Chapter 4: New Home
A/N: Made longer for the happiness of all my readers. *aha* Anyway, I've changed my mind - Numair and Daine ARE NOT married in my story. They're only lovers. for the time being.
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Veralidaine Sarrasri was motionless on the grimy floor except for her rising and falling chest. Her blue-grey eyes were unfocused and her mouth was slightly opened. She was exhausted.
The shadow that had entered her was gone. She knew that because she didn't have spasms of pain every now and then. It had been gone for a few days now. Or maybe just several hours. She didn't know time anymore. It was just eternal darkness.
Numair.
Her mind travelled back to her tall friend and lover, and a fresh tear slid down the side of her face. She missed Numair so much. Did he know she was lost? Or did he and every other friend of hers think she was still visiting somebody? She was stupid to believe that an animal had needed help up here in the Unknown Lands. She, and the rest of the animals who had passed on the message.
Will Numair ever find her again? She knew she was underground somewhere. She could hear many angry animals above ground. Many had died because of their anger. Whoever was keeping her down here was killing the rebellious animals by the dozen. She had spent the first few days crying. But she was too exhausted now, although her heart hurt with each one of the People's death.
Her ears picked up on footsteps and her heart quickened. She sat up and slid over to a wall, her knees drawn up. She knew where the door was now, although she still couldn't see it. Somebody was unlocking her door now. The metallic door swung open, creaking on its hinges.
Daine shielded her eyes from the small amount of light behind the outline of a tall, commanding figure. Whoever it was, was taller than Numair, and a lot leaner. His hair ended just past his shoulders. The man was wearing a shirt with a V collar down to the middle of his stomach, showing a bare chest. The shirt was simple, free of any intricate designs and hung loosely on the man, and the ends were tucked into tight breeches. The dark coloured boots reflected the candle light on the wall outside her cage. Daine shuddered.
"Good evening, little lady," he said, taking a few steps in. His voice was soft and light, very musical to the ears.
Daine didn't say anything but shuffled over to a corner and turned her head so she wasn't looking at him.
"Now, that won't do. Come on now." The man stepped aside so she could see the doorway and held out a callused hand. "There are better rooms than this one."
Daine looked up into drowning pools of intelligent blue eyes. Hesitantly, she took his hand and stood up, only to topple over into the man's arms. She was really exhausted.
The man scooped her up and carried her out of her dungeon like she weighed nothing. The corridors they went through were made of expensive dark marble, a little ledge here and there sat flaming torches that lit the way. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the light, so she didn't have to squint anymore.
They soon stopped in front of another metal door, and coldness shot up Daine's body. But the inside of this room was different. It was big and well-lit for one thing. There was a queen-sized bed with silk and satin sheets the colours of blood red and cream white. In one corner was desk made of redwood. In another corner was a bookshelf which held books on animals and their anatomy. There was also a closet with its door slightly ajar showing many gowns of all colours and designs. A smaller room adjoined this one; it was the dressing room.
"I hope you like it," the man said, laying her on the bed. "Rest, and then you may take a bath later on. I will bring you food shortly."
Daine watched the man float towards the door, and called out at the last minute: "What's your name, sir?"
The man turned around, a twinkle in his eyes. "You may call me Conant." He stepped out of the room and left.
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The aroma of food jolted Daine awake. The man - Conant - had brought over the red velvet chair and was watching her. Her stomach growled. She felt heat rise to her cheeks. A smile appeared on his face and he stood, bringing the chair back to the desk where a tray with food sat waiting for her.
Daine shuffled off the bed and made her way towards the desk without looking at him. She ate the bowl of cereal, plate of fruit, and piece of toast quietly, but quickly, as Conant went into the dressing room and then came back out to lean against the wall and watched her back. She leaned back when she was done and felt a hand on her shoulder.
"There's a hot bath waiting for you in the dressing room, Lady Daine," he whispered, before exiting the room completely.
She stripped off the tattered remains of her clothes behind the wooden partition and stepped into the steaming, rose-scented water. Sighing, she began to wash the grime off herself, slightly puzzled and overwhelmed. First she was treated like a prisoner, and now she was being treated like a princess. What is going on?
Numair.
She rested her head against the edge of the porcelain bathtub and closed her eyes, images of the wavy, black-haired mage going through her mind.
Numair. when will you come save me?
Once the water started cooling off, Daine got out and dried herself on the violet towel on the low stool next to the tub. Underneath the towel was a breast band and a loincloth. Above the hung a soft blue off-the-shoulders gown lined in white with flowing sleeves. She put her new clothes on and looked in the full length mirror in the dressing room. Her blue-grey eyes still looked tired, and the dress hung limply on her body from two weeks of near starvation. She tied her still-wet brown hair with a leather thong and stepped out of the dressing room.
Conant was sitting on the bed, waiting for her. He was in a dark red silk shirt now, with black pants and the same black boots as before. His hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, several locks falling neatly to frame his angular face. Daine could see he had a healthy tan.
He stood up when she appeared and gave an approving nod before offering her his arm. "Lady, let me show you around her new home."
Still dazed and confused, Daine accepted the offer and followed, losing herself in the decorations of Conant's home.
Numair.