Author's Notes: I am so sorry about not having this chapter out a few days ago! I ruined my chapter a day pattern. My apologies. I like this chapter a lot and I hope that you all feel the same. There are only a few chapters to go and then this story will be complete:-)
Chapter Five: Soul bonded
Daine's POV:
I watched as Numair got over his shock and slid seamlessly into teacher mode. I feel reassured by that slide it makes me feel like things are back to normal and he's just explaining some obscure thing to me.
At least now however, while I can still feel his presence in my mind, I no longer can sense his every thought and feeling, which adds to the feeling of normalcy.
"In the older days soul bonds were a part of every marriage ceremony, but then men stopped listening to the goddess of love, and legend has it that one group of people even went so far as to tell the goddess that she wasn't needed anymore. Hurt the goddess swore that she wouldn't give her gifts where it wasn't welcome and that no one would be soul bonded again until..." he breaks off adding his favorite expression, "Mithros, Mynoss and Shakith:
"Until what?" I ask, feeling through the link his sense of shocked wonderment.
"Until a child born of a god, with an unusual gift needed the power to defeat a great evil and save the world."
I just stare at him. Me destined to do something great? I'm just a little country girl from Galla, I'm nothing special.
Numair hugs me and whispers reassuringly, "I could be wrong. It is just a legend."
I doubt he's wrong but there are other concerns, we have an engagement to announce, after all.
My friends had scheduled a dinner with all of us, that had been designed to be either a farewell party, or a Daine isn't going to die after all party, depending on the outcome of the curse, so we both had to be ready.
Numair's POV:
Usually getting ready for a simple dinner is rather easy, even though I'm known for fussing with my hair a lot. But tonight my mind is on other things, and I almost forget to add lotion to my hair. How should I announce the wedding? Should I or should I let them wonder what we'll do? I'm already expecting Alanna to threaten me with bodily harm if I should hurt her, Onua too will probably threaten me.
I don't know if I'm supposed to feel irritation all I feel is relief that Daine and I both have such lovely friends.
Daine? Should we tell them our good news today so that they can offer their felicitations?
Felicitations? If you mean good wishes then yes.
I send amusement and love through our link and then it's time for the supper.
Alanna's POV:
Hopefully those stubborn fools have figured out what the rest of us have known for a while.
From the moment Daine arrived in Tortall she changed him for the better. It's she who makes him smile, who seems to chase away the sadness that used to be in his eyes. And besides as much as I adore Numair he does need someone with Daine's sense or else we'd never get him out of the library.
Personally I knew that he loved her the day, that he put down a book, to spend a day riding with her a few months ago. Riding of all things, knowing how he feels about horseback riding, it had to be love.
With Daine it was harder to tell, mostly because she's so young, and also because due to wars building up I haven't gotten to spend as much time with my young friend as I 'd like. But I knew it when I heard what happened when she thought Numair was dead. If anything were to happen to George, I to would have been seeking revenge.
So I swear if Daine dies today because Numair couldn't accept the fact that he's in love with an almost sixteen year old woman, I swear I will rectify the stallion.
They're here.
Daine's POV:
We walk into the room together, and I can't help but smile as I see the people I've come to regard as family sitting here. George and Alanna are next to each other but Alanna seems lost in thought. Jon and Thayet sit across from them and Onua sits next to them as well.
Onua looks at me and says, "Well is this a funeral or a celebration?"
I smile wide and they all cheer.
Should I share the news or should you?
Rather than answering me, Numair says, "Daine and I are engaged."
Everyone smiles and soon we're telling what happened and enjoying a friendly meal.
Numair's POV:
I feel relief that everyone seems happy with our engagement, but I'm not surprised when George, Alanna and Onua pull me away from Daine and threaten certain parts of my anatomy if I hurt her.
It's only to be expected.
I feel uneasy suddenly like we're being watched but I push it away to celebrate my engagement.
Ozorne's POV:
Look at them, laughing and smiling while I'm trapped in this hideous body. I don't know which of them I hate more, Arram who tricked me and exceeded me in magic. Who had the audacity to live, when I was so sure that I had used Veraildaine as the perfect bait.
I hate the girl, because she brought on my downfall when I'd had such good plans. She was to be declared a noble, and then I would make her my wife and we'd produce an heir, a child to take over my empire. She'd keep the dragon, and would have access to all of the animals she could want. I offered her money, power and prestige and instead, she escaped and destroyed my palace.
Then when I thought that the Killer Unicorns had gotten my revenge for me she had to be brought back to life by interfering gods. No matter. This time I won't be thwarted, I'll torture the girl, until she begs for death and then I'll kill her.
Her death will destroy Arram Draper, and then I'll provide the killing blow. They will rue the day that they messed with me.
Alanna's POV:
I can't wait for the wedding, Daine already asked if Thayet, Onua and I would stand with her, and I feel so honored. I hope nothing ruins her day. She and Numair both deserve some happiness and I want to be able to spend time with my husband and children rather than chasing after people and fighting wars.
I can't shake this feeling that something bad is about to happen, but since premonition is not my gift there is nothing I can do about it for the moment.
Daine's POV:
Once the party is over, Numair and I walk out to the stables where I tell Cloud my good news.
Cloud guess what?
You and the stork man are mates?
Yes and we'll be getting married.
Despite Cloud's seeming nonchalance I know that she is happy for us, she just likes to hide how she feels. My conversation with Zek is easier as he congratulates me on finding my mate.
Kitten is so excited by the news that she turns gold with joy.
Numair and I share a kiss as he leaves me by the door and I slide effortlessly into sleep. My dreams however are anything but pleasant.
I'm in the dark and I'm alone, everyone is gone, dead and I see nothing but dark blackness. A voice calls to me, "The darkness is coming, soon you must face the darkness and destroy it, it is your destiny."
I wake up shivering with fear.
