Chapter 3: Perin

Daine awoke in a small bed, her shirt and face drenched it sweat. Frantically, she looked around the, only to see a chair, desk, and window in the small grey room. She tried to remember what happened to her the few times she was conscious. From what she recalled, Perin drugged her then carried her to a few horses. Then they galloped through the forests, where they had to hide many times from the men-at-arms patrolling the grounds. After that, Perin noticed Daine was staring to wake up and put a sleeping spell on her.

Using all her effort, Daine got up and went to the window. Through the window she saw large, vast mountains and forests surrounding her. Where have I seen this? She wondered.

Up ahead, she saw two sparrows circling each other. Daine called to them with her magic. As the birds swooped down, she realized it was mating season.

You called, wing-sister? Said the male bird, settling on the rail with his mate. He was a little large for his species and had a white spot on his tail feathers.

"I'm very sorry if I interrupted but would you mind telling me where I am?" she said aloud, not having the strength to mind talk.

Your in Snowsdale. That young man carried you in here three days ago. He frightens me, said the female bird.

Me too, she thought. Daine forced a smile on her face and looked at the birds. As she rubbed their chests with her index fingers she said, "Thank you winged-friends. Be careful and have fun."

You too. As they flew away, Daine said under her breath, "I hope."

Thinking of what to do next, Daine was startled by the door creaking behind her. The Wildmage whirled around to see Perin in the doorway, an evil, mocking grin on his face.

"Awake are we?" he said.

"What do you want from me, Perin?" Her mind was racing trying to think of a way to escape.

"Aw, Daine. Always thinking of others before yourself." He took a step closer to her, than another.

"There's one thing I want. And that's you."

Daine, still clumsy from the spell, griped the window rail so she wouldn't fall. She knew Perin had feelings for her, but thought it was nothing more than a crush. Daine never thought he would do something like this.

"I told you in Corus that what we had was nothing more a fling," she said, her voice shacking. "I have moved on and I suggest you do the same."

"A fling?" He spat out the word as if it stung to say it. "Don't you see it, Daine? We were meant to be together. I love you."

He stepped closer to her until they were two feet apart.

"But I don't love you. And there are people in Tortall who I miss very much. If you truly loved me, you would let me go to them."

Daine saw anger in Perin's eyes as he stepped toward her. When he was right in front of her, Perin whispered in her ear, "If I can't have you, no one will."

As he backed away from her, Daine collapsed on the floor, hitting it with a thud. Perin picked her up and threw her on the bed.

"We need to get meat on your bones. You won't do if you're as skinny as a pole."

He went to the window and threw out the empty bottle of liquid sleeping spell and headed for the door.

"I might need more," he said to himself as he left the room.