A/N: Whoop! This is the first of my Christmas updates –dresses up in elf suit and hands out candy canes- the centered italics is a flashback just so you know. Oh, and the books are vague on whether or not it was the next day, or later that day that Daine and Numair set out again, so for my purposes I'm making it the next day.
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Daine woke up the next day feeling a bit stiff, but otherwise none the worse for her experience. She felt like she's slept on rocks and looked down to realize she had. Goldstreak slithered up in front of her vision. "Time get up!" He squeaked.
"I'm up" she assured him while climbing out of her bed role. She saw Numair doing the same. Suddenly she fought to keep a blush from creeping up her cheeks. She remembered the day before all too vividly.
Hot sweetness raced from his lips through her body, making her tingle, making her breath come short in her tired lungs, making her knees watery. Powerful awareness of all the places their bodies touched- from his palms on her back to her breasts, belly, and thighs crushed against his-made the blood pound in her veins.
Yes, she remembered. She also recalled their talk afterwards. Confusion began to cloud her mind. Their resolution had been so vague. She wished they had something more definite to stand on. For the fist time in a long time she felt awkward around her teacher. She hated that, and more than anything she wanted to know exactly where they stood.
Numair glanced up at her. He was attempting to prepare some porridge for their breakfast. She smiled when she saw that he too suddenly looked uncomfortable. At least I'm not the only one. As he finished the cooking Daine slipped aside to change into fresh clothes. She slid the shirt that Numair had cut down for her over her head. As she did it Numair's scent surrounded her, bring back memories of being curled up in his arms with the sound of his heart beating beneath her. A part of her secretly wanted to feel that again. The sound of Numair getting out their bowls and spoons startled her out of her fantasy.
He ladled out a bowl for her and she reached over to take it. During the exchange their hands brushed one another. A blush crept through Numair's tan and he averted his eyes. Daine's heart began to race and a now familiar feeling fluttered in her stomach. She jerked her hand so fast she almost spilt porridge onto her hands. Without a word they retreated into their separate spaces to eat in silence. Maybe I was wrong. I thought this should wait until we got back, but now I'm just not sure.
The sun was already rising, they had to get onto the road before it got too hot. She reached for her magic and found that it was strong.
"Uh, Daine." Numair's voice made her jump. "Sorry-" He began, still sounding awkward. "-I thought that maybe you could fly over to find the path."
She nodded, still amazed by the awkward affect his voice was having on her. She shifted into a hawk and flew up to find their way.
She flew over the river that she had landed in the day before. Her keen eyesight found the remains of the Spidrens Numair and the darkings had fought. She soared over the tangle of trees growing from the ledge of the cliff. With a wince she remembered her painful fall and thanked the goddess that she had survived. For some reason that thought amused her. The discussion with Numair about praying in the Realm of the Gods played over in her mind. He had taken on the familiar expression of being so lost in scholarly thought that he could have been having the conversation with Zek. Lucky I didn't fall off a cliff then. She thought wryly. He might not have noticed.
The path unfolded before her eyes. It took her a moment to recognize it without the presence of the grey rocks that had attacked Numair. The path did indeed run parallel to the river so they need only follow the current to be back on their way.
Daine coasted through a turn to land beneath the tree where her clothes waited. As she pulled them back on she refused to let her mind wander on Numair. If they were going to wait to talk about this then the less she thought about it the better. Numair was half way through packing up camp. He looked up when she approached. "Did you find it?" he asked her.
"Yes, it runs parallel, just like we thought."
He nodded. "We need to get going then." She reached over to the cooking supplies that he was putting away. They both reached to put a spoon away and once again their hands touched one another. Both of them recoiled like startled animals. Numair cleared his throat. "Um Daine. When you said "carry on as we were"- I mean- We could— "
She felt sorry for him. He looked so awkward. His eyes never met hers throughout his broken speech. She didn't know what compelled her to be so brash, but she leaned over and brushed her lips against his cheek.
He froze at the sudden contact with her, his rambling was suddenly far from his mind.
"I guess we don't have to carry on exactly as we were." She whispered with her lips still so very close to his face, too close for self control.
"Uh huh." He mumbled as he drew her to him. She was shocked at how a man of his size could hold her like she was made of glass. His lips softly brushed hers, but it was enough to bring back every sensation from the day before. He pulled her a little tighter, though still kept his feather light grip. She melted against him, welcoming him to deepen the kiss, but he didn't. He kept her there, tempting her, driving her mad with desire for him.
He withdrew his mouth, but kept his face close. He brushed his lips along her jaw. "I love you." He whispered. His words as much as the feeling of his breath against her neck made her shiver.
"I love you too." She whispered back. She felt him smile against her skin. She let her fingers weave into his yet-to-be-tied hair. For a while they stayed like that, just content to be in each others arms.
"We really should get going." Numair couldn't hide the regret from his voice. Still, Daine felt much better now that she knew where they stood. They managed to pack up the rest of camp without any interruptions, which took a great deal of self control on each of their behalves.
They set off down the path side by side. There was no need to travel single file down the broad river path. They passed a section where the roots of trees that grew out of the water stretched above the current. Numair's eyes darkened with unspoken emotion. Daine knew what he was thinking. If she had fallen here, where the river was so shallow, she would have died.
She thought about the pain she felt in Carthak when she thought he had died. She knew now that pain would be much worse. Now that she realized how much he meant to her and her to him. She couldn't fathom how much her death would hurt him. With shocking realization she knew that even without the binds of marriage this love had trapped them. It had made them dependent on each other, for joy, comfort, peace. Her life was incomplete without him and she knew he felt the same. She wasn't sure how she knew, she just did and she also didn't know how she felt about that.
"What are you thinking Magelet?" He broke her concentration, his warm eyes calling her to confide in him. When she hesitated to answer he asked. "Thinking about me?" Now his eyes were twinkling with mischief.
"My life doesn't revolve around you Numair Salmalin!" She teased.
"Well, I confess to disappointment." He replied in a longsuffering voice.
She laughed and he snaked an arm around her waist. She dodged him and he chased after her. Laughing as he caught her and pulled her too him. "You will pay for that Magelet."
"Oh I hope so." She retorted with a malicious glint in her eyes. Desire broke her voice, as he drew her against him. He stole her lips in a firm fast kiss. He continued this until all she could do was gasp against him.
"Are you sorry?" He asked. His short breath also made the words come out broken.
"No, but I do feel thoroughly punished." He grinned and this time when he placed an arm around her waist she didn't argue. They walked along like that. Like two lovesick teenagers. Which, Daine thought I am.
The stench of Stormwing suddenly reached her nose. Numair removed his arm from her waist and placed a finger on his lips. She nodded as they crept closer to the winged villains.
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A/N: there you have it. I've decided that this will be a trilogy. –runs to sign Hugo Weaving- okay so that's an inside joke. Next chappie from Numys pov. Kudos!
Replies
Heather-marie: glad you liked it. Yep, I didn't have the book with me for the first chapter.
Alex: Sorry, but no one can love Numair more than me. Muahahaha, -snogs Numy- Yes, that part of Surrender was brilliant work on Tamy's behalf. But I still saw him first.
Legolasismylife: well, I was going to leave it at that, but since you asked I will continue.
Bookeater: well thank you. Witty? How lovely
Kit 49: yes, I've read it 3 times. I too love a good story from Numys pov. I like writing from there too gives me good material.
Wild Magelet: thank you for the compliment. Numair's thoughts are fun to write. Yes, "Numair is too old for Daine" people have problems. Oh and….you must update both your fics. I'm hooked
Fyliwion: thanks so much. I know this was going to be a stand alone but now I've expanded it. I hope you still like that. And yes, falling is a wonderful stroke of Tamora Pierce genius.
QueenofConnaught: I'm sure this already answered your question, but yes, I am going to write more. Thanks and I hope you keep reading (and reviewing)
Eunae: yep, I went back and compared chapter 1 to the book and I wasn't off by much. I'll update TB soon….maybe…
Tortalls Resident Wildchild: Hey look, I finished! –throws confetti- now you must write that Christmas oneshot! I command you
Warrior of Tortall: well, you got your wish I'm writing more.
Bridget: thanks for the inspiration. I hope this chapter also helps to fill in some of the blanks.
Narms Britton 44: its funny, the biding in my copy of ROTG is broken at that scene, I read it so much. Thanks for the review
ChildlikeEmpress: thanks, I hope I keep filling in those gaps
Erlina Silverstra: yep, DN fics are the best. Thanks for making this a fav
GirlFromtheShadows: thanks, "perfectly Numair" was my aim
Padfootz: candy goes out to you for being the only one who said I made you laugh. That was my goal in some parts.
Ally2185: -sigh- once again you have betaed a chappie for me. The next one though. I hope you like it. Thanks for reviewing
Wow, 18 reviews for one fic. I feel so loved