Disclaimer: All of the characters in this story (except for Olin. He's mine.) are the property of the great Tamora Pierce. I just add in the plot line.

Daine lay still, her eyes closed, the thick darkness covering her like a warm blanket. She breathed in slowly, trying to still her pounding heart. Only a few more minutes . . . then he should come. She fidgeted, twining her slender fingers in the covers. At a sudden thought, Daine sat up and ran her fingers through her smoky brown curls, taking extra care to make them messy, like she had been tossing and turning in her sleep. Lying back slowly, she heard a meow of protest from one of the three cats that shared her bed. She had asked them to come and pretend to be asleep in her warm bed, since she usually slept with several animals and the man she waited for would know something was amiss if no animals were with her. The cats had cheerfully obliged, happy to find a place warmer to sleep then the drafty corners of the castle.

Sorry, Mino, Daine said to the black-and-white cat who she had annoyed.

Well, just be careful that you don't squash me, the tomcat answered grumpily, then stretched and turned over.

Smiling softly, Daine settled back on the pillows and drew the many covers around her. She suddenly froze as footsteps sounded outside her door. Turning over so that she could see who entered, Daine closed her eyes, then opened them a bit. Her long lashes would veil the fact that she could see him as he entered.

The door opened. A tall man entered, yawning and running big hands through his long black hair. The light from the hallway shown around his outline, throwing his face into dark relief, but Daine knew that it was her husband and former-teacher, Numair. Her heart swelled with love for him, and she thought of the being within her that he had helped give life to . . .

Numair, one of the most powerful mages in Tortall, didn't look very powerful now. His face was pale, and he had smudges under his eyes from many nights spent up studying. His long, now tousled black hair tumbled around his face. He opened the door so that more light would come in, and glanced at Daine. She resisted the urge to smile, and silently reminded the cats to stay still.

Apparently thinking that she was asleep, Numair shut the door, latched it, and went to the chest of drawers that stood against the far wall. Daine watched him as he changed for bed, his back to her, noticing how his hands shook with fatigue, and how he kept stifling a big yawn. She almost backed down from what she was going to do that night, but she had to get out. It would be a relief—she felt guilty thinking this—to get away from all of the worried attention that Numair showered upon her during the day.

Finally finished dressing, Numair walked around the bed and climbed in on the opposite side from Daine. She lay still a few more moments, then, checking to see that he was asleep, slowly and silently got out from under the covers and pulled her boots on, thankful that the life with in her had decided to stay human that night.

Daine made her way to the door, crouching as she inched her way along the ground, her process hampered by the large weight in her belly. Making sure that when the door opened, the light wouldn't hit her love's sleeping face, Daine slipped out into the hall and shut the door as quietly as she could. Tiptoeing along the corridor, and hoping that the being within her wouldn't wake up and start to shape shift, she made her way to the end of their hall. Reaching the corner, Daine gathered the cloak around her and rushed through the palace, making as little noise as possible.

She finally pushed open another door and rushed outside, the cold night air quickly waking her up. It felt nice and refreshing to be outside. She had been confined to the palace for days, and it was starting to stifle her. Of course, she appreciated Numair's worry (he was her husband, after all), but she needed a break. Daine walked through the courtyard and approached a low building. Horse voices, sensing her approach, called out in greeting. Daine heard one jubilant voice in particular. Reaching the double doors that now stood open, her way was stopped by a solid man with hair the color of straw.

"'Ello Daine. No use guessin' why you're here, eh?"

Daine sent him a little smile, "No use at all, Stefan. I'm here to see Cloud."

The hostler smiled back at her, his eyes twinkling, "That mare's been missin' yeh ever since that mage o' yours confined y' to the palace. He finally let yeh out? An' in the middle of the night too."

The girl's sheepish grin told the hostler everything. He stepped aside, holding the door open. "Go on. I'll cover for yeh if anyone comes askin'." He winked at her.

Daine grinned at him, "Thanks Stefan." He waved a hand in her direction, turning to close the doors, and she walked into the stables. Touching the muzzles of each horse she passed and giving them a greeting in return for their friendly whinny, she finally reached the stall of a small, steel gray pony. The mare nickered with pleasure as Daine rubbed her nose.

Finally you came to visit, the mare snorted grumpily, I almost thought you abandoned me for that stork-man.

Daine grinned at the use of her animal friends' nickname for Numair. Really, Cloud, do think I would ever abandon you? He had me confined to the palace.

The mare blew in her face. What, in fear that you'll hurt yourself and that baby? Horses are smart, we never stick with stallions long enough that they start pushing us around.

Daine blushed, pulling bits of hay out of Cloud's mane. He's not pushing me around. He's just worried about me.

Worried enough to force you to stay in that stone stable? "Stone stable" was Cloud's name for the castle.

Worried for me and the baby, Daine defended her love. She suddenly rushed forward, buried her face in Cloud's mane, and threw her arms around the pony's neck. Oh Cloud, I missed you so much!

The mare lipped her hair. I know, I know. Mindful of that foal you're carrying, or else I won't have anything to hammer horse sense into. Humans, always tampering with nature's course . . . can't let go and let a colt grow up on his own . . .

Daine laughed and rubbed her swollen belly affectionately.

The stork-man's here, Cloud announced suddenly, and he doesn't seem too happy. You'd better go check . . .

But Daine was already hurrying down the aisle, having heard shouts at the entrance. She rounded a corner, and the fear in the horses' voices slammed into her. They clamored in her mind, wanting to know why the stork-man was so angry. Daine sent a calming thought to every mount she passed as she hurried to the front door, worry written on her pale face.

The first thing she saw when she reached the entrance was Stefan pressed against the wall, covered in sweat, gasping for breath. His eyes, wide with fear, were fixed on something that Daine couldn't see. Quietly, she glanced around the corner that had blocked her vision, and froze.

Numair stood there, feet braced, black and white fire crackling around his hands. His face was livid, and the air bent visibly where it touched him. He seemed to tower over everything around him. The only other times she had seen him this angry was when he had tried to fight a dragon, and when Perin the clerk had tried to bed her.

Her love raised a hand menacingly. "Tell me where she is," he growled. Daine shivered at the steel in his voice. Black and white fire gathered in his outstretched palm. "Tell me!"

When Stefan remained silent, he whispered a word, and magic leapt toward the smaller man. Without thinking, Daine rushed into its path. She couldn't let Numair kill the hostler.

"No!" a voice shouted. At first Daine thought that it was she who had cried out, but one glance at Numair told her. His outstretched hand was now clenched in a fist, and he stared at her, his eyes wide, paler than a sheet. His breath came in heavy gasps. She had never seen him this worried or shocked. Troubled, she hesitantly said, "Numair-"

He gasped and flew across the space between them. His arms enveloped her in a very tight hug. He drew back and stared at her, hands gripping hers. "Daine . . ." he gasped, "I could have killed you . . ."

"You were going to kill Stefan," Daine said accusingly, though she felt guilty for berating him. He had been so tired lately.

"He wouldn't tell me where you were!" Numair shot back sharply, eyes flashing.

"So what! That doesn't give you an excuse to throw magic at him!" She fell silent as he gently brushed hair out of her eyes.

"Daine . . ." he whispered, his breath warm on her face. "I just . . . I don't want anything to happen to you-"

"Is that why you've confined me to the palace?" she snapped, her pent-up anger suddenly fizzling to the surface. "I've faced danger before, Numair, and you've never reacted like this! And anyway, dangerous things-"

She stopped as she felt his hand caress her swollen belly. Her eyes suddenly lit with understanding. "Numair," she continued, much quieter now, "Do you really think that I would let our baby get hurt?" Her eyes raced over his pale face, reading the exhaustion and worry in his dark gaze.

He pulled her close again. "Oh, Daine," he said in barely a whisper. "I just . . . I've never been a father before, and with all of the danger that we've faced . . . babies are so fragile."

"But this one has me as a mother," she murmured into his ear. She drew back slightly, then pressed her lips to his. As always when she kissed him, fire raced through her body, making her want to melt in his arms. He tipped her head back with a gentle hand, deepening the angle of the kiss.

He went to step closer to her, but her belly bulged in the way. Daine drew back, though her heart cried out with longing as his warm lips left hers. She smiled up at him, and he pulled her closer, eyes grave.

"Let's get you back to bed." His lips tickled her ear.

She nodded into his chest, and looked up. "Though you might want to apologize to Stefan first," she suggested, seeing that the hostler had left the corner where he had been cowering.

"Where-" Numair began, but Daine was already throwing her magic out over the stable, asking the horses if they knew where their other friend was. An answer chimed in her mind from a stall in a corridor near them, and Daine gently detangled herself from Numair and started down the passageway, keeping hold of his hand.

As they went, horse's heads came over the stall doors, calling out in greeting. Daine silently answered each of them, and apologized for not being able to visit longer.

They finally came up to the stall of the horse who had answered Diane's question. She was a small gleaming bay, with a bright white stripe running down her nose. Stefan was gently stroking her side, his face turned away from them. The mare berated Daine, What did you do to him? I've never seen him this frightened!

Daine, who knew that Stefan had wild magic with horse's just as she did, patiently explained, Calm, hoof-sister. The stork-man got angry at your hoof-brother when he wouldn't tell him where I was.

The mare snorted. Tell the stork-man that if he tries to attack my hoof-brother again, I will punish him with hooves and teeth. I'm not going to attack him now, but that's only because you're here.

Daine relayed the mare's message to Numair, whose face was serious. He moved up to the stall door and lay a hand on the latch, though he didn't open it. The mare's ears went back, and she swung her head toward him in a warning bite.

Numair looked back at Daine, and the woman hastily told the horse, Indigo, stop it! I won't let him hurt Stefan!

Indigo lowered her head, though she still looked at Numair with dislike. "Stefan," Numair called softly without entering the stall, "I am sorry about my . . . reaction. I overreacted out of worry for Daine."

The hostler turned to look at them, and Daine was relieved to see that some of the color had returned to his face. "Yer forgiven," he said huskily.

They were silent for a moment, then Numair nodded firmly and turned back to Daine. Placing a hand on her back, he started to lead her out of the stable, but Daine turned back. She looked at Stefan. "Will you be all right?" she said softly.

The hostler nodded. "I've never seen him that angry," he whispered, "Not even when Perin tried to take advantage of ye."

She nodded, and sent a silent goodbye to Indigo. The mare grudgingly answered with her own farewell.

Daine finally turned back to Numair. An arm around her shoulders, they walked out of the large building, Daine calling out leave-takings to the horses. After all of her goodbyes were said, she turned to the thought that was plaguing her mind. Why is he so tired? she wondered. She had wanted to confront him about letting her out of the palace, but Daine had seen what a struggle it had been for him to launch even that small bit of magic toward Stefan. She couldn't argue with him now.

As they entered the castle and climbed the stair to their rooms, Daine absently rubbed her belly and looked up at Numair. His profile was haggard, and there were dark circles under his eyes.

They entered their room, and Numair led Daine over to the bed. "Go to sleep," he whispered, not meeting her eyes.

"Numair, what-"

He wouldn't speak to her. "I'll be back in a few hours." He shrugged on a dark over robe and went out the door.

Daine stared after him, bewildered. "What . . ." The word slipped out of her mouth and drifted toward the ceiling. The cats silently berated her for letting the cold in, and she lay down on the bed, sinking into a restless sleep.