Description: Daine and Numair return to the tower to spend their summer. George and Alanna invite the mages to Pirate's Swoop so the friends can catch up.

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

Author's Note: I know I'm cruel, but things aren't always plain sailing when you're in love. I thought it would probably be around this sort of time when George would start training Daine as a spy. We know that's what she's doing in the next war. It's another reason I don't believe George and Numair would be close friends.

Chapter 20

The weather was gloriously sunny as Daine, Numair and Kitten rode out on the horses headed for the tower. The king had left on progress a week earlier with his queen while Buri was busy preparing to take the Queen's Riders to their summer camp. Thayet had given up command of the Rider's to the K'miri after the war wanting to spend more time with her family. Numair fully appreciated the queen's desire to spend more time with the people she loved after they had come so close to complete destruction.

It had been well over a year since the mage had last returned to his private residence and he was looking forward to several months of doing nothing more than being with his family. Their last visit to the tower had been just after they returned from Carthak and that had only been for a few days. At the time, Numair had been desperately trying to ignore his feelings for his friend while attempting to be supportive as he listened to her account of the events.

Despite being a dreadful rider, the mage was enjoying being on the road again. He felt a mild sense of trepidation as to how he might react if they came under threat, but Numair didn't believe he would resort to burning down the forest instinctively. Daine had a constant stream of visitors who she chatted to happily and even made a stop to heal a patient while the mage prepared lunch.

They fell into their usual routine when they camped for the night with the Wildmage tending to the horses and digging the latrine while Numair and Kitten prepared the evening meal. Daine cleaned the dishes in a nearby stream and unpacked their bags while the mage walked around their camp setting the wards. The dragonet could set protection spells over their gear, but she didn't have enough magic yet to ward the entire camp much to her disgust.

Numair sat on his bedroll removing his boots as he watched his lover across the fire. The young woman frowned at him and then huffed irritably when she realised her mistake, picking up her bedroll and moving it next to his.

"I thought perhaps you had intended for us to sleep apart on the road," the mage chuckled as he climbed into his bedroll.

"Then neither of us would get any sleep," she complained flipping over her bedroll so the two could be joined together.

The young woman climbed into her blankets and squeaked when Numair's arms encircled her and dragged her most of the way into his bedroll.

"We should've brought a larger bedroll if you're not planning to let me sleep in mine," she teased.

"I dreamed of doing this with you many a night when we were travelling together, after I discovered I was in love with you. I plan to make the most of this until we reach the tower, and we can sleep in a bed again." The mage reached out and dragged Daine's bedroll closer, so the blankets overlapped, cocooning the pair in warmth.

"Maybe you should've suggested we share," the Wildmage said wrapping her arm around him. "It certainly would've been warmer."

"And highly inappropriate," he pointed out.

The young woman sighed happily and rubbed her nose against his chest snuggling closer. "I disagree. You definitely should've said something. Just think how many months you endured sleeping in the cold when you could've had this."

The mage smiled at his lover's practical, if improper, point of view. "At the time, I had no way of knowing you would have welcomed my affections."

Daine snorted. "That's why you should've said something. You're wearing too many clothes!" She tugged at the V of his shirt trying to expose more skin.

"Daine, I am not taking off my clothes while we're outside," he laughed.

"It's summer!" she argued. "And I can call on more than enough animals to keep you warm if you're worried about getting cold."

Numair kissed the top of her head affectionately, grinning like a fool. "You can get me naked when we reach the tower." He was secretly quite pleased that his lover liked his chest hair so much. Not all women appreciated it and more than one had preferred he wear a nightshirt to bed.

The Wildmage grumbled as her hand slid under his shirt. "You could've worn a shirt with buttons."

The mage stroked his hand up and down her back soothingly. "My travel clothes don't have buttons. You know that better than anyone."

The young woman huffed out a sigh but seemed to settle in his arms. "G'night," she muttered tilting her head up to brush a kiss against his lips. "G'night, Kit."

The dragonet chirped a soft reply from her place between her adopted parents and the fire.

"Goodnight, sweetheart." Numair said to his dragon-daughter. "I love you," he whispered to Daine kissing the top of her head.

It took three days of easy, relaxed riding to get to the mage's tower situated on a cliff overlooking the coast. No one had been in a rush, although Numair was eager to see his home again, and they all enjoyed being out in the wild and greeting the various animals. They finally arrived mid-afternoon after a short stop at Buzzard Rocks to request a delivery of food be brought to the tower the next day. The mage left Daine tending to the horses while he took their packs up to the bedroom. Opening the windows, Numair let the fresh air into the room as he flopped onto the bed face down groaning. His body was not used to sleeping on hard ground after months of a soft bed and pillows. The mage was not aware he'd dosed off until he heard Daine laughing behind him.

"I thought you were seeing what we had to eat for tonight's meal?" the young woman said.

Numair rolled over and waved his arm at her drowsily. "I'm going."

"Mm-hmm," she grinned at him not believing a word.

The mage came fully awake when his lover straddled his hips and began to unbutton his shirt. "That's hardly an incentive for me to go downstairs –"

He broke off moaning softly as Daine began to plant gentle kisses over his chest and collar bone. The mage lay there happy to let his lover have her way with him as she stripped him out of his clothes while her hands and mouth explored. Numair could feel himself getting extremely aroused by the attention and was about to reciprocate when the young woman hopped off the bed and began to strip. His eyes devoured her as she revealed more skin. A sharp and demanding squawk from the doorway interrupted the pair as Kitten strode in looking between her parents. Numair blushed furiously grabbing the blanket to cover himself while Daine turned to face the dragonet wearing only her necklace and breastband.

"Hullo, Kit. Why don't you go downstairs and play with Cloud and Spots for a bit?"

Kitten dropped to all fours and croaked moodily, turning grey. This wasn't the first time the dragonet had interrupted the pair but thankfully she had never caught them in the act. There just wasn't any way to stop the curious Immortal from going where she chose to go. Numair had learned years ago that the stronger the protection spell the more curious Kitten became. At least at the palace there were a lot more distractions and people willing to babysit so the mages could be alone together. They were going to have to be more careful over the next few months when they wished to be intimate.

"There is a box of crystals in my workroom you can play with if you'd like?" Numair offered feeling guilty that they were abandoning the dragonet.

The young Immortal chirped quizzically some colour returning to her scales as she left the room to explore.

"You're letting her play in your workroom alone?" Daine asked in disbelief as she removed her breastband.

"Everything dangerous is warded." Or at least it had been warded the last time he was here. Those spells would need refreshing but even then, they would be unlikely to keep a curious dragon away. The mage could only hope his lessons in respecting other people's property were starting to have an effect.

The young woman smiled climbing back on top to straddle the mage's hips. Numair grabbed a few more pillows to prop up behind him as the Wildmage renewed her efforts to arouse him. With his lover on top, the mage's hands were free to roam as he stroked and caressed her body.

"I want you," Daine breathed, nipping at his earlobe sending a spike of pleasure through his system.

Numair grabbed her hips and very carefully guided her until he was sheathed inside her. The young woman's eyes widened as the mage hissed in pleasure at how wet she was already. Daine looked down at him as the mage slowly raised his knees to support her back. He licked his lips carefully knowing this was a new position for her.

"You're in control, love. Whatever you want," his voice was rough with desire.

Daine's eyes lit with understanding as she rocked her hips against him gasping in delight. Numair held her hips until she got into the rhythm using her muscular legs to slide up and down. The mage's hands began to stroke over her body caressing her breasts and thighs repeatedly revelling in the freedom of touch. The Wildmage shifted slightly and began to set a fast pace moaning and whimpering as she found what she liked. Numair lay watching his lover mesmerised by the sight of her lost in pleasure feeling his own release nearing quickly.

"Sweet, you need to slow down a little," he panted.

"No," she moaned throwing her head back as she thrust harder.

"Daine," Numair gasped fighting to hold on.

She looked at him, her blue-grey eyes intense, and the mage came completely undone as he erupted inside her. He lay there panting heavily in a blissful daze, even though Daine had done all the work.

"You lost control of your magic again. I thought you had that under control now?" His lover poked him in the chest.

"So did I," Numair chuckled running his hands over her thighs as he opened his eyes. He knew with absolute certainty he would never be completely in control when it came to Daine. The mage saw her disgruntled expression and his satisfaction vanished. "Please tell me you –?"

The Wildmage shook her head mournfully still straddling his hips. Numair closed his eyes feeling completely mortified. "What happened? Did – did I do something wrong?" she asked quietly.

"No, my love," he smiled reassuringly trying not to laugh at the absurdity of that question while he took her hands, kissing them gently. "That's what happens when you're too good."

Daine took a moment to process this information as the mage lifted her hips slightly and slipped out. Carefully he gathered his lover in his arms and pulled her down, so she rested on his chest.

"Does that happen often?" she asked as her fingers idly stroked through his chest hair.

"No. It's only happened to me a few times," he answered feeling completely humiliated. Of all the women for him to suffer premature ejaculation it had to be Daine, the one woman he did not wish to disappoint. "I promise I'll make it up to you – as soon as I've recovered."

The young woman remained quiet for a few minutes and Numair began to worry. Closing his eyes, he slowly retrieved his Gift which the mage was horrified to discover had shattered all his old wards and travelled halfway down the coast. "I hope I haven't ruined your first impression of being on top," he said carefully running his hands up her back. "It is my preferred position."

"Position? There are different positions when we're canoodling?" she looked up, her eyes alight with curiosity.

Numair swallowed nervously realising he'd just opened himself up to a lot of questions. "There are..."

"Why haven't we tried any before?"

"For one, I was trying to take things slowly with you, for another – I haven't been that adventurous with my previous lovers. However, I would willing try anything if it interests you," the mage answered cautiously.

"What positions are there?" The Wildmage pushed herself up on his chest eagerly.

"Darling, I'm not sure now is the appropriate time for a lecture on sexual positions," he chuckled.

"Later then," she giggled and looked at him from under her lashes. "Are you recovered yet?"

The mage grinned and rolled her onto the bed capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. "For you? Always."

Numair made up for his embarrassing mishap several times before they went to see about dinner. Kitten was outside playing with the crystals from the mage's workroom and took a bit of convincing before she would forgive her parents. They spent the rest of the evening playing with the dragonet before the family curled up so Numair could read the bedtime story.

Just with any knew learning, Daine badgered the mage until he had divulged all the information he could remember about the various sexual positions, and which were best for intimacy, and which were best for pleasure. It had been a very long time since he had come across that book and some of the positions had looked rather intimidating and impossible. Now Numair felt he should try to acquire a copy of it as his lover's insatiable curiosity meant she wanted to start experimenting. He had a feeling Daine was going to be the most adventurous lover he'd ever had.

Over the following days and weeks, the family enjoyed spending time together: taking walks along the beach with the horses, stargazing at the top of the tower and meeting the various animals that came to visit the Wildmage. It was the peace and contentment Numair had longed for when he had asked the king to retire from fighting. The mage spent the mornings organising his books and tidying while Daine spoke with the local wildlife. Kitten divided her time between her parents and the horses, occasionally disappearing entirely for whatever mischief she'd found. Numair had begun teaching his dragon-daughter how to read and had set aside a selection of books for her to practice with.

One very memorable afternoon, the mages left the dragonet with the horses and took a long flight down the coast stopping at a grassy glade. They preened each other's feathers until Daine retook her human form and convinced Numair to join her where they made love on the grass. On the flight back the mage came to the conclusion that he shouldn't be surprised that a Wildmage would want to have sex outdoors but that had been a first for him.

They received the invite to Pirates Swoop after they had been at the tower for two weeks. George and Alanna were delighted to see the couple, even if they proceeded to tease them mercilessly on not realising their feelings sooner, while Thom and the twins ran off to play with Kitten until dinner.

The humans and one sleepy dragonet sat in one of the smaller sitting rooms after the evening meal. Aly was questioning Daine about the darkings, wanting to know everything about the curious little creatures and was very disappointed she couldn't meet one. Thom was showing off one of his spells to Kitten while the dragonet tried to replicate it. Alan sat on his father's lap listening to a story while Alanna and Numair sat near the fire in comfortable silence watching their families.

The Lioness glanced at her friend's smiling face. "I don't think I've ever seen you this happy before. You almost look content."

The mage grinned boyishly. "I am."

The knight returned the grin, a wicked gleam in her eye. "Is Daine going to make an honest man out of you one day?"

"Why does everyone phrase it that way?" he complained.

"Because you need taming," Alanna sniggered at her friend's disgruntled expression.

Numair smiled softly, lowering his voice to a whisper. "Daine rejected both my proposals."

The Lioness barked out a laugh. "Smart woman!"

The mage turned to look aghast at his red-headed friend. "Thanks ever so!"

"It's right that she makes you work for it," Alanna teased until Numair fell silent looking into the fire with a mournful expression. "Hey, don't start feeling sorry for yourself again! Daine will accept you one day."

"I'm not so sure," he confessed quietly. "I'm worried she won't want to be tied down to someone so much older than she is."

"I doubt it's that," the knight patted his arm reassuringly. "She probably just wants to be sure your eye isn't going to wander."

The mage gave his friend a sharp look. "I have no interest in any other woman except her –"

The Lioness held up her hands defensively. "It's not me you have to convince. I've known you longer than Daine has. I'm certain you're serious about her, but our Wildmage may need longer to accept that. She knows you've had affairs, mostly with blondes, but none of us have ever seen you have a serious relationship. Give her time. She'll come around."

Numair grimaced not at all convinced by his friend's words. He didn't want to condemn Daine to a life by his side if she truly was repulsed by the idea, but the mage didn't know how he would live without her. He was trying very hard not to think about the future and just to appreciate the time she gave him now, but it was proving difficult.

"When are you going to return to the capital?" the mage asked wanting to change the subject.

Alanna scowled. "When His Majesty lifts this idiotic ban that stops me from speaking to our new female page."

"I don't think he can manage that," Numair replied honestly. "Keladry did pass all her exams you'll be pleased to know. It's been almost a year. You can't continue to be angry with Jon over this."

The Lioness turned her hard violet eyes on him. "I remember a certain mage who had a tantrum when the king ordered him back to Carthak. You and Jon didn't speak on friendly terms for longer than that."

The mage returned her stare evenly. "I never absconded from my duties. It may have taken me a while to forgive the king for commanding me to return to Carthak, but I did continue to speak with him and act accordingly in my role as his Chief Mage."

The knight folded her muscular arms and glared. "I can still protect the kingdom without having to speak with that arrogant, self-righteous prig."

"You're the king's champion, Alanna," Numair said gently, knowing he was bordering on dangerous ground. "You are supposed to be by his side to defend His Majesty."

"I can do more good out here away from the capital," she argued.

"Alanna –"

"Just leave it alone, Numair. I'm not returning and that's my final word on the subject." The Lioness turned away to watch her family again.

The mage pursed his lips but bowed his head in acknowledgement of his friend's decision. The pair sat in a tense silence until George announced it was bedtime. The twins pounced on their uncle to read the story and he allowed himself to be led away by the three children and one dragonet.

The next day, Numair stood on the observation deck watching the Wildmage frolic in the waves with a pod of dolphins. She had left the bed early that morning having sensed the cetaceans close to the castle and was eager to swim with them. It was a shame that he couldn't join her, but the mage loved to watch the young woman enjoying herself with her magic. Numair was so preoccupied that he didn't notice when George joined him at the wall.

"Is the lass swimming with the dolphins?" the older man asked.

The mage jumped before smiling cheerfully. "She is."

George returned the smile, pleased to see the younger man so happy. "I'm glad you finally figured out what was right in front of your nose," he teased. "Hopefully the two of you will settle down to raise your own brood of little mages."

Numair's smile faded slightly. "Daine isn't ready to start a family. She hasn't even accepted my offer of matrimony yet."

The Baron clapped him on the back. "My lady love gave me quite the run-around as well. I can promise you it's worth the wait."

The mage ducked his head returning his attention to watch his lover diving over the waves. He had to adjust his sight to find her again having taken his eyes off her momentarily.

"I wanted you to know that I won't be calling on you to spy for us any longer," George said quietly. "We all agreed it was best to let you return to teaching instead. That doesn't mean I won't call on your expertise from time to time."

"Of course," Numair grimaced. "May I ask what prompted this decision?"

"Jon told me what happened to you after your fight against Inar Hadensra."

The mage flinched. "I suspected he might."

"You're officially retired from active spy work," the Baron flashed him a smile. "Besides, I've already got a suitable replacement."

Numair eyed the spymaster suspiciously. "Who?"

"I think you know the answer to that question."

The mage's face darted towards the water and back to George as his face darkened in fury. "Absolutely not! I'll not have you put Daine in that sort of danger."

"Peace, lad," the spymaster held up his hands. "The lass already has her own spy network and is more than capable for the job. She'll do it whether you approve or not," he pointed out rationally. "Better I train her up, so she and her animals have a better chance at survival than her doing it without the proper knowledge." Numair's body tensed while he fumed in silence. "I'll send the lass back with some training manuals and borrow her from time to time while you're both close by. I thought you deserved fair warning." George patted the mage's shoulder apologetically before leaving the tall man to brood.

Daine noticed Numair's foul mood and shifted into a gull mid leap and flew to join him on the wall. The Wildmage shifted again, standing beside the mage wearing nothing but her necklace as she placed a hand on his arm.

"What's wrong?" the young woman asked. "You look like you want to explode something."

Numair quickly set an illusion around them to hide his lover's naked body before handing her the clothes he's been keeping for her. He waited until she was fully dressed before answering.

"George wants to train you as a spy," the mage muttered darkly.

"I know. He talked to me about it last night after dinner," Daine said brightly. "I thought it'd be interesting. I can still be of service to the kingdom without having to go off fighting all the time."

"Daine, it's dangerous!" Numair snapped. "You're asked to travel into enemy territory to collect information and observe specific individuals."

"I know. I've done it before," she said in exasperation. "You had me doing spy work when we were in Dunlath, remember? And I've a better chance at getting into places because no one suspects an animal of being a spy."

"You don't know that!" he argued grabbing her by the shoulders. "Word will have spread about your powers and abilities."

Daine rolled her eyes at him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "So, I'll be careful. You don't need to worry about me all the time. I can take care of myself."

"I know you can," the mage sighed in defeat wrapping his arms around her slender waist. "That doesn't stop me from worrying about you."

The Wildmage smiled up at him fondly. "I only agreed to do it if George agreed to stop using you."

"What!" Numair half shrieked in outrage.

"I don't like you taking risks either," the young woman stated matter-of-factly.

The mage squeezed his eyes shut, holding his lover close and kissed the top of her head. "I don't know whether to be furious with you or grateful." It was going to kill him to sit around waiting while she put herself in danger for Myles and George.

Daine smiled up at him, slipping her freezing hands under his shirt making Numair yelp in shock. "How about you warm me up instead?" she whispered suggestively.

The mage looked down at the gorgeous young woman in his arms knowing he'd lost this battle. She was always going to protect him as often as he defended her. "I think I can manage that."