Disclaimer: Ok everyone, I'm sure you've already heard this a million times, but none of these characters belong to me. They all belong to Tamora Pierce, except for Lillian. Of course, I wrote this chapter, so please don't copy my work without my permission. Thanks!

[A/N: Ok, here's the next chapter all of you have been so paciently awaiting….THE BALL!!! YAY! I won't blab on too much so you can hurry and read the chapter! Then of course, nice people that you are, you will click the review button! Right? *looks hopeful*]

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As Numair and Lillian arrived at the ball, many people ran up to greet them. After all, Numair was the most powerful mage in Tortall. The distressed mage tried his best to be polite, greeting people here and there and as people said things to him, he just smiled and nodded as his eyes scanned the crowd.

Where was Daine? He wondered frantically. The only reason Numair was here was to see her. He wove his way around the ball trying to shake loose of Lillian's tight grasp of his arm. The last thing Numair wanted was for Daine to see him with Lillian clinging to him with half of her clevage showing.

When he finally managed to lose her, the tall man sighed and sat down on the chair nearest to him. By now, the ball was starting, and he still hadn't caught sight of Daine yet. What if she wasn't coming? Numair would have given anything right then to see her shining hair and touch her beautiful face. To hear her whisper that she loved him…suddenly, Numair's daydream was interrupted by Jonathan's voice. He had magnified it with his gift, and blasted throughout the room. As everyone either jumped or covered their ears, Jon grinned sheepishly, and began talking, this time in a normal tone.

"Good evening ladies and gentleman, mages and healers, today we are gathered here to to celebrate Veralidaine Sarrasri's defeat of Ozorne." Numair gasped, If this ball is held in Daine's honor, then she must be here! But where!? Jonathan continued, " So, may I present, the beautiful VERALIDAINE SARRASRI!" The crowd turning around to face the stairs that Daine was gracefully decending. Her dress danced around her ankles as she walked, making a musical rustling sound. Everyone in the room was holding their breath, and most of the males in the room were already running toward her.

Numair tore his eyes from Daine, and was sickened to see the hungry lovesick looks on most of the men's faces, and the daggers of jealously stabbing the women. Looks like I'll have tough competition tonight, he thought bitterly.

Daine carefully wove her way through the crowd and dipped a curtsy to the king and queen. This graceful movement caused everyone in the room to take another intake of breath. To Numair's surprise, even Jonathan was grinning widely, and smiling at her. Daine flashed a bright smile, and Numair's heart melted, as did many others in the room. How could I have not remembered how charming her smile was, Numair thought sadly. He stared at her full red lips, remembering when how tenderly he used to kiss them. Then, his thoughts were interrupted as someone called, "Daine! You're here!" Numair turned around to see Perin running as fast as her could towards Daine. He glared at the clerk, and was unaware that everyone else did too. Jonathan had a look of annoyance on his face that he quickly smothered. Why was Perin there? All he wanted was to bed Daine, and besides, she doesn't even like him! The jealous mage thought resentfully. As Daine saw Perin, she flashed another one of her radiant smiles, and Numair's heart sank. Did Daine not love him anymore?

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[A/N: Aww..poor Numair and Daine! I guess they'll just have to wait a little before their relationship mends! I know Perin was supposed to be a annoying character in the Immortals series, but I decided to make him somewhat nice. Although as some of you mentioned, Kaddar would have been cool too. OMG! By the way, I went to Tamora Pierce's book signing! She's so funny! I got two books signed by her and got to take a picture with her! I'm so happy! ^_^]

queen of chickens: Yay! You reviewed again! Hehe, *grins at chickens* lol

Martini: Yah, I know, that was a horrible place to end. I guess this one may be a LITTLE better….Thanks!

(): I'm still thinking about what to do to Lillian. I'm sure all my reviewers have many ideas! Lol.

Alanna of Collins: Thanks Katy! Glad u liked it! Uh..I dunno if we should put it on the CQ website tho, cuz no one has read Tamora Pierce, and they wouldn't know what the heck I was talking about! Lol.

queen of chickens: Thank you sooooo much for reviewing for me! Hehe, maybe not six, but two or three…I guess. Since I'm desperate for reviews!

Cinereath: Yea I know, I'm starting to hate the characters I made up myself!

Cinereath: hehe, lol, I guess I have to update now. Have fun reading about the ball! I decided to reply to all of your reviews altogether or else this will take up half my story! Hehe. Thanks! Wow! U sure reviewed a lot! If you do this on every chapter I'm not gonna be able to keep up with you! I have to wait for a few reviews other than your though. Numair isn't all that evil, he's just kinda blind..lol, but you'll see, Daine is going to take her revenge soon and break Numair's heart. But don't worry, in the end it will all be good!

Anonymous: Ok, I'm writing as fast as I can with all my homework to do everyday. Don't blame me if I don't post very fast, blame my teachers!

Lady Katrina - Twitch: Thanks! I don't know if you'll really like the ball ending, but I'm sure you'll all enjoy the end of the fic when they FINALLY make up.

Phisheane: Thank you so much for reading my story!