I feel like I should explain one of my drabbles from last time. I didn't meant that Alanna actually did wish George had died instead of Liam. I meant that George knew Alanna loved him even through her pain of losing Liam (who she was close to, like it or not--and I don't). So there we go. lol

Also, lots of you were asking for Daine/Numair, which made me very happy because a) I absolutely adore D/N, b) that means you're enjoying these at least a little, and c) I think these are my best. So...enjoy. :D

1. Friends

Daine smiled and buried her head in the fur of the palace dogs who had come to greet her. The usually fierce, protective creatures pranced like puppies before her and begged her for attention, and Daine was more than happy to obey. They were her friends.

The sound of human laughter brought Daine's attention to the rest of her world. Behind her, Alanna, Onua, and Numair watched her, amused. Daine made a face at them as they continued laughing, but she couldn't help but join in. The People weren't her only friends, after all.

2. Constellations

The stars reflected in Daine's eyes as she gazed up at them, listening to Numair's lesson on constellations. He, however, was focused on her, on the line of her neck, on the swell of her chest below her tunic. He stopped himself there, unwilling to push his fancies any farther. Daine, heedless of Numair's inner battle, pressed against him, her arm slinking around his waist. Numair heard his voice trail off but didn't bother to start speaking again. He didn't remember what he was talking about, anyway.

3. Selfish

It hadn't been Numair's plan to take Daine as his lover so soon. He'd hoped she would drift away before the temptation became too great, so she'd be free of his reputation, and innocent. But she'd been so loving that night, and so beautiful, it had finally been too much. Their lips had met, clothes done away with, and he took her for himself, the most selfish thing he'd ever done.

But when Daine's eyes found his, and her lips pressed against his neck softly, Numair found that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't quite feel selfish anymore.

4. Approval

They had thought their friends would disapprove of their relationship. On the day they had told everyone, neither could remember ever being so nervous. But the comfort of the other's presence gave each of them the courage to declare their deepest and most treasured secret. Alanna, George, Jon, Thayet, and Onua had all been struck silent by their revelation, but Aly, the child daughter of the Lioness, had been utterly unsurprised.

"Told you so," she proclaimed, looking smugly at her mother and father, who could only laugh, along with everyone else.

5. Someday

The answer had always been "maybe someday". Always maybe, no matter how many times Numair asked Daine to marry him. But Numair never gave up, knowing his magelet would agree to marriage when she was ready. So when he asked again one Midsummer afternoon as Daine reclined in his arms, watching a pair of birds fly past the setting sun, he didn't expect much. Daine smiled and kissed him, her finger tracing the strict lines of his jaw. And when she pulled away, she tucked her head under his chin, whispering into his chest, "Someday."

6. Real

Every woman Numair had been linked to was the same. Rich, older, big-bosomed, usually blonde. Daine was the complete opposite. But Numair loved her, anyway. Daine didn't know what made her so special, what set her apart from the rest. She had asked him about it once, and the mage had smiled and tightened his grip on her waist.

"You're real, magelet," he had whispered, kissing her sweetly.

7. Birthday

Daine traced invisible lines in Numair's chest as he stretched out on their bed, shivering under her touch. His lover's mouth warmed his skin, sending a scorching desire through him. He wrapped his arms around Daine's waist, covering her lips with his hungrily, while Daine returned his attentions. Numair held his magelet close, kissing every inch of skin he could reach. Daine's breath was a whisper against his cheek as she gasped his name, tangling her fingers in his hair.

Later, they held each other atop the twisted sheets, and Daine whispered, "Happy birthday, Numair."

8. Sense

Numair watched his magelet sitting on the floor, teasing Kitten with a ball. He watched her curls sway before her eyes as she laughed. Everything she did sent a shiver down his spine, and he had to fight to keep himself in his seat. He couldn't understand it: she could make him love her without even trying. They shouldn't work, but they did. It didn't make sense.

Laughing, Daine looked up at Numair. Her eyes locked on his, and he saw exactly what he was feeling reflected in them. And suddenly, he didn't want to make sense of it anymore.

9. Private

Daine leaned into Numair's chest, listening to the sounds of Cloud grazing, her gaze fixed on her lover, watching his eyes follow the clouds. Her hand traced the collar of his tunic. Numair smiled, turning to look at his magelet. He lowered his face to hers, softly pressing their mouths together once, twice before Daine leaned in and kissed him firmly. Numair laughed against her lips, but his chuckle became a gasp as he jerked away, rubbing his arm.

"He bit me!" the mage said, pointing at Cloud. The pony looked pleased.

Next time, wait until you're in private, Storkman.

10. Please

Numair smoothed an unruly curl behind Daine's ear, caressing her neck gently. Daine gazed up at him, silent. Both of them felt the extreme seriousness of this moment, of now, as if the rest of their lives depended on it.

"Please, sweet," Numair breathed, cupping Daine's face in his hand, "marry me."

Daine's breath caught in her throat. It wasn't the first time she had heard that question, but this time felt different. She looked up at Numair, her entire being screaming the answer at her.

"Yes, Numair," she whispered. "I will."

Mithros, I love them.

Still busy and headache-y,
Brighteyes