Chapter 1:
Sonea was hiding in the alcove. The Ichani had moved forwards slightly, which had given Sonea a few extras seconds to prepare her attack. Jump, slash, drain. She said to herself. The Ichani's shield slowly crept nearer and Sonea tensed. Finally the edges passed over her and Sonea made her move. She jumped out quickly and slashed the piece of wood across the Ichani's neck. Blood gushed out and Sonea reached out for the wound, but was hit across the head with the Ichani's flailing arm. Stumbling Sonea fell, but her wrist was caught by the Ichani. Akkarin withheld his attack and stared wide eyed at the events. Sonea tried wriggling away disorientated, but the Ichani's grip was strong. A knife was brought out and Sonea soon found her wrist slashed. Quickly she healed it biting back a cry of pain. She faintly saw Akkarin blasting the Ichani's shield, but to no avail. Her wrist was cut again but deeper, and Sonea healed it once more. Looking up she saw the Ichani falter confused, droplets of blood fell from her neck onto Sonea's face and she remembered the hole in her defence. Still dazed, Sonea stood abruptly and reached for the slash. Her legs started to give way so Sonea grabbed her neck and dragged her down with her momentum. The knife caught her on the way down, but Sonea concentrated on the neck. Immediately she drained the life from the woman and she fell limp. Sighing Sonea crumpled on the floor exhausted, which shot a burst of pain throughout her, reminding her of her own injuries. She cried out and soon found herself wavering in and out of consciousness. A blurred dark figure hung over her and she smiled. Her eyes felt heavy and she could barely keep them open. A light feeling came from her and she felt like she was in the clouds. A tingling feeling drew her attention back to her body and she felt like an observer, someone was healing her and she could faintly hear a masculine voice. "Sonea!" It cried out painfully. "Wake up!". Surely he knows I am just unconscious.. Unless! No! I can't be dying. She looked carefully at her body and realised she was losing a lot of blood. The knife had buried into her leg and had severed an artery. Suddenly she opened her eyes and gasped, thoughts all coming together. Akkarin was healing her and had saved her. Looking closely at his face she saw his eyes glittered and his face was drained of colour. "Sonea! You are alive!" He choked out. Trying to speak, Sonea found her body heavy and mouth dry, so instead talked to him mentally.
-I can't speak. I'm so tired.
-It's ok now Sonea, you aren't bleeding now. Rest.
Unguarded emotions flooded to her. He really does care about me. She looked to his eyes which still held tears, he looked at her fondly. There's more to it. Before she could pinpoint what, Akkarin realised what he was doing and pulled away, eyes moving away, but cheeks slightly revealing his embarrassment. A heavy blanket of tiredness washed over her and she could not fight it any more, slowly she drifted away into deep slumber.
Akkarin sat back and sighed. Everything had happened so quickly. Before he knew it Sonea was in the Ichani's grasp and he was horrified. He then battered the shield with everything he had, but it still wasn't enough. Sonea though had carried on fighting and had brought down the Ichani, drawing her power and ending her life. He had reached out to her, but she seemed dazed, and then he had seen the darkened patch. For a moment he thought he had lost her, but then she awoke and his heart soared. And then I did something stupid and let her see my emotions. He chided himself. Looking at her now, she seemed delicate and he just wanted to hold her close in case she started to slip away. He moved closer to her and gently picked her up, cradling her close and holding her tight, not trusting his own muscles to hold her. He started towards the door but was stopped by a small figure standing in the doorway. "Is she going to be ok?" The figure asked.
"Yes, once rested. She is exhausted and I have healed her."
"You said you would not bring her again." He said sternly.
"I'm sorry Ceryni." Akkarin replied quietly. "But without her I would have died." Cery looked at him horrified, then schooled his expression. "Just keep her safe." He replied quietly. Akkarin nodded in reply, then moved through the doorway as Cery stood back. He passed through the passages as quick as he could, eager to be back in the Residence. As he entered into his underground room, Takan stood anxiously awaiting them. "Are you both ok?" He asked.
"We'll be fine Takan." Akkarin assured him. "Rest is all that is needed.". Akkarin carefully wound his way up the staircase to Sonea's room, careful not to wake her. But as he slid her into bed, her eyes fluttered open slightly. Akkarin sat down softly and bent down closer to her face. "Sleep Sonea, you need to rest." He whispered. About to protest, Akkarin spoke again. "Sleep Sonea.". This time her eyelids fell heavy as she gave in to her weariness. He slowly moved off her bed and exited silently.
Akkarin sat down heavily in his chair, and Takan joined him, first passing a glass of wine to him. "What happened, master?" He asked worried.
"She was as we feared, Ichani. Sonea killed her, though was injured in the process, but she will be fine now." Akkarin sighed heavily, glad that the events were over and that he could now rest. He quickly drained his glass, glad to have something to drink, and started to compose himself. "I think I will go to bed now Takan, Goodnight."
"Goodnight master." He replied softly. Eager to lie down, he hastily walked to his room. But when he was finally able to sleep, he found that sleep escaped him. All he could think about was Sonea. She had saved his life, and he had saved hers. But in doing so he had revealed some of his feelings for her. This is going to make everything much more complicated. He thought sullenly. But part of him was glad that she knew. She could squash the part of him who was falling in too deep. Also she had to do was deny him. Scolding himself for being a caring fool, he tried once again to fall asleep.