This fic was supposed to be only a chapter long, but I was asked real nicely to write another. So here it is. After this, I'm leaving the story alone. I've got others to take care of and if I don't tend to them, I'll eventually forget about them and that will lead to some trouble.
Disclaimer: Good grief… no, it's not mine.
-----------------
Epilogue
"…and so that is why- Daine?" Numair felt a sudden weight on his left arm. Looking over at the girl next to him, he smiled. She had fallen asleep. Shaking his head, he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. Setting her down on the soft mattress, he removed her footwear before tucking her in. Brushing some stray curls from her face, he kissed her forehead lightly before preparing for bed himself. Crawling under the covers next to her, he watched her sleep for a small while.
Lying next to him, she looked so at peace, like she wasn't even the same person. Her hair fell where it pleases, covering her shoulders and the pillow her head rested on. She looked so delicate, like if he touched her as lightly as possible she would break.
Eyelids heavy, he slowly closed them, drifting off to sleep as well.
----------------
Sunlight streamed through the window the next morning. A game of light and shadow was played over the large bed where two bodies lay close. The rays of light danced across the bed sheets as well as the man's long, dark, hair and the girl's innocent face.
With a slight groan, Daine woke. Eyes opening, she found herself in Numair's arms. How she had gotten there, she didn't know and frankly didn't care. Her head against his chest, she listened to the steady beat of his heart. Closing her eyes, she took in the wonderful scent of soaps, spices, and clean clothes: his scent. She felt his arms around her tighten their hold and a warm breath on her shoulder. Looking up, she found herself lost in Numair's dark eyes.
"Good morning, sweet." He kissed her forehead softly.
She smiled up at him. Snaking a hand to the back of his neck, she pulled him down to her level, kissing him passionately. She could feel his hand running up and down her back from the base of her neck to her hips.
When the kiss broke, Numair sat up. "We're going to have to get up some time today, magelet."
Daine moaned. "Do we really have to?" She snuggled down into the blankets.
Laughing, he pulled the covers off of her to try to convince her to get up. "Come on, sweet. We both have work to do."
"Work can wait."
Numair tried to hide his amusement as he stood. "Fine, you can stay in bed, but if Onua asks why you're not working in the stables, I'm just going to send her up here so she can get you out of bed."
That got the girl up. She'd rather have him tell her to get up rather than have the horse mistress drag her out of bed.
-----------------
Onua hadn't even bothered to ask why Daine was late. She just let the wildmage get to work.
Daine got started right away on mucking out the stables, rubbing down horses, checking the large animals' heath, etc. She was enjoying listening to the beasts' chatter as she worked. It made all of it seem like less work.
Kitten crawled into the stables. Whistling, she clamoured over to Daine. She began to chatter loudly, wondering where she had been the previous night.
"Sorry, I went to Numair's rooms for lessons and fell asleep."
The dragonet chirped forgiveness as Daine picked her up and cuddled her.
-------------------
Daine had been focused on her work so intently; she hadn't even heard the door to the stables open.
"Daine…" A hand lightly clasped her shoulder. Startled, the girl turned around. It was just Onua. "You've done enough work today, go get cleaned up before supper."
The girl nodded and left the stables, soon realizing how yucky she felt from her day's toils. A hot bath sounded like a good idea right then.
--------------------
Drying her hair off from her bath, Daine- dressed in clean clothes- answered the door. Towel still on her head, she looked up.
Numair stood before her. He asked, "Am I interrupting something?"
She shook her head. "I just finished taking a bath, that's all."
"Then would you mind if I escort you to supper?"
Smiling, she removed the towel and quickly brushed her hair before they left for the mess hall.
END
----------------------
I'd like to thank the following for giving me their thoughts:
princessfromindia
Pink Squishy Llama
NealsChick
Pinky
Madame-S-Butterfly