Disclaimer: The unrecognizable characters and plot belong to me, but the known characters belong to the talented Tamora Pierce. I'm just borrowing them for a little while! Hehehe….
A/N: New character! The maid is my creation her name is Claire. The maid's unimportant but I had to give her a name, can't keep calling her "the maid" now can I? I quoted from one of the books; maybe someone can tell me what the quote is? Thank you to those who reviewed I really appreciate it! thanks for your many reviews, never knew someone could review so many time in a small space of time! Hope this next chapter makes you a little happier, but I'm sad to say that the next chapter may take as long as this one did to be uploaded. So sorry! But I'll try my best. I can't say what and if something else happens with Eden so I guess you'll have to be patient and wait. My lips are sealed! Enjoy!
Jossie: thanks for the review…though you already knew what was happening! Hurry up and proof read the next chapter, well maybe not as I'm still half way through chapter 9!
Vulpes Lapis I like your idea…maybe, just maybe you might find it in here somewhere down the track, but just maybe…please read and review!
Dracos Myth: thanks for the review, please read and review
Lioness-07863: why does Eden care? Hmm, good question but you need to read on to fine out the answer!
Chapter 7: THE BALL
Daine was soaking in her bath when she heard the door to her rooms open and close. She sat up quickly and was about to investigate when a maid stopped her.
"M'lady," she said bobbing in a curtsey. "I'm Claire. What'll be th'matter?"
"I heard the door open. Was that you?" Daine asked the maid. Claire looked to be not much older than her, probably only twenty, maybe even twenty-two. She had a tumble of blonde curls like Daine's that was tied back from her face and her hazel blue eyes shimmered in mischief.
"Yes'm. I was asked to assist m'lady in preparation for the ball this ev'ning. When I got 'ere, Mistress Clara gave me instructions for ye gown, m'lady. Told me ta, to, make sure that none of the crystals fall off. And that if they did then to sew them back on. O my! Listen to me. 'Ere I am chattering away while ye be in the tub!" She curtsied and left saying, "When ye be finished in there, call me."
Daine smiled at the maid and mumbled her thanks. She wasn't used to being waited on by servants. At least she isn't a slave. Daine thought to herself. She lay back down in the tub and closed her eyes. She was going to stay in here as long as possible. This meant that as soon as she felt the water go cold, she was done!
"M'lady! Are ye still in there? Goddess help me! Ye'll catch cold!" she tapped Daine on the shoulder and gave the female a warm towel to dry herself with as she climbed out of her now cold bath. Daine couldn't believe how quickly the time had passed. She thought she was just settling down, closing her eyes to soak when she was being told to get out. Oh well. Daine thought to herself. She wrapped the towel around her body and walked over to stand behind the screen.
"While ye were nappin', m'lady, I took the liberty to hang up ye gown behind the screen and I brung out new under garments for ye." Claire told Daine.
Daine listened to her talk while she got dressed. She spoke the language in which was common down in the lower parts of the city. Her tongue seemed to curl its way around each word pronouncing it differently than what Daine had been taught. Daine stepped out from behind the screen asking for Claire to tie up the laces at the back, only to have her stand there staring at her.
"What is it?" Daine asked hurriedly. "Is there something wrong with the dress?"
"No m'lady. There be nothin' wrong with thee gown. I was just taken aback by how beautiful ye look. And I hav'nt ev'n done nothin with ye hair or put on ye make-up."
"I surely don't think I look that amazing. It's just a dress, nothing important." Daine told the girl. "Will you please do up the laces now?"
Claire bobbed and did as she was bid. Coming behind Daine she pulled firmly on the laces on the back of Daine's gown tying them once in a bow. She motioned for Daine to sit before her dressing table on the little stool and went to place delicate little slippers on her feet. Claire then dried and brushed out her tangles of hair, curling them slightly with her fingers to give her hair a fuller appeal. She pinned up half of Daine's curls out of her face and twisted some of them on top of her head. From one of the small boxes on the dresser, Claire produced small gold pins with crystals on the end and placed them sparingly in Daine's hair.
"Where did they come from?" Daine asked the maid.
"I'm unsure m'lady. I was told by Mistress Clara to put these in ye hair." Was all the reply she was given.
Daine nodded and allowed Claire to continue. She placed a delicate powder upon Daine's face, highlighting her cheeks to perfection. Dabbling in yet another pot on the dresser, Claire placed colour on Daine's eyelids, cheeks and applying a luscious red shade on her soft, full lips. Claire stopped and grinned helplessly.
"M'lady, if I may suggest that ye take a look at ye-self in the mirror. Ye can't tell me that ye duna look amazin'." Claire told the female.
Daine turned around and gazed at herself in the mirror. She stood there in disbelief and studied what she saw. The soft pale blue gown glistened against her eyes as it made Daine's body appear to have the right curves in the right spot. The bodice gently pushed her breasts up accenting her small but firm waist and shaping her hips and thighs nicely. The way in which the top of the bodice was and the off the shoulder style sleeves, helped to reveal Daine's strong broad shoulders. Reflecting on her appearance she thought silently 'I do look amazing!'
Daine checked her appearance for the final time in the mirror before opening the door. There standing before her was Numair, handsome as ever. His soft, wavy black hair was tied in a short horsetail, accenting a long nose and full, sensitive mouth. A black silk robe buttoned high on the throat billowed around his powerful frame. Long, wide sleeves covered his arms to the wrists; the hem stopped short of the toes of his boots. He looked at Daine and couldn't believe his eyes.
"Mithros!" he whispered. "My love, you look…" he searched his mind for the right word and hoped that the one he chose to say was the right one. "Breathless!" He smiled at her and took her hand leading her back into her room closing the door behind him.
"I do? Are you sure?" Daine asked, frantically smoothing and petting her dress and hair trying if she may to make it better that it already was.
"Well, actually now that you mention it there is something missing." He told her.
"But what-"
"It's in here." He offered up a small black jewellery box, but opened it up in front of her before she could take hold saying, "I was told that you would be needing this, as you already have your gown and new earrings… I just thought you might like this. It's my gift to you magelet."
Daine's blue-grey eyes widen in surprise at the unexpected gift. There, resting inside the box was a beautiful gold necklace with a single jewel droplet hanging from it. It matched perfectly with the earrings she now wore, a gift from Alanna. The sight of such a gorgeous piece of jewellery made Daine giddy that she had to sit down.
"Numair…" she whispered. "I can't take that from you. It must have cost you a fortune! Someone like me shouldn't have such… such wondrous things like this. I… I can't." she told him.
Numair sat on the bed next to Daine and placed trembling fingers under her chin. She turned her face to look at him to find his eyes were ablaze with affection.
"Magelet, listen to me. Listen. You can and you will take that from me. It doesn't matter how much it cost me. The point is that it's a gift, for you, I want you to have this. There isn't anything that can change my mind on this. It's yours. I want you to have it." He unclasped the chain from its holds and asked Daine to stand in front of the mirror. She gently pushed her curls aside and he placed the necklace around her neck. Resting his hands on her shoulders Numair gazed at his love and wished that she would tell him of her affections towards him. Bending forward he placed a soft kiss on her bare neck and whispered to her "Now you look breathless!"
"Really?" Daine whispered back.
"Yes sweet, I'm sure!" He chuckled. Numair turned her to face him and pulled her closer. "You're so beautiful, I can't ignore it any longer. I'm going to kiss you now. I only hope that you won't resist me." Numair told her, cupping her cheek and wrapping his arm round her waist. Leaning in he kissed her lips and thankfully she kissed him back. Daine rested her hands against his muscular chest allowing her self to be kissed.
"Daine…" Numair said as they finally broke away from their kiss. "I want to tell you something. I just hope that it won't ruin our night. Daine, I…"
"I know. You love me, I can see it in your eyes." Daine whispered. "I don't know what to tell you. I know I have feelings for you, love is one of them, but I haven't yet thought them through. Please tell me you understand Numair." She looked up at him, her gaze softened. "I just need a little more time, please?"
He looked at his love with deep compassion. "Of course I understand Daine and I'll give you all the time in the world that you need. Just remember that I care for you very much and my love for you grows stronger for everyday that I see you. I love you Magelet." He wrapped his arms around her small waist and bent down a few scant inches to firmly and passionately kiss her mouth. Daine responded automatically to his own mouth and returned the kiss with as much fervor, as much intense heat and emotion that she thought she was going to explode.
"We should… we should stop-" Numair breathed as he pulled away from her lips.
"Just one more kiss." Daine snaked her hands up behind Numair's head to let her fingers grasp some of his neat black hair as she moved to kiss him once again. The kiss contained the same amount of intensity of fiery passion, maybe, if not even more than the kiss before had. She sighed softly as Numair dropped his hold of her. She too pulled away from him and went back to the mirror taking one final look at her self. Numair eyed her closely, watching to see if her hand strayed to her lips, where his own lips had been seconds ago, knowing that she was savoring the taste of him as he was of her.
Standing in the chambers outside of the Great Hall was Numair and a nervous Daine on his arm. She wasn't sure why she had to be presented but she wasn't about to argue with Queen Thayet. She had insisted that Daine be presented formerly to the court and foreign delegation especially since she was all 'dressed to impress.' Those were the words she had said. 'Dressed to impress.' Who was she to impress? Well certainly she had made a big impression on Numair! She smiled at that thought and wryly remembered how big an impression she had made. There was no one else she wanted to impress, who else was there?
"Daine you can let go just a little please. Daine?"
"Huh? Oh sorry Numair." Daine said as she loosened her grip on Numair's arm. She hadn't realised how tightly she held on to his forearm. She sneaked a look at him and found that he was staring at her. She blushed quickly averting her eyes to someone or something else as Numair continued to converse with Lindhall. She scanned the chambers to see who else was waiting with them. What she found was the Lioness on the arm of a handsomely dressed man talking to Duke Gahlal and Tenen. She had previously told Daine when she walked into the chambers that she looked absolutely gorgeous. Alanna smiled at her as Daine assumed that it was her husband George at her arm and turned to peer at the doors of the Great Stair in which she was momentarily about to descend into the Great Hall. Daine glanced again around the room. She noticed Sir Raoul of Golden Lake looking slightly bored, as he was famous for his disliking of social functions. He and Sir Gareth of Naxen the younger, were in a discussion with Grayson from the Scanran embassadors while she saw Sir Myles of Olau whispering with his wife Eleni. She also saw in the room their Majesties King Jonathon and Queen Thayet speaking with Duchess De'ana. Noticing that Daine was looking, Jonathon winked at her. She smiled in return when suddenly it dawned on her that there was someone missing, but who? Daine wasn't going to find that out, as there was a hush over the chambers. Their Majesties were about to descend the staircase. As Numair's companion she would descend when he did, along with Master Lindhall.
Daine was busy checking her hair in the mirror when Numair came up behind her startling her. She jumped and swung around to face him.
"How many times do I have to tell you not to do that?" She asked him grinning from ear to ear.
"Obviously many more," chuckling he continued, "besides, you look gorgeous and we must go." He indicated to the door, took her hand gently in his and walked over to the door.
"Presenting Master Numair Salmalin and Veralidaine Sarrasri. Master Lindhall Reed." Cried the chief herald.
Daine's heart started to beat faster as there was a hush over the hall. She glided down the Great Stair to walk along the scarlet runner in the center of the hall. She suddenly became aware of her surroundings. Even though she had on many occasion been in this part of the palace, Daine had never looked at it, or felt like this, ever before. The ballroom was decorated splendidly in the royal colours while candles wavered in the chandeliers. The windows stretched across the wall of the right side and opened up onto the many balconies that showed the darkening sky in an array of colours. A cool breeze swept throughout the room flapping the drapes on the windows making the heat more bearable. Glancing to her left she saw that there seated was an audience of nobles. Barons and their baronesses, knights, dukes, duchesses and mages from the university and they all seemed to be staring at her. She started to feel a little unsure of her appearance. Thoughts were creeping into her mind. What do they think of me? Am I dressed appropriately? Is the gown too revealing? I mean, my chest and my shoulders. I knew that they should have been covered.
Numair squeezed her hand reassuringly.
Daine turned her attention back to the present and focused on perfectly curtsying in front of the Monarchs and what came after that.
The banquet dinner was over and King Jonathon was rising from his seat to invite his guests to join him and his wife in the ballroom, taking Thayet's hand as she rose from her seat. The delegation followed amidst the Tortallian guests to the ballroom where music played and there was enough seating for those who wished to remain seated or wanted to chat. The royals were seated on their thrones and Jonathon gave the signal for the dancing to begin. Daine asked Numair whether it would be all right to sit the first couple of dances out before they did actually dance. They walked over to where Lindhall was sitting and joined him and his three student mages. They were in a discussion about the one of the subjects that students had to take at the university when Daine and Numair sat down. They became apart of the discussion and talked about many other subjects. During this time Tortallian squires served the guests light refreshments and finger food to those standing and sitting. Daine started to look around those who were dancing on the ballroom floor and was startled when someone tapped her on the shoulder. Turning she faced Numair. She hadn't noticed that he had gotten up to stand beside her.
"My lady, would you care to dance?" He whispered as he lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers. Daine raised her eyebrows but nodded all the same. Numair lead her out onto the dance floor as other couples danced by them. He noticed that she was giggling and shaking her head.
"What is it?" He asked her.
"You're being so formal." She laughed, carefully placing her hand in his and the other on Numair's shoulder. She was thankful for all those times when she had sat back and watched all those nobles and court ladies dancing. She had taken notice of where to place her hands and where her male counter part would put his hands. "I just find it hard to believe sometimes that you can be so formal when I'm used to seeing to act so… well not so formal."
It was now his turn to laugh at her. He twirled Daine around the ballroom and continued to flirt with her as they danced. The music slowed down to show that the song was coming to an end and Numair and Daine Bowed to each other, as was custom at the end of each dance. She was about to walk away when Numair caught her arm. She looked up at him and was puzzled as to his intentions.
"Stay," he said, "please. Just one more dance." He smiled at her, eyes pleading and she could see that there was a small but still noticeable dimple at the corner of his mouth. Oh Gods! She thought. His smile is so adorable, how can I be so mean and not say 'yes'? She smiled up at him saying, "Okay."
The musicians began to play a slow waltz song where the couples would have to dance slowly and stand closer towards each other. Numair pulled Daine closer to him and placed his arms around her waist, taking the lead to maneuver them both around the dance floor. Numair whirled her round and Daine could see that there was someone looking at them. It was Eden, and he was coming towards them. Tapping Numair on the shoulder he asked Numair if he could cut in on the dance as Daine had promised him one. He looked at Daine and then back at Numair who let Daine's hand go and walked back towards the seats. Daine stood there and said nothing. Everything was happening so fast that she didn't know what was happening and why Numair had left. Eden took up Daine's hand in his and pulled Daine closer towards him, resuming the dance. She looked up at her new dance partner and smiled. She had forgotten that she had promised to dance with Eden. He turned Daine around and she looked over towards Numair. He sat on a chair over by the far wall with his arms crossed, a frown on his face as Alanna walked up to him from behind. Daine turned her attention back to her dance partner. As they danced, the two agreed to meet the following day at the gates to the menagerie and continued to talk about something that they had in common.
After the dance was finished Daine was escorted back to where Numair was seated and she sat down as Eden returned to the table allocated for the delegation. Daine looked at Numair and saw the sour look upon his face.
"Numair what's the matter?"
"Does he dance better than me?" Numair said hotly.
"What? Who?" Daine said in confusion.
"Eden. Does he dance better than me? I was just wondering, you seemed to be having fun out there and I…" he said tightly.
"Numair! What's wrong with you? I was only dancing with him, nothing else. Besides I told him that I would dance with him and I couldn't have gone back on my word, especially since he's for peace talks with the King." Daine said in a whispered frenzy. She stood, walking away from him towards the open balcony doors on the other side of the ballroom.
Alanna saw Daine's face as she was returning with drinks for them and walked over to Numair, placing her hand firmly on his shoulder so that he couldn't go anywhere. She heard him curse as she sat in the vacated seat, which was Daine's.
"Numair what just happened?" She asked him firmly. "Daine looked really upset."
"She was dancing with…" Numair stopped and breathed in heavily. He didn't need to speak harshly towards Alanna and resumed speaking in a more appropriate tone of voice. "I was being ridiculous. I should never have spoken so hotly to her. It's just that she was dancing with Eden and-"
"Ah! I see." Alanna cut in. She looked at her friend and so wanted to retell the information Daine had told her to him, but knew she couldn't, she would be betraying Daine's trust. "I think that you might be a little jealous there of our guest. Though, I can't see why. Daine is obviously smitten with you and you go and do something as silly as that. Go over there before someone else does and apologise to her." Seeing that he was a little hesitant, she added "NOW!"
"Daine are you alright? I saw you walk in here and…" Eden trailed off as Daine turned away from him to stand over looking the Royal Forrest. She didn't want to be talking with anyone right now, especially Eden. She leant against the railing and sighed.
"I'm fine thank you Eden. I just -" Daine was interrupted by the balcony door opening. The sound of voices and music came back to those standing outside.
"Daine, please forgive me, I never meant-" Numair started to say but stopped. He looked from Daine to Eden and resumed saying, "I'm sorry, you have company. I'll leave you."
"Numair wait!" Daine said louder than she had intended. She looked from Eden to Numair and was a little hesitant as to how this was going to go. She didn't know how she was going to talk with Numair if Eden was there too. How could she politely ask him to leave them alone?
"No. I'll go." Eden said startling her thoughts. He smiled warmly at Daine and promptly left shutting the door behind him, including the noise from the ballroom. Daine couldn't help but remember the way his eyes looked at her before he went. He looked as if he wanted to stay, as if he wanted to hear what had made her so upset in the first place.
Daine looked at Numair before turning her gaze back to the forest. She saw from the corner of her eye that he had come up to stand beside her, placing his hands only inches from hers on the railing. He too gazed towards the forest and sighed heavily.
"The moon has risen." He pointed to the moon up on the left of them. "It looks beautiful. Just like someone else I know."
He looked at Daine and saw that she blushed. He was glad to know that she knew whom he was talking about. Turning his attention back to the sky Numair glimpsed a shooting star wishing for the second time that she would tell him how she felt. His mind filled with how things would be between them if he didn't make amends with Daine.
"I'm sorry." He whispered. "I should never have said that, especially to you. I was, I was being stupid and to see someone else show interest towards you makes me feel jealous. Forgive me, please." He pleaded.
"Why would you think that there would be some thing between Eden and me? I've only known him since the tour this after noon. You're the one who introduced him to me. I don't understand why you would think that of me." She asked.
"Daine, sweet, I don't understand it myself. But when he cut in on our dance I was so angry. I wanted this night to be special for you and me. I can't explain it any better than that. Please, must we talk about this? I didn't mean it and I am truly sorry. I never meant to hurt you." He placed on of his big hands on hers that was on the railing and said, "I could never ever hurt you, Mithros help me if I do." He waited for her to reply but got none. "Magelet, look at me. Please."
Sighing she turned to face him, her head lowered so that her eyes wouldn't meet his own. He lifted her chin so that he could look at her. She didn't realise that she had tears trickling down her face until Numair wiped one of them away. Reluctantly she peered up at him and knew instantly that it was a bad idea. His eyes were shimmering down at her, his mouth soft luscious looking, appealing to her emotions. Her eyes were locked with his while a gentle breeze swept Daine's hair from its holds. He couldn't contain himself any longer and with one swift movement Numair gathered Daine up in his arms and kissed her, holding her tight and close. She pulled back from his lips shaking her head.
"Numair, we can't. Not here." She whispered. "Someone will see us." She withdrew from his arms and walked over to the other side of the small curved balcony. She couldn't believe what was happening between them right now. What was to happen? What if she didn't stop him before, would he have kept going?
Numair walked over to Daine and placed his large fingered hands on her bare shoulders. Her skin was soft beneath his fingertips. He craned his head down and kissed her shoulders softly. Daine trembled within his grasp of her as he continued, kissing her again on the shoulders then moving on to her neck. She could feel the warmth of his breathe on her neck and remembered the earlier incident when he was kissing her. Her heart pounded faster, her chest rising and falling as she breathed in heavily. Numair's hands were encouraged to wrap around her waist pulling them closer together. She could feel his body right behind hers.
"Magelet, maybe we should go somewhere more private?" he whispered in her ear.
A/N: da da da dum….da da da dummmmmm! Lol…sorry that was a bit long, but you should be thankful that my chapters aren't short! So what's going to happen? Where IS that 'more private' place? Hmm does something really happen after they leave the ball and why was Eden on the balcony with Daine? Um, yeah well they are all very good questions (that I have asked myself!) that will be answered in the up coming chapters. BUT! Only if you review by pressing that button down there! points to the button I know you all love me! Lol -N-
