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! So you're back again! Can't keep away, right? Lol…yeah well I guess I did kinda leave you all in a bit of a cliffy there…ah ehehehehehe…looks away and tries to play innocent the famous words of Bart Simpson come to mind: "I didn't do it!" ok here are the thankyou's to those who reviewed. More after the chapter…
Reviews:
Jossie:hm, well as always I am forever in your debt, love you always! hugs I'll tell you all about schoolies later and I have a pressie for you! But 2 questions: 1. Has Adrienne finished with destiny of the light? 2. Have you finished with darkfall? Come on I want to read them! Lol
StarFire I can tell you now that there is a lot more fluff where that came from! LOL I dunno what Numair wants, you'll have to wait and find out wink wink
Tortall girl: "this is really good" you really think so? Man I hope so!
Merry of Masbolle ok now you really have to tell me that chapter was better than the first…
Lady Jilly Bean thanks for the encouragement, I need it… lol but that's only because I'm a little stuck, but don't worry my beta is helping me out. What would I do without her?
Karigan sorry to disappoint you but, Numair isn't… wait, wat am I doing? Just go read the story…
Claryissa: "if he's going to ask her to marry him, shouldn't he do it at the-" what? At the what? Come on you can't just leave it there…!
CHAPTER 3: SWEET KISSES
Numair came over from his desk and stood in front of Daine. She looked up at him as she sat up straight, her face calm and expressionless.
"You want to ask me something?" her voice shook as she repeated Numair's words. Daine's voice was a dead give away as to her feelings.
"Yes. Well, umm…" he paused in thought and continued. "Tomorrow night is the ball, as you know, and I wanted to know if I could escort you to it." Numair stopped as he heard a little sigh coming from her then quickly added, "I mean, I would completely understand if you say no as you had already been asked by someone else, but I was just wondering…" he trailed off and his eyes met the floor.
Daine stood up from the armchair. Stretching out her hand she caressed his cheek with her fingertips. Numair looked at her in surprise and meet her blue-grey eyes. Her smile softened and warmed his heart.
"Numair, I would be delighted if you would escort me to the ball tomorrow night."
A smile spread across Numair's face making Daine's heart skip a beat. He lifted her up into his arms and placed his lips firmly on hers. The kiss was wonderful. Daine had never felt so happy before. She allowed Numair to passionately kiss her like he so wanted to many more times before. His tongue explored her mouth as the kiss deepened and she wrapped her arms around his neck drawing her fingers through his hair. She was lucky that his strong muscular arms were holding on to her tightly as she would not know how she could manage to stand if he did not. The kiss ended as the two gasped for air. Daine blushed slightly as Numair grinned uncontrollably and set her feet back on the floor, only to have him kiss her all over again. She started to giggle when she felt his warm breath tickled against her neck, just under her earlobe.
"Numair…" she whispered, trying to control her giggle.
"Hmmm…"
"I think, I think you should stop. Not that I want you to, but I think you should stop."
His lips kissed her earlobe one last time before he turned to look at her.
"You, my dear, you are right. I must control myself. But one last time won't hurt, will it?"
He did not wait for her answer but placed his lips on hers and kissed her softly and sweetly allowing his tongue to tease her mouth only a little. Daine withdrew her lips and stared at him. His eyes twinkled with delight and once again a smile spread across his mouth. She looked into his eyes and saw that for the first time, she really knew how much he loved and cared for her. She could see the happiness that she was bringing this man. 'I think I'm in love' The thought scared Daine. She broke away from his hold and sat back down. She started to tremble as she went over her last thought. 'I think I'm in love… I'm in love… Me! In love! Who would have thought? What will people think? Will they disapprove of us? Because of the age difference? Does Numair think of this? What happens when he's sees that I'm just a girl? What happens when the day arrives and he sees me as immature, or the day when he wants a real woman? A court lady of his own age?'
Daine's thoughts were interrupted as gentle fingers traced the features of her face. She glanced up to find that Numair had bobbed down in front of her. Even crouching down his face was still level with hers despite the difference in height.
"Sweet…?"He paused briefly. "You should go. I don't know how much longer I'm going to be able to control myself around you! Besides, Alanna's probably waiting for you. Remember? You asked her to come when she was finished going over those papers with Jon."
Daine nodded and rose to her feet. Numair took her hand in his and walked with her to the door. He opened it and said "So, I guess I shall see you tomorrow. I'll come and get you in time for the ball tomorrow evening. Is that alright with you?"
"Yes."
She turned to leave and realised that he still held her hand. He tightened his grip and placed his free hand around her waist pulling her in close. She allowed herself to be kissed by his soft lips and inhaled fresh air once they had parted.
"Good night, my love."
He whispered the words as he stood there and watched her leave.
Daine walked away from Numair's rooms and turned the corner. She stopped, closing her eyes and leant against the wall. Taking a deep breath she asked herself 'What just happened?' A voice from within gave her the reply: 'You finally admitted to yourself that you're in love, with Numair!' She opened her eyes as a grin spread rapidly across her face.
"That's what I thought happened."
Continuing along the corridor towards her room, she saw a familiar stocky figure starting to walk away from her.
"Alanna, wait," Daine called out.
The copper haired Lioness turned around and saw Daine coming towards her.
"Daine! There you are. I was beginning to worry. I've been standing here for half an hour and… you have the biggest smile on your face! Are you ok?"
Blushing slightly Daine admitted Alanna to her room.
"I'm sorry I'm late, I was with Numair and…" her blush deepened and she hoped that Alanna wouldn't see it. But it was too late. Alanna had already seen.
"There's something you're not telling me, Daine. Has something happened with Numair?" The knight's face and amethyst eyes revealed nothing of what she thought had happened with Numair.
Daine avoided the question as she indicated to the armchairs surrounding the fireplace and closed the door behind them. Alanna took one while she occupied the other.
She took a deep breathe before beginning. "Well, that's why I asked if I could talk with you. Would you…" she paused for a moment and continued, "would you mind warding the room. I know Numair wouldn't listen in on us, but I'd like to keep this as private as possible."
"Sure." Alanna opened her hand palm up and sent out her purple magic. It flowed to every inch of the room, including the corners and windows. It shimmered and vanished once the spell was in place.
"Thanks. I don't I know where to begin."
"Maybe you should start from the beginning. That always helps," Alanna offered. She smiled her encouragement as Daine began to speak.
A/N: well there you have it – chapter 3! What did you think of it? No no no, don't think it, write it…there, see that review button, click that and THEN tell me what you thought. Thanks! J Oh, btw, if any of you want to give me some ideas bout how I should/can write what's happening in Dunlath I would greatly appreciate it. I know I said in the second chapter that there is some problem with the fish dying in the lake but I can't figure out HOW they die. Send all ideas to me by email: Thanks! J
