A/N: Ok, chapter four. We are back to Daine pov with a splash of Numair, just because I can't resist. Sorry this update took longer, but between a mad history professor and horse shows, I'm short on free time.

Disclaimer: If it looks like Tamora Pierce's and it sounds like Tamora Pierce's, then it is Tamora Pierce's. Not mine!

A/N 2: This chapter is dedicated to Ally2185 for inspiring the "garden scene" Thanks to all who responded to my DP needs. For those of you who said a stable scene, well I already had that one written. Hope you like it. Warning: my editor is on vacation and I didn't take much time to proofread this, so expect typos. You have been warned. Also my computer keeps putting these funny lines in. sorry if they show up, I'm trying to fix it.

Chapter 4 Lessons

Daine walked into the dining hall, glad to start another normal day at home. She was surprised to spot Numair already at the table. He never gets here before me. He also looked like he had not slept much.

"Hi, Daine." He acknowledged her without looking up.

"Hi Daine? What's distracting him

"Numair are you all right?"

"Hmm... Oh, I'm fine Magelet. Just a little tired."

She did not fail to notice how his eyes never met hers. I wonder what could be bothering him? At that moment Buri approached her.

"Daine, Onua said that she needs you in the stables as soon as you can get there."

Daine looked regretfully down at her half eaten breakfast. "Tell her I'll be there in a moment." She rose and left without bidding good-bye to Numair. It's not like he would hear me anyway. She glanced over her shoulder and saw him staring at a muffin as if it were telling him that his mother died. Shaking her head she headed to the stables.

Eager horses stretched their heads over the door, calling her name, and begging for attention. Plant eaters? A timid Zek asked from her shoulder. Yes, plant eaters. She stopped at the stall of the blue roan mare. You are back! The mare called excitedly.

How are you doing? She asked.

Much better, The others mares are letting me be since you talked to them.

I'm glad. She rubbed the mare's forehead to sooth an itch, before going to find Onua. She found her outside one of the former sick horse's stalls.

"Daine, can you run checks on all the horse's you healed yesterday? and if they are well they could use some turnout time."

Daine nodded and began the job. An hour latter she stood outside of one of the palace's large pastures, watching the herd run past. Nothing had spooked them; they were running for the shear feeling of the wind in their manes and the ground floating beneath them. She allowed her mind to go with them, clinging to the fiery copper ball, surrounded by Numair's white magic that kept her in her own shape. She hardly noticed the boy that was running over to her. When she looked up he stopped a few feet in front of her.

"Good-day, lady." The boy greeted her. "I don't know if you remember me."

"Of course I do." She replied. "It was Perin, right?"

"It is, and I am blessed to have such a beautiful woman remember my name."

Daine felt herself blush. As men went Perin wasn't unattractive. He was not too tall. But what is tall when I spend my time with Numair. He wore his light brown hair in the short style of most men in Tortal, and his green eyes were shining at her from under thick brown lashes. Suddenly he seemed to remember something. He held up a sealed letter.

"I was told to deliver this letter to Duke Gareth. I should be going. I just couldn't resist taking a moment to speak with you fair lady." He gave her an over-exaggerated bow, before turning to run to the palace. He stopped in mid stride and faced her. "May I see you this evening?" he yelled back to her.

"Alright!' She called back. He grinned and turned to continue his run.

Later that evening Daine walked though the palace halls, thinking of dropping by the rider's quarters to visit her friends Evin and Miri while they were staying in Corus. A now familiar face appeared around the corner. "Lady Daine." Perin exclaimed. I was just looking for you. Would you care for a walk in the gardens? It's such a lovely night."

"Okay and it is Daine, not Lady Daine. I'm no Lady."

"I beg to differ, but I can tell that arguing with you gets a man nowhere."

She could think of no response to that, so she just simply smiled and took the arm he held out to her.

He led her to the gardens. It was a beautiful night out. The fragrance of the palace flowers surrounded them, and the moon shone bright and full in the clear night sky. "Its beautiful." She said, meaning the sky.

Perin turned his eyes from the sky to Daine. "Not even that could match your beauty Daine."

Daine sincerely hoped that the twilight hid the red she felt creeping up her cheeks. You know that's a lie. A voice in her mind scolded. But it was nice...

Numair Salmalin sat beneath a tree in the palace gardens. He had been meditating, but no matter how hard he tried to clear his mind, one voice could always break though his calm. He looked up to locate the source of that voice. He spotted the object of his affections standing on one of the garden paths. He was shocked and disappointed to see that Daine was not alone. Who is that? What is he doing with Daine? A small bird was resting on Daine's finger. She seemed to be translating a conversation for her friend's benefit. The boy, however, was too busy staring at Daine to hear a word she spoke. I know that look. He though bitterly. Mithros knows I've looked that way before. I hope Daine knows what she's getting into. I hope that boy knows who he will answer to if he tries anything with her. Numair continued to survey the scene. He saw the boy lean in and say something to Daine. Even in the darkness he could see her blush. Then the boy put an arm around her waist and kissed Daine.

Numair was not prepared for the blow this did to him. He had never felt so lost. Alanna is right. I'm doomed to spend my life watching someone else capture her love. Pain stabbed his heart as he pictured Daine's wedding with someone like whoever this boy was, Daine spending the rest of her life at someone else's side. The idea brought him pain beyond belief. But there is nothing you can do about it. His inner voice reminded. Except to tell her. A nagging part of his mind that sounded uncannily like Alanna, countered. But I can't. A stronger voice persisted. And I certainly don't need to watch this. He turned to see if the couple was looking in his direction, and saw that their mouths seemed to have found each other again. He ignored the pain in his heart and made his way towards his tower. You have more important things to do than spy on her anyway. Upon entering his tower he drew a small box from his drawer and sat down.

"Perin..." Daine's voice was reduced to a gasp.

"Yes?" he asked

"Nothing, Its just that when you asked me on a walk this was not quite what I was expecting."

"I'm sorry." He didn't look it.

"Don't be." She smiled at him. "I'm pleasantly surprised."

He walked her to her room, and gently kissed her fingers. "I hope this was not the last evening we shall spend together."

"It won't be." She closed the door to her room and leaned against it. Horse Lords, what just happened? She remembered that she had planned to speak with Numair that night. Once again she opened her door to head for his tower.

"Numair," she whispered after knocking lightly. If he was awake he would hear her. If not then she needn't worry about waking him. She heard the sound of books being shoved onto a shelf and a draw being opened and closed. What's he up to? Numair finally came to the door.

"Magelet, what are you doing here?" He was surprised to see her, especially alone. Maybe she got rid of whoever that good-for-nothing kid was. His mind thought viciously.

"You said you wanted to speak with me about my lessons." She reminded.

"Oh yeah..." Things that happened before his little chat with Alanna seemed like distant memories. "About them, Daine I'm not sure if you need to continue receiving lessons from me. I've reached the extent of my knowledge of Wild Magic." He reluctantly admitted. "Unless something new comes up with the badger, I don't see you really needing me."

Daine observed him for moment. "That's ridiculous Numair. Of course I need you! Just because I understand my magic does not mean that there aren't other things for me to learn. I like my lessons, and I want you to continue teaching me."

Numair sighed. "Alright, if that is what you want."

"It is. Unless..." A realization came to her.

"Unless what magelet?" he asked softly.

"Unless you don't want to give me lessons anymore, in that case I'm sure that Lindhall or someone would take me on..." she began babbling, her voice growing smaller.

"Daine. Daine, stop. Of course I want to be your teacher. I wanted to be sure that you wanted to continue."

"Oh, well then I do want to continue."

"Good." He smiled at her. "Now get some sleep Magelet."

The next morning Perin bid her to sit beside him at breakfast. She cast Numair an apologetic glance, but once again he didn't even seem to notice her presence.

Occasionally during her days she would see Perin in the palace halls, and occasionally, if circumstances permitted, he would draw her aside for a kiss. She didn't mind spending time with him, or kissing him, for that matter, but when she did she felt nothing special. She always thought that love looked wondrous, like being in a completely blissful world, where nothing could bring you down, and more than anything you wanted to be with the person who you shared those feelings with. But Perin doesn't make me feel like that. Daine thought. Still, perhaps these things take time.

Be sure to get that bur out of my forelock. Cloud bossed.

Daine obeyed, and as payment received a small puncture in her finger from the bur

I have to check on the healing horses, Cloud. I'll come by in the morning.

See that you do. The mare replied

Daine walked over to each healed horse. They all told her that they were feeling much better. When she was content with their health she turned to leave the barn, thinking of paying Numair a visit.

Daine paused to observe a stall that had been prepared for a new horse. She went in to checked the straw, water and hay.

"Daine!" a familiar voice called

"I'm in here Perin" She responded. Perin's face appeared around the corner.

"I'm glad I found you. I've been looking for you all day."

"Oh" she asked casually "Why is that?"

"I wanted to give you something."

"What's that?" she asked

"This..." he placed his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. At the same time his lips slid over hers. She relaxed into his arms allowing the kiss to continue. They pulled back for air, and then he kissed her again. This time it was deeper. Too deep in Daine's opinion. She hardly felt his fingers undo her belt, but she noticed them when they slipped around the skin of her waist, and down to her breeches.

"Perin!" she tried to pull away

He held on tight to her, refusing to let her pull away.

"What Daine" he looked at her curiously. "I thought you would want this."

"Well I don't. Perin!..." he began to kiss her neck "...Perin stop!" he continued as if he hadn't heard her. He was pressing her body against the stall wall, and no matter how she struggled she couldn't move.

"Perin please stop!" she couldn't hide the desperation in her voice.

"Daine, just relax." Perin insisted

"I believe the lady said 'stop.'" A cool but firm voice said from the stall doorway.

Perin successfully managed to jump four feet backwards in one bound. "Maa...Master Salmalin." Perin's voice was shaky. Daine dared to sneak a look at her teacher, and with one glance she understood Perin's fear.

She had never seen Numair so angry. His usual height of six and a half feet was dwarfed by his appearance now. His black and white magic crackled with angry energy around his frame. Even though his voice sounded cool, Daine knew him well enough to hear fury in it.

"If I catch you behaving that way toward Daine or any other woman, I can assure you that you will not walk away unscathed again. Now I suggest you get out of here, before I reconsider the physical condition that you leave in!" He ordered. Daine shivered at the steel in his voice.

Perin did not need to be told twice, but just to prove his point Numair sent a small jet of fire at Perin's feet. Perin shot out of the stall as fast as he had leapt away from Daine.

Daine still had her back against the stall wall. It took her a moment to realize that she was holding her breath, and when she let it out her breath came in short gasps. After a moment, or an eternity she stole a glance at Numair. The magical fire had sank back into his body, and the furious expression on his face was replaced by a furrowed brow. Worry was etched across his features as he stared at her.

"Daine... are you alright?" She looked into his eyes, eyes that were so filled with worry for her and took two large steps into his arms. Her face was nuzzled in the crook of his neck; his arms lifted her body against his. The scent of his body surrounded her, she could feel the blood pumping though his veins, and his soft breath in her hair. She was overcome with emotion for the man who could make her feel so safe and protected. She felt tears gather in her eyes. As he set her down she wiped them away.

"He didn't hurt you did he Magelet?" Numair's eyes searched hers.

"No," she replied shyly "You caught the worst of it." It was slightly embarrassing to have Numair witness that.

"I meant what I said, Daine. If he or anyone else tries to treat you like that you will tell me, right?"

"I will, Numair." On impulse she stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Thank you. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't showed up."

"I'm glad I was here. I think Stefan is lucky that there is not a nice new tree growing in his stables." They both managed to cling to seriousness for a second before bursting into laughter.

"I was actually going to look for you."

"For me?"

"Yes, it's a clear night, and I was thinking that I could get an astronomy lesson."

He stopped and looked up at the stars. It was a clear night.

"Alright, we can do that."

The walked in silence up to his tower, but in front of the door Numair hesitated.

"What?" His behavior perplexed Daine.

"It's just that..." paused suddenly looking uncomfortable. "I just feel like some of what happened tonight was my fault."

"What is Mithros name are you rambling about?"

"I mean, Daine, you are not a little girl anymore. You really are a young woman and you coming up here and spending time alone with me in my room....People talk Daine."

"What is it to us if people want to talk!" He's being ridiculous. "Our friends know what goes on in here, and as long as they trust us what does it matter."

"It matters to some people. I don't want anyone to think wrongly of you Daine, because of me."

"What happened tonight would have happened even if Tkaa was my teacher, Numair. We can't stop talk, and I did promise to tell if anything like what went on in that stall happens again." She knew from his expression she had won this fight.

"Alright Magelet." Daine walked through the now opened door and into his room. As usual the room was scattered with books, shirts, and rolls of parchment. He really needs a woman in his life. A vision of Varice cleaning the room put a bad taste in her mouth. Then again, he manages just fine. She walked over to the palate on Numair's floor that he used for meditating and observing the stars. Numair sat beside her and they lay down to view the stars from Numair's large glass windows. She recalled teaching birds near the palace to avoid flying into those windows.

Numair began to explain about what they were seeing, and the stories that went along with each constellation. Daine realized that she was still a little shook-up from her confrontation with Perin. Numair's voice soothed her frazzled nerves, and for a moment she felt complete peace lying beside him and listening to his continuous explanations. After a while she no longer heard Numair. She felt a soothing cloud of sleep wash over her. Her head turned to rest on Numair's shoulder.

Numair stopped in mid-sentence. "Magelet?" he whispered. He turned his head and felt her hair against his nose. A soft scent from her hair that he had never noticed overcame him. For a moment he closed his eyes and listened to her steady deep breathing. He had felt her trembling earlier, now that had been replaced. He realized that he was beginning to fall asleep as well, and forced his eyes open. He nudged Daine until she opened hers. "Come on Magelet," He rose and extended his hand, "I'll walk you to your room."

A/N: Ok, I actually felt rather good about this chapter. How about you??? Here's how to answer that question.... REVIEW!!! I didn't get as many reviews last chapter and that is disappointing. Please tell me what you think, even if you think it sucks.

Thanks go out to...

Ally2185: Again, thanks for the suggestion. Hope you like what I did with it

Um: lol, yeah as amusing as that suggestion would have been, it just didn't fit. Lol.

Dragon and the Wild Mage: thanks for always being so positive. I look forward to your reviews.

Megster: another reviewer who foresaw my stable scene. Guess I'm not as original as I hoped.

Kit49: I agree, DN all the way! You need to update your EM fic. I love it!

Sayadaine: glad you like my fic! Sorry this update took a while

Bojanglesbiscuit: thanks for the review, glad you like my "original work"! Yes It was a typo. Sadly my editor has not read TP so she can't help me spot name problems. I do like to think that I know these books pretty well.

Your name here! Just review! Come on... you know you wanna!