Here's the next instalment. Sorry for the long wait – an evil place called school has put a flaw in my writing schedule.
I hope you will like this chapter, and once again, I look forward to your reviews – (Please review)
Daine stared at the face of the Ruler of Carthak with a mixture of open surprise and brooding horror. Made speechless at this dazzling man, who was presently smiling warmly down at her, Daine felt her temperature soar.
Why does he look at me like that? Daine thought wildly, surely he does not mean that I am to be his partner?
Not knowing what to do or what to say, she turned desperately towards Numair for help.
What she saw only made her feel even worse.
Numair's countenance was a picture of contained anger; he stood rigid, his whole body surrounded by an aura that radiated fury. Both of his hands were clenched, knuckles draining of blood. The blaze in his usually fathomless eyes was unsettling.
Daine hastily turned her face away from her teacher. I will only make him feel responsible for me even more, she thought.
Presently the Emperor cleared his throat and extended a graceful hand.
'It will be my greatest honour, Veralidain Serrasri,' he said chivalrously, 'if you will accompany me in this dance.'
Daine trembled, bullying her brain into thinking up a polite excuse that will not offend the Emperor. 'Your Majesty, I – '
She was cut-off in mid-sentence when Numair suddenly took one large, protective step towards Daine's side, his eyes flashing a silent challenge.
Emperor Ozorne chose to ignore this and continued to smile at Daine, his hand still waiting in midair.
Daine gave Numair a quick dart, willing him to contain his anger. She was fairly certain that if she were to show any signs of unwillingness, Numair would most defiantly do something that will get him entrance to Ozorne's infamous prison once more.
The wildmage swallowed, a dull, sick feeling planted firmly in the pit of her stomach. The thought of dancing with this richly clad and highly intimidating man made her feel sick with nerves.
All at once, fear and extreme shyness seized Daine like an iron grip.
'You are too kind, your Imperial Highness,' she stammered, feeling her face grow hotter by the second, 'but I really don't think I can – '
Emperor Ozorne suddenly gave a large bow. When he looked up, his eyes were fixed into Daine's.
'Surely you will not have me made a laughingstock in my own court by refusing me in front of my fellow subjects?' he asked with a charming smile. He spoke with deliberate quietness so that only Daine – and Numair – could hear.
Daine had no choice after that. Not after what he had just said. She swallowed again, aware for the first time that every pair of eyes in the room was on her.
With a desperate effort, Daine forced a polite smile, and allowed herself to be led away by Emperor Ozorne.
She dared not look at Numair for fear of what she might see on his face.
It seemed to Daine that her breathing only became normal when the music reached its highest peak, and when the guests started to join in.
The beginning minutes of the dance had been treacherous. In all her battle-and-magic-experienced life, Daine had never felt so vulnerable, or so self-conscious. She was aware of every footstep she took and every twirl she made. She was also very aware of the numerous pairs of eyes that followed her as she went past – especially the pair that belonged to Numair.
His gaze had not left her since the Emperor led her away; Daine could almost feel his dark eyes piercing on her back. If looks could burn, the girl thought to herself, I would be scorched.
Daine sighed inwardly with relief when several guests began join in with the dance. People started to loose interest in her, and away from their scrutiny, Daine felt more at ease.
'How do you find my palace, Veralidaine?' the Emperor of Carthak inquired. They were still dancing, his arm loosely around Daine's waist.
'You palace is amazing,' Daine answered truthfully, 'I have never seen such wondrous designs and paintings in my life' – then she added, just to be polite – 'Carthak must hold many gifted artists.'
Ozorne smiled. 'Yes, Carthak is known for producing great talents, although those talents are rare. Carthak University is very competitive for it is a place where only the very best can survive. Those who are less able find the work a hard challenge – and they often stray or flee from it.'
There was a glint in the Emperor's eyes that Daine did not like at all. Ignoring his subtle jab about Numair, Daine sought for a different conversation.
'The – the Carthaki nobles here are all very grand,' Daine commented as a pair of dancers waltzed past.
'Yes,' Ozorne replied, 'Carthakis pride themselves in appearance. They believe it to be fitting and civilised –'
'So do we Tortallens!' Daine said defensively, thinking that Ozorne was once again making a devious insult.
'Forgive me, I did not mean to offend you,' Ozorne apologised, his eyes gazing into Daine's, 'but if you will give me a chance – I was going to say that standing in a room full of Carthak ladies – many of them known as 'local beauties' – I now feel the inclination to question their rights for that title, for I now see that you clearly outshines them any day.'
Daine felt herself blush awkwardly, though she could not deny the tiny thrills she felt with Ozorne's words.
'You are too generous with your praises,' she mumbled to her feet, not daring to meet the Emperor's eyes. When she did look up, Ozorne was gazing steadily over Daine's shoulder. Daine turned to follow the Emperor's gaze, and saw that he was staring at Numair.
Daine felt herself tense as she sneaked a peak at her teacher. Unlike most of the guests, he was not dancing, but sitting on a cushioned chair. Lindhall Reed was next to him talking, but Daine doubted whether Numair heard a single word.
Daine felt Ozorne shift, and found herself been steered towards where Numair was seated.
With deliberate slowness, Ozorne led the wildmage over, and stopped – very conveniently – in front of Numair.
Daine jumped on her guard immediately. She knew Ozorne purposefully led her there, and she knew he was trying to provoke his one-time friend into doing something.
Mithros, Mynoss and Shakith, Daine whispered her teacher's patron Gods, please do not let him do something stupid! I promise I will be good forever if you do!
'I notice your teacher does not dance.' Ozorne spoke softly, his warm breath lingering on Daine's neck. 'Does he find Carthak music not his style?'
Daine smiled indifferently. 'Numair does not enjoy dances in general. He is like this in Tortallen banquets too.'
'Intriguing,' murmured the Emperor, 'I remember Arram used to love social events. He was notorious for charming the ladies at the court.'
As if sensing been the subject of a conversation, Numair looked sharply towards them, eyes flashing.
All at once, Daine felt the arm around her waist tighten. In one deliberate motion, the Emperor of Carthak drew the wildmage closer to him.
To Daine's immense relief, the musicians chose to end their piece at that moment, and Daine was able to release herself from Ozorne's grip.
'You dance beautifully, Veralidaine Sarrasri,' he praised. Then he lifted Daine's hand gently and put it to his lips.
Daine shivered involuntarily as she felt his warm breath mingle on her skin.
When Ozorne smiled again, and finally left, Daine made her way towards her teacher. Lindhall was gone, leaving a vacant chair next to the mage.
Sinking on to the chair, Daine breathed an air of relief. A large hand holding a glass of fruit juice came into her view.
She smiled at her mage friend and took the drink with gratitude.
When she drained the glass to the last drop, Numair asked, 'how did you like your first dance?'
Daine made a face. 'Wonderful' she replied dryly, and then added, 'though you could have done better by joining in. There were a number of ladies hovering near you. Just think what perpetual heartbreak you are giving them by not offering them a dance.'
This time Numair made a face. 'I know some of them. That lady in silver is Varice Kingsford. I – eh – used to be quite famous for my – social behaviour at banquets… I guess she still has not forgotten that.'
'That's what Ozorne said,' Daine remarked and smiled wickedly, 'he said you were notorious for charming ladies of the court.'
Numair turned slightly red under his tan and looked away. After some moment of silence, he said, 'Ozorne studies you often.'
'I can't imagine why,' Daine said somewhat loftily. 'There is a fair amount of more interesting things than me in Carthak.'
Numair smiled wearily and brushed a curl from the girl's face. 'I'm afraid that as long as you – we – are here, Magelet, you will always be the object of interest to him.'