A/N: I got feedback that the dialogue in the last chapter was a bit forced, and I tried to do better this time. I didn't really like the last chapter either. I'm no good at writing long speeches and other dialogue, and I had no idea what I was doing with Jon's. So here's the third - and hopefully better - chapter. I tried to keep people in character but I know they're probably not. Sometimes I really wish I was Tamora Pierce. Or that I lived in Tortall. But hey, you can't have everything.

Disclaimer: The brilliant Tamora Pierce owns everything, which is why I'm writing on 3: Stolen kisses and the journey

"So, we can go then? Numair asked the king exasperatedly. "Hello, hello, anyone there?" He waved his hand in front of the king's face.

"Huh?" Jonathan snapped his head up from where he'd been absorbed in the documents before him.

Alanna groaned. "Um, we've only been waiting here for half an hour while you stared blankly into space. We've been taking it in turns to try and get your attention for fifteen minutes."

"Sorry about that. I was thinking. What did I miss?"

"Get Thayet to fill you in," Alanna said. "I got sick of watching you doze and copied you. Raoul spent the entire time whispering with Buri. Daine and Numair were… busy."

The couple in question blushed, arms wrapped around each other.

"So Thayet's actually the only one who paid any sort of attention. Although, come to think of it, since she's the only one I guess nothing really happened." Alanna concluded, spreading her hands.

"If we've solved the problem?" Numair hinted. "Is there anything else we need to discuss? I'd like to reach my tower sometime before nightfall."

"How're you getting there, anyway?" Buri broke off her conversation with Raoul to ask. "It takes days to get there on horseback, and you've only got a week. Why don't you stay here instead? Jon's given his word that you won't be sent off."

"Flying," Daine replied matter-of-factly. "Numair's bewitched the packs so that we can carry them even as birds. We can be there in a matter of hours if we don't stop, and we shouldn't have to. Normal birds can fly for days on end, only stopping while it's dark."

"I see," Thayet remarked dryly. "I wouldn't know about how long it'll take, never having been a bird myself. It's so nice to have an expert on these things, in case I ever get the urge."

Daine laughed along with the rest of them.

"You're turning into a regular scholar, just like Numair here," teased Alanna.

"Well, are we done?" The mage being discussed pressed again.

"Yes, we're done. Go on, you two lovebirds." Jon said, and waved them out of the office.

"Well, that was - I don't know; both boring and interesting, if you know what I mean." Daine whispered to Numair as they walked along the halls towards Numair's suite.

"At least none of those stuffy old men were there. They would've dragged that meeting hours longer. And it was funny, sometimes," said Numair.

"Yes, I suppose. Especially when Alanna tried to challenge Raoul for not paying attention. She has a temper a mile long, especially during meetings," the girl laughed.

They reached his rooms. "Should we leave from here? One of the maids will come in later and close the window,"

"Sure," Daine replied, and without further ado she changed into a golden eagle. Her clothes fell to the floor, and Numair added them to her pack. He would keep his clothes when he transformed. Moments later he had done so, and an eagle and a black hawk were flying over the palace grounds, each carrying a pack.

This must look so weird, Daine remarked in mind-speak. She could contact him when he was in animal shape, as he could her.

They've seen it before, Numair reassured her. Besides, you're a hero. See? That one just saluted you.

Daine ducked to respond. She was embarrassed, though it was hard to tell in bird form. I didn't really do anything, she told Numair silently. I wish they wouldn't do that. It reminds me of the slaves in Carthak.

Didn't do anything? Numair's mind-voice was incredulous. Didn't we go over this twice already? You killed Ozorne; you saved hundreds of animals, you taught the animals to help us fight the war, and did hundreds of other things. Without you there would be no Tortall. So don't say you did nothing, because you did. And I love you. Without you my life wouldn't be worth living.

Daine didn't respond with words, but flew over and brushed her wing tip against the hawk's.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Daine! Behind you! Numair's mind voice shrieked.

Daine-the-eagle banked and whirled around, letting out a shriek. A hurrock was bearing down on her from above. Why didn't I notice it before? Numair thought furiously. I can't even blast it with my Gift in this shape, and I won't be able to shift out in time. He chose the only option left to him - go attack the hurrock.

Numair! Get away! It's crazy and it won't work! Daine yelled in his mind. I know what I'm doing!

He watched as she shifted shape, taking a tiger's body with eagle's wings, only larger. Now she had weapons: her claws and teeth. The pack fell unnoticed to the ground far below as a battle ensued between immortal and the strange mix of creatures that was his young love. Then he came to his senses. Daine would need help, no matter what. Numair dove towards the ground, hitting hard but recovering quickly. Shifting back into human form with a large amount of effort, he dropped the pack and pointed up with one long finger, ready to cast a spell.

But it was too late. The hurrock was retreating and Daine was falling, her grip on the strange shape gone. Numair spoke and black fire encased the girl, slowing her fall. He ran to where she had landed, kneeling by her side and cradling her head in his lap. It was almost like the dream he'd had before Alanna found him out, he thought bitterly. Blood was leaking out of her side.

"Numair?" Daine asked weakly.

"I'm here, sweetling," Numair assured her. "I'm sending for Alanna now. She'll come and you'll be fine." He opened a speech spell. "Alanna?"

"What is it?" The spell only allowed him to hear her, not see, but her voice was exasperated. Numair guessed he'd interrupted her practicing, as she was also out of breath.

"We were attacked by a hurrock in midair. It's gone, but Daine's hurt. I need you here as soon as you can be - no, make that sooner. I don't care what you do."

"Okay, give me… half an hour. I'll need Jon to help me with the teleportation spells so I'm not drained. Who cares if he's in a meeting." All exasperation had vanished from the knight-healer's voice. "Use your tunic to apply pressure to the wound. It'll stop the bleeding." She broke the connection. Time was of the essence.

"Numair? It hurts," Daine whimpered. This was too ironic. It was exactly like his dream, only then it had been bandits instead of a hurrock.

"I know, magelet. Don't worry. You'll be fine. Alanna will be here soon, and she'll heal you. I only wish I could."

"If you could heal, you wouldn't have been able to slow my fall. Then I'd be dead already." Numair smiled. If Daine could make remarks like that, she would definitely be okay. He hoped.

"I suppose so. I love you, my magelet." He had to tell her that; had to make sure she knew. Not that he would be able to live anyways if she… no, he wasn't going to even think that. She would be fine. She had to be. They had come so far, been through so much to have it end now.

He had to believe she would be all right.

A/N: Oooohhh, a cliffhanger! I really didn't want to leave it here but I'm being forced to go to bed now against my will. I truly am sorry and I'll hope you forgive me and come read it anyway. I promise to update soon, probably tomorrow. This chapter was the hardest, since I simply had no idea what I was doing. As always, suggestions, comments, or other are welcome.

Anyway, I think I might have been a bit evil in this chapter but it definitely got easier to write once I had them attacked by the hurrock. So sorry if you hate me but I promise not to kill Daine. After all, then Numair would become depressed, and depressed black robe mages can do really dumb things sometimes.

Thanks to my lovely reviewers for last chapter, including Dave the L's Gal, Narm's Boreas, Numair's Lover, Mage of Dragons, and nativewildmage. Thanks also to Imshi for reviewing Dreams and Sixteen (I don't know where else to put this), and to the people who informed me that all is as it should be on my profile. I appreciate it and I love you all so much! It means a ton to me, but I think I might have said that last time (it's still true) so I'll really shut up now.

Lunaterra