Three months after the Ichani Invasion

Sonea was pacing, anxiousness causing her to wring her hands together. Any minute now the door would open and they would have to face the harsh reality of their relationship arrangements, a topic that has somehow has not yet been addressed. With everything that has been going on lately they had little to none time for each other, more focused on dealing with the invasion aftereffects and their standing in the Guild that only recently has been decided on. Sonea suspected that if it wasn't for Akkarin's calm yet firm insistence, the Higher Magicians might have put far greater restrictions on the newly appointed Black Magician office.

Somehow – probably thanks to a lot of intimidation and years of experience in dealing with the Higher Magicians – the former High Lord has managed to convince them and the King that the Allied Lands could benefit greatly from their assistance. During two Meets it was established that the Black Magicians were to be allowed travel upon Guild or King's agreement (instead of confinement to Imardin's walls, as previously proposed) and be constantly vigilant to take up the responsibility of defending the Allied Lands from any threat. They were never to teach, never to leave the Guild's premises unsupervised and take up a number of other responsibilities (a number that was still growing). In the next weeks they would have to decide on choosing two apprentices. The notion that they might turn against the Guild was ridiculous in their opinion, especially that if they did, they would do everything to undermine the education of others that would be to stop them. Let them have their way, Akkarin had said then. Cooperation now will work in our favor later.

Everything seemed to be going in the right direction, both Sonea and Akkarin getting used to their new roles and it seemed that they might settle and lead fairly normal lives, Sonea in her new clinic, Akkarin helping with the political mess the Guild, Imardin and the Court seemed to be these days.

And now was the time to face the reality of being only humans.

By the time the door to her apartment opened, Sonea was a wreck of worry and misery, even if others might not be able to notice. But as soon as Akkarin's keen eyes found her standing by the window his brow creased. He could always see the small things. Her arms slightly hunched, the rim of her sleeve slightly rumpled from her worrying it between her fingers. The set of her jaw before she managed to pull her lips into a warm smile.

"You're back on time, that's a surprise," she said as he deposited his walking stick on a hanger. One that he didn't need but carried with him for support in the rare moments when he would suddenly run out of breath.

"I think we're finally over the city walls dispute," he supplied as an explenation and made his way to where she was standing.

"So you had a good day?"

"Fairly. Is something the matter?" he asked, tentatively brushing her bangs from her eyes. Sonea tensed but berated herself internally as he noticed at once, his frown deepening.

"No. Yes. I…" she took a deep breath to calm the rising panic. "We need to discuss some things."

Akkarin nodded slowly, obviously taking note of her making a few of steps to put physical distance between them. She couldn't focus when he was so close.

"What is it that you wish to discuss?" he asked, his expression carefully controlled.

"Us," she blurted. "There was so much going on lately and we never established some things. What are your plans towards me? We have separate lodgings but I practically live with you. We are lovers but you never hinted on being anything more. I need to know."

As the last words left her mouth Sonea took a cautious glance at him. Akkarin's face was expressionless but the set of brows betrayed trepidation. He took his time and she could feel worry rising in her again.

"These are difficult times, my dear Sonea," he finally said and the woman's heart clenched. This did not sound encouraging. "There is much happening now, so much to do that cannot wait. And in all this political fuss a relationship is a difficult matter, especially for someone like me." He watched her for a moment, the silence heavy and loaded. Sonea could feel her eyes water as his words hung between them. But before she had a chance to say anything, Akkarin continued:

"However, I fear the I have wronged you again. I assumed that you know my feelings for you and understand that they are true and strong. I probably should have make this clear before. Even though it is not possible at the moment I am planning on courting you properly."

He said nothing more but it was unnecessary. Sonea could feel the heavy burden of despair leave her as something warm and indefinable bloomed in her heart instead. She could feel herself smile.

"I'm glad," she whispered but still did not move into his arms.

"What brought this on, dear Sonea?" he asked and the woman sobered a little. It was her turn to gaze at him thoughtfully.

"I'm pregnant."

She watched him closely as he stood there, his face never changing its expression, betraying nothing of his thoughts.

"Oh," was all he said.

When Sonea decided that he was not going to elaborate, she folded her arms and said:

"Is this the only comment you have for becoming a father?"

This seemed to prompt him to move and Sonea realized that until now he was standing still as a statue. Now one of his hands rested on his hip while the other traveled to his neck, seemingly independently from his will.

"I'm not certain what to say," he answered, massaging his neck absent-mindedly. "I thought... that you would take care of that?"

"I wasn't exactly the social type, no one approached me, " she answered sourly, dropping her eyes to stare at the carpet and was about to say something about him not looking very pleased when his cold fingers came in touch with the robe on her stomach. She looked up at him with big eyes as his will extended to feel the tiny life growing inside her. When he was done, Akkarin's gaze focused on her and the corner of his lips raised.

"Well, that's that when it comes to courting then," he murmured, gathering her in his arms. "Now you have no excuse to not marry me."

She laghued and returned his hug.