New chappie! Enjoy!

Numair breathed in Daine's scent as she leaned against him, settled between his legs, as they relaxed in the undines clearing.

"What are you thinking?" Daine asked when he gave a contented sigh.

"That this is, by far, the best birthday ever."

"Really? And why is that?" Daine asked cheekily, turning her face towards his. He returned her coy smile and lent towards her.

"I wonder." He murmured before his lips met hers. They kissed for several minutes before Daine pulled back and leaned her head against his neck, her fingers tracing circles on his chest. He tightened his hold on her. They had only been together for a few months now and he was amazed at how easy it had been. Granted they had kept it a secret to date but the ease with which they fit together astounded him. His thoughts were interrupted when he felt warm lips against his throat and he caught his breath.

"Daine." He said softly, half warning and half plea. He hadn't yet allowed himself to bed her and she been quite forceful in showing how much she disagreed with his opinion. He had been very clear with her in wanting to wait so as not to rush into things, highly underestimating her abilities over him. He had lost count of the times that she had teased him until he was so aroused that it hurt and he was on the brink of his self-control. She had moved up to nibble on his ear and his breeches were beginning to get uncomfortable from the feel of her pressed against him when he sighed and pushed her back.

"Daine, we've talked about this." He whispered, his voice hoarse. She pouted up at him and he gasped when she turned around and straddled him.

"I've heard what you said." She whispered, leaning down to move her lips tantalizingly against his own "But somehow, I can't help but to think" She moved her hips lower and he bit his lip "That that's not really what you want." She thread her hands through his hair and bit the skin on his neck hard enough to leave a mark as he gasped at the pleasure-pain. His hands tightened around her waist as he fought for some semblance of control.

"Daine" He spoke again, hoping his voice was firmer this time, and he heard her sigh in response. She ceased her attentions to his neck and sat up to look him in the eyes.

"It is your birthday you know." She said coyly and sighed again when he didn't reply. Looking more deeply into his eyes she rolled her eyes and got off him (he wasn't entirely sure if that was a good thing or not). "Very well."

"Thank you." He said after a moment of silence and wrapped his arm around her, willing his body to calm down.

Definitely the best birthday ever Numair thought as he pressed Daine up against his door and kissed her deeply. He wove his fingers through her hair and just about lost it when he heard her moan deeply in response to his ministrations. He felt her hands run up his chest and undo his top buttons. He pulled back, rasping, with a small smile on his face.

"Perhaps, magelet, we should at least move inside first." He looked around the deserted hallway before looking back down at her. She was looking up at him with a small smile playing over her swollen lips. He paused for a moment, seeing the question in her eyes, and nodded. It was his birthday after all. He pressed her back up against the door and resumed his attentions. Pretty soon she had slid her hands underneath his shirt and he had slid hers out from her breaches and unbuttoned it halfway down. As Daine turned her attentions to his neck he reached behind her and, fumbling slightly, unlocked and opened his door. Kissing her deeply he pushed her through and kicked the door shut behind him.

"SURPRISE!" The couple sprang apart as lights flashed on and the pair was suddenly confronted with a rather large group of equally shocked people. A Banner proclaiming 'Happy Birthday Numair!' hung behind their majesties, Alanna, Onua, George, Sarge and a variety of other people as they stared at Daine and Numair. Daine clutched her shirt closed, her ace becoming redder by the second. A moment of silence passed before Alanna cleared her throat, a wicked smile on her face.

"Perhaps" she said slowly "You two might want to take a moment in the other room to get yourselves together?" she asked, an eyebrow raised and a wicked smile on her face. Red faced the two mages scurried into the adjoining bedchamber. Numair was pretty sure he heard Thayet mumble something about being glad she didn't bring the kids as they were leaving and Onua and Sarge were already exchanging money.

Once behind closed doors they quickly put themselves to rights. After an awkward silence Numair looked at Daine and smiled sheepishly.

"At leat we don't have to decide when to tell them now." He shrugged hoping to lighten the mood and Daine buried her face in her hands. That was the day that EVERYONE learned something new.