Disclaimer: I don't own any of this so don't sue me…well at least not the characters. Only the things I have dibs on!
A/N: I'm sorry everyone… Lol (I seem to be saying that a lot lately) but you all should be grateful that I am updating and that I'm in the process of writing the next chapter, half way through! Also in the process of developing a new fic… so in a few months when planning has finished it'll be up! Thank you to all who reviewed, its good to know that you're all still with me on this one and I'm hoping that you'll all still be at the end.
Chapter 9 Reviews:
Martini: settle petal… the next chapter is here for you to read, so sit down and relax while you read.
Spice: sorry, I didn't update when you did, but I am now… does that count? Lol, and the long lake pack won't be jumping on Eden to kill him, so sorry but Eden will get what's coming to him. Just wait and see.
Numair's Daine: big kisses, I'm sure I can arrange that somewhere in the fic…unless I have already?
Vulpes Lapis: read to find out more… I hope you like
Lioness-07863: thanks for the review. I have a few ideas about how to make Eden suffer for what he does but I can't tell you what that is until later!
Nolaiel the Half-Elven: thanks for the compliment, I hope you're really liking the story and not just saying so…please read and review.
Csporty128: yeah the plot thickens but won't thicken fully for a few more chapters… oops sorry… but if you like the a/g stuff then wait till you read my new fic... Its not up yet and won't be for awhile but it's a/g or a/j, I haven't yet decided. Enjoy the update.
Cassa-Andra:thanks for the compliment… really appreciate it. Please read and review.
Raashna: genius, me? I wish… but thanks ever so, its sweet to get compliments like that. Don't worry its safe for me to say that Daine and Eden won't end up together.
Angelbirdy:is Eden a spy? No, not really, but you'll have to wait to find out more. ;)
Proudly unbeautiful:thanks for the review, please read on further and review.
Dracos Myth, M.A.T, TamoraFan and ain't got a name:thanks all of you for your review, greatly appreciated…please read and review this chapter…
Goddess Daine:thankyou for the compliment…I have been reading your story… will read more of it later.
Chapter 10 reviews:
Martini, Numair's Daine, Anarian, Arcander, A2, sasha, Cassa-Andra, Dracos Myth, CrAzYhOrSeGiRl88: thankyou all for the lovely reviews, always appreciated. Sorry about the length, I know some of you wished it could be longer… then maybe you shouldn't read this one, cos I think it's short too! lol um, as I said before, Eden and Daine won't end up together, so stop worrying and btw…my spell check doesn't like any of your names…lol please read and review…
JOSSIE: thank you ever so much for editing the chapters… even though you know what's happening, its still good to see what changes I've made afterwards right? Anyway to the story…
CHAPTER 11: THE JOURNEY
The ride out of the city was quite a short one; there wasn't much of the normal everyday hustle and bustle of the lower city. Most of the morning merchants were only starting to arrive in the market place to set up their stalls of fruit, vegetables or other useful things such as tack for saddles, ladies clothing and jewellery, flowers, bread, and also pens for the animals to be sold that day.
The descent from the lower gates into the outer of the city was also quick. The road, which led off in many directions into the forest, was one that was traveled by many who would journey in and out of Corus. Numair was slightly out in front of Daine and it was he who chose the road that would lead them eventually to Dunlath.
Numair had set a pace that he knew would be suitable for Daine and himself, as well as the horses. It had been several hours' worth of riding, before Numair voiced the first word uttered since their departure of whether or not she wanted to stop to have something to eat. Daine agreed, "Sure, why not?"
"Great. We can water the horses at the same time."
They found a clearing off the side of the road. While Daine settled their mounts, Numair tended to food for the both of them. He opened the saddle packs and pulled out sausage, cheese and a small loaf of bread. He was in the process of cutting cheese when Daine sat herself down on the rug beside Numair.
"Everything alright?" Numair asked, in concern.
"Yes, they're grazing just behind those trees over there." She pointed in the direction she had just come from.
"I didn't mean the horses love, I meant you. Are you alright?"
"Oh, well, I'm fine Numair. What gave you that impression?" Her brow creased in puzzlement.
"You seemed to be quieter than normal, is all. I didn't mean it to offend you though…"
"Don't be silly, you didn't offend me Numair. How could you of all people do that?" She kissed him on the cheek and left him no time to give her an answer. "What did the cooks pack us for lunch? I'm hungry."
"Oh… just the usual..." Numair rummaged through the contents of the packs as Daine watched, his face flushed from her kiss. She started to giggle. "What? What's so funny? Is there a butterfly in my hair or something? What?" He put the bread down and swatted away air from around his head.
Daine couldn't help herself any longer. With him swatting air made the scene funnier than what it truly was. She rolled over in laughter as Numair swatted himself. He looked at her; She's incredible, laughing at me like that, she's absolutely gorgeous. He leant across placing his lips on hers and kissed her. Daine, taken by surprise, stopped laughing and returned the kiss. She slid her hands over his shoulders and around his neck, bringing him down towards her. Numair was in the middle of capturing Daine's tongue between his lips when a third pair of lips grabbed onto Numair's shirt.
"Cloud, get orf!" Numair growled at her.
She snorted and clamped her mouth even tighter than before, pulling the mage off her owner who was once again rolling on the ground from laughter.
"Daine, get this beast off me. Tell her to let go. She'll ruin my shirt!"
"Numair calm down, she won't ruin your shirt. The best she'll do is put slobber over it."
Cloud, please let go. What made you do that in the first place? Daine mind spoke to Cloud.
I do not need to watch you both fawn over each other. I've had enough of seeing that for my lifetime, thank you. Was the mare's gruff reply.
Daine shook her head as she watched Cloud let go of Numair's shirt and walk back to where she had been grazing.
Besides, it's funny to watch your stalk man sulk over his appearance, look at him.
It was true; Cloud did have a point. Numair had used his gift to produce an exact replica of himself so that when he fixed his hair and straightened his shirt he knew what it looked like.
"Numair! Don't be so vain. You're worse than a court lady fluttering around getting ready for a ball."
"I am not."
"You are too. Numair you magically made a copy of yourself. Not even Thayet is that vain." She sat up and began to break the bread into pieces.
Numair broke the spell and sat down next to her realising what an idiot he was being.
"I am not," he said to her defiantly. "Anyway, it's all your fault. Had you not have started laughing at me in the first place I wouldn't have felt compelled to kiss you and then that beast of yours wouldn't have did what she did."
"My fault, yeah right Numair," she gave him a friendly push. "Stop arguing and eat your food, we've still got a long way to go before we reach our destination."
"Yes sir, whatever you say."
"No not sir, that's ma'am to you and don't you forget it," she said sternly, but ruined it by winking. Numair grinned in return and slung his arm around her shoulders as they continued to eat. When they finished, they packed up and readied their horses. Daine went to mount up but was stopped by Numair. He pulled her into a bear hug, burying his face into her hair, inhaling deeply her unique scent. His hands moved down her back but instead of resting in the normal position that was court etiquette, Numair moved them further down and let them rest on her bottom. He pushed aside her smoky curls and kissed her neck. He picked her up and placed her on Cloud, who was waiting patiently for the pair to stop fawning over each other yet again.
A/N: awww how sweet! Please review.
