First and foremost to everyone who read it, a big sorry for my songfic "Let
Us Love In Peace." I don't what I was thinking - the idea just wouldn't
leave me alone, and far be it for me to question the voices in my head!
What's written shouldn't happen, I know. It's too cruel, but perhaps
written in a good style? I don't know. Forgive me. Please?
Next instalment here, nothing much to say except it's just a little happy filler until I resurrect the plot which at the moment lies on its deathbed.
Disclaimer: I own nothing 'cept the plot and Valene. Maybe one day. I live in hope.
Lady Satine: Fluff's what makes the world go round!
Numair's Daine: Don't cry! It's not that good or sad (yet!) * grins wickedly and plots death* I dunno about the brain request though - think I'd rather have yours than let you have half of mine! Still, I must continue - it is my destiny . . . : ) *despairs about her own sanity *
Dee Sarrachi: Where's your story? I got kinda confused. Once I find it I'll review it -promise! * writes memo * Sorry about the editing, think I'll blame it on the keyboard, because it's so old *starts attacking the keyboard with biro * Die, keyboard, die! D/N 4eva? I agree, definitely - didn't work out like that in my other fic, but hey! - sacrifice is good too!
Madi: But will Numair kill himself when . . . I mean, if Daine dies? * curses herself for letting top-secret plans slip * Will she even die? I don't know what to do, it's so hard! Love fluff too. Asnyone with common sense should love fluff! :P
Bojanglesbiscuit: Ridiculously good! * blushes *
Raashna: You like exclamation marks then! I'm not leaving it, don't worry and please don't hyperventilate and die! I'd hate to have a criminal record cos of being the one who killed you by making you write so many !!!!!!!!'s. :D
Csporty128: I love Numair! I just want to wrap him up and take him home with me! ; )
Rhapsody07: Glad someone understands the tragedy of writer's block! "Creative constipation" strikes me as a very weird phrase though! I wonder if Miri and Valene will be able to keep a secret . . . ! : D
Martini: Okay, I've kicked it, I've kicked it! * crosses her fingers behind her back * Thank you for the permission to kill characters off - much resurrecting will occur! : )
KC: D/N stories are my favourite as well. They're two of the best characters and the best couple! I'll keep writing if you keep reading!
Poe the Goddess: More?! Here you go then, but it was a trial, a real trial . . . : P
Kylaia: Thank you! How's your fic progressing - I can't wait for the next chapter! Hope that you had a good birthday. Tear - really? Aw! : )
Confessions
Daine's stomach tightened and her eyes darted from Miri to Valene in apprehension, not knowing what to do. She treasured her friends' opinions of her highly and didn't know what they'd think about her having a relationship with a thirty year old man, her teacher nonetheless. Yet they were her friends after all, and they ought to understand that you can't choose who you fall in love with, oughtn't they? Though her thoughts were wild, the knot of tension in her gut slowly began to unwind as it struck her that they must already have a fair idea of what was happening, otherwise they wouldn't be asking or grinning like idiots. She let out a deep breath, her lungs relaxing painfully.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she denied, attempting a façade of nonchalance. Deliberately trying to steer the conversation in another direction, she added, "And why are you awake so early? I would've thought that you'd be taking full advantage of the leave Thayet gave you."
Her friends sighed in unison, amused impatience etched on both their faces. "Stop dancing around the subject, Daine. Even if you've decided to keep it a secret from everyone else, you've nothing to lose by telling us since we already know."
Daine bit her lip - they had guessed and destroyed her main reason for staying quiet. She opened her mouth to argue but was interrupted by Valene.
"Besides we saw how you looked at Numair when he returned the other day. Completely smitten." Miri nodded her agreement, prompting Valene to give further evidence. "There was also the small matter of last night." Daine's head shot up and Valene smirked triumphantly.
"What about last night?" Daine was both defensive and casual as she tried to hide her feelings of trepidation.
Miri gave her the most innocent look she could muster, though her laughing hazel eyes were brimming with mirth. "Nothing much. Just a pair of starstruck lovers curled up beneath a tree . . . and a cute little scene where the man, upon talking to Stefan Groomsman, picked the sleeping girl up and kissed her, carrying her back to her room - this room, in fact."
Daine was mortified by the gleam of unholy glee that wreathed her friends' faces, and now an interesting shade of crimson, she ducked beneath her blanket. Though the merry laughter that erupted from the other two girls relieved her fears, it did little to appease her.
Suddenly a shrill whistle bit into the air and a small figure stalked towards the bed from the other side of the room, red flickering over blue scales. Kitten was less than pleased at being woken up so early. Jumping onto the bed, she sat in Daine's lap and peering curiously under the blanket, proceeded to tell the girl in a series of ear-splitting whistles and croaks exactly what she thoughtof her mother having a party at this time of day.
"Kit, stop, please!" the girl pleaded, hands clapped over her ears as she struggled to calm the irate dragonet. Secretly though, she was glad for Kitten's intervention for it gave her a break from the others' relentless scrutiny. Kitten stopped berating her mother as she surveyed the situation with interested eyes. She chuckled when she saw that Daine couldn't move because she was being sat on, and moving backwards, she allowed Daine to sit up painfully with a face that was gradually paling to its normal colour. No longer worried, albeit still a great deal embarrassed, she ran her hands over Kitten's scales, finding comfort in the warmth of the body beneath her fingers. It crossed her mind that she needed to oil Kitten's scales and she resolved to do so later. She had been so caught up in her own affairs that she had been neglecting her charge. A twinge of guilt struck a chord in her.
"We came here early because we wanted to hear the whole story before breakfast, though that may be longer be possible," Valene added, mock glaring at the girl who cradled a dragon. " In that case, we'll forfeit breakfast," she continued brightly.
Daine groaned in resignation and her stomach grumbled in protest at that last declaration. "But I'm hungry . . ." she demurred weakly, but her complaint met deaf ears as she was cut off.
"Look, we don't care if you're dying. We demand to - " she broke off, seeing a poignant look cross her friend's face. She exchanged a worried glance with Valene. "Daine, what's wrong? Is it something I said?"
' - don't care if you're dying - ' But I am dying, thought Daine sorrowfully, suffocated by misery. If they knew, would they care? She saw the expression on their faces change quickly from teasing to one of concern and knew that they did care. Scolding herself for entertaining self-pity, she heard Miri voice a question and she shook herself from her trance.
"No, I'm fine. Don't worry," she reassured them, her blue-grey eyes carefully devoid of feeling. Miri and Valene nodded their heads, but it was clear that they didn't believe her. In an attempt to lighten the mood, Miri picked Kitten up and deposited her on Daine's chest whilst occupying the dragon's old position on Daine's stomach herself.
"Now you're trapped, since it would just be rude of you to shapeshift," she informed the girl pleasantly. "We're still waiting to hear this beautiful tale of yours, so do the decent thing and tell us."
A smile tugged at the corners of Daine's mouth as she realised that she had no choice other than to tell them everything that they wanted to know. Trying to settle herself more comfortably beneath the weight of her friends, she told them everything that had happened, knowing that they would notice if she missed anything out. With colour heightening her cheekbones in embarrassment, she dared not look at her friends until she had finished and heard them emit a long sigh.
"That was so romantic," Miri breathed, the joy dancing in her eyes mirroring the satisfied bliss that played dreamily across Valene's features. A great weight lifted off Daine's shoulders when she saw that they were both smiling happily. Reaching forward to embrace Daine, but trying not to crush Kitten Miri continued, "You're so lucky to - "
She was interrupted by a quiet knock on the door.
"Magelet?" enquired a voice softly.
Daine's heart leapt as that voice stirred the sweetness that resided in her body, reserved for one man alone. Her prosecutors giggled knowingly as they saw the embarrassment replaced by the hopelessly besotted look that they'd been expecting.
"I'm awake," she called, eager to see his dark face. Numair entered the room, forced to duck his head in order to avoid hitting it on the low doorway. Though attired in simple brown breeches and a plain green shirt, he was still a relief to sore eyes and took Daine's breath away.
"Daine, are you coming . . . What are you two doing to my student?" he asked Miri and Valene, eyes glittering in amusement and a rich laugh bursting from his lips as he took in the sight of his beloved pinned to her bed by the weight of two girls and Kitten. He noticed that she couldn't actually move at all, a fact that did nothing but increase the humour.
"It isn't funny." Daine glared accusingly at her captors, a reluctant smile beginning to curve her lips. "They was keeping me hostage till I told them something."
Aware of how ridiculous they looked, Miri and Valene removed themselves from Daine's bed. "Which you did, and most satisfactory it was too, even though it took us the best part of twenty minutes to make you give up and tell us."
Daine chucked a pillow at Miri, who caught it neatly with one hand. Muttering something about show-offs, Daine turned her back on all of them, only to fall out of bed, hitting the floor with an ungainly thud.
"Ow."
The quiet utterance caused the others to burst into laughter again, knowing that she wasn't really injured. Miri gave Valene a nudge, looking pointedly at Numair and they left the room, calling to Daine over their shoulders that they would save her a place in the Rider's mess.
Numair crossed the room, realising that the other two knew about the extent of his relationship with Daine, but thankful that they had decided to give them a few minutes together. He knelt on the bed and smiled down at Daine, who sat on the floor nursing her head.
"Did it hurt, magelet?" he asked, still too amused to be very sympathetic. She smiled up at him, mischief swirling with bruised pride in her light eyes.
"You tell me." Reaching up suddenly, she seized hold of his shirt and pulled hard, making him tumble to the floor as well. Half laughing and half- groaning Numair sat up, rubbing an abused elbow. Pulling Daine to him, he tightened his arms around her mercilessly until she squeaked, begging him to let her breathe.
"That was a mean trick," he informed her, grinning. She smiled back, a picture of complete innocence. Goddess, she's beautiful when she looks at me like that, he thought, taken aback slightly by the effect that one smile from Daine had on him. Dropping his head, he kissed her softly, first on the mouth, then her nose, her eyes and her lips again. She responded ardently, stirring a fire on him as her hand slipped up his chest to caress the side of his face then curl around the nap of his neck possessively.
Running a hand slowly down her back he felt the shiver that ran though her and his need grew tenfold. Teasingly, he traced patterns with his fingertips down her neck and across her shoulders. Perhaps he should give her a lesson - he would teach her about pleasure . . . No, no, no! he couldn't be thinking like this, she was . . . well, what? Enquired the part of his mind that exalted in the voracious flow of his desire. Willing, that's what she is.
All the time that he was arguing with himself he was still kissing her, still teasing her. Just as the last shred of control slipped from his grasp, as elusive as smoke, a whistle pierced the heady air and the pair sprang apart, startled. Swinging around they saw the shape of Kitten hiding beneath the coverlet, who had covered her own prying eyes with the blanket when things had become more friendly. She peeped in interest and chuckled when heat flooded the mortals' cheeks.
Daine smiled ruefully at Numair, rising to gather some fresh clothes, still overwhelmed by the pleasurable tingling sensations that lingered in her body.
"Would you mind waiting outside whilst I get changed, Numair?" she asked politely.
"Not at all, sweetling," he replied. "In all honesty I should have gone out there when the other two left." But I'm glad I didn't, he whispered silently.
Daine emerged a few minutes later clad in tan breeches and a soft blue shirt and with Kitten perched on one hip. Her smoky brown curls fought the leather thong that held them back and she sighed in exasperation as one fell forward. Numair chuckled but caught his breath as she drew near and pulled his head down, slender fingers entwined in his raven hair. His blood flowed faster, wilder as he felt her warm breath on his face.
Tipping her face upwards, she laughed and bit his nose gently. Her eyes sparkled with mischief and something else, something provocative that called to him, but she drew back.
"Breakfast?"
*****
Takes more than a mild bout of writer's block to defeat me! I have conquered it! I will survive! (but will Daine? Hmm, let's see shall we?) Well, thou shalt know not what will befall the not-so-white hearted dove unless I receiveth a multitude of reviews. Methinks that ten and a hundred should suffice lest I appear avaricious but fear not . . . damn this speech. Right, not giving you an ultimatum, just trying to get you to review.
Next instalment here, nothing much to say except it's just a little happy filler until I resurrect the plot which at the moment lies on its deathbed.
Disclaimer: I own nothing 'cept the plot and Valene. Maybe one day. I live in hope.
Lady Satine: Fluff's what makes the world go round!
Numair's Daine: Don't cry! It's not that good or sad (yet!) * grins wickedly and plots death* I dunno about the brain request though - think I'd rather have yours than let you have half of mine! Still, I must continue - it is my destiny . . . : ) *despairs about her own sanity *
Dee Sarrachi: Where's your story? I got kinda confused. Once I find it I'll review it -promise! * writes memo * Sorry about the editing, think I'll blame it on the keyboard, because it's so old *starts attacking the keyboard with biro * Die, keyboard, die! D/N 4eva? I agree, definitely - didn't work out like that in my other fic, but hey! - sacrifice is good too!
Madi: But will Numair kill himself when . . . I mean, if Daine dies? * curses herself for letting top-secret plans slip * Will she even die? I don't know what to do, it's so hard! Love fluff too. Asnyone with common sense should love fluff! :P
Bojanglesbiscuit: Ridiculously good! * blushes *
Raashna: You like exclamation marks then! I'm not leaving it, don't worry and please don't hyperventilate and die! I'd hate to have a criminal record cos of being the one who killed you by making you write so many !!!!!!!!'s. :D
Csporty128: I love Numair! I just want to wrap him up and take him home with me! ; )
Rhapsody07: Glad someone understands the tragedy of writer's block! "Creative constipation" strikes me as a very weird phrase though! I wonder if Miri and Valene will be able to keep a secret . . . ! : D
Martini: Okay, I've kicked it, I've kicked it! * crosses her fingers behind her back * Thank you for the permission to kill characters off - much resurrecting will occur! : )
KC: D/N stories are my favourite as well. They're two of the best characters and the best couple! I'll keep writing if you keep reading!
Poe the Goddess: More?! Here you go then, but it was a trial, a real trial . . . : P
Kylaia: Thank you! How's your fic progressing - I can't wait for the next chapter! Hope that you had a good birthday. Tear - really? Aw! : )
Confessions
Daine's stomach tightened and her eyes darted from Miri to Valene in apprehension, not knowing what to do. She treasured her friends' opinions of her highly and didn't know what they'd think about her having a relationship with a thirty year old man, her teacher nonetheless. Yet they were her friends after all, and they ought to understand that you can't choose who you fall in love with, oughtn't they? Though her thoughts were wild, the knot of tension in her gut slowly began to unwind as it struck her that they must already have a fair idea of what was happening, otherwise they wouldn't be asking or grinning like idiots. She let out a deep breath, her lungs relaxing painfully.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she denied, attempting a façade of nonchalance. Deliberately trying to steer the conversation in another direction, she added, "And why are you awake so early? I would've thought that you'd be taking full advantage of the leave Thayet gave you."
Her friends sighed in unison, amused impatience etched on both their faces. "Stop dancing around the subject, Daine. Even if you've decided to keep it a secret from everyone else, you've nothing to lose by telling us since we already know."
Daine bit her lip - they had guessed and destroyed her main reason for staying quiet. She opened her mouth to argue but was interrupted by Valene.
"Besides we saw how you looked at Numair when he returned the other day. Completely smitten." Miri nodded her agreement, prompting Valene to give further evidence. "There was also the small matter of last night." Daine's head shot up and Valene smirked triumphantly.
"What about last night?" Daine was both defensive and casual as she tried to hide her feelings of trepidation.
Miri gave her the most innocent look she could muster, though her laughing hazel eyes were brimming with mirth. "Nothing much. Just a pair of starstruck lovers curled up beneath a tree . . . and a cute little scene where the man, upon talking to Stefan Groomsman, picked the sleeping girl up and kissed her, carrying her back to her room - this room, in fact."
Daine was mortified by the gleam of unholy glee that wreathed her friends' faces, and now an interesting shade of crimson, she ducked beneath her blanket. Though the merry laughter that erupted from the other two girls relieved her fears, it did little to appease her.
Suddenly a shrill whistle bit into the air and a small figure stalked towards the bed from the other side of the room, red flickering over blue scales. Kitten was less than pleased at being woken up so early. Jumping onto the bed, she sat in Daine's lap and peering curiously under the blanket, proceeded to tell the girl in a series of ear-splitting whistles and croaks exactly what she thoughtof her mother having a party at this time of day.
"Kit, stop, please!" the girl pleaded, hands clapped over her ears as she struggled to calm the irate dragonet. Secretly though, she was glad for Kitten's intervention for it gave her a break from the others' relentless scrutiny. Kitten stopped berating her mother as she surveyed the situation with interested eyes. She chuckled when she saw that Daine couldn't move because she was being sat on, and moving backwards, she allowed Daine to sit up painfully with a face that was gradually paling to its normal colour. No longer worried, albeit still a great deal embarrassed, she ran her hands over Kitten's scales, finding comfort in the warmth of the body beneath her fingers. It crossed her mind that she needed to oil Kitten's scales and she resolved to do so later. She had been so caught up in her own affairs that she had been neglecting her charge. A twinge of guilt struck a chord in her.
"We came here early because we wanted to hear the whole story before breakfast, though that may be longer be possible," Valene added, mock glaring at the girl who cradled a dragon. " In that case, we'll forfeit breakfast," she continued brightly.
Daine groaned in resignation and her stomach grumbled in protest at that last declaration. "But I'm hungry . . ." she demurred weakly, but her complaint met deaf ears as she was cut off.
"Look, we don't care if you're dying. We demand to - " she broke off, seeing a poignant look cross her friend's face. She exchanged a worried glance with Valene. "Daine, what's wrong? Is it something I said?"
' - don't care if you're dying - ' But I am dying, thought Daine sorrowfully, suffocated by misery. If they knew, would they care? She saw the expression on their faces change quickly from teasing to one of concern and knew that they did care. Scolding herself for entertaining self-pity, she heard Miri voice a question and she shook herself from her trance.
"No, I'm fine. Don't worry," she reassured them, her blue-grey eyes carefully devoid of feeling. Miri and Valene nodded their heads, but it was clear that they didn't believe her. In an attempt to lighten the mood, Miri picked Kitten up and deposited her on Daine's chest whilst occupying the dragon's old position on Daine's stomach herself.
"Now you're trapped, since it would just be rude of you to shapeshift," she informed the girl pleasantly. "We're still waiting to hear this beautiful tale of yours, so do the decent thing and tell us."
A smile tugged at the corners of Daine's mouth as she realised that she had no choice other than to tell them everything that they wanted to know. Trying to settle herself more comfortably beneath the weight of her friends, she told them everything that had happened, knowing that they would notice if she missed anything out. With colour heightening her cheekbones in embarrassment, she dared not look at her friends until she had finished and heard them emit a long sigh.
"That was so romantic," Miri breathed, the joy dancing in her eyes mirroring the satisfied bliss that played dreamily across Valene's features. A great weight lifted off Daine's shoulders when she saw that they were both smiling happily. Reaching forward to embrace Daine, but trying not to crush Kitten Miri continued, "You're so lucky to - "
She was interrupted by a quiet knock on the door.
"Magelet?" enquired a voice softly.
Daine's heart leapt as that voice stirred the sweetness that resided in her body, reserved for one man alone. Her prosecutors giggled knowingly as they saw the embarrassment replaced by the hopelessly besotted look that they'd been expecting.
"I'm awake," she called, eager to see his dark face. Numair entered the room, forced to duck his head in order to avoid hitting it on the low doorway. Though attired in simple brown breeches and a plain green shirt, he was still a relief to sore eyes and took Daine's breath away.
"Daine, are you coming . . . What are you two doing to my student?" he asked Miri and Valene, eyes glittering in amusement and a rich laugh bursting from his lips as he took in the sight of his beloved pinned to her bed by the weight of two girls and Kitten. He noticed that she couldn't actually move at all, a fact that did nothing but increase the humour.
"It isn't funny." Daine glared accusingly at her captors, a reluctant smile beginning to curve her lips. "They was keeping me hostage till I told them something."
Aware of how ridiculous they looked, Miri and Valene removed themselves from Daine's bed. "Which you did, and most satisfactory it was too, even though it took us the best part of twenty minutes to make you give up and tell us."
Daine chucked a pillow at Miri, who caught it neatly with one hand. Muttering something about show-offs, Daine turned her back on all of them, only to fall out of bed, hitting the floor with an ungainly thud.
"Ow."
The quiet utterance caused the others to burst into laughter again, knowing that she wasn't really injured. Miri gave Valene a nudge, looking pointedly at Numair and they left the room, calling to Daine over their shoulders that they would save her a place in the Rider's mess.
Numair crossed the room, realising that the other two knew about the extent of his relationship with Daine, but thankful that they had decided to give them a few minutes together. He knelt on the bed and smiled down at Daine, who sat on the floor nursing her head.
"Did it hurt, magelet?" he asked, still too amused to be very sympathetic. She smiled up at him, mischief swirling with bruised pride in her light eyes.
"You tell me." Reaching up suddenly, she seized hold of his shirt and pulled hard, making him tumble to the floor as well. Half laughing and half- groaning Numair sat up, rubbing an abused elbow. Pulling Daine to him, he tightened his arms around her mercilessly until she squeaked, begging him to let her breathe.
"That was a mean trick," he informed her, grinning. She smiled back, a picture of complete innocence. Goddess, she's beautiful when she looks at me like that, he thought, taken aback slightly by the effect that one smile from Daine had on him. Dropping his head, he kissed her softly, first on the mouth, then her nose, her eyes and her lips again. She responded ardently, stirring a fire on him as her hand slipped up his chest to caress the side of his face then curl around the nap of his neck possessively.
Running a hand slowly down her back he felt the shiver that ran though her and his need grew tenfold. Teasingly, he traced patterns with his fingertips down her neck and across her shoulders. Perhaps he should give her a lesson - he would teach her about pleasure . . . No, no, no! he couldn't be thinking like this, she was . . . well, what? Enquired the part of his mind that exalted in the voracious flow of his desire. Willing, that's what she is.
All the time that he was arguing with himself he was still kissing her, still teasing her. Just as the last shred of control slipped from his grasp, as elusive as smoke, a whistle pierced the heady air and the pair sprang apart, startled. Swinging around they saw the shape of Kitten hiding beneath the coverlet, who had covered her own prying eyes with the blanket when things had become more friendly. She peeped in interest and chuckled when heat flooded the mortals' cheeks.
Daine smiled ruefully at Numair, rising to gather some fresh clothes, still overwhelmed by the pleasurable tingling sensations that lingered in her body.
"Would you mind waiting outside whilst I get changed, Numair?" she asked politely.
"Not at all, sweetling," he replied. "In all honesty I should have gone out there when the other two left." But I'm glad I didn't, he whispered silently.
Daine emerged a few minutes later clad in tan breeches and a soft blue shirt and with Kitten perched on one hip. Her smoky brown curls fought the leather thong that held them back and she sighed in exasperation as one fell forward. Numair chuckled but caught his breath as she drew near and pulled his head down, slender fingers entwined in his raven hair. His blood flowed faster, wilder as he felt her warm breath on his face.
Tipping her face upwards, she laughed and bit his nose gently. Her eyes sparkled with mischief and something else, something provocative that called to him, but she drew back.
"Breakfast?"
*****
Takes more than a mild bout of writer's block to defeat me! I have conquered it! I will survive! (but will Daine? Hmm, let's see shall we?) Well, thou shalt know not what will befall the not-so-white hearted dove unless I receiveth a multitude of reviews. Methinks that ten and a hundred should suffice lest I appear avaricious but fear not . . . damn this speech. Right, not giving you an ultimatum, just trying to get you to review.