Hi Again! It's me! Sorry I haven't updated in well.forever! My bad! I would give you some excuses, but I don't think u'd want to hear them, so I'll just get started w/the chapter!

Ch.8

After riding for what seemed like forever to Daine, Numair finally declared that they would be stopping for the night. Relieved and sore, Daine slipped from the saddle to the ground. She groaned. Numair looked at her amused, "Saddle sore?"

She grimaced, "Just a little."

Numair smiled and shook his head. "I'm going to start supper, tend the horses will you?"

"Yeah sure.whatever." Daine mumbled not in one of her happiest moods. She quickly cooled down the horses and tied them up. All she could really think about was the war and well. Philip. She wondered if she would ever see him again. She shook her head and sighed. 'Daine' she said, 'Get a hold of yourself! Of course you'll see him again! All you're going to do is help with the animals.'

After she finished her task, Numair declared it was time for supper. Daine stiffly walked over and sat on the log next to her companion. She ate slowly feeling sorry for herself. The tired woman let out a long, weary sigh and slightly shook her head. Numair glanced at her sympathetically. "You miss him don't you?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Well, you keep sighing and you have this.this..weird look on your face." Numair stated trying not to feel jealous.

Daine sighed yet again, put her food down, and placed her knees up to her chest hugging them as if it comforted her. She placed her chin on top of her calloused hands trying to take her mind off of things. For a moment, they sat in silence. Daine could hear the fire crackling, the grasshoppers chirping, and Numair's deep heavy breathing beside her. Abruptly, a gust of cold wind breezed by Daine. She started to shiver because of the sudden change in temperature.

The cold started to get unbearable. 'Strange,' Daine thought, 'It wasn't even cold a few minutes ago!' She glanced around for a blanket or cloak to keep her warm. Finding nothing, she leaned closer to the fire hoping to be enveloped by its warmth.

Suddenly she felt a strong arm come around her shoulders. She was startled at first and glanced up at Numair questioning him. "I'm just trying to keep you warm," was all he said. Daine was a bit uncomfortable but soon liked the feeling of a well-muscled arm around her, making her feel safe and secure. She nestled into his arm, shifting slightly so she was a little closer to his body to get more body warmth.

'It feels so good to have Numair's arm around me,' Daine thought. 'He's such a sweet, sensitive gentleman. Not to mention handsome and strong!' She sat there content. She glanced up at Numair's face to discover that he was staring at her. She looked deep into his eyes noticing a few flecks of gold and green that she hadn't noticed before. 'Pretty,' she thought. Suddenly she was aware of how close her face was to his. Her breathing got shallow as she discovered she wanted him to kiss her. At that moment, a mental picture of Philip popped into her mind. She stiffened, silently cursing herself for letting herself get into that position. She pulled away and claimed that she was going to bed and walked off to her tent.

~*~

Numair sighed in frustration. 'What am I doing?' He questioned himself. He pushed his hand through his dark hair in disgust. 'I can't believe I just did that! She's in love with Philip!' He thought about how he had had a 'stroke of genius' and magically made a gust of cold wind come and surround Daine, so he could have an excuse to put his arm around her! He sighed. She'll never be his! 'It's not fair,' he thought. 'The first time I saw her she stole my heart. I didn't stand a chance. She's not like any girl I know. It's just my luck. The one girl I fall in love with has to be taken already. Philip is a lucky man.' He groaned and stiffly stood up kicking the log in frustration. 'I've got to put an end to this.this puppy love! If I don't, I'll just drive her away. She's my student for heaven's sake!' He strode angrily to his tent in an attempt to fall asleep. ** Sorry, this chapter aint very good. I didn't really know what to write, so I just wrote whatever came to mind. Anyway, read and review so I know what yall think!**

~*~SportzGurl~*~

Hey! If u guyz like this story you'll probably like my other fanfic "The Battle of Betrayal!"