Hello to all of you, again! I was actually planning to update much later as I have so many things to do (you know, university and studies, tsk), but I just couldn't resist it! So, please, please, please read my stuff and tell me that I didn't waste my time updating for nothing. Oooh, special thanks to my reviewers….

Opal Roseblossom: Yup, there'll be more chapters. That was just the beginning (winks cheekily). It gets better, or so I hope!

Sonnet Lacewing: Thanks! I'll try to keep your addiction to the very end! So stay with me, will you?

Fauna Greywolf: It's cool to think that you appreciate the DN fluff, too (Yeah! Daine and Numair forever!). Thank you!

Bluehazegrl (or are you lioness?): You really think so? Thanks! I really needed to hear that!

Snowtigress: I'm glad that you like the way I made Cloud. She's actually one of my faves among Daine's animals. Thanks for that!

I really, really appreciate you guys (and all future reviewers). I hope that I get more reviews….as I really enjoy reading 'em. (Sigh) I must sound like an awful stuck-up, loser, neh? Honestly, I just love reading on people's reactions, whether they be good or violent and unfriendly. But I won't lose hope! And I really do wish that I would get more reviews!

Anyways, this is the continuation of the previous chapter (duh!). I hope that you like this, too.

And I really think I should be shutting up instead of blabbing, right?

Right…wakokok!

Read and enjoy! (And review later!)

CHAPTER II: Icy Omen

It was snowing heavily. But then, this particular characteristic had been the reason why this area was named Snowsdale. Yet one child accompanied by a frightened pony seemed not to be bothered by the cold as she crouched unclothed behind a cluster of bushes. Strangely still a pack of wolves sat , worriedly wagging their tails like dogs, and peered up at her as though she were one of them.

We can't—

"Go, I tell you! Leave now! It is me they want!" shouted the girl ferociously. Sounds of human voices coaxing barking dogs echoed from a distance. They were coming, she thought, and that very thought almost drove her to the brink of insanity.

—you are one with the pack— continued the wolf named Brokefang.

"Leave me NOW!" she commanded powerfully, and this time, the wolves simultaneously turned and fled. Spent, she leaned against the pony and shuddered, noticing for the first time the shock of cold air.

"It's only me 'n you now, Cloud…"

Daine opened her eyes as a stab of nausea swept through her body once more. It was still very dark. Something warm was around her, and vaguely, she realized that Numair's arms were wrapped tightly over her body. The Wildmage sighed in relief; it was all just a dream after all…a piece of her sordid past. But why dwell on it now, after so many years? Burying it in the depths of her mind, her eyes wandered over the dishevelled face of her lover. A strange sort of peace flooded her as she noticed the serenity and healthy youthfulness in his expression. Sighing softly, she kissed his jaw and pushed her head at the crook of his neck for comfort.

Another sweeping coldness passed through her body, making her shudder involuntarily. It was a different kind of pain, as though she was doused with a bucket of melted snow. It isn't that bad, she thought, trying her best to convince herself and failing. One more wave passed through from the core of her very being, this time leaving her stiffly chilly and invariably weaker. Now, even Numair's warmth failed to soothe her.

A gasp passed through her mouth as the terrible clamminess intensified. Tears squeezed out of her tightly shut eyes, pouring onto her lover's chest. Preoccupied as she was in suppressing the pain, she unconsciously grabbed a fistful of Numair's chest hair which broke him from his light slumber.

"Daine, what—" he began and stopped abruptly as he felt more than saw her shivering and weeping silently against him. Softly, he murmured, "You're crying."

When she didn't answer, he sighed and added hesitantly, "Are—are you regretting it alrea—"

"NO!" Daine said a bit too loudly, shocked by the absurdity of the question. Her outburst left her weaker than ever and yet she continued. "Numair, don't you ever think that I regret doing it with you. Our love is sacred…a wonderful treasure."

With that, she raised her head and brushed her lips against his in a tender kiss that swept his doubts away. In the dark, his eyes searched her stormy grey ones intently. "Forgive me for doubting you, Magelet. I just thought—" he sighed and shook his head ruefully. "Why are you crying?"

"Nothing," she added too quickly, but an unchecked wince gave her away. In surprise and concern, Numair sat up to light a candle then drew her up into a sitting position as well. In the dim light, Daine's pallid face gleamed with cool sweat and steadily pouring tears. The dragonet, which had awoken sometime in the night was hooting and whistling in panic.

"Mithros!" he exclaimed. "You're in pain."

"Not too much," she whimpered feebly as she swayed and steadied her head on Numair's shoulder.

"When did you start feeling this?" His dark eyes were welling with worry.

Daine didn't answer. Gently, he made her look into his face. "Tell me the truth. When?"

Uncomfortably, she pulled away and shifted her gaze to his chest as she wiped her tears. "Last night."

"Last night!" he exclaimed, flabbergasted. Numair's lips thinned in frustration. "You said it was just a—oh, I get it now. The real reason you went down to Cloud is because you were very unwell."

"I'm not very—"

"Would you be crying if you weren't hurting and unwell?" he interrupted quietly.

"I didn't want to worry you." She croaked, slightly unnerved by the anger in his voice.

"You lied to me," He said accusingly. Kitten, who was hooting the whole time, jumped on the bed and butted her head on Daine's arm. The young woman lifted her hand to stroke the young dragon's soft skin and bit and groaned; even the smallest of movements were making her weaker than ever.

"I'm sorry. I started feeling like this last supper and I thought it was just a passing dizziness. But I couldn't sleep, and I didn't want to wake you up so I just went down to Cloud. It's just—I really didn't want to worry you. I'm sorry." The whole time, she occupied herself with rubbing the ears of the distressed dragon. The whole speech left her very tired and slightly breathless, yet she didn't lean on him again for fear of being rebuffed.

Numair lifted Kitten to one side and tenderly pulled Daine into his arms. "If I didn't know you well, I'd have thought you were a bit mad, Magelet."

"You're not angry?" she asked, hopefully as she melted into his arms.

"Of course I am!" and with that, he kissed her forehead then her lips ardently. "But I love you more, Daine."

Daine giggled as he tweaked her nose and suddenly winced as her insides were shot with icy coolness. She gasped and gripped Numair's arm in pain. Kitten, on the other hand, started screeching horribly once more.

Concernedly, he said, "You're very ill, Daine. I'm bringing you to Alanna—"

"It's still too early." She panted. "Please, Numair, just—just hold me, please?"

"But—"

"I'll feel better. You're all the medicine I need," she whispered.

For a moment, Numair seemed to decide against it. Then, he gently laid them both back on the bed. "What do you feel?"

"Cold. Very cold."

With that, he placed his thigh over her hips and pulled her even closer to his body. "I'll keep you warm, my Magelet."

"Thank you, Numair."

As Daine cosily rubbed her nose against his chest, the pain seemed to lessen. She heard Numair whisper that he loves her and with a small smile, the wild woman fell back to sleep.

The young dragon stared after a few minutes at the sleeping couple and turned an odd shade of grey. It was fear, but what has Kitten to fear? Clucking like a worried chicken, she crawled on the top of the top of the two and settled there to sleep.

The hot summer sun sent waves of heat from the ground. The horses grazed lazily in the meadows and raised their heads as they felt the familiar presence of one certain woman. Huffing, Daine waved and patted each one of them as they all neighed in greeting. Tahoi, who was guarding the horses bit her leg playfully and lined up to be petted.

You're late, said the dog as Daine rubbed it around the ears.

"I know," she replied apologetically. "I had to go to the healer."

Are you still feeling weird? Butted Cloud and nudged her shoulder worriedly.

"No. I'm perfectly fine now. But Numair insisted on my seeing a healer."

And…

"And nothing!" said Daine with a grimace. "Alanna couldn't see anything. Apparently, or so they say, nothing was wrong with me. Someone even suggested that I'm pregnant!"

You're not? Yapped Tahoi and the horse snorted in laughter.

"Of course I'm not! It was only last night that—" and Daine stopped with a deep flush on her face and neck.

Oh, so you finally did it.

Daine glowered at the horse as Tahoi barked a chuckle at Cloud's cheekiness. The other horses flicked their ears, and Daine could swear there was a grin on each of their smug faces.

Suddenly, she felt something big and new soar above her. Raising her head, she gasped in awe. There was the most beautiful eagle flying in the sky. The other day, Daine had read in one of Numair's books about the Golden eagles. They were very rare and usually lived high up in the mountains. As Daine eyed its elegant wings and large form, she felt very sure that this was the one she had read about.

With a loud cry of excitement, she called out to the creature with her wild magic. The proud bird circled around her head and refused to come down to her. Sensing its impudence, Daine called harder, both pleading and dominating it at the same time.

Yes, dominating, she thought wryly. Her eyes flashed oddly as a fleeting unconscious thought passed through her head. I will show you the true meaning of domination…

An explosion of coldness erupted once more from her frame and her mouth opened briefly into a silent scream. Tahoi and the horses immediately felt and sensed a part of her pain, horrifying them at its growing intensity. All of them went noisy and wild as they felt something within Daine change. It seemed as though she were losing her human essence…

Cloud, finally fighting off the wild magic, nipped Daine hard at the elbows. With a cry of pain, Daine woke from her trance and fell down on the grass forcibly. The pain was gone, yet she was sweating nervously as Tahoi bounded on her and licked her pale face.

"Wh-what just happened?" she asked shakily.

Daine, I'm not sure, said the horse softly. But I fear the worst.

"Don't speak in riddles Cloud! You don't always talk like that."

I'm not. I'm just not sure about things…you were never in physical pain because of its manifestations before, were you?

"No…but, Cloud, I—I did it again. After so long…I thought—is it back?" she asked desperately.

What is back? What are you talking about? Quipped the dog worriedly.

There was a pause. Then, she whispered morosely, "The madness, Tahoi…my madness. I—I think it is back."

Hehe, so how was it again? I hope you don't find this one boring…

As I have mentionedfor the nthtime, I really enjoy reading reviews (whether or not those are kind 'uns, what the heck! Those are still reviews, neh?).

So please, please, please, PLEASE review. I really, really, REALLY need to know what you think of this. I'm actually busy right now with studying so I'm not sure how fast I can update. Still, if there are lotsa reviews….I might be able to update earlier (ahEm..).

That's all for now!