Epilogue

Disclaimer: Many of the characters and all of the places belong to Tamora Pierce

A/N: This is the wind up. If you liked this story, please tell me so and read my others.

Epilogue

During the next couple days, Numair was asked to recount his adventure enough times that he felt as if he were a bard. He also was honored by Emperor Matthew of D'nau and offered any reward he requested. There was nothing he wanted and he said so.

On the first of November, a banquet and ball were held to celebrate the most comprehensive treaty ever signed with another sovereign. Though Numair wanted to escort Daine, he did not feel it would be proper. He ended up escorting Elyra as a gesture to the visiting Emperor and Daine went with Perin. It seemed to Numair that this was how things would probably stay and although it hurt, he let it be.

Late in the evening when most everyone else was dancing, Numair let Emporer Matthew cut in and left to allow them to talk. Slipping out to the terrace, he thought he might have a moment or two alone. Instead, he found Daine and Perin sharing a brief kiss. He felt like someone had punched him. Forgetting the ball and duty, he instead headed to the garden to walk.

It was a beautiful night. The sky was a deep indigo with many stars and a full moon. He stopped at the hedge and looked out over the night. He knew that the Goddess had told him there were hard times ahead and much pain. He never imagined this. He had pictured fights with immortals and enemies. He knew he wasn't supposed to ache like this over his student. He supposed it was love of a sort. He just wasn't sure how strong and he was afraid to really delve into it – afraid of what he would discover.

He was so deep into his own thoughts that he didn't hear Elyra's steps. When she spoke he startled. "Here you are. I didn't know where you had gone." She moved beside him and placed a hand in his.

"Did you and your father have a good talk?"

"Yes. I think we understand one another better now. I thought all this time that when he saw my real face he was disgusted. But it was guilt."

Numair smiled. "That makes sense to me."

"You never asked to see me, the real me."

"I don't need to ask to see you as you are."

She was stunned. "You mean you can see through my spell?"

"Yes," he said simply.

"I don't understand. Could you always?"

"Once I really looked at you, yes." He felt her hand drop from his.

"You knew what I looked like when you left to get Michael. And still you went?"

Now he was shocked. "Do you honestly think I went to charm you? Is that why you are sticking so close? It is not necessary. You owe me nothing."

He realized she was crying. So he led her to the bench and sat down next to her, offering her his handkercheif. "Elyra, I never truly looked at you until shortly before you came to my rooms to tell me the truth. You seem to think that beauty is everything and that without it no one would want you around. That is not the case. I think you're beautiful anyway -- not because of your face but because of who you are. I suppose that night was the first time I could see you in many respects. I'm surprised Alanna didn't realize that I probably knew you were masking yourself. People forget that I see magic without trying to."

"And you're not repulsed?"

"No. Not in the least. Elyra, this was not your fault. Maybe I would be put off a bit if you made yourself look better than you should have. But I can see that you have only followed the natural lines of your own face. Even so, the most beautiful woman in the world is diminished if she's cruel. The homeliest face becomes lovely when the person behind it is kind. If you only want a man to see the outside, there are hundreds of those around. They will not make you happy. You need the ones that see the whole picture and still care for you. Don't bother with the others."

She flushed and looked down. "I could really fall for you, Numair."

He smiled. "I might be able to fall for you too, but …"

"Is there someone else?" She seemed to be searching his face.

"Yes, I think there is. Did you know, I didn't even notice you when you first arrived?"

She smiled broadly. "Is she far away?"

"Yes," he lied. "And she might already be taken. But I'm not ready to let go yet. When I thought I was dying, she was all I could think about."

"It sounds like love," she said with a smile.

"I'm not sure yet and not ready to really look at it." He paused for a moment, looking out into the night. "What are your plans?"

"My father asked me to go back to Yamani for a while and I'd like the children to get to know him. But then I'd like to get some more magical training too. Your friend, Lindhall, offered to teach me."

He smiled broadly. "I think that would be very good for both of you. He is a fine teacher and a fine man. You do know Lindhall sees magic the way that I do, right?"

She looked momentarily stunned and then she blushed. He studied her for a moment and chuckled. "Elyra, that is a match that should be. Don't worry. I can keep a secret."

"I don't think the rest of the world will like the age difference."

"Hmmm, I can't answer for the rest of the world. I get hung up on societal rules for myself, but somehow, I can see the two of you as right. Maybe – maybe that's something I need to work on."

She kissed his cheek softly. "I owe you everything, you know that? I feel like I'm doing something wrong now, thinking of…"

"Don't. Follow your heart. I think that is basically what the Goddess told me although I admit I haven't fully figured it out yet. She said something about making myself worthy of a daughter of a god which – well I just don't know what that is about at all."

Numair heard more footsteps and both he and Elyra looked up to see Daine. "Where is Perin?" Numair asked. Internally he chastised himself. I really know how to pour on the charm, don't I? he thought sarcastically.

"We said goodnight," she answered. "I told him I could walk myself to my room. I'm fair certain my people friends would run off any dangers for me better than he could. And I needed to talk to you a moment, but I didn't realize you…"

"Oh," Elyra said. "We were through, actually. I uhh – I wanted to go catch Lindhall for a dance before the music stopped completely." She smiled to Numair and he grinned back. Then she walked back toward the ball, her emerald dress whispering with each step.

Daine sat on the bench, spreading her skirt to fan around her the way Thayet had taught her. She looked hesitant.

"Magelet," Numair said, "You know you can always be direct with me. What's on your mind?"

"She – is she – are you in love with her?"

Numair was surprised by the boldness of the question. "No, Magelet. Besides, she might have someone else in mind."

"Are you sad?" She looked into his eyes now, worry in every aspect of her features.

"Goddess, you are beautiful!" He said it before he thought and both of them blushed. "I – I saw you kissing – sorry." He took a deep breath and said, "I better just shut up, I'm stepping all over myself here."

She laughed. She reached behind her hair and unlatched a chain from her neck. It was the black opal. "This belongs to you." She handed it back.

"Thank you," he answered. He was still crimson.

"Numair, are you still going to teach me?"

"Do you still want me to?"

"Oh, yes, very much."

"Then, yes, I will." He smiled, but tried not to look into her eyes. That always seemed to get him in trouble.

"I – uhhh – we all read your letters before we knew you weren't…"

"Yes, I know."

"I don't remember the promise – you said you made it in Carthak?"

"Sorry, you went to sleep and I wasn't sure…"

"Oh." She was blushing again. "I never really got to apologize to you for.." The noise of the party was moving closer. It sounded like the ball was done for the evening. People who were hot from dancing would move out to the garden for a little night air now. Numair realized that this would not look right. So he stood. Daine followed suit.

"Magelet, there is no need. All is forgiven." He looked down at his student, smiling and trying to hide what he was feeling.

"And Numair," she said as she started to move toward the gate, "I never got to say it but I – I missed you too."

The End