Him

By Cora Indigo

A/N: Sorry for the delay in updates, but I have been busy writing my own novel. I just realized that it's been over a year since I've updated! Additionally, I apologize if the tone of this chapter is different than the first. Over the past year, I have grown, changed, and (hopefully) matured as a writer. I thank you for your consideration in this matter.

"Numair…" Daine whispered the word, savoring its sweet, tender taste, its smooth, flowing feel. She hadn't realized the word had left her lips until she felt the great dark presence beside her shift in answer.

"Mmmm?" His voice, a soft rumble in his chest, made the hairs on the back of her arms stand up. She would do anything to hear him speak, no matter how uninteresting the subject matter happened to be. But tonight, however, Daine had no plans to ask boring questions.

"Tell me about your closest friend." The question was stupid, Daine knew, and Numair would probably see right through it. He would peer into the darkest recesses of her soul, and he would see, with perfect clarity, the question she was longing for him to answer. Do you love me?

"My closest friend? Magelet, what has gotten into you tonight?" Numair pulled away from their semi-inappropriate embrace and scrutinized her carefully. "But if you insist…"

"I do." Daine sincerely wished she was replying with those same words to a different question. Marriage had not yet occurred to her, and yet it sounded…warm, and nice. Deep down, however, Daine knew that Numair wasn't the type to settle down with a girl like her. He would want someone else after awhile, someone blonde, mature, buxom…Varice.

"My closest friend is a very talented mage. She is a gifted healer with a bit of a temper, however--"

Daine interrupted. "Alanna." She breathed, wondering at the disappointment that threatened to flood her. Honestly, what had she been expecting? Had she really thought that Numair considered her his closest friend?

"No. You didn't let me finish," Numair stated, amused. "Alanna is one of my dearest friends, but my very closest friend is a good deal more foolhardy and stubborn. And a bit younger, too. She is the most beautiful woman in all of Corus, with a bit of a knack with animals." Numair finished of his speech with an elegant bow, contorted as he was in a sitting position.

"Numair, I was being serious. Besides, I am not the most beautiful girl in Corus." Numair muttered something. "Pardon?"

"Nothing, magelet, nothing." He paused, dark eyebrows furrowed. "Daine, has Perin kissed you?" Seeing the look on her face, Numair quickly amended his question. "I mean, I know it's none of my business, but… I do worry about you. Students are hard to find these days."

Daine smiled at his obvious concern, and sighed. Perin had kissed her, and it was nice, but she had imagined it was Numair who had brought his face so close to her own..."He's kissed, me, yes."

"And did you like it?" Daine wasn't listening. She watched his full mouth form his words around straight white teeth.

She was beyond crazy. She was in love.