I wrote this in one go and have decided to just post it, mainly because I feel guilty at neglecting this story for so long. As from next Monday, I will be starting school again and Gods knows how that's going to affect my already-too-slow update rate. I will do my best to write chapter five as soon as I can, but I won't promise anything. I'm a bit anxious about starting A-Levels.

Hope you like this chapter. Reviews and CCs will be great.

Chapter 4

On the night of Beltane, the celebrations in the Palace could be heard from miles around. After the traditional feast attended by the court, the festival continued outdoors where the palace grounds were open to the people of Corus. Needless to say, this was always an attraction impossible to resist, and the royal garden filled with people who gathered to see their King and Queen pay tribute to the Gods.

Player musicians performed atop a wooden platform that was built the day before, and a large crowd gathered beneath it to dance. All around the garden, hundreds of bonfires glowed and trembled in the darkness, casting shadows of couples leaping over them.

On a night like this, everyone was expected to dance at least once, and those who sat watching by the sides were eventually plucked away by the most determined of people for a quick twirl. Certainly, the notorious Lioness had been cajoled and bullied – mainly by the King and his certain advisor – into joining, and even the Duke of Naxen was successfully persuaded into giving a small contribution.

The only person who looked far from been 'plucked' away was Raoul of Goldenlake, who sat resolutely on the bench with his feet planted solidly on the ground. His excuse was that he needed to keep agile, in case someone gets any ideas about starting a riot. He eyed those who approached him with suspicion. It looked as if someone had tried to take him by force.

From her perch, Daine hid a grin as she looked over towards the big man. Sir Raoul's dislike for court functions were just as infamous as Alanna's, and Daine didn't think anyone could ever root him from his spot.

She watched as Gary the Younger approached Raoul to sit beside him. He said something that caused a glare and a thump from the big man. Amused, Daine strained to hear what the two men said when she felt a soft tap on her shoulder.

Perin stood behind her, his hair messy from dancing with the town girls. He held up a hand with a grin. Despite herself, Daine smiled back at her pursuer's determined face. 'Perin, I danced with you already. Twice.'

He winked. 'Third time lucky,' he began to say when something caught his eyes. A blush crept onto his cheeks and he lowered his hand. 'I-I'll come for you later,' he mumbled and quickly walked away.

Puzzled, and just a little hurt, Daine looked behind her to find the cause for Perin's quick departure.

King Jonathan and Alanna, both glowing with splendour and dressed in their finest approached the girl. A step behind them came Numair, dressed in black silk shirt and breeches, and a robe that billowed majestically behind him as he moved. He seemed to be having trouble with Kit. The dragonet was clinging onto the mage's arms so that he was forced to carry her. Her head swayed from side to side, a series of silly squeaks erupting from her slender throat.

'What's wrong with her?' Daine asked as the three adults sat down beside her.

'I believe she's drunk,' Numair replied dryly. He tried to ease the dragon from his shirt but she clung on tighter than ever and buried her nose into his arm with a happy chortle. At the look on Numair's face, Alanna roared with laughter. Jon struggled with himself, desperate to maintain an air of control and calm.

'She ruined his dance, you know,' Alanna gasped, wiping her eyes. 'He was dancing with that lady, what's her name – '

' – Amelia'

'And Kit comes waddling in. Numair here nearly stepped on her, and the lady just…screamed, when she saw a dragon clinging onto her partner's robe.' She collapsed again in laughter, this time joined by both Daine and Jon.

'But enough of that,' the King said after they calmed down. 'Why are you not dancing?' He looked at Daine with sparkling eyes until the girl blushed. 'I do believe a young man was inviting you before we came.'

'Most likely we scared him off, Your Majesty,' Numair said before his laughing eyes met Daine's.

During the whole celebration, student and teacher had not danced once; both thinking the activity would arouse too many stories. Because the festival was open to everyone, it was the first time that people from the lower quarters could have a good, close look at the noble subjects of their gossips.

'Thayet looks amazing, as usual,' Alanna remarked as the Queen laughed at something Myles of Olau said.

'Yes. She's killing my pride, that one,' Jon replied glumly, scratching his neck. 'I feel ignored standing next to her.'

'But that's a good thing,' Alanna replied with a grin, and then yawned loudly. 'All this celebrating is exhausting me. Maybe I'll – Jon, what's wrong with your neck?'

The King looked sheepish. 'Mosquito bites,' he said, rubbing his neck. 'There never used to be so many of them last year.'

'I think Kit's asleep,' Daine told Numair.

'I'll take her if you like,' Alanna offered and Numair lowered the breathing lump into her hands. 'So you'll be free for others,' the Lioness said with a wink.

Before Numair could respond, Alanna's purple eyes widened wickedly as she looked over her shoulder. 'Oh dear,' she said, her voice strained. 'Looks like Raoul isn't having a very pleasant time. Shall we go and inquire after his health, Jon?'

Grinning like two children, the King and his Champion left.

Numair and Daine stared after them in silence. Then, the mage shook his head and said, 'sometimes I wonder just how much Alanna has guessed.'

'Not too much, I don't think…' Daine rubbed her eyes and covered a yawn.

Suddenly Numair shifted and leaned close to her neck. 'You are not tired already, I hope,' he whispered, his warm breath making Daine shiver. 'Beltane is not over yet, not as far as I'm concerned.'

'Stop that,' Daine tried to say when Numair's hands snaked around her waist in an attempt to catch her. 'We're not…' she stifled a laugh, 'we're not far enough. People might see.'

She heard him sigh as he withdrew his hand. 'Well by all means let us hurry. I cannot tolerate all this excitement.'

With well-practiced stealth, the two had quietly left the crowd and headed towards the forest far, far from the celebration. It was what they wanted to do all through the festival, and it had been on Daine's mind even as she danced with others. Now, running and stumbling in the dark, Daine felt a surge of excitement pulse through her. Only when she thought they were deep enough into the forest did she slow down and turn.

Almost immediately Numair seized her into his arms. She took a step back and bumped against a tree. Hands – Numair's hands – ran along her spine and settled around her waist.

'Hmm-hmm.' She breathed into his shirt, felt the warmth of his body seep into her own. She buried her hands in his hair, causing it to become more tousled than it already was. Gently, then intently, Numair pressed himself against the girl and kissed her. His heart pounded at the feel of her body: her hands on his neck, her stomach and thighs against his.

Breathing fast, Daine felt his hand come across her array of shirt buttons. She stopped, waiting to see what he would do, and her heart missed a beat as his hand began to undo the buttons. She threw him a quizzical glance but his face was lowered into her neck. Dimly, she amused over what he was doing. She didn't think he would attempt anything serious, not after his reaction at the market two days ago, and definitely not after his many, long, suffering speeches about 'taking advantage of her innocence'.

Will if he's up to something, I'm not about to complain, Daine thought to herself. Not when things are getting so interesting.

When the first rustle of dry leaves underfoot sounded, no one paid it any attention. It was only when she heard a twig break that Daine froze.

'What's wrong?' Numair asked, his voice muffled from within her hair.

'I thought I heard something.'

'Just the wind, Magelet.' He kissed her neck, her cheeks and then her lips, his hand gently tugging away at her shirt when another snap, much closer this time, prickled Daine's senses. Quickly, she pushed Numair away.

'…Daine, I didn't hear anything.' Numair frowned, seemingly irritated by the interruption. He blinked, and then stared at her half-opened shirt. For a moment, his dark eyes were confused, as if he didn't recall being the cause for the undone buttons. He was broken from his thoughts when something snapped. This time he heard it, and immediately moved, placing himself in front of Daine.

'What do you think it is?' she asked, hastily neatening her clothes.

A pool of light formed around Numair's upturned palm and he brought it into the clearing. Daine squinted from the blaze, and then gasped when something – someone – stumbled from behind a tree.

Daine felt Numair's body tense as he summoned his Gift in case of an attack.

'I…I think he's hurt,' she whispered.

As the man staggered into the light, Daine caught her breath. Goddess, he's beautiful, she thought wonderingly.

A tumble of golden hair fell from his head, glowing from the light that settled around him. He wore nothing except the tattered cloth that wound around his waist, showing a lean chest that bore cuts and scratches of various lengths. As he looked up, moss green eyes locked into hers, and then fixed themselves upon Numair's.

The mage stiffened and took a step closer. His eyes narrowed in a frown. 'Have we met?' he asked. Daine was startled at the odd note in his voice.

Tiredly the man smiled and when he did, his entire face shone with radiance that made Daine quite unable to look away. He opened his mouth to speak, stumbled, and fell.

Both Daine and Numair hurried forward to catch him, each taking hold of one arm.

'What do we do?' Daine asked nervously.

'Take him to the Healer's Wing.' Quickly, the two helped the unconscious man towards the palace where he would be seen to by a healer.

Holding his arm, Daine couldn't help but to blush at the touch of his bare skin.

Acknowledgements

Daughter-of-faeries: I felt refreshed writing something outside the palace too.

CrAzYhOrSeGiRl88: I don't think you're wrong. winks

Kit49: Thank you. I hope you like this chapter too

Roherwen: You know, I'd have loved to see Alanna really trying to knit something.

Hehe: Evil lusty Numair? I shudder to think what my brain will turn him into, if I allowed it to

Wild Magelet: As always, thank you so much for your review. I look forward to hearing what you think of this chapter.

Goddess of the Moon and S: I'm happy to hear that my last chapter didn't make your eyes bleed too much!

Daine-Wildmage: I'm sorry this update took so long. Hope you like it

Fyliwion: I don't think I'm entitled to 'artistic lisence'. hits head Thanks for reminding me about Solom. I have a shocking memory

Queen's Own: I couldn't agree more. Thanks for reviewing.

Dragon and the Wild Mage: Well, in my poor, broken Spanish, I attempted to say, 'here is the update'! I think my Spanish teacher is going to laugh.

Whisper: Thank you! Although I really don't deserve your comment – there are way too many talented writers to live up to

I love Numair: I don't think I'll have the nerve to write R.

Narm's Briton 44: Sorry for taking so long. I really will try and be less lazy!

Simi: I agree totally about the Internet being stubborn. It wouldn't let me update once.

Fell4adeaduy: Thanks for reviewing. I hope you'll like this chapter

Lady Deathstrike: I know how you feel. If you haven't already, read Same Love, Different Circumstances by Chirugal. It's a feast for D/N fans

LeaderOfGeorgeCult: Yes, I was reading Lioness Rampant when I got to the part where Solom died. Needless to say, I thumped myself, very hard

The Green Maiden: Hopefully I didn't make you suffocate from waiting so long. I'm happy to hear that you liked VO, even happier that you like this story too