Well I'm back again, with the first chapter. For some reason, I found writing this much, much harder than I did with VO. It might just be a writer's block thing, or maybe I just wasn't in the mood for it. Shrugs This is a warning that my next update may not be so swift.

As always, I will love you if you review and let me know what you think.

Chapter 1

Veralidaine Sarrasri, wildmage of Tortall for the past four years stifled a yawn and smiled wanly at the talker. Birdcalls sounded from trees overhead, and she itched to go to them. A nest of finch eggs has just hatched, and the mother was busy uttering chirpings of delight.

She smiled, picturing their blind, still-featherless forms and wide, demanding beaks. It would be some very busy weeks for the mother.

'Daine? Are you even…'

She shook her head. 'I'm sorry Perin. What were you saying?'

'Only that you have not heard a word I've said.' He regarded her reproachfully, arms crossing at his chest.

'I'm sorry. It's just that the birds were rather distracting me. The finch, you see, her eggs just hatched and she was telling me…' She trailed off, noticing that the young man was regarding her oddly.

'Those animals…you… really talk to them?' Perin's voice sounded disparaging. 'I mean, really talk to them, like me and you?'

'Of course,' she replied hotly, annoyed at his tone. 'They speak just as well as you do. Just because you can't understand them, it doesn't make them any less able than two-leggers.'

Perin grinned. 'There's no need to get so defensive. It's just that it's…well, strange, that's all. There's been talks about you.'

Daine made a face and sighed. She knew well enough of the 'talks' that circulated through palace servants. Those who had little understandings of wild magic or, indeed, even the Gift, had more than willingly passed their opinions and expressed their idle musings about the girl who talked with animals. People, especially from the lower palace quarters who had barely met her were eager to speculate in her magical affairs.

'And it's not just about my magic either, is it?' Daine asked pointedly. She turned to face Perin, who took the opportunity to sit beside her. He reached for her hand.

'They're just talks, Daine. Silly palace rumours.'

'What do they say about me?'

'Just… stories, is all.'

'About what?'

Perin frowned, his hand still clasping hers. He eyed her with a queer expression and then sighed.

'If you really want to know, they talk mostly about you and Salmalín. I mean, don't get me wrong, I…I don't believe in them or anything, but ever since you came back with him from Carthak…well, people's mouths has been thick with stories about how you and him…'

Daine's heart thudded. 'Yes?'

Perin had the grace to blush and hastily let go of her hand. 'Its…its nothing, Daine. You wouldn't even understand some of the words they use. Like I said, its just stories, nothing more.'

About to summon up a string of delightedly colourful words she had heard Numair use, just to show Perin what she knew, Daine suddenly felt a faint, tickling sensation in her magic. Puzzled, she looked up into the treetops to see what animal had caught her attention.

You won't find me, Magelet

Daine's heart skipped a beat. It was Numair's voice, but the queer feeling of the People told her that he must be in hawk shape. Her lips twitched at the thought, and she searched, more determinedly than ever, across the sea of leaves.

He had been absent from the palace for more than a week, having been called off to Pirate's Swoop on accord of an unusual sighting of magic. Daine had wanted to go but troubles with Onua's new horses forced her to remain at Corus.

Her days were spent helping the horse mistress at the stables, mending saddles and answering the People's calls. During the times she had free, Daine tried her best not to think of Numair, but his absence stubbornly clung to her heart. Often she would find her thoughts drift, wandering idly towards that familiar face and dark eyes. And almost every time, she would snap out of her daydream with colours flooding her cheeks.

Mooning about the stork-man, Cloud had once tartly pointed out after Daine's eyes grew misty whilst grooming the mare.

'Daine? What are you…?'

'Sorry Perin.' Daine shook her head regretfully. 'What did you say?'

Perin got up, looking offended. 'You weren't listening to me at all, were you? All this time I've been explaining to you…' He frowned, looking irritated and confused. 'Its just…you're so…so different from the other girls. I never know whether you're being serious or just joking or…' He broke off, a mulish scowl set deep in his face. His eyes met hers, and they unwillingly travelled down to the rest of her body.

'I just…I just wish that you can I could… '

Daine sighed. 'Perin –'

'Why can't we just – '

'You've been asking for years.'

'And you've been saying no for years!'

I'm surprised you haven't caught on yet

Daine nearly choked in surprise. She didn't realise Numair could hear every single word that was exchanged. Nervously she stole another look up towards the trees. The branches were all clear.

Where are you? She asked silently.

Not telling. His smugness was infuriating.

'Its Numair, isn't it?' Perin said, making Daine start. He studied her with narrowed eyes. 'Its because of him, isn't it. Those stories…there is something going on between you two, isn't there?'

Of all times, Daine thought to herself dryly, Numair just had to be present to hear this.

Perin took a step towards her, wistful eyes gazing up. 'Being his student shouldn't stop you from having fun,' he said quietly, raising eyebrows in a pointed way. When Daine stared blankly at his move, he added in a more suggestive whisper, 'you know, there's no Salmalín here to stop us.'

Is that so?

With an ear-splitting cry, something large and black dived from above. Daine watched both in horror and fascination as the hawk swooped with lightning speed down onto Perin.

His talons reached out and brushed the top of the young man's head with hunter's precision. Perin gave a shout of surprise, one hand springing to his head. He looked bewildered, not understanding what had hit him.

Daine couldn't help it. She really tried, but the look of sheer bafflement on her pursuer's face was enough to send a rock into peels of hysterical mirth.

'I'm really sorry,' she gasped between suppressed laughter, 'I…I need to go.'

'What was that?' Perin seemed pale, and dazed.

Another giggle rose from her chest. 'A…a t-testy birdie.' She couldn't keep her face straight.

Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw the hawk circle the air, and with another apologetic wince, she turned and ran, following Numair's gliding figure towards the palace.

Daine followed, trying to keep up with Numair's fast pace. Occasionally he would slow down to circle her overhead, calling and teasing. Stumbling slightly, Daine reached the palace grounds to see the large bird fly through an open window two floors up. She grinned and ran towards the stairs.

Upon reaching the door of her teacher's chamber, she made sure no one was around before slipping in quietly. Inside the room, Numair had already shifted back, and was barely finishing the buttons on his breeches when Daine threw herself on top of him.

Taken by surprise, both man and girl toppled backwards to fall on the carpet in an undignified heap.

Numair winced as he hit the ground, more pain from Daine's weight on his stomach than from the floor. Between laughter, he struggled to sit properly.

'Violence really just won't do Daine,' he reproached, trying to look stern. It failed miserably as blue-grey eyes, sparkling with utter innocence, gazed up at him. With a groan that was half surrender and half something else, which he definitely preferred to ignore, he snaked his arms around the girl's waist and pulled her down towards him. Pressing her close against his body, he smelt the sweet scent of her hair, lips grazing the side of her neck, her cheek and finally her mouth.

Daine trembled, her own hand running through thick, tousled hair. She felt his stomach, pressed against her own, rise and fall as he drew short, rugged breaths. Her legs, crushed against his, trembled delightedly as she felt strong hands run down her back. Gasping for air she pulled back, in time to catch the look of raw longing in his dark eyes.

She blushed then, feeling suddenly very self-conscious. Looking around, she abruptly became aware of what she looked like: lounged audaciously on top of Numair, whose not-yet-buttoned shirt creased messily under her palms.

She swallowed, pulling her hand away and struggled to sit in a more composed manner. Catching the amused look in Numair's eyes, Daine flushed and looked away.

'So I take it all this means you've missed me?' Numair asked, and he too sat up straighter. Battling personal urgency with self-control, he began smoothing his crumpled shirt.

'Not one bit,' Daine replied wickedly, laughing as Numair flicked a harmless, wisp of black fire at her. 'I've been having fun by myself.'

'I noticed,' Numair said dryly. 'That boy – Perin, does he always talk to you in that sordid manner? I have an itch to knock some courtesy into him.'

'Please don't.' Daine winced. 'Knowing you, your knock would probably kill him.' Then, remembering her conversation with the clerk in question, she added, 'besides, you'd be giving the palace even more things to talk about.'

Numair studied her face for a moment before letting out a sigh. He had tried the best he could to shield Daine from the worst of the gossips, but it seemed that a wagging tongue and a willing ear was just too powerful to beat.

'Do they bother you?' He asked.

'Not the rumours itself, no.' Daine frowned. 'Its just…fair spooky, is all. How eager they all are to talk. After all, they don't even know us that well enough to make judgments.'

Numair's smile was wry. 'And that's the attraction of it. Some people would much sooner believe in the lies than truths. No doubt, it gives them some entertainment to speculate over.'

He regarded Daine ruefully, one hand reaching to touch her cheek; Daine rubbed her face against his palm in response.

'I guess we can't conceal this much longer,' he said quietly. 'The secrecy is driving me mad. Its an uphill struggle stopping myself from doing the things I want with you in public.'

His eyes searched for hers and when they met, it was all she could do to remain upright. She had thought the giddiness would ease off if Numair looked at her often enough, but they insisted on returning with an intensity that left her trembling each time.

He brushed his fingers along her neck.

'Daine, will you – '

A loud ringing through the corridors signalled the fifth hour, cutting him in mid-speech. Daine waited for him to carry on but he shook his head.

'Never mind,' he sighed. 'I think I better go report to Jon. He'll want to hear about Pirate's Swoop.'

'Want me to come with you?' Daine offered.

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. 'I would spare you the boredom, Magelet. It won't be very interesting. Besides,' he added with a pointed nod at her, 'I would get distracted.'

'You get distracted without me just fine, Master Salmalín.'

As they stood up, Daine helped him neaten the worst of the creases on his clothes, and walked him to the door. Tiptoeing, she kissed him lightly.

'See you at supper.'

Narm's Briton 44: Thanks for the praise! I hope you will enjoy this chapter.

Lilliana-Rose: Well, at the end of VO, Numair had declared his feelings for Daine, so this being a sequel to VO means that yes, they are in a relationship. As for Numair's sin…well grins wait and see.

Wild Magelet: Numair cheat on Daine? I doubt I will have the skills to pull that one off.

Wake-Robin: Thanks! I can't get full credit to the originality though – the idea was inspired from 'Charmed'

Misk: I will try and not be too harsh on Numair and Daine.

Squirrel Maiden of Green: Yep. There will definitely be drama ahead.

Kirara 1: Its good to hear you enjoyed my other story. I hope you'll like this one too!

Dragon and the Wild Mage: I hope this was 'soon' enough for you.

Whisper: Thanks! I will try and keep my future updates as soon as possible.