Wow. This is the last chapter, and the longest, before the epilogue. Well I hope you enjoy!

Warning: sad, very sad.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter 17: Till Death Do Us Part

Numair's head swam and pounded like no other pain as he slowly regained conciseness. Every bone in his body felt as if they had been shattered one thousand times each over and over again. No other words could describe the immense pain and suffering he was going through. Though unable to move, he could picture all the blood he was losing from the many cuts and gashes he felt.

Minute after minute passed but the pain never eased. Finally, after what seemed like hours, Numair was able to move. He flexed and un-flexed his hands, sweat trickling down his face.

Using all the strength he had, he tried to sit up. The mage ground his teeth, squeezed his eyes shut, and dug his nails in his palm until he succeeded.

Ignoring his migraine, Numair looked around. The cottage, battlefield, the whole clearing, was now gone and was replaced with a crater. By the looks of it, it was seven feet deep and maybe two-hundred feet wide. The dirt that surrounded him was jet black with hints of green.

Turning his head to the evening sky he wondered where the others were.

'Alanna, Onua, George, the army. What happened to them? Perin and-'

"Daine," he breathed. His eyes widened in horror as he thought of his beloved. Numair scrambled to his feet ignoring the way his muscles screamed. He looked around frantically only to see wood and debris.

He started walking only to cringe in pain. He looked down at his arm and saw a long, deep gash wrapping around it. He cursed fluently and gripped his arm.

He continued to struggle forward, kicking away trash to find any hint of Daine. Thirty minutes past but still no success. Frantic he called her name.

"Daine!" his voice was cracked and tight with fear. "Daine!"

Then suddenly he saw a figure and tears wield in his eyes.

"Daine," he breathed and ran to the young women who lay on the blackened earth, bleeding badly. Numair fell to his knees beside her and looked her over.

Her arms lay useless at her side as half her face laid on the floor. Her hair was a crimson-brown tangle spread over the ground which her still head used as pillow. The shirt and breeches were now ripped and stained and unable to hide the cuts that tore Numair's heart. Everywhere he looked he saw blood.

Trembling, he brushed her cheek.

She was ice cold.

He checked her wrist but found no pulse.

"No," he whispered. He pressed two fingers to her neck but could feel nothing.

Shacking his head in disbelief, he wrapped and arm behind her neck and torso and pressed her to his chest. Burying his face in the crook of her neck, he said, "No, no, no!"

Tears spilled from his eyes and he sobbed uncontrollably. The pain he felt before could not be compared to the pain he felt now. It was as if he were back in the marsh; terrified, sad, alone, and dying. But this time, no one could help.

"Daine, you have to come back. Come on, come back. You have to," he sobbed. "You can't leave! I need you!"

He lifted his face to the starry sky and cried, "Badger! I know you can hear me! Bring her back! If you don't, I swear I'll come and take her myself!"

When no reply came, he looked down at the angel in his arms and let the tears fall.

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Daine's eyes fluttered open to reveal a bright room. As the previous events flooded her mind, she shot up terrified. "Numair!"

A cool hand pressed against her arm. "Calm down, dear. He's fine."

Daine looked at her mother who was sitting on a chair beside the bed.

"Ma? What are you doing here?" Looking around, she said, "What am I doing here?"

A pained look crossed her mother's face.

"You were to close to the explosion, honey," she whispered. "Numair was far enough but you . . .," her voice trailed.

"What?" Then realization dawned on her.

"No. I . . . I can't be . . . I can't be dead!"

Fear swamped her body as silent tears fell down her cheeks. Sarra sat on the bed beside her daughter and hugged her around the shoulders. Daine buried her face in her hands as Sarra rubbed her back.

Her life- her past life –raced through head and didn't stop. She had a family down there and the best friends in the world and the love of a man any woman could hope for. And now it was gone.

When she got under control she looked at her mother. "Can't you send me back?"

"I'm still a miner Goddess. I don't have the power."

"What about Badger? He's done it before," she said.

"I'd be glad too."

The Badger appeared at the foot of the bed and waddled forward.

"That fool of a man won't stop yelling at me and has even threatened to come here himself!" Daine couldn't help but giggle as the Badger shuck his head in annoyance.

He sighed and looked at Daine ruffely. "But he's good as far as men go."

Sarra kissed her cheek. "Be careful, won't you? I don't think we can send you back after this."

"I will," Daine assured and returned the hug her mother her. "Tell Da I love him."

Sarra nodded, smiled, and stood up.

"Lay back," ordered Badger.

She did as she was told as the Badger crouched at her feet.

"What are you -" before she could finish, the Badger leaped on her chest and everything went black.

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Daine awoke again but this time, instead of a bright room, all she saw was a dark-stained shirt. She could hear sobbing and her shoulder felt wet.

Inhaling to fill her crushed lungs, a familiar scent of spices filled her nose. She smiled happily as her own tears fell from her eyes. Suddenly she heard mumbling.

"Daine, no. I know you can make it. Come back. Badger, it's not her time. Take me instead."

"You wouldn't dare," Daine croaked. "And you're giving poor Badger a headache."

She could feel Numair stiffen as he held her. Slowly, he pulled away and looked at the young girl in his arms.

"You're . . . alive," he breathed.

"I couldn't leave you," she replied.

Before she knew what was happening, Daine was smashed against Numair's chest as he held her tighter than before. When she got her breath back she wound her arms around his waist and all but glued herself to him. They stayed like that for a small eternity, holding each other under the blanket of stars, terrified to let go and ignoring the physical pain their bodies felt.

Finally, Numair loosened his grip and looked Daine in the eyes. What she saw that day, she will never forget. The love and compassion, the happiness and joy in his brown eyes was enough to make her aching muscles limp.

And then, his mouth was on hers.

This kiss was like nothing she had ever felt before. It was urgent, yet gentle, warm, yet cool. It was as if her body was dancing in the coldest, most comforting, part of the fire but she could still feel the heat. Her heart pounded just like the hooves of a herd in a meadow. Her arms snaked up his back and she gripped his shoulders as Numair ran a slightly shaking hand through her hair. Blood rushed through her body as the slow, pleasant seconds past by.

Too soon for the both of them, they broke the kiss for air. Gasping for breath, the couple stared at each other, amazed they were together.

Finally Numair said, "I owe the Badger my life."

Daine chuckled, "Shouldn't I be the one saying that?"

Numair's expression turned serious as he cupped her face with his hand.

"Don't you see? You are my life. Before you came, I was just a mage who knew nobles. My life was boring and blank. Then you came and showed me things I never thought possible. You brought excitement and adventure with you." He kissed her softly. "And you showed me what true love really is."

Daine gaped at the man before her thinking everything was in reverse. Can he read minds or something? she thought.

"Veralidaine Sarrasri, I love you more than anything in the world. I want to spend every waking and non-waking moment with you. Will you marry me?"

Daine gasped surprised. She thought it was impossible but his eyes showed nothing but love and hope. Joyous tears wield in her eyes as she said, "Yes."

Numair beamed at her and held her close, feeling invincible. And then they waited the night out in each others arms.

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Well there it is! READ AND REVIEW PLEASE!