Disclaimer: the characters mentioned in my fic are sadly not mine (though I wish there were) but belong to the wonderfully talented Tamora Pierce… blah blah blah… u know it already!
A/N: Hey everyone! How r u all? Considering that I have only 2 exams left and that it's my b'day next Wednesday I thought I would be kind and upload the next chapter! Thanks again to my beta, jossie, you know I love ya! hugs you also thanks to those of you who reviewed my story. I think I'm going to be nice and mention you all! (Only because I know what comes at the end of this chapter… Evil grin!) but to find out you must read and review! So thanks…
Reviews:
Lady Arabian Knight: thanks for you review…must say that I love your story as well!
Lady of the Shadows: those questions you asked will be answered in either this chapter or the next one…so hold on just a little longer!
Daine: glad you like what I'm writing but if u think that was a cliffy… evil grin
ailpods1986: the description that I have of Daine and Numair are bits taken from the novels so it's no credit to me, but thanks anyway….
Master Loren Nightsong: it hasn't been a decade since I last wrote has it? LOL beside I have had exams…give me some credit here
SarruVenus: this is no cliffhanger, wait till u see what I have in store for you all! evil grin thanks for telling me Daine's height, can u tell me which book u found it from pls?
Lady Jilly Beanthanks for reviewing I only hope u like the next chapter…
InDeCiSiOn: thanks for you review, I reviewed your story as well so now hopefully u have more and like I said if your sis doesn't help u fix up a couple of those mistakes then come tell me and I'll fix her! LOL
Chapter2: DUNLATH
Daine knocked on the door of Jonathon's study and after hearing his voice from within admitting her she went in.
"Your Majesty," she greeted him formally with a bow.
"Daine, please take a seat otherwise protocol would dictate that I must stand and I really can't be bothered," the King smiled and indicated the seat across the desk from him. She obeyed smiling warmly at him. Daine looked the Royal over and observed that he seemed to be somewhat tired. Like his Queen, Thayet, he sported coal black hair which matched his small trim beard. His eyes were a bright sapphire blue that melted Daine's heart the moment she looked into them. 'Gods! Am I really that fickle?' she thought. She laughed at her silliness silently, hoping it wasn't true.
"How are you, Your Majesty?"
"Fine, fine…well just between me and you, I am rather tired. But that's only because I didn't sleep very well last night. But shhh…that's our little secret!" he chuckled, flashing white teeth in a broad grin.
"Of course Your Majesty!" she laughed.
"My dear, when are you going to start calling me Jon? I have told you before that you are allowed to, I gave you permission if I remember correctly. No, don't say that you couldn't possibly do that, because you-"
But the opening of the door cut off Jon. It was Numair.
"Hullo," he greeted, "can I come join you or is this a private party?"
"Yes, yes, come in Numair. Take a seat, please. You know how much it hurts my neck to look at you standing up," Jonathon said.
"Very funny. Do you know how many times he's told me that, Daine? Far too many, that's for sure!" and with that he chuckled and sat down in the chair next to Daine. "Is there anyone else who has yet to arrive for this meeting, Jon?"
"No, just us. You both want to know why I asked you here? Well, this afternoon a messenger arrived from Fief Dunlath."
"Is everything alright, Sire?" Daine inquired.
"It seems that Lady Maura is in need of some assistance. She wrote to me asking of you, Daine, wanting to know if I could spare you for a few weeks. The fish in the lake seem to be dying for some unknown reason and she was hoping that you could go and see what you could do to make the situation better."
"Sure, it would give me something to do. I don't like doing nothing at all. I need to keep busy. And it would be good to see Maura again. It has been a while since I last saw her. Not to mention the Long Lack Pack as well."
"Well, that's settled then. You both leave two days after tomorrow. I know you would rather leave as soon as possible but the ball is tomorrow night and I can't have you both not in attendance, especially since I know Thayet has made preparations for a dress for you, Daine. Isn't that right?"
"Yes," she replied, "I had fair forgotten all about that. I have the final dress fitting tomorrow and I'm quite sure that Thayet wouldn't be impressed if I missed it." Slight signs of embarrassment were visible on her now red cheeks.
Numair and Jon laughed. Sitting in silence while the two men continued to talk, she reached forward and poured herself a glass of the fruit juice that was on the desk. She was thinking about the ball that was ahead of her the following night. 'How could you almost forget?' she scolded herself. 'You silly dolt, you have been so mixed up in your own thoughts lately that you haven't realised that the week has slipped you by.' Finishing her glass she replaced it on the tray and tuned back into the conversation that was taking place before her.
"Yes, didn't Alanna tell you?" the King asked in surprise.
"No, she didn't. And I had dinner with her just hours ago. Hmm, I'll have to speak to her."
"Speak to who? Me?" inquired a familiar voice. Alanna had just walked through the door to the study with a cheeky grin fixed upon her face. "Here I am thinking that I'm going over papers with Jon and this turns out to be a party gathering. Am I interrupting something important or can I take a seat? Shall I come back later when you are finished?"
"No, I was just about to take my leave." Daine rose from her seat and offered it to Alanna. "Here, take mine. Sire, if there is nothing further?"
"No. I'll write to Lady Maura and tell her to expect you both within a couple days. I'm sure she will be happy to know that you are coming."
Daine said her goodbyes and left, making her way back towards her rooms. When she heard her name being called out from behind, she stopped and turned around to find Numair walking briskly to catch up.
"Magelet, is everything alright? When you left the mess hall after dinner earlier, I was worried that I had done something to upset you. Have I? Because if I have then-"
"No! No, you haven't done anything. I promise. I'm sorry about the way I acted earlier today. I've just got a few things on my mind that's all." She looked at him and smiled reassuringly. She felt rather sheepish now as memory returned to her behaviour.
"If you're sure then." He continued when she nodded slightly. "I wanted to ask you something, but then you left before I got the chance." He looked down at her gazing into her eyes. He seemed to be searching for something inside of them. Taking hold of her hands, Numair touched the backs of them softly with his big thumbs feeling the smoothness of Daine's skin beneath.
"Would you join me in my chambers, please? It will only take a minute." There was a soft pleading tone in his voice that Numair seemed unaware of. But she noticed immediately.
"Of course, Numair. I have nothing else to do tonight anyway."
As they continued on their way down the many hallways and corridors that lead them towards their rooms, a thought suddenly entered Daine's mind. 'I don't have a chaperone. I shouldn't be in the same room as him. What if some one comes to Numair's room and sees that we are alone, together, in there? Will they think something was going on between us? I mean, before Ma died, she did tell me what happens between a man and a woman. Do I want that to happen with Numair? Am I ready for this? But I'm not even sure of how I feel about him. He's so sweet and I know he loves me, he said so himself. But it still doesn't change the fact that I don't have a chaperone. And when we were representatives for peace talks with the Emperor Mage, Alanna had said that I shouldn't be un-chaperoned.' They had reached Numair's set of rooms. He unlocked the magical lock and held the door open for her to walk through first. As she did, a little voice in her head told her 'You aren't in Carthak now, besides it looks as though he's treating you like a lady!' Daine smiled at herself. 'That isn't so bad, is it?'
She stood there transfixed on how messy the room was. They were in Numair's study that, currently, every inch was covered with some sort of paper, book or scroll. It seemed that Numair had been busy trying to re-arrange the room to better suit his needs. Numair looked at Daine and saw that she was unable to sit anywhere.
"Forgive me, magelet, where are my manners?"
He moved a small pile of parchment from one of the armchairs in the room and placed it on his desk. As he did the same to the other chair for himself, Numair saw that Daine made herself at home by seating herself in the leather armchair that was her favourite. It was old and surprisingly comfortable with its high back allowing for her head to rest against it. She sat and smiled at Numair, waiting for him to say whatever it was that was on his mind. She didn't know that he was watching her and felt herself blush shyly.
"Daine, sweetling, I've been wanting to ask you something."
A/N: so there's the 2nd chapter, hope you liked it. I know it's still going to be a bit fluffy but I'm just trying to move the plot along, don't you love my cliffhanger? Evil grin I'm naughty I know! Please read and review if you want know what happens next!
