Disclaimer: I do not own The Immortals series, or any of the characters in the series. If I did, I would be out on a cruise ship enjoying nice warm weather instead of this annoying winter weather that teases you with a few days of warm weather before attacking you with a blizzard. So, since I'm not looking out over the ocean, all I own is the plot (of course), and the seven horses that were rescued from the horse thieves.

Enjoy!

Chapter 6

On The Road To Corus

Sunlight streaming in from the window awoke Daine, the rays of light warming her face. Opening her eyes, she saw Kit spread out over the end of her bed, arranged around Daine and Numair's feet.

Turning her head, she watched her beloved sleep, a content look gracing his face. Kissing him gently, she smiled as his only response was to pull her tighter against his chest.

"Numair," she whispered, running her fingers through his unbound hair. "Numair, wake up. We're leaving for Corus today."

Slowly, opening his eyes, he mumbled incoherently, burying his face into Daine's shoulder.

"Numair, you have to wake up," Daine said, laughing.

Looking up, he glared at her. "No, I don't," he murmured, his expression softening as she started raining light kisses down his jawline. As she pulled away, he quickly caught her lips with his, running his tongue along her lower lip. Willingly, she granted him entrance, letting his tongue caress hers.

Pulling away slightly, he rested his forehead against hers, both of them in need of air. "Are you sure we have to get up?" he implored quietly, running his fingers down her arm gently.

"Unfortunately, yes. Jon wants to leave early."

"Who cares?"

Before Daine could answer, Kitten woke, untangling herself before sitting between Daine and Numair. Daine laughed at the dragonet's antics. "Apparently Kit does," Daine said, laughing as Kitten started pushing on Numair with her small paws.

Getting up, Daine picked Kitten up off the bed. "Come on, Kit, before you actually succeed and Numair lands on the floor."

"You know, that dragon has some sharp claws," Numair muttered, getting up as well.

"Well, I tried to get you up myself," Daine said innocently.

"Yes, I still have to repay you for that,' he muttered, wrapping his arms around her from behind. "Sadly, you was right and I have to go pack." Kissing her gently, he left, heading back to his own room.

Daine turned back to Kit. "What do you say Kit? Want to help me pack?"

Kit trilled softly.

-----

When Daine entered the stables, the pure white stallion they had found with Black and Star approached her, dragging Buri with him as the woman tried to drag him back to where she was attempting to saddle him.

"Snowdrift!" Buri protested, "Come on! We have to go!"

The stallion Buri called Snowdrift butted Daine with his large head, causing her to stumble back. Can you tell her my name is Phantom, not Snowdrift! the stallion pleaded, shaking his head in annoyance.

Daine smiled, running her fingers through Phantom's long mane. Sure thing.

"Buri, I think you'll have an easier time if you call him Phantom instead of Snowdrift. I don't think he likes your name for him."

"Aww. I knew there was something wrong with him," Buri joked. "Come on Phantom, I still have to get you saddled. Daine, your horses are down there," she said, pointing down the stables before leading Phantom back to his saddle.

She left Buri and Phantom behind, heading down the stable aisle. Seeing Cloud standing outside her stall, Daine's bags on her back, she went over to her friend.

Why didn't they saddle you Cloud?

Because you'll be riding Black.

But your saddle won't fit Black. Besides, I was planning on riding you.

I'm wearing my saddle, Black has his own. Jon brought it over last night. And, besides, you have to ride Black. He's a present from Jon.

I guess you're right.

I'm always right.

Daine smiled at the pony. Cloud, why don't you go into your stall now?

As cloud returned to her stall, Daine opened the stall door next to hers, drawing the large black stallion's attention away from Star, who was in the next stall.

She was amazed at the saddle he wore. Black, trimmed in gold, it looking amazing on the young stallion. The bridle hanging over the door matched his saddle perfectly, as did the bag hanging behind his saddle. Inspecting the bag closely, she noticed that it was the perfect size for Kit. Her bow rested behind the saddle, easily within her reach.

Are we ready to go? Black asked her, nuzzling his head against her chest.

Not yet.

She was putting the bridle on Black when Numair appeared, Kit at his side.

"We're ready to go."

"Okay." Hooking the bridle, she picked up Kit, depositing the young dragon into the pouch waiting for her. As she trilled her approval, Daine turned her attention back to Numair. "What did Jon do with the other horses? I saw that he gave Buri Phantom, the white stallion."

"Well, the other black mare is for Thayet. I think he gave Rauol the bay, George the dun, and I think he gave Onua the flame colored one," he replied, entering Star's stall. As he led the mare out, Daine noticed that Star's tack matched Black's. Leading the two horses and getting Spots and Cloud on the way, they left the stable, going into the courtyard.

They were greeted by the amusing sight of Onua trying to control the feisty flame colored stallion as he reared, trying to break free of the woman's grip.

"Daine, I could use a little help here!" Onua called frantically.

Daine smiled, calling out to the horse. What's wrong?

I'm bored, he snorted, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. And besides, there's a rock in my front hoof.

I'll tell her. What's your name?

Flame.

"Onua, if you take the rock out of his front hoof, I'm sure Flame will be more willing to cooperate," Daine told Onua.

"Really? That's all?"

"Honestly, Onua, I thought you knew horses," Numair said jokingly as he mounted Star, tying Spots' reins to the saddle.

"Hey, at least I can ride a horse," Onua retorted, smirking at the look on Numair's face.

"Funny," he said sarcastically.

"I thought it was," Daine commented, mounting Black. Cloud, are you going to behave, or do I have to tie you to my saddle.

I'll behave, Cloud assured her.

"Flame, hold still," Onua told the horse, picking the rock out of his hoof.

Rauol rode up to them on the heavyset bay stallion that was once part of Black's small herd. "Jon's ready to leave. He's looking for you three," he informed them as Onua mounted Flame.

As they headed to where Jon awaited them, Rauol turned his attention to Daine. "I have no idea what to name him, so I was wondering if you'd find out his name for me?"

My name's Barbaro.

"His name's Barbaro," she translated for Rauol.

"That's unusual," he commented, studying his horse intently.

You have a problem with it? It suits me.

Daine laughed at Barbaro's remark.

They joined Jon, Alanna and George already with him. Jon rode his usual mount, the black stallion he called Thunder, the small black filly tied to his saddle. Alanna rode Moonstar, her stallion Darkmoon at her side, while George rode the dun that the horse thieves had stolen.

Hey Acorna, Moonstar, Spirit, Black called out to his traveling companions.

"So you're giving Acorna to Thayet?" Daine asked Jon.

"Acorna? Is that her name?" Jon asked, studying the filly.

"According to Black."

"Well, what's his name," George asked, slapping the horse lightly on the neck. "He's about plowed me over every time I've suggested a name."

That's because he never guessed right, Spirit snorted, tossing his head.

"He says that was because you never guessed it right. His name's Spirit," Daine said, amused.

"Come on, let's go," Jon called, sending Thunder through the gates of Port Legann.

With that, they began their journey back to the capitol.

-----

Daine unloaded Cloud of her packs, and the mare went to join Black as Daine began to set up her tent. It looked like it was going to rain, and she really didn't want to sleep wet. Putting her bags inside when she finished, she went in search of Numair, who still hadn't set up his own tent. He had unloaded Spots and Star, throwing his belongings haphazardly on the ground, before disappearing.

She found him sitting beside the river they camped alongside. She sat down on the rock he was leaning against. He hadn't noticed her approach, so focused was he on his thoughts.

"Your tent isn't going to pitch itself you know," she whispered in his ear. Started, he jumped.

"I know, Magelet," he said, getting up.

Pulling her to her feet, they walked back to camp.

"Daine?" Numair began as they set up his tent.

"Hmm?"

"Are you sure you want to make our relationship public?"

"Numair, we've already had this conversation before," she said in exasperation.

"I know we have, Magelet. But you do realize that it's not going to be easy?"

Walking around the newly pitched tent, she wrapped her arms around his neck, looking into his eyes. "Numair, I don't care."

"But-"

She silenced him abruptly with a kiss. "No buts, Numair," she said, pulling away slightly. "I'm sure."

-----

Daine laid in her bedroll that night listening to the sound of rain hitting the roof of her tent, running down the sides. Sighing, she turned over once again. She had been trying to go to sleep for several hours.

She missed Numair beside her at night, his arms embracing her. She had gotten used to him sleeping beside her the past couple of nights, and now that he wasn't there, she wasn't able to go to sleep.

Giving up, she called out to the nearest owl. Can you do me a favor?

What is it?

Can you wake me up before you go to bed?

I go to sleep before the sun rises.

I know. That's when I need to be up.

Okay, I'll be glad to.

Thanks.

Getting up, Daine left her tent, running across the small space between her tent and Numair's. Opening the tent flap, she went inside, closing the flap behind her.

-----

Unable to sleep, Numair kept tossing and turning. Hearing someone enter his tent, he turned over to see who it was. He was surprised to see Daine.

"Daine? Is something wrong?" he asked, confused.

"No," she answered, lying down beside him. "I couldn't sleep."

He pulled her against his chest, his arms wrapping around her. "Are you sure this is a good idea? We don't want to surprise anyone else the way we did Alanna."

"Don't worry. I asked an owl to wake me up."

Mumbling an agreement, he kissed her gently on the neck, the two of them finally falling to sleep.

-----

Onua woke early the next morning. Going out of her tent, she realized the sun hadn't rose yet. Going over to the tree where she had tethered Flame, she noticed the stallion was missing.

"Flame?" she called softly, not wanting to disturb anyone.

Concerned for her new stallion, she went to Daine's tent.

"Daine?" she called outside the tent. When Daine didn't answer, she went inside to wake her young friend. She was surprised to find Daine's bedroll empty.

Where is she? Onua thought, confused. It's not even daylight yet. Maybe Numair knows where she is.

Walking over to Numair's tent, she opened the tent flap, not bothering to call out. Ready to wake him up, she stopped in surprise when she saw Daine in his arms.

Quietly, she closed the tent flap, a knowing smile on her lips.

It's about time.

-----

Daine was riding beside Numair when Onua rode up beside her on Flame. She had found the horse grazing next to Black once she went to the river.

"Come on, Daine! Let's race!" Onua exclaimed as her stallion pranced with pent-up energy.

What do you say, Black? Daine asked.

Definitely.

"Do you really want to lose?" Daine asked innocently.

"No," Onua smirked as the two set their horses loose. "That's why I'm going to win."

Passing the others, Daine and Onua turned off down another path, away from the group. Racing neck and neck, the two stallions galloped down the trail.

"So, Daine, when were you going to tell me about you and Numair?" Onua asked mischievously.

Shocked, she looked over at Onua. "W-w-what are you t-talking about?" she stuttered.

"Well, it's the funniest thing. I was looking for you this morning, but you weren't in your tent. So I went to Numair's tent, thinking maybe he knew where you were. Turns out, he did know, considering you was with him."

Daine didn't reply. After several moments of silence, Onua continued. "It doesn't really surprise me. But when were you going to tell us?"

"We were going to tell everyone when we arrived in Corus. Except for Alanna and Jon, they already know. And what do you mean, it doesn't surprise you?"

Slowing the horses, they turned around, heading back the way they had came. "I'm observant, Daine. I saw this coming. I think it's good for you two. I'm guessing you want me to keep this silent?"

They had caught up with their group, heading back to the front where their friends rode. "Yea, enough people have found out before we were ready to tell them."

"Okay, I'll keep my silence. For now." Grinning wickedly, she rode up beside Alanna.

"Onua!"

-----

"Onua knows."

"About what, Magelet?"

"Us."

Numair looked over at her in surprise. "How?"

"She saw us this morning. Apparently she was looking for me."

"How'd she react?" he asked, looking over at their friend.

"She said it didn't surprise her."

"So she's okay with us?"

"Yep."

Riding through Corus made conversation between them difficult, but they managed. Their horses had no problem with the close quarters, so even though they were paying more attention to each other than their mounts, they still easily navigated through the city.

"We're home," Numair commented once they had passed through the palace gates.

"It's been awhile," she replied, content.

Dismounting, they turned their mounts over to the young hostlers on duty before heading up to the palace to freshen up. Two days of traveling required that they bathe.

AN 1: Has anyone read The Scarlet Letter? If you did, did you want to throw the book into a pit of flames? I did.

AN 2: Now, for a serious author's note. Does anyone think my stories need a Beta Reader? I don't know if it would be worth the delay in posting or not. (The Scarlet Letter has already delayed this update enough. lol)

Please Review! My plot bunnies are starving! With only a few moments of your time, you can feed my plot bunnies with a nice review! They would be very grateful!