It is official. I have the worst tendency for updating anything I have started. I should win a prize for this… 'and the winner for the longest time spent in laze-phase is…'

Actually technically speaking I have not been even remotely close to lazing about. Instead I have been wallowing in revision for my GCSE in three months time.

So saying, I hope you will forgive me for the long time this update took, and also cringe and run away for the really, really awfulness of how this chapter was written. Reading back, I think I did nothing but cringe. I would have changed it completely but I did not want to appear like I have abandoned this story by not updating for so long.

Chapter 15

Daine aimed and loosened, her flint-tipped arrow cutting the whistling air as it shot forwards in one, perfect straight line. Seconds later, its sharp, lethal tip pierced the small, red circle that was the heart of the target. She looked on towards her arrow, smiling to herself at the warm rush of self-satisfaction.

'Veralidaine, that shot was spectacular! I have never seen so precise a hit.'

Daine ducked her head, smiling widely despite the deep flushes that crept on to her face at Ozorne's praise.

'Your Highness, that hit was just by chance. I wouldn't be able to do that again if – '

'And so you humbly say,' Ozorne laughed. 'After every try, which if I may remind you, was astonishingly precise each time.'

Daine blushed again, this time at the open admiration that shone from the Emperor's eyes. He beamed at her, an inviting smile played across his tanned face.

'Your Highness will make me too conceited if you carry on like that,' Daine joked, trying to prevent her face from breaking into a broad grin. The Emperor's praises, which came generous and plentiful, were warm and affectionate, and Daine, who has never experienced such close and tentative attention in her life, opened to them steadily.

Presently Ozorne turned and extended a hand. 'Come, your arm must be aching after so much hard work. We shall have a break and take a walk through the palace garden.'

Daine adjusted her bow on her shoulder and took Ozorne's offered hand. Together, they walked down the dusty lane of the practice yard towards the garden. Birds sang from high branches overhead, stirring the hazy, afternoon air.

As they neared the garden, faint wisps of flower scent drifted forward, meeting Daine's nose invitingly. She breathed, inhaling the sweet, silky fragrance deep into her lungs.

Ozorne studied her from the side of his eyes. 'I see you are taken to my Golden Lilies. They give out the most exquisite scents. I often come here to smell it, for it clears my mind, I believe, and helps me to relax.'

'It is peaceful here,' Daine replied gazing about her. 'Though it's a shame the garden is so near the palace. I bet it would have been great in a more desolate location.'

Ozorne turned to look at her with a bemused smile. 'You like to be on your own often, then?'

'I just prefer the quietness and solitude, Your Highness,' Daine answered lightly, and then looked alarm-stricken and added hastily, 'Not that I mind your company, Your Highness, I just meant – '

Ozorne's deep chuckle interrupted her. 'Veralidaine, do not look so frightened. You can speak freely around me – and I know what you mean perfectly. Its just that it is odd, for a young girl like you to want to be alone.'

Daine looked puzzled.

'In most cases, young ladies of the court usually prefer to have company, or generally within the light of people's attentions. Mostly males.' Ozorne explained wryly, and was very much amused when he saw a tinge of pink creep on to the girl's face.

'I'm no court lady, Your Highness,' Daine replied with a weak shrug. 'And I doubt I'll enjoy the attentions much. But I didn't say I liked complete solitude; I'd welcome all animals.' She looked up at Ozorne and gave the tiniest of smile. 'Surely Your Highness does not find this odd?'

Ozorne raised an eyebrow. 'A girl who prefers animals to human company?' he mused aloud, and then laughed. 'No. Considering a girl of your powers, I do not find it strange at all. And Veralidaine, you can stop calling me 'Your Highness.' It is much too formal when you and I are…'

He stopped, frowning slightly.

For one trivial reason or another, Daine did not register the silence as something of unnatural occurrence. It was after a little while that she noticed the Emperor had stopped talking.

'Your Highness?'

Ozorne glanced at her, his face mildly thoughtful. Then, as if deciding something, he gently tugged at the girl's arm.

'I have just thought – if you like a place of quietness, I know just the place to take you. Would you care to postpone the garden and come with me?'

There was not much Daine could do. She was reluctant to go to the garden in the first place, but had thought it impolite to refuse. Now standing here, a strand of her felt somewhat wary at the suggestion, but the tempting mischievousness in the Emperor's eyes made her fervent.

She nodded, and the two changed course. Ozorne strode with a more purposeful gait, leading Daine along the dusty path. At the base of the palace, two servants dusting the floor bowed hastily as they neared.

One servant, Daine noticed, bobbed her head nervously, shooting furtive glances towards her. A timid, unsure look played about her features. As Daine walked by, she heard a muffled squeal and turned to see the servant hurrying towards her. Beside Daine, Ozorne stopped and frowned.

Upon reaching, the servant bowed again towards Ozorne and turned her gaze to Daine.

'P-please, Your Highness,' she said, her dark eyes very large. 'Your dragon companion has been screeching and screeching ever since you left the palace this morning. She just put up a fuss in the hall now and… none of us know how to stop her. She just won't stop making those high pitched noises.'

'Kit?' Daine's eyes darkened with worry. Like many other animals, Daine was immediately drawn to the small immortal, and despite failing to recollect her previous acquaintance with dragonet, Kitten already meant to her more than she realised.

The dragonet, in all of her immortal fierceness, had refused to leave with the Tortallen delegates, and to Daine it was of great relief. Trapped in a world where faces triggered nothing but a shapeless blur, she was heartily glad of the young dragon's company. It seemed to her that memory was not a concern when it came to animal interactions.

'Where is she now?' asked Daine. She stole a quick glance at Ozorne but could not read his face.

'She is in the hall, Your Highness. The servants are still trying to calm her.'

'What would the servants know of dragons. Couldn't you have called for a scholar to handle this?' Ozorne demanded, his voice thick with agitation.

The servant flinched. 'Y-Your Imperial Highness, we tried but couldn't find anyone. They were all away at the…the University…'

'I think I will go and see her.' Daine turned to Ozorne, her face apologetic. 'Your Highness…I'm really sorry but do you think I could…'

Something showed upon the Emperor's face but it was impossible to guess his thoughts. 'Of course you must go and see Kitten.' He gestured towards the door. 'I wouldn't dream of keeping you from her.'

Daine smiled at him gratefully and turned to thank the servant.

'Good day, Your Highness,' the girl servant bowed to her quickly, and before Daine could protest, scurried away hastily.

Daine found Kitten in the dining hall, no longer screeching but uttering feeble trills that sounded like water bubbling. Her eyes drooped, and her scales were a blend of pale blue and white.

Numair was there, holding the dragonet in his arms, gently running his finger along her throat. He was muttering softly to her, but fell silent upon Daine and Ozorne's entrance. His eyes flickered between the two.

'Ah, Master Numair,' Ozorne said pleasantly. 'It is kind of you to have seen to Kitten. I'm afraid Veralidaine here was going out of her mind with worry.'

Daine rushed forward and knelt beside Numair, one hand reaching for the dragon's paws. 'What's wrong with her? Why is she making that noise?'

'I don't know,' Numair said softly, 'I was passing the hall when I heard her making a loud fuss. She was scaring the servants quite badly. I managed to quieten her down but she doesn't look too good. I don't like her colour.'

'Do you think she's ill?' Daine asked worriedly. She didn't think immortals could get ill.

'She is probably just weary. You have to remember she is still very young in dragon years. I doubt she is used to staying in Carthak for so long.'

'No doubt she is longing to be in Tortall again.' Ozorne remarked mildly. 'She would not be the only one, would she, Master Numair?'

Numair looked up sharply, his dark eyes locked in combat with Ozorne's. Daine, unaware of the hostility, peered anxiously at Kitten, making soft, comforting noises. Kitten responded with a hoarse croak, opening her mouth only an inch.

'No, Kit. You are going to rest and that's that.' Daine looked sternly into the dragon's face. 'Maybe she should drink something. Her voice sounds all dry and croaky.'

Ozorne called for a servant and moments later, a Banjiku woman appeared carrying a bowl of water.

'Your Highness,' she said, bowing and offering the bowl at the same time. Daine accepted the water, blushing. 'Oh, please don't call me that! I'm Royalty!'

Numair eased the dragon and set her on to the floor, where she drank hungrily from the bowl. Daine watched with the attention of a mother, clucking slightly when Kitten spilled water onto the floor.

Somewhere behind her, Ozorne chuckled. 'I have never seen one with such devotion to their pets. You will make a great mother one day, Veralidaine.'

Daine coloured, sincerely glad that she had her back towards the Emperor. Numair tensed beside her.

'She is too young to be considering child-bearing,' he said quietly. 'I suggest you try harder helping to recollect her memory rather than putting sideway ideas into her head.'

Ozorne laughed loudly. 'Don't be so narrow-minded, Numair. You don't want to cage Veralidaine forever. She will have to grow up, to think for herself some day. How will she learn anything if you are forever keeping her tied down?'

Numair's eyes flashed dangerously. 'I am not the one keeping her against her will!

'No, of course not. I daresay you have a more devious approach.'

There was a hot, lethal silence.

Daine looked up worriedly. She could sense an edgy tension between the two men, and she has learnt to notice it whenever they happened to be within relative distance of one another. She felt there was something between the two, some unknown grudge, or unexplained strain.

More than once she had heard the two speak in similar manner as now, and try as she might, their verbal exchange made no sense other than the surface emotion of hostility and deep dislike.

Presently Ozorne glanced down at her. 'Look, Numair. I believe your manners are distressing Veralidaine. Mayhap you never considered your over-controlling ways are harming her?'

'If it does, I will be the first to know.' Numair said coldly. Daine threw a quick glance at him to find his face poised, eyes dark and challenging. She was quite appalled at how different he looked to his usual polite self during their lessons. Ozorne too, looked no less friendly. His eyes narrowed in a calculating way, his mouth curled up maliciously in a spiteful smile.

They must really hate each other, Daine thought to herself, something must have happened to make them loath one another like that.

'You are never going to give up, are you?' Ozorne speculated. 'But then again, knowing when to back down has never being your strong point.' He caught sight of Daine's face, and within instants, his own broke into an apologetic smile.

'I'm sorry, Veralidaine, but Numair and I – we have known each other for many years – and I'm afraid to say we have a vast amount of differences between us.'

Daine nodded politely in response, not sure of what to say. She wondered vaguely of offering to help solve their differences, but thought the better of it. She doubted their mutual hatred could be easily dissolved by her words alone.

Still keeping his eyes fixed warily at Ozorne, Numair spoke to Daine. 'It is time for our lessons. Let us go now.'

Daine nodded, and then jumped at Ozorne's sudden bark of laughter. 'How very amusing you have become, Numair. So anxious to get away…Veralidaine, I'm afraid your teacher does not care much for my presence, and thinks I might lead you astray.'

'Lets go.' Numair said again, getting up from his chair. Daine ducked her head, not wanting to face either him or the Emperor. She picked Kitten up and followed Numair across the hall.

They did not speak all the way down to Daine's chamber, where she left Kitten to rest. The dragon attempted a fuss but she subsided under the girl's firm voice.

Together, girl and mage made their way silently across the Palace towards the garden. As they walked, servants passed with lowered heads and modest bows. Seeing them, Daine turned towards Numair.

'I almost forgot,' she said. 'Everywhere I go, palace servants have been calling me 'Your Highness'. I don't understand – shouldn't Ozorne be the only one to have that title? Its always 'Your Nobility' to you.'

Numair's brows drew together and his lips became rather white. Daine wondered what she had said. They walked on, Numair's silence lingering for so long that she didn't think he was ever going to answer.

Then, unexpectedly, Numair said, 'Do you like him?'

'Sorry, who?'

'You know who. The Emperor.'

'Oh.' Daine looked down at her feet, uncomfortable. Numair's question sounded more like challenge than curiosity.

'He seems… nice,' she said lamely. Numair turned to her, a scowl on his face. Daine blinked. It seemed odd to her, for a mage such as Numair to be concerned with her opinion of others, least of all her personal feelings towards the Emperor.

'Do you like him,' Numair asked again. 'Enough to accept that you might live with him for a long time?'

'Why should I do that?' Daine wanted to know. 'I thought we were going back to Tortall once I recover! I…I've got to see Snowdale where my ma is – was.'

She bit her lip and fell quiet. Numair sensed her thoughts and patted her shoulder, the scowl gone from his face.

'Daine…never in my life would I ever wish for you to suffer, or to go through what you have been through. You have already had so much shock, to forget your memory and to go through your mother's death twice…but I can't see any other way to say this.' He stopped to catch his breath, and when he continued, his face gave no pleasure in what he was about to say.

'The servants call you by the royal title because theoretically speaking, you are now of royal status. You bear the title Empress of Carthak. At least, in three months time you will.'

It was like a bucket of ice been thrown over her body. Daine stopped in her walk, staring at Numair with horror. It took her a while to find her voice.

'You're lying!' she accused flatly.

Grimly, Numair shook his head. He looked very sullen.

'Then you're joking! You are fooling with me.'

Numair laughed rather scornfully. 'Believe me, Magelet. I can think of a hundred pleasanter ways to amuse myself than to set about declaring marriages for you.'

'So I'm really engaged to him?'

Again, a grim nod. Daine felt her impatience rise. She tugged at Numair's hand to make him look at her.

'Tell me how it happened. Did he propose?'

Numair's scowl returned, his features darkened with a frown. 'He did. Few days before you lost your memory.'

'And I said yes?'

'Presumably, given what I just said.'

Daine shook her head in disbelief at his tone. He sounded like a sulking, irritable child, something she had thought impossible after judging his character during their lessons. She could not understand why he looked so angry. She knew he disliked Ozorne, but surely it was not a crime for the Emperor to propose?

'How did he propose to me? What was it like?'

'I'm afraid I have not had the enjoyment of witnessing it,' Numair replied waspishly.

Daine could tell the subject was greatly agitating him, but she thought it was within her own rights to know exactly what happened.

'If I'm engaged to Ozorne, why didn't he tell me before? He could have said it all the time I was with him today.'

Numair's face tightened and he fastened his steps, as if trying to physically throw off their conversation. Daine just hurried after him, determined to make him talk.

'Then at least tell me if I like him.'

'You just said you did.'

'You know what I mean! Before I lost my memory. Did I love him then?'

Numair turned away and would not answer. Daine looked on with exasperation.

'Why won't you tell me? Please, I need to know. You have no idea how frustrating this is, not being able to remember anything.'

She heard him sigh.

'If you want to know the truth, then no, you didn't love him. How he feels, of course, if a completely different matter.'

'Well then why did I accept him?'

Numair looked strained. 'The circumstance was…difficult. You were put in a rather bad situation.'

'Which was…?'

Numair paused, this time from distracted thoughts rather than unwillingness to speak.

'I…don't want to say anymore, because I have no right to tell you how you felt, feel or should feel when you cannot judge for yourself whether you agree with me or not. I cannot just set the course of your life by telling you how things should have been.'

Daine opened her mouth, and then shut it again quickly. Up until now, she had thought Numair was being selfish and secretive, deliberately keeping things back, but now she could see she had been quite wrong.

They walked without speaking for the rest of the journey; neither of them was willing to start another conversation, and judging the closed expression on Numair's face, Daine doubted whether she even dared.

When they reached the enclosure of tall rosebushes and willow trees however, he abruptly turned and pulled Daine into his arms. He held her there, shaking slightly.

Then, just as abruptly as it started, Numair released her to look intently into her eyes.

'Please,' he whispered urgently, eyes large with concern, 'I know this will not make any sense to you, especially after what I just told you but…don't believe all Ozorne tells you. He is not to be trusted.'