I don't own any of the Tamora Pierce characters


Thanks to all my reviewers. I'd just like to say to you lot that don't review that I know who you are, because I'm nice I won't mention names, but I've seen the people who have put me on their alerts list without reviewing, and if you have any complaints or ideas, I can't change or adapt the story to suit you, that doesn't mean I want you to stop reading, but I like to know what people think, but hey, I'm not gunna come knocking on your door with a battering ram and force you to review, but if you'd like me to know what you think, then there'sa little clickety thing that you press, and it lets you sign my beautifully crap story :) anyway, sorry if you read this and do review, I love you guys lol, so anyway, here comes the next chapter. . .

"Its not a mistake unless you learn something from it."


Ivy was both relieved and slightly annoyed when Matthew returned later that night with a noble woman in tow. It confused her slightly, how he could be so obsessed with her for a while, then go off with someone else the next minute, she wouldn't admit either, that it was because she was becoming slightly attached to the man that she minded so much, she merely told herself that they had a friendly relationship and she cared about what happened to him. Even when a tear rolled down her cheek when she heard the two making noises in the next room that nobody else was supposed to hear, she told herself that she merely wanted what was best for him, and that she didn't think it was swanning around with strange maidens he found in the city.
Matthew woke up slightly tired, but proud of something, though he was not quite sure what. It was definitely not the fact that he had managed to make a young woman swoon over him without even trying the night before, in fact it might have been fair to say he hated himself for it, but there was something else, at the back of his mind, telling him something about someone. . . but he didn't know what. He didn't know who, he didn't know why and he didn't know what it all meant. There was definitelya part of him that felt bad for Ivy, he hadn't thought about not keeping her awake, and he had not made any attempts to quieten the woman who now lay beside him. He also hadn't thought about the way she would react to their kiss, it was meant to have been a thank you for helping him, but he'd found himself wanting more than that, wanting to hold her close, something that he had never felt about a woman before in his life. Silently, he slipped out of the bed, dressing indark breeches and a white shirt. He then slipped out of the room, breathing a sigh of relief when he was outside, away from the distinct smell of womans perfume that he was beginning to detest. He was pleasantly surprised to see Ivy disappearing round the corner of the corridor, and he ran to catch up, feeling suddenly light and airy. Ivy turned to look at him when she heard his footsteps, then rolled her eyes and quickened her pace.

"Ivy?" Matthew said in confusion, "whats up?" He instantly hated himself for it and cursed under his breath for sounding so heartless.

"Oh I don't know, maybe its not too great to be kept up all night by some slag and your knight master screwing in the next room, and maybe its not a good idea to try and help your knight master when he needs you, because if he gives you a thank-you kiss with a bit of tongue, you might get it confused and think it means something, when actually, he was just testing to see if he'd gone rusty or not!" Ivy didn't realise what she was saying until it had all come out, and then she realised that she had said it very loud.

"Ivy, it wasn't like that! And do you mind not yelling about my private life, its hard enough already!" Matthew hissed.

Ivy gawped at him. "Its hard? What exactly is hard about your private life, you run down to the city whenever you fancy a bit of action, well I suppose that involves the movement of legs, and thats really difficult isn't it? Or maybe you mean the morning after, telling them you don't want a relationship and you just like a bit of fun. Well, why don't you just not get so bloody out of control with your hormones, then you wouldn't need to tell them would you?"

Matthew rolled his eyes and grabbed her arm, steering her into a shadowy corner where nobody could see them. "I'm sorry." he said. "Alright?"

Ivy folded her arms across her chest and lifted an eyebrow.

He sighed and put his hands on her shoulders. "I'm sorry for keeping you awake, I'm sorry for making you feel that way alright?" He took in a deep breath. "But theres one thing I can't apologise for ok."

Ivy stared at him. "Whats that?"

Matthew looked at her for a second, then went on. "I can't apologise for that kiss."

Ivy went to speak, but he covered her mouth with a hand. "I can't apologise because I wanted it to happen." He took his hand away and leant closer to her again. Ivy froze, and closed her eyes. When his mouth was only a millimetre away from hers, she shook her head, coming back to her senses.

"It was a mistake. I won't make it twice." she said firmly, pushing him away. He stood strong, arms on either side of her on the wall.

"Learn anything from it?" he whispered. Ivy tried to ignore the seductive tone of his voice.

"I learnt . . ." she started. Matthew raised an eyebrow, as if telling her to go on. She said nothing.

"Well then." he murmured, "if you didn't learn anything, it can't have been a mistake." he gently raised the back of his hand to rub her cheek. "I promise, if you let this happen, you won't regret it. I won't let you regret it." He leaned in closer, still talking. "And I won't regret it either." Ivy stayed quiet, feeling his warm breath on her face. "We're soulmates . . . remember?" he went on.There was a second she thought about pushing him again, but then their mouths met. There was a hint of spice on his breath, mixed with honey, Ivy sighed into his mouth, letting him pull her to his chest in a warm embrace. Matthew pulled away briefly. "I told you . . ." he murmured, rubbing her nose with his. Ivy said nothing and let him claim her lips again, enjoying being held in his strong, muscled arms. There was a noise from somewhere nearby and Matthew jumped away. Ivy looked at him for a second with a frown, he looked at her with regret in his eyes, then mouthed 'later'. Ivy sighed and nodded, somewhat disappointed. Matthew looked at her for a few seconds, then turned and walked away.

"We're not soulmates. There's no way we can be soulmates!" Ivy mimicked under her breath. Smiling slightly, Ivy headed back to her room.


Matthew was relieved to find his room empty when he returned. He threw himself on the bed and swore. What had he gotten himself into? He'd just admitted that he and Ivy were soulmates. He'd gone and done what he'd told Lord Raoul he wouldn't. And he'd almost come to the point of admitting something else, something beyond obsession, something completely alien to him . . .

There was a knock on the adjoining door. Matthew looked up to see Ivy peer around the new wooden door that Ivy had obviously got someone to put in the night before. He smiled at her, then swunghis legs off the bed and patted the space next to him. Ivy hesitated, then joined him, sitting closer than she would have donea month before. He had to resist urges to pull her to him and kiss her. He opened his mouth, but Ivy beat him.

"What are we going to do?" she asked.

Matthew smiled weakly at her. "I don't have a clue." he muttered.

Ivy sighed. "Dad'll kill us if he finds out." Matthew nodded grimly. "Uncle Numair will be happy." she said. Matthew frowned. Ivy grinned at him. "He told me that he thought we would be good together the first time he saw us, even when he didn't know we were supposed to be soulmates." Matthew smiled at her.

"Well, maybe he's just got a good eye for these things." he looked at her carefully. "Are you sure you want this? Me and you?"

Ivy hesitated. "I don't know. . . I mean, I want you, but if we mess it up then we'll ruin everything." Matthew nodded, and took her hand in his. She looked up into his eyes and was shocked, but pleased, to see them filled with a calm understanding that made her feel safe.

"Think about it." he pleaded. "I won't force you into anything, but . . . this can't be a mistake, we both know that don't we?" Ivy nodded.

"Ok," she whispered. She leant in to him, brushing her lips against his. "Thank you." she murmured. Matthew smiled, then let go of her hand letting her leave the room. As soon as she had left he touched his lips, feeling a sudden burning sensation.

"Since when were you Mr Sensitive?" he asked himself. He sighed and lay down. "Admit it." he said. "You're nuts about her."


So there we are another strange, probably rubbish chapter, i dont think this was as good as some actually . . .

Again, if its crap I will scrap, if its good . .. . someone think of something to put here!

Mage of the Heart