daine's archaic, backwards thinking birthplace. However, this was not the time discuss how incorrect that statement was. "Are you hurt? Do I need to find a healer?"

"No! Quit fussing! I told you; you'd never hurt me," his lover snapped before sighing contentedly. "I feel wonderful! If you leave this bed, I'll be fair vexed with you."

The mage grinned tilting her chin to see that look of irritated affection he'd come to adore on her face. He brushed his lips against hers softly, deepening the kiss gradually.

"I love you," Daine whispered nuzzling her face into his chest again.

Numair's heart swelled almost feeling as if it would burst as he kissed the top of her head. "I love you too, sweetling."

The mage held the young woman tightly, gently stroking her curls before he decided he should retrieve his magic before he fell asleep. The crystal globes had survived the explosion of his Gift which counted as a successful test. His mind began to fill with questions that he'd not felt the need to ask since he was an innocent adolescent. Numair desperately wanted to ask what Daine did and didn't enjoy and how he could make it better for her the next time. It had been a very long time since he'd been so anxious to impress a lover. The mage forced his mind to clear and to not make a fool of himself. Daine seemed content with her first experience and that should satisfy him for now.

"Would you like me to fetch you a cloth?" Numair asked his lover. "Sweet?"

The mage twisted slightly to look at the young woman's face seeing her fast asleep in his arms. Rolling over he retrieved his handkerchief from the nightstand and very carefully cleaned the residue from between her legs before using a touch of his Gift to float it into the wash basket. Numair grabbed the blankets tucking them around himself and his lover before using his Gift to release the spells on the light globe plunging the bedchamber into darkness. The mage closed his eyes grinning blissfully as he fell into a deep sleep.