"Perin, I'm so confused." She had just told him what Master Salmalin had done.
"Shh, it's okay Daine." He held her in his arms and brushed her hair with his fingertips, but her wasn't really paying attention to her. How had Numair found out? He knew that something was going on. And with Numair's power...who knows what could happen to Perin. He knew his time was running out, but he had one last thing to do with Daine. "Daine?" She looked up and met his eyes. "I have something to tell you." She nodded intently, listening carefully. "I...I think I love you...I think we can take our relationship to the next level." She looked at him quizzically. "What do you mean?"
"This." His lips took hers in a deep, passionate kiss. She hesitated, but responded and wrapped her arms around his neck. His went around her waist.
Perin decided to have some fun with Daine before something happened to his plans. Lightly probing her with his magic, he told her a few things to do.
Her fingers began unbuttoning his shirt as he fingered the waist of her breeches.
In minutes, they had discarded the majority of their clothing. Perin was so distracted that he didn't notice when some of the magic in his spells crumpled and disappeared.
He did notice when he felt a hand at his throat cut off his breathing. He opened his eyes and saw Daine's -- her real eyes, not the misty ones she had when he was in control -- "What are you doing?" she hissed.
"I --" He was cut off with a strangled cry coming from her. She hugged him around his middle. "Perin!" I'm so sorry! I don't know what I'm doing." He stared in wonder. She seemed to be switching back and forth. His thoughts were brought back to reality when Daine tackled him to the ground, snarling.
The next thing he knew, she was apologizing and kissing him, begging him to forgive her. The next time he was ready when she changed, but she was too fast. In seconds she had him in a painful position. With When he managed a breath he muttered a spell and Daine was thrown against the wall with so much force that he actually heard he bones breaking. She emitted one small whimper before her eyes closed.
Perin walked over cautiously, making sure she wouldn't attack him. She was knocked out cold.
Noticing that she was barely clothed -- as was he -- he smiled to himself and quickly changed his plans. Careful not to make her injuries worse, Perin gathered Daine in his arms and carried her to his bed. He would finish this with her awake or not.
He was reaching to pull off her breast band when he heard an angry gasp behind him and his world went black.
Alanna had gotten rid of the cover for the tracking spells when both hers and Numair's magic ran out.
"Alanna, let's go!" She looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean? Where are we going?" Her amethyst eyes showed just how tired she was.
"When you were breaking the spell, I continued to probe with my magic. Something is terribly wrong, even more so than before. I'm not going to sit here and rest when my Daine is in danger.
Alanna rubbed her eyes tiredly and stifled a yawn. "Of course...lets go."
Numair led the way to the scribe's wing. He walked quickly, Alanna taking two steps for each of his. At last, he came to a stop in front of an unmarked door. Cautiously, he tried the handle; it was unlocked. With a quick glance at Alanna he threw open the door. The room was empty. There was another door on the opposite side of the room. There was a flickering light showing under the door. Walking up to it, Numair found that it too was unlocked. He heard Alanna unsheathe her sword and after a moment's breath he pushed the door open.
Numair filled with fury at the sight. Perin was on top of an unconscious Daine...almost naked.
Distantly, he heard Alanna gasp as he threw all traces of magic into Perin, knocking him easily to the floor. Without hesitation, Numair ran to Daine's side. From there he could easily assess her body. He let out a strangled cry. Her body was broken and bruised. One arm hung limp, a leg was twisted far beyond what could be easily possible, and it looked like at least three ribs were broken. Thinking of something, he fumbled to find Daine's wrist. He sighed in relief when he felt a pulse; faint, but steady.
Dimly Numair felt people enter the room; Alanna and Jon. He hadn't even heard Alanna leave. Jon cursed and ran to Numair's side. "What happened?" Numair was about to explain when the hand he was holding twitched. Daine's eyes fluttered open and she whimpered in pain. "Daine? Can you hear me?"
Her voice was weak and rough when she replied. "N...Numair?" His heart soared, she had called him Numair! It was his Daine.
"Yes Daine, I'm here." Her eyes looked in his direction, but her eyes seemed unable to focus.
"Numair...I...AHHH!" She screamed in pain. The scream went on and on...her body seemed so fragile. Jon quickly grabbed her hand and sent his magic into her body, making her sleep.