Thanks for all the reviews!!!

I'm admitting that I'm running out of ideas and can't write good fluff so please excuse me. Also I do apologise for my tenses, sometimes I'm too wrapped in the story to notice obvious things. Alerting you now that there is one swearing word in this passage.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Tamora Pierce.

Chapter 7

Evin was running out of patience not only was lunch with Lady Clara led to him losing his temper but also he couldn't find Miri anyway! Thinking about Lady Clara reminded him of the total disaster which he had experience as he directed him to the Riders' mess hall he felt many peculiar stares of astonishment. Conversation surrounded around taking digs at Miri which she didn't perceive as the wrong course to go down. As Lady Clara continued with her non-stop nonsense about the telltale signs of a normal women and a lady.

Evin body tensed at the remembrance of the fury running through his veins and the temptation of yelling at the insufferable, immature women. The whole situation came to a deadly end. When noticing that Evin was not paying attention to her chatter proceeded to insult the lives of commoner folk which really hit a nerve with Evin since all his family lived as players and had been treated like scum from the rest of society due to their profession.

"Lady Clara" interrupted Evin.

"Yes" drawled a sugary tone.

"Could you please leave? I believe that you have outstayed your welcome with the Riders and I myself haven't the foggiest idea why I thought I ever could be attracted to you. It this point I would probably be enjoying an intelligent conversation with a stormerwing than listening to one more word of your prattle."

Evin's speech was issued a calm tone yet did not hide the sting towards Lady Clara. Other Riders and Daine who had seated themselves on opposite sides of the couple stopped and stare at the Evin's remarks.

Lady Clara was fully embarrassed, brushing her brown hair behind in irritation; she did not liked being made a fool of, especially in front of lower people. She seethed with rage at the thought of the high and mighty Commander attitude. She knew who to blame ... it was that Miri who had bewitched him by flaunting her body and flirting outrageous above her station. Her anger was barely concealed in her face and tone when she had the strength to stare back at Evin.

"I see you would rather wastes your position on one of your whores", she sneered at him, "Like that one earlier...what's her name...Miri."

Evin eyes flashed dangerously at the insult against Miri. How dare she attack someone who was worth ten thousand of hers! Miri is completely opposite to this thing that sat across from him. Miri would give anyone the time of day to hear all sort problems from family crisis to harvest details. It what makes her great at being second in command –caring for the people of Tortall they risk their lives for every time there was trouble. Miri had the ability to change Evin depressed mood into a laughing fit. Lady Clara couldn't even keep Evin interested in a chat about anything. And most of all he loved the dark hair, the sparkling green eyes, freckled face rider. Yes, Evin loved Miri. His face drained itself of his usual carefree manner and replaced it with a cold and deadly expression. The quick transformation surprised and scared both Lady Clara and the nearby Riders.

"I would not be such a coward to brandish someone's innocent name in public without being in their presence to defend themselves. And let me enforce upon you that Rider Miri has many great qualities which you lack to make the prefect lady." His eyes flashed with indignation. "If I ever hear a whisper that you are dragging her name with your filthy tongue then I warn you be prepared for a backlash in which I won't be content 'til you and your family are disgraced from court. Do you understand?"

The mess hall filled with a highly charged tension at to wait upon Lady Clara's response. She could not function her mouth properly. She looked everywhere except to Evin's hard face, which displayed his anger. The silence was deafening and all she could do was stand up suddenly, knocking over her tea, and run out of the hall without stopping until she was out from view of the stares. Only when the disappearing figure could be heard crying outside did a sense of normality entered the mess hall again and the Riders busied their eyes with the food placed in front of them.

Daine gingerly laid a hand on Evin's shoulder and squeezes lightly. "I'm never getting on the wrong side of you ever again!" murmured Daine apprehensively. Evin smiled grimly down at Daine whose eyes shone with a certain amount of respect.

"Just don't insult Miri within my hearing range and you'll be safe."

"So you finally made a move I'm told" Evin glanced at her nervously at the surprise. Daine held her laughter in not wanting to cause a scene. "Oh come off Evin who do you think Miri needed to listen to her confusion though I think you only have to show her a little more action and...well I leave to your imagination".

Evin turned to hide a blush, which was creeping ever so slowly to his face, but it did not escape Daine's sharp eyes. "She really needs to have things explained a bit more."

"Well I've finished my lunch and have work to do" Evin said clearing his throat at the same time.

"More like persuasion of a kind" whispered Daine.

Evin looked blankly down at her as if she was an ant "Goodbye Daine."

Now after several hours occupied with work that appeared he had searched every place that he thought Miri could be hiding from him. The stables were deserted due to the heavy rain, which gladly gave Evin a cold shower for the venture outside. The mess hall now had the new trainees learning about herbs and medicine so the three mature riding groups had taken the opportunity to go out to Corus to visit the nightlife yet Miri was not in outing. So she must be in the palace. He had checked his room, hers' and made some excuse to see Daine and Numair in desperation that she went there for a girl chat. No luck what so ever.

Then it hit him – she would be still in the library laughing over the predicament she put him in! That girl will pay, he thought smugly, but how? While contemplating on revenge Evin quickly arrived in the hall which would directly lead him to the library. With a few curt nods to other Riders and some knights that he knew Evin soon arrived at his destination and slowed down to catch his breath. This time I will find out if Miri would like to continue these meetings and he sent a hasty pray to the goddess for good luck.

Scanning the room Evin notice that it was deserted from the usual scholars and law enforcers who prowl the bookcases with a menacing attitude. So she wasn't hiding with the books he thought. Walking quietly to the reading area so he wouldn't attract the attention of the owl-eyed little woman who haunts the library for any disturbance he noticed a sleeping form. Miri.

Stretched out on a couch, near the embers of a dying fire, Miri sleeping form give such a quaint image that it was hard for Evin not to smile. Miri is like a child when she sleeps all the troubles of the day disappear and sweet dreams awaken Evin concluded as he stood watching over Miri with tenderness. Evin's lack of sleep out in the field was not to the added responsibility of leadership, which he had lead to Miri to believe, but on several occasion he would simply wonder about life's future when staring longingly at Miri's face.

Unobserved by the few readers sitting near the windows at the far side Evin knelt on the ground beside Miri's face and gently brushed strands of her dark hair back behind of her ears. With that serve accomplished Evin brought his lips lightly to Miri's brow, closed eyelids and finally lips which created the sleeping figure to stir and smile at the touch.

Miri had known she had fallen asleep but wasn't she allowed too? Only today did she find that Evin wanted more than friends and that he never liked Lady Clara which was a bonus and what she had done? Fed him to the lion. The pleading of his whispered words had spurred her into action on getting a bit of revenge for leaving her in his room after their first kiss. These pleasant reminds of Evin in her dreams were fun to replay over and over yet she wanted nothing more than to recapture his lips just to make sure.... Ready to wake from her slumber she imaged Evin kissing her face which made her heart pound even harder and her stomach twist in knots. His lips were like stardust and created an ache for more that eventual brought Miri out of her restful dreams.

Miri's eyes fluttered open with difficulty until she notices familiar blue ones staring back with intensity. Evin! Her head shot up and she felt herself blushing furiously at her thoughts seconds ago. Evin gave Miri's his cheerful grins with a bit of mischief. Miri stared at him suspiciously even if he looks god damn attractive and you can think of nothing else better than to...he is still Evin the player at heart warned her conscious.

"Did you like you wake up call?"

Miri raised her eyebrows wondering what he had done exactly "I can't remember."

"Well" exclaimed Evin "I will have to repeat the performance."

Edging closer to Miri, who shuffled further down the couch until coming to the right side where she was penned in by Evin's arms, Evin gave Miri a smile with complete happiness and love. Closing the distance Evin claimed Miri's lips in a teasing kiss which soon turned passionate as Miri's hands reached out to knot themselves in Evin's soft blonde hair bounding them closer.

However a cough interrupted them from behind which brought both Riders back to reality of their surroundings. As Evin turn to reprise the person for disturbing his 'business' with a fellow Rider the words died in his throat as he spotted a gathering of people who he knew. Damn it thought Evin. He looked back at Miri to gauge her reaction. He did not want to push things with her unless she was ready. Miri face shone brightly through the laughter she was holding in and when Evin face was full of concerns her heart melted.

He was genuinely concerned for her feelings but Miri reassured him with a peck on the cheek and gentle squeezed one of his hands, which she did not relinquish afterwards. Happy, Evin turned round to find that the crowd was still there and all were smiling like cats that got the cream. Among them were Daine, Numair, Sarge and Danric – nosy parkers thought Evin.

"Can I help you?" he enquired coolly.

Daine burst into a fit of giggles while Sarge flashed his wolfish smile. Though Danric's expression bet the rest he was totally surprised.

"We were wondering if you found Miri" said Numair politely, "But I believe you made double sure you it is her." Daine nudged him into the stomach while the others chuckled. Evin scowled at them all.

"Well thank you for you concern Numair but if that's all..." Evin dragged Miri off the couch and wrapped a protective arm around and continue to stare disapproving at his so called friends. Miri tried hard to follow suit and appear angry but the situation was funny. And anyway Evin was annoyed enough for the both of them. "We'll be leaving to..."

Evin glanced down at Miri because he was about to say his room but that now was inappropriate, as they were just becoming a couple. He wanted Miri to help him out this mess not for her to stand there with mischief eyes, smirking at his half suggestion. Another cough broke the abrupt silence. Evin turned again to the gathering yet now completely blushing and out of witty words.

"To finish off what we started" piped up Miri now her giggling had stopped. This raised a few eyebrows among the men, particular Evin; Daine gave a wink of understanding and with not another word Miri marched out with Evin in the directions of their rooms. She only stopped at the door to give a teasing kiss to Evin which the sight seeing crowd excepted to see and who gave got a frightful row of the librarian at their childish behaviour.

Reaching her rooms Miri slowed down the pace to enjoy the company of Evin – alone and away from prying eyes. When she unlocked her doors, Evin disentangled himself from Miri's arm and stepped back to give her space. Miri looked up in surprise to receive a mysterious grin and grand bow; she recognised Evin playing the gentleman.

"Would you like to come in?" said Miri slightly

"And ruin you reputation!" exclaimed Evin "I don't think so."

"Where was this care for my modesty when we were in the library?" enquired Miri

"Aha but you had not known the danger of kissing a man like me before hand".

"And what danger is this?" asked Miri suspiciously

"This"

Evin again cornered Miri against her door and swiftly proceeded to render Miri's lips numbness in several passionate kisses. While Miri's hands found their way to fondle with Evin's hair, his hands were content in running up and down Miri's slender back making her whole body shiver in delight. Evin broke away suddenly, which annoyed and frustrated Miri. Resting his head on hers to gain his breath he ragged out "I...bet go before...I lose... myself...and then...I won't be able...to stop".

Miri was secretly pleased that she wasn't the only one who was losing control over being decent but sometimes rules were there to be broke.

"But I have only had you for a short period", moaned Miri, "You were busy entertaining Lady Clara all day."

And whose fault was that!"

"Not mine!"

"Oh but it was" murmured Evin huskily into Miri's ear, "And you are going to pay."

Miri actually was taken aback at Evin's proposal though when she stared into his eyes she knew that she had gotten the wrong end of the stick. Knowing there was no point in refusing Miri simply asked, "What do I have to do?"

"Don't worry Miri" whispered Evin "I'll tell you tomorrow after a goodnight sleep"

And with that he leaned in for a teasing kiss which was on the verge of deepening 'til Evin pulled a way with a smirk and contented himself with brushing Miri's hair out of her eyes. Standing back he bowed and turned on his heel and began to stride down the hall.

"I hate you!" called Miri after him.

However he only waved back at her and blew a kiss.

Ok people I am stuck for ideas on how to punish Miri!! I do apologise for my tenses I am really bad at English but I have bought myself a grammatical book to help! (What fun I'll have reading that! LOL) Please review and be honest with opinions!!