Heya all of you faithful TP people! I'm back again and wasn't that a quick
update from yours truly? I know I caused some confusion in the last
chapter, but if I said I was sorry I would be lying! I thrive on chaos!
Yeah, right *hits herself over the head for being such a fool* So, to clear
things up a little, I will give you a basic summary of this blood stuff:
Basically, crossing the barriers into the Divine Realms meant that the
balance between Daine's mortal blood and her divine blood was upset. Don't
ask exactly how, because that is too technical for me. Coming back to the
mortal realms, the divine blood strove for dominance over the mortal - the
result of this would be Daine's death as a mortal. So long as Daine
resists, she will survive, as the divine blood is not strong enough to
overpower her completely, but it weakens her. This now sounds way too
melodramatic - I really suck at summaries! The rest should be partly
explained in this chapter, but let me know if you're still confused! :P
By the way, though my heart is set on 200 reviews (*hint, hint*), I think that maybe, let's say 185 is slightly more optimistic. C'mon, last time I checked that only meant another 23! *obsession with reviews begins to bore the authoress herself*
Bojanglesbiscuit: Fast enough update for you? ;)
TamoraFan: *wonders if anything has been blown up yet* here's more to keep you happy then! Lol!
A Girl Called Candice: Long review. Nice. I like those. Maybe I am using Numair as a plot device - how cruel of me, it really undermines my undying love for him.*glares at anyone else who dares to call Numair theirs* And you're right, popped Evin into a shredder and this is the result; he's not fickle though, so he can't change he's affections too soon. Sorry about the lack of fluff - I'm trying to give everyone what they want, and some want a break from excessive soppiness. *looks innocent* :)
LadySatine: That was my attempt at introducing some darker material to balance out the fluff. Weird, huh? There's more to come!
Sitting Dragon: Thank you! *grins*
Star: Thank you. Hope the bit at the top helped un-confuse you *crosses fingers* As for talking to the heavens, well, you know when you can just tell when something is wrong? - it's a bit like that I think! :P
Numair's Magelet: Poor Evin - not! Should he get with Miri? I don't know, bit of a clichéd pairing methinks . . . Less confused now? Hope so! :)
Martini: Yep, I'm alive! Thank you! :D
XXX: x5 Thank you! Very effective method methinks! Up with fluff, the world needs more :P
I'm not falling for that one: I know that song! Interesting lyrics though . . . *starts to hum* Enjoy. : )
Wildmage101: Aw, poor Evin *wipes away tear* Still that should be sorted out soon enough. If I could, I would up the school and it's rules just like Daine did Carthak! Don't worry about Numair - all the running keeps him fit! Lol! :P
Disclaimer: Do I have to put this on every chapter?! Okay, nothing belongs to me except the slowly appearing plot.
The Sharpening of Blades
Four days passed; four days of torture from sunrise to sunset, and each day Daine's condition deteriorated, and although it didn't show on the outside, her constant internal struggle weakened her. Numair was not the only one who was alarmed; Onua, Thayet and many others noticed how Daine no longer laughed and smiled, and how shadows, both visible and unseen darkened her eyes, though the paleness of her skin reflected the lethargy of her movements. Now that she had had just a taste of the future, a veiled glimpse of what might be, it was that much harder to resist.
Daine didn't know exactly what it was that was happening, though she knew that the Gods would make it clear someday that would arrive all too soon. The day that they would take her away from Numair, for she suspected that her divine blood was not acting entirely of its own accord. She tried not to think about this, refused to talk about it when her friends attempted to discuss it with her. She knew that they were worried, but it was almost as if denial would cause the problem to die away, as if it would snuff it like a candle flame. But fire burns, and Daine was beginning to feel the heat.
She walked out of the mews, feeling no happier than before, even though the falcons and hawks had tried their best to comfort her, brushing their soft feathers against her skin. The shadows played across her face, waging war with the light that slanted across the roofs of the low building. Daine felt someone approaching her from behind and when a hand grasped her shoulder, she could barely be bothered to shrug it off, the fight already drained from her. She felt only weariness, no shock as she was pulled against a hard body and as someone's long fingers found their way into her thick curls. Lips brushed her forehead and she sighed in regret as his warm breath tickled her skin.
"You can't go on like this, magelet. It's not healthy," a worried voice whispered softly by her ear. "You're scaring everyone, including Cloud."
She looked up at Numair, her eyes troubled and tired. "What else can I do?" she asked, sounding defeated. Numair gazed down at his young love. She had never seemed so lost before and he ached inside, not understanding how to help her but certain that he must. He couldn't answer with words, but lowering his head he tried to express all the emotions that raged inside him. He kissed her softly, his lips caressing hers with a gentle heat that deepened when her arms slipped around his neck. Passion crept in and inflamed them both as they moved ever closer, shielded from sight by the building. He wanted her; he needed her; he loved her. That was worth fighting for and her heart was hardened against those who sought to take it away as her arms tightened around him. She drew her lips away, gasping slightly from the sudden onslaught of passion, then returned for more, seeking comfort in the insistence of Numair's kisses and the sensations that were created by his hands running up and down her back. Numair pulled away, his eyes burning with an emotion that she could not identify, but was mirrored in her own face.
"Maybe . . . maybe, we ought to go and have supper now, sweetling," Daine heard the hoarseness that edged his speech and knew that she had caused it. A small smile crossed her lips for the first time in days and seeing it, Numair's heart lifted as he realised that he had unwittingly found a way to make her happy again. Taking her hand he led her back to the Rider's mess. Hearing the happy but tired talking of the Riders and the trainees from inside the mess, Daine was suddenly afraid of facing everyone again and all their questions. She retreated a step, but was stopped by Numair.
"It'll be fine," he told her, dropping a kiss on her head. She nodded hesitantly and stepped into the room with Numair. Biting the inside of her cheek, she pretended not to notice the curious looks she was receiving from various people and quietly collecting her food, she sat down at the same table as Onua and Buri. Outwardly she remained composed, if a little pale, but on the inside she fought the urge to run. 'They're your friends,' she reminded herself. 'They know not to ask you anything. What are you afraid of?' Nothing, she couldn't afford to be scared any more. Shifting to make room for Numair's large form, she tried to concentrate on eating her supper.
Numair watched Daine carefully as he ate. She was still withdrawn and silent, not the Daine he knew, but at the same time he understood her fear. Whilst everyone else may believe that the change in her was sudden a unexplained, he knew that the call of her godly birth haunted her and sensed that her loyalties were torn between that and what she had here, what she had with him. He didn't know what would happen to Daine if she were to succumb to this call, but he did know that she would be taken from him, and he couldn't let that happen. Numair saw her venture a smile at Onua and inside he was filled with a love that overpowered all doubts.
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a groan from Onua. Worried he looked up to find her with her head in her hands. Daine put a hand tentatively on her friend's shoulder, speaking for the first time.
"Onua, what's wrong? Are you alright?"
Onua glanced up at her, a relieved smile dancing on her mouth. "So you can speak then, Daine." She chuckled as a small smile caused the corner of Daine's mouth to twitch. "I'm fine. I've just remembered it's your birthday in just over six weeks. I'm going to have to start thinking about what present to get you!"
Numair laughed, suddenly reminded of Daine's birthday as well. "Does it take you that long to buy a present, Onua?" he mocked.
"Yes, about as long as it takes you to prepare for a ball, Master Salmalin," was the quick retort. Numair tried to be offended, but couldn't help but grin when everyone else laughed at the comment. He was happy to see that his magelet was joining in the gaiety.
"Well, everyone's got to be good at something, haven't they?" he admitted, appealing to Daine for help with dancing eyes. She quickly came to his aid, or so he mistakenly thought.
"That's true, Numair. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I believe that I'm right in thinking that when it comes to balls and their attendants, your skills extend beyond your vanity. Is that not so?"
The remark was quiet, but her old humour laced every word and it caused gales of laughter down the table. Numair felt the heat rise in his cheeks and ducked his head in embarrassment, but secretly he was glad that Daine had been able to speak like that. 'Maybe she wasn't as lost as I thought,' he mused. 'She just needed something to relate to.' Seeing her sneak a look at him, he mock glared at her.
'I'll get you later,' he mouthed. The look she gave him dared to him just to try. That was a challenge worth rising to.
*****
Yawning, Daine left the Rider's mess, beginning to feel like her old self again. She had been overreacting lately, she decided. Yes, her life had changed in many ways and she knew that she would have to make some hard decisions some time, but not now. She would deal with whatever was happening when it happened. Until then, nothing would be like anything had changed. This new type of thinking shocked her.
"Been spending too much time with Numair," she murmured to herself, stifling yet another yawn.
"Why do you say that, sweet?" a dark shadow asked with a warm voice. Numair stepped forward, slipping his arm around her shoulders. She smiled, leaning against him.
"My thoughts are turning all philosophical. It's you who thinks like that, not me," she explained.
He chuckled quietly and they walked on in silence, thinking about nothing and about everything. Before they realised it, they had arrived at the barracks, the point at which they had to make their farewells. Daine turned to speak to Numair but was pulled into a tight hug, and before she could even utter a word of surprise she was silenced by his lips on hers. She giggled into his mouth but he still didn't draw back, seeming intent on depriving the two of them of oxygen.
"Told you that I would get you later," he whispered, a dark serenade in his tone.
A wave of passion struck her as his tongue invited hers to play, and shuddering she pressed herself closer, yielding to his demands.
Numair broke off suddenly, and the cool evening air flowed around them to repress their desire, though neither of them could speak, only gasp. For the second time this night Daine saw that darkened expression in his eyes and knew not what to make of it. He spoke quickly, his hand lingering on her cheek.
"I must go now, Daine, before . . ." he bit his tongue. "Goddess bless, magelet. Sleep well."
*****
Well, ha! Did you se that coming? Yeah. Well. Right. Okay, sickening amounts of fluff in to keep you romance obsessives happy, whilst a trace of a plot begins to shine through for everyone else. Anything else you want?
By the way, though my heart is set on 200 reviews (*hint, hint*), I think that maybe, let's say 185 is slightly more optimistic. C'mon, last time I checked that only meant another 23! *obsession with reviews begins to bore the authoress herself*
Bojanglesbiscuit: Fast enough update for you? ;)
TamoraFan: *wonders if anything has been blown up yet* here's more to keep you happy then! Lol!
A Girl Called Candice: Long review. Nice. I like those. Maybe I am using Numair as a plot device - how cruel of me, it really undermines my undying love for him.*glares at anyone else who dares to call Numair theirs* And you're right, popped Evin into a shredder and this is the result; he's not fickle though, so he can't change he's affections too soon. Sorry about the lack of fluff - I'm trying to give everyone what they want, and some want a break from excessive soppiness. *looks innocent* :)
LadySatine: That was my attempt at introducing some darker material to balance out the fluff. Weird, huh? There's more to come!
Sitting Dragon: Thank you! *grins*
Star: Thank you. Hope the bit at the top helped un-confuse you *crosses fingers* As for talking to the heavens, well, you know when you can just tell when something is wrong? - it's a bit like that I think! :P
Numair's Magelet: Poor Evin - not! Should he get with Miri? I don't know, bit of a clichéd pairing methinks . . . Less confused now? Hope so! :)
Martini: Yep, I'm alive! Thank you! :D
XXX: x5 Thank you! Very effective method methinks! Up with fluff, the world needs more :P
I'm not falling for that one: I know that song! Interesting lyrics though . . . *starts to hum* Enjoy. : )
Wildmage101: Aw, poor Evin *wipes away tear* Still that should be sorted out soon enough. If I could, I would up the school and it's rules just like Daine did Carthak! Don't worry about Numair - all the running keeps him fit! Lol! :P
Disclaimer: Do I have to put this on every chapter?! Okay, nothing belongs to me except the slowly appearing plot.
The Sharpening of Blades
Four days passed; four days of torture from sunrise to sunset, and each day Daine's condition deteriorated, and although it didn't show on the outside, her constant internal struggle weakened her. Numair was not the only one who was alarmed; Onua, Thayet and many others noticed how Daine no longer laughed and smiled, and how shadows, both visible and unseen darkened her eyes, though the paleness of her skin reflected the lethargy of her movements. Now that she had had just a taste of the future, a veiled glimpse of what might be, it was that much harder to resist.
Daine didn't know exactly what it was that was happening, though she knew that the Gods would make it clear someday that would arrive all too soon. The day that they would take her away from Numair, for she suspected that her divine blood was not acting entirely of its own accord. She tried not to think about this, refused to talk about it when her friends attempted to discuss it with her. She knew that they were worried, but it was almost as if denial would cause the problem to die away, as if it would snuff it like a candle flame. But fire burns, and Daine was beginning to feel the heat.
She walked out of the mews, feeling no happier than before, even though the falcons and hawks had tried their best to comfort her, brushing their soft feathers against her skin. The shadows played across her face, waging war with the light that slanted across the roofs of the low building. Daine felt someone approaching her from behind and when a hand grasped her shoulder, she could barely be bothered to shrug it off, the fight already drained from her. She felt only weariness, no shock as she was pulled against a hard body and as someone's long fingers found their way into her thick curls. Lips brushed her forehead and she sighed in regret as his warm breath tickled her skin.
"You can't go on like this, magelet. It's not healthy," a worried voice whispered softly by her ear. "You're scaring everyone, including Cloud."
She looked up at Numair, her eyes troubled and tired. "What else can I do?" she asked, sounding defeated. Numair gazed down at his young love. She had never seemed so lost before and he ached inside, not understanding how to help her but certain that he must. He couldn't answer with words, but lowering his head he tried to express all the emotions that raged inside him. He kissed her softly, his lips caressing hers with a gentle heat that deepened when her arms slipped around his neck. Passion crept in and inflamed them both as they moved ever closer, shielded from sight by the building. He wanted her; he needed her; he loved her. That was worth fighting for and her heart was hardened against those who sought to take it away as her arms tightened around him. She drew her lips away, gasping slightly from the sudden onslaught of passion, then returned for more, seeking comfort in the insistence of Numair's kisses and the sensations that were created by his hands running up and down her back. Numair pulled away, his eyes burning with an emotion that she could not identify, but was mirrored in her own face.
"Maybe . . . maybe, we ought to go and have supper now, sweetling," Daine heard the hoarseness that edged his speech and knew that she had caused it. A small smile crossed her lips for the first time in days and seeing it, Numair's heart lifted as he realised that he had unwittingly found a way to make her happy again. Taking her hand he led her back to the Rider's mess. Hearing the happy but tired talking of the Riders and the trainees from inside the mess, Daine was suddenly afraid of facing everyone again and all their questions. She retreated a step, but was stopped by Numair.
"It'll be fine," he told her, dropping a kiss on her head. She nodded hesitantly and stepped into the room with Numair. Biting the inside of her cheek, she pretended not to notice the curious looks she was receiving from various people and quietly collecting her food, she sat down at the same table as Onua and Buri. Outwardly she remained composed, if a little pale, but on the inside she fought the urge to run. 'They're your friends,' she reminded herself. 'They know not to ask you anything. What are you afraid of?' Nothing, she couldn't afford to be scared any more. Shifting to make room for Numair's large form, she tried to concentrate on eating her supper.
Numair watched Daine carefully as he ate. She was still withdrawn and silent, not the Daine he knew, but at the same time he understood her fear. Whilst everyone else may believe that the change in her was sudden a unexplained, he knew that the call of her godly birth haunted her and sensed that her loyalties were torn between that and what she had here, what she had with him. He didn't know what would happen to Daine if she were to succumb to this call, but he did know that she would be taken from him, and he couldn't let that happen. Numair saw her venture a smile at Onua and inside he was filled with a love that overpowered all doubts.
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a groan from Onua. Worried he looked up to find her with her head in her hands. Daine put a hand tentatively on her friend's shoulder, speaking for the first time.
"Onua, what's wrong? Are you alright?"
Onua glanced up at her, a relieved smile dancing on her mouth. "So you can speak then, Daine." She chuckled as a small smile caused the corner of Daine's mouth to twitch. "I'm fine. I've just remembered it's your birthday in just over six weeks. I'm going to have to start thinking about what present to get you!"
Numair laughed, suddenly reminded of Daine's birthday as well. "Does it take you that long to buy a present, Onua?" he mocked.
"Yes, about as long as it takes you to prepare for a ball, Master Salmalin," was the quick retort. Numair tried to be offended, but couldn't help but grin when everyone else laughed at the comment. He was happy to see that his magelet was joining in the gaiety.
"Well, everyone's got to be good at something, haven't they?" he admitted, appealing to Daine for help with dancing eyes. She quickly came to his aid, or so he mistakenly thought.
"That's true, Numair. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I believe that I'm right in thinking that when it comes to balls and their attendants, your skills extend beyond your vanity. Is that not so?"
The remark was quiet, but her old humour laced every word and it caused gales of laughter down the table. Numair felt the heat rise in his cheeks and ducked his head in embarrassment, but secretly he was glad that Daine had been able to speak like that. 'Maybe she wasn't as lost as I thought,' he mused. 'She just needed something to relate to.' Seeing her sneak a look at him, he mock glared at her.
'I'll get you later,' he mouthed. The look she gave him dared to him just to try. That was a challenge worth rising to.
*****
Yawning, Daine left the Rider's mess, beginning to feel like her old self again. She had been overreacting lately, she decided. Yes, her life had changed in many ways and she knew that she would have to make some hard decisions some time, but not now. She would deal with whatever was happening when it happened. Until then, nothing would be like anything had changed. This new type of thinking shocked her.
"Been spending too much time with Numair," she murmured to herself, stifling yet another yawn.
"Why do you say that, sweet?" a dark shadow asked with a warm voice. Numair stepped forward, slipping his arm around her shoulders. She smiled, leaning against him.
"My thoughts are turning all philosophical. It's you who thinks like that, not me," she explained.
He chuckled quietly and they walked on in silence, thinking about nothing and about everything. Before they realised it, they had arrived at the barracks, the point at which they had to make their farewells. Daine turned to speak to Numair but was pulled into a tight hug, and before she could even utter a word of surprise she was silenced by his lips on hers. She giggled into his mouth but he still didn't draw back, seeming intent on depriving the two of them of oxygen.
"Told you that I would get you later," he whispered, a dark serenade in his tone.
A wave of passion struck her as his tongue invited hers to play, and shuddering she pressed herself closer, yielding to his demands.
Numair broke off suddenly, and the cool evening air flowed around them to repress their desire, though neither of them could speak, only gasp. For the second time this night Daine saw that darkened expression in his eyes and knew not what to make of it. He spoke quickly, his hand lingering on her cheek.
"I must go now, Daine, before . . ." he bit his tongue. "Goddess bless, magelet. Sleep well."
*****
Well, ha! Did you se that coming? Yeah. Well. Right. Okay, sickening amounts of fluff in to keep you romance obsessives happy, whilst a trace of a plot begins to shine through for everyone else. Anything else you want?