Disclaimer: I do not own BMT world – it belongs to Trudi Canavan
The Graduation Ball
Akkarin had never liked the Graduation Balls he'd attended in the past, but it was always expected that the High Lord be present as it was the culmination of the graduation celebrations. But this year was different and he found himself quite looking forward to it, much to his surprise.
He had been unable to have more than snatched moment alone with Sonea after the marriage ceremony and the meal which followed. He didn't even have a chance to walk alone with her as Balkan had thought it a wonderful idea to have the newly married couple, followed by all the marriage guests, walk in a procession of sorts from the Residence to the Ballroom.
He looked for her in the crush, but didn't see her at first, then he noticed a large group of newly graduated magicians and found Sonea in the middle. She was obviously fending off some searching questions, especially from Regin and his friends. He contemplated going over, but thought it would not be a good idea. Sonea would have to mix with a large number Guild members once she started her work with the Warriors and he couldn't always be there to keep an eye on her. Besides she hadn't asked for his help and he could imagine her reaction if she thought he was checking up on her!
"Such a lovely bride, and what an accomplished Warrior," a loud voice said in his ear, and he turned to see Balkan standing next to him. "She'll be such an asset to my Warrior Discipline. No doubt having a Warrior for a guardian helped her make up her mind to choose a good discipline!"
"Yes, she originally wanted to be a Healer, as you know, but she enjoyed working with Yikmo on the additional training I suggested. What plans to you have for her, Balkan?"
"Yikmo has asked for her to join his group of teachers. He feels she would be a good example for other young female magicians who might otherwise be put off joining the Warriors as it is almost entirely male dominated. I hope that meets with your approval, High Lord?
"I think it an excellent idea, Balkan, I have always regretted the lack of women in the Warriors. As you know, I assisted Yikmo with some of the training and I'd like to continue working with him. It would be a shame to let my own Warrior skills suffer from lack of practice. I hope you will agree."
"Of course, High Lord, we should all be honoured."
It took several more minutes of rather dull conversation before Akkarin could make his escape from Balkan. Eventually he caught up with Sonea, who had just been dancing with one of her friends.
"Sonea, would you like to dance with me?" he asked.
She smiled briefly, "I think the entire ballroom is waiting to see you dance with me!"
He took her hand and led her to the dance floor. Thank you for teaching me, she sent, Formal dancing was never a big part of growing up in the slums!
He was conscious of the fact that people had drawn away from the centre of the dance floor, so that they were alone in the middle and the focus of all eyes. So he decided to have a little amusement.
Sonea, don't worry, just follow my lead, he sent and swept her off into a series of dazzling twirls, turns and leaps which surprised their audience and sent them skittering away as he used as much of the dance floor as possible. It was a polished performance and when it finally finished, there was loud applause.
"I can't even begin to remember what I was doing!" Sonea said, laughing. "Do you do that sort of thing every time you get on a dance floor?"
"Only when I dance with my wife," he said, smiling. "Did you promise to dance with Lorlen? He's coming this way with a great look of determination on his face!"
He watched the Administrator come towards them and felt a sudden pang of sadness at the loss of his friendship after so many years. There was no open smile on his face or friendly look, instead he looked expressionlessly at Akkarin and bowed formally, "High Lord, I wonder if I might dance with Sonea?"
As Lorlen led her towards the dance floor, Akkarin went to fetch a glass of wine, then concentrated on the blood gem link with Lorlen to overhear his conversation.
"Sonea, I wanted to have a word with you alone and it's very difficult as you know, so I hope you won't mind if we talk while we dance," Lorlen started, earnestly.
"I understand, Lorlen," she replied. "What do you want to say?"
"We've failed you Sonea, the Guild that is, and me in particular. It is unthinkable that you have been put into the power of that man, when we both know what he is capable of. It was bad enough taking you for a Novice, but marriage! That's not right!"
Sonea looked up at him, "Lorlen, don't blame yourself. You know there was no choice but to agree to it. If I hadn't, you and Rothen would have been vulnerable and I couldn't allow that." Sonea sighed, "He's promised not to do anything against my wishes and I believe him. He did nothing before, so why would he be different now?"
"You don't know what could happen, you are an attractive young woman, Sonea, and who knows what he might do if he suddenly realises you are desirable. Husbands have rights, you know. "
She laughed softly, "I am sure the High Lord has other things to worry about than what I look like! I have been living in his house for years, why should he suddenly take an interest in me?"
"Not so long ago, I would have trusted Akkarin with my life, but now, after knowing what he has done and, no doubt, continues to do, I cannot believe anything he says." Lorlen spoke fiercely. "Sonea, I want you to know that when this is all over and Akkarin is taken, I shall ensure that everyone knows you were forced into this marriage and I won't stop until I've had it annulled. You won't have to suffer because of it."
"Thank you Lorlen. I know you'll do your best for me. But, I beg of you, don't spend all your time worrying about me. I can look after myself. After all, I am a Warrior now and Yikmo says I'm one of the best!"
"Yes, but Akkarin is a Warrior too, and he was the best of his year," Lorlen sounded worried. "If anything happens, anything at all, you will come and tell me straight away won't you? Regardless of whether or not the Guild can defeat him, we will act to protect you!"
The dance was coming to an end, so Akkarin stopped listening to Lorlen's conversation. He is still the rather earnest, upright young man I remember from our time as novices, he thought. What a pity I couldn't tell him the truth. I regret what I have to do now, but I never thought this would be an easy path.
As Lorlen escorted Sonea back to his side, Akkarin fixed the Administrator with a cold look, "I hope you enjoyed your opportunity to speak to Sonea alone, but you forget the blood gem you wear. No doubt you were able to reassure my wife that she'll be able to rid herself of me once you have defeated me. But first you have to defeat me and I don't think you are able to do that, are you, Lorlen?"
Lorlen's face had paled during Akkarin's little speech and it was obvious that he had forgotten all about the blood gem and what it could do. He glanced quickly at Sonea then said, "I'm sure what I said was no surprise to you, High Lord. What else would you expect me to say?"
Akkarin nodded, "How true, Lorlen. You are very predictable you know. Now, you have had your opportunity to speak to Sonea alone. I hope you made the most of it because I doubt it will happen again." He took Sonea's arm and turned away, pulling her, so that she stumbled a little. Lorlen half started to intervene, but realised that he could do nothing but watch Akkarin walk away with Sonea firmly in his grasp.
"Akkarin, did you have to be quite so cold?" Sonea asked, glancing quickly up at him.
"Yes, it's important that he knows you have been forced into this. It's not pleasant, but it has to be done. If anything happens to me, you will be able to walk away from the marriage and everything else without any stain on your character. That's all I'm concerned about."
Sonea started to say something, but thought better of it. He walked with her over to the refreshment area and got her a glass of wine. He wondered how much longer they had to stay at the Ball.
Sonea sipped her wine, then said softly, "I want to go home, Akkarin. I want to celebrate my marriage, it'll be the only one I'll have! I think we both deserve a marriage night to remember!"
How wonderful it is to hear her call the Residence "home", he thought.
He looked down at her, a warm glint of amusement in his eyes, "I think we have done our duty. After all, people will expect a newly married couple to leave the party early! Just make sure you don't catch Lorlen's eye on your way to the door."
They found the Residence deserted. Candles were burning in all the rooms and there were refreshments laid out in Akkarin's study, but there was no sign of Takan or any of the other servants.
"How tactful of everyone," Akkarin said, smiling, as he turned towards Sonea. "It seems we have the entire Residence to ourselves tonight."
She giggled, "Yes, very tactful indeed but it's your turn to be tactful now, I'm going to have a bath, so you'd better find something to do for half an hour or so, then come and find me!"
Akkarin went into his study and poured a glass of Anuran Dark. He sat by the fire and watched the flames dance. He still had difficulty actually believing that they had got away with it, without the denunciation he'd expected from Lorlen or Rothen.
Now comes the really interesting part, he thought. We have to convince Lorlen and Rothen that we are living separate lives as agreed, while at the same time convincing the rest of the Guild we are a happily married couple! I'm sure that will test our abilities fully in the weeks and months to come!
He glanced at the clock and saw it was time. He was surprisingly nervous as he made his way to Sonea's room. He stood outside for a moment, before tapping softly and opening the door. Inside, someone had spent a lot of time filling every surface with bowls of pale roses so that their delicate perfume filled the air. Candles were placed in the best places to cast a soft light so he could see Sonea lying in her bed, a warm smile on her face.
"Come in and welcome, my husband," she said in the ritual words every girl learned almost as soon as she could talk.
He removed his clothes quickly and slid into bed. She turned towards him and held him tightly as they kissed and he remembered her desire to have a marriage night to remember.
I shall do my best to grant her wish, he thought.
So Akkarin courted her as any bride would expect on her marriage night, but more than that, he strove to fulfil all Sonea's desires during the lovemaking which followed, holding back his own pleasure to ensure hers. Every skill he possessed as a lover he used to give her the most pleasure and the deepest joy that he could.
The night passed all too quickly and just before the Eye was supplanted by the growing strength of the sun, Sonea wound her fingers in his hair and looked deeply into his eyes.
"You have made me a night I'll never forget," she said softly. "Whatever happens in the future, I will not let anyone or anything separate us. We belong together."
