A/N: First I'm going to start with an apology because I haven't updated anything in near to a month and a half... I know how bad this looks but I promise that I haven't abandoned you. All my stories on here and elsewhere have been on hiatus because; to tell you the truth my life has been on hiatus too. I've just been incredibly busy with other commitments, which is an excuse that it is often over-used but I swear it's the truth! I did have this chapter already written but I re-read it and promptly threw it into the Recycle Bin icon on my desktop before I could change my mind and post it anyway. So I sitting inside with the fan on its highest setting because its 40 degrees outside... which I think is defiantly past 100 Fahrenheit but I'm not sure... and I love hot weather but I already have a tan and I'm terrified of getting skin cancer. Anyway enough of me running my mouth, on with the story.

~Chapter 3~

~A Lesson in Sitian Politics~

Severely shaken Yelena left hurriedly, not stopping until she reached the relative safety of her bedroom. Although seeing as she and Roze now shared a mental link, she could never truly get away from her...

Yelena was breathing hard. Pressing her back against the solid wood of the door, trying to imagine that it could keep her safe. Protected. But just like the defences in her mind, as unyielding as it seemed it could all come crumbling down under the scrutiny of those gorgeous amber eyes. Gorgeous? Yelena caught herself mid thought. Wondering at what point she had had time to really notice that... Was it perhaps just before I'd felt like my head had been dunked into a bucket of icy water. Or somewhere between falling from my chair and colliding with the floor? For the first time all afternoon Yelena felt a smile pull at the corners of her mouth. Marvelling at her sense of humour even when her world had been completely up-ended and thrown unceremoniously onto its back and left to flail it's legs like a stranded beetle. At the thought of this she couldn't contain her laughter. Collapsing on the bed Yelena subsided into a fit of giggles, which in turn developed in a bought of hysterical laughter. When her emotions had stabilised somewhat, Yelena had time to consider the situation. I've had my mentor and friend taken away from me. Cahil and Ferde are still out there somewhere and there's absolutely nothing I can do about it. The woman who has made it clear that she'll be laughing at my funeral is now my mentor, has a permanent path to the centre of my mind and can peruse and examine all my close thoughts and feelings whenever she sees fit. And to top it all off she caught me in possession of a pornographic book on how to seduce and make love to women. Yelena felt another bought of hysterical laughter coming on and was quite relieved when a sharp tap on her door dragged her out of her 'self pitying' stupor.

"Come in", she called; relieved that her voice sounded level and even.

The door was pushed ajar and Irys Jewelrose, Fourth Magician and Yelena's ex-mentor, stepping inside, "I was worried when I heard to come in. Or rather I should say shot in, like a mouse with a cat hot on its heels. I take it you're meeting with Roze could have gone better"

Gritting her teeth Yelena forced herself to reply with her best neutral tone, "It was fine"

"Yelena, just because I'm no longer you mentor doesn't mean you can't still confide in me", there was genuine concern in her voice. Crossing the room and dropping lightly onto the end of the bed.

"I know", Yelena sighed, "But I just don't feel like having a heart to heart right now"

"Alright, but you know where to find me when you change your mind"

Yelena grinned at Irys' use of the word 'when' rather than 'if'. She obviously thought that at some point Yelena would come to her with her troubles, after all there hadn't yet been one incident where she hadn't contacted Irys when she was about to do something reckless or just needed to talk something through. Not this time though. She couldn't bear the thought of having to tell Irys that she'd taken out a dirty book from the library, she could almost imagine the look of disapproval that would be etched onto the Magician's face. No, this was something that'd she have to sort out by herself. Acting alone was the Ixian way of doing things, and deep down Yelena knew she wasn't a truly a Southerner until she embraced the Sitian mentality of talking your problems to death before deciding on a 'non' course of action. Oh no talking here, Yelena was just going to skip straight forward to the 'non' course of action part, and pretend like this afternoon didn't happen and hope against hope that Roze would do the same.

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The following two days brought about an emergency convening of the Council of Elders, and as all the Master Magician's attended (except Bain Bloodgood who'd much rather devote his time to teaching) which meant that Yelena couldn't begin her lessons straight away as Roze had originally planned. This honestly was more than fine by Yelena. However Yelena's peace couldn't last, and soon she would have to spend almost unlimited amounts of time with the First Magician. But tomorrow was another day and Yelena planned to enjoy her last moments of freedom.

Visiting Kiki was one of the highlights of living in the Keep. Seeing her blue eyes light up when she saw, or rather heard, Yelena's approach which brought with it the promise of apples and peppermints. Yelena brushed Kiki down and fed her a couple of peppermints whilst talking to her about the weather and how she longed to be out there searching for the criminals responsible for Ferde's escape. The morning drew to a close far too quickly and it was time for her to head to her afternoon lesson with Bain Bloodgood, who took over her education every time there was a Council session. Heading up to one of classrooms on the east side of the Keep she realised upon hearing the clock tower bells from the city that she was in fact a little late. Quickening her pace she broke into a little jog, a feat unadvisable in the heat of Sitian afternoons and soon Yelena found herself hot and flustered. Shoving open the door to the east wing and dashing up the stairs two at a time, she rounded the first corner at speed and almost crashed straight into two Apprentices who were heading in the opposite direction. Muttering a hasty apology Yelena moved on again, coming to an abrupt halt outside the classroom door. Pausing for a moment to catch her breath, hurriedly wording an explanation in her mind and hoping that she wouldn't be too badly reprimanded she pushed open the door.

"I'm so sorry I'm late I was with Kiki, and I..." her words died in her throat when she saw who was waiting for her. Swallowing hard she continued, "just lost track of time. I ran all the way here; I did try to be on time"

She was prepared for the scolding she was about to receive the moment that she'd discovered who was taking her lesson instead of Master Bloodgood. Obviously the Council session had been adjourned, a pity that no-one thought to tell me, Yelena thought miserably.

"You're lesson was supposed to begin at twelve thirty and as you well know it is now an hour past midday. Believe it or not Yelena, as First Magician I do have a lot of things to do aside from teaching you. I manage to set aside time for our lessons, so I would appreciate it if you showed me the same courtesy", she emphasised her last statement by rising forcefully and moving swiftly round the side of the bureau at the front. Grabbing a book from the edge of the table she motioned for Yelena to take a seat. Classes consisted of a maximum of four students and therefore there were only four desks for her to choose from, and all of them would position her close to the front. Before she had a chance to judge which one would keep her as far away from her mentor as possible; she heard the impatient sound of Roze tapping her fingers against the table that was directly central. I guess that makes up my mind. Crossing to the chair she sat down heavily, a book was dropped in front of her. Yelena groaned inwardly, the volume was entitled: 'The Policies and Regulations of Sitian Politics'. She had to stifle another noise of protest when she realised how thick the tome was.

"I think that quiet reading will be the best way for you to fully comprehend the contents of this", tapping the tip of one of her long dark blue fingernails against the cover. The paint on her nails matched the hue of her dress exactly. It was also the same colour that graced the ends of her dainty toes; paired with all the jewellery that was wrapped around her ankles her feet always seemed fully dressed even though she never wore shoes, "I have important legislation to read so if you can read up to..." she checked her time piece, "We've got an hour and a half. I think you can manage up to chapter five in that time."

"Shall I ask if I need help with the big words?" Yelena snapped, sarcasm dripping from every syllable.

Roze sneered at her, but apart from that didn't show any sign that she'd heard Yelena's last comment. Turning on her heel she stalked back to the bureau, and immersing herself in a stack of paperwork. Sighing Yelena dragged the book towards her and with some effort forced herself to open the cover. This was a punishment for being late, she was sure of it. Or perhaps it was just a punishment in general, after all Roze rarely needed an excuse to make Yelena's life as difficult as possible. Slowly she began to read what she thought was the first chapter but to her dismay turned out to be a very long introduction. When Roze had said that she should read to chapter five, Yelena had assumed that she was insulting her intelligence but in fact this would take her up to page 356. This would mean that Yelena would have to be reading nearly four pages per minute, and with the topic not being in the remotest bit interesting this would be near to impossible.

After about half an hour, all the words began to blend into one. Yelena had passed her saturation point, and simply couldn't take any more of the dull and dreary text. Instead Yelena began to daydream about riding Kiki through the Avibian Plains, her 'gust-of-wind' gait taking them through the desert at break neck speeds. Without warning the scene before her eyes changed, and instead she found herself staring down at the book in her hands, reading the end of chapter three. This is beyond strange. Yelena thought and tried to once again capture the image of her and Kiki riding through the wilds. But it was to no avail. Resigning herself to watching whatever story her mind wanted to play for her. Staring in third person view at herself reading quietly for a few more moments and wondering if it were possible to have boring daydreams when 'imaginary Yelena' slammed the book shut.

'Imaginary Roze' looked up outraged, shooting up from her desk and demanding, "Is there a problem with the task that I've set you?"

Hmmmmm, perhaps I judged my imagination to soon, Yelena though with wry smile, this could be very interesting indeed.

"Yes, actually there is", 'dream Yelena' retorted without explanation. Goading Roze was as dangerous as playing with fire, although this Yelena didn't seem phased in the slightest.

"Oh? Please do elaborate", Roze's voice was shaking with fury as she leant towards her student.

"It's so..." Yelena gestured to the air as if searching for the right word, "Boring"

Standing now, Yelena paced to the front taking the heavy tome with her. Slamming it down on the front desk her gaze locking with Roze's, challenging the First Magician to argue with her.

Roze met her defiant gaze and said in an almost whisper, "Pick it up"

"No"

"Get out", her tone was dangerous.

Instead of doing as she was commanded Yelena leant forward and captured her mentor's lips in a passionate kiss. Roze didn't fight, instead she responded eagerly.

Horrified and excited at the same time Yelena didn't make any attempt to change the image before her.

Wrapping her arms around her tutors neck Yelena stepped backwards, forcing Roze to mount the desk in an attempt to keep their lips together. Papers and stationary were knocked over as the First Magician clambered across it in order to tangle herself in her student's arms. Their kisses became more heated, as the two women pressed their mouths together forcefully. Yelena's lifted her hands and traced the line of Roze's collar bone, before slipping further down. Roze gave a little moan when Yelena's fingers brushed over her breasts, her nipples already slightly hardened under her dress. Yelena pulled back from the kiss, ignoring her mentor's attempt to reinitiate it. Finding the fastening on Roze's dress she began to undo it, loving the way that Roze's breathing became quicker with every button she undid. Finally the dress slid down, until it pooled in waves around Roze's feet. Stepping of it Roze pressed her now naked body against Yelena.

Back in the real world Yelena subconsciously felt wetness begin to spread in her pants, the heat only making the fantasy feel more intense, more authentic.

Roze's back arched when Yelena's mouth found her breasts, crying out when Yelena took her left breast in her mouth using the tip of her tongue to stimulate her mentor's hardened nipple. She wasn't neglecting Roze's right breast either, but instead using her thumb to emulate the movements of her tongue. After a few more moments, the young Zaltana pulled away and returned her attention to her tutor's mouth. Her hands sliding further down, running along the Magician's hip bone and to the sensitive place between her legs.

"Yes" Roze panted, "Oh yes, touch me there"

The tips of Yelena's fingers dipped down, and Roze spread her legs apart allowing Yelena access to her most intimate parts. As she felt fingers brush against her clit, Roze gasped before moaning loudly with appreciation.

A noise close to her reluctantly drew her attention back to reality. She wasn't quite sure what the noise was but knew that it had come from someone nearby. Glancing up at the First Magician, hoping that she hadn't noticed that Yelena's little 'lapse' in concentration; she was surprised to see her mentor was breathing hard whilst trying to concentrate on the piece of paper in front of her. Even as Yelena watched her she bit her bottom lip to stifle a moan. Realisation jolted Yelena out of her almost dream like state; it was because Roze and Yelena shared a mental link, and although Roze couldn't 'see' what Yelena was thinking about she could certainly feel it. Roze's breathing began to return to normal, and she placed her fingers against her temples with a renewed effort to concentrate on the document she was meant to be examining, although hot arousal dripped down her inner thigh. Trying hard not to think about what it was she'd been inadvertently doing, Yelena returned her attention to her reading material. About a minute past (in which time Yelena managed to read one sentence through five times without managing to take any of it in), when she felt like she was being stared at. Her eyes flitted up to where her mentor was sitting, expecting to see her reading or signing something. Instead it was just as Yelena's sense had thought; Roze was watching her intently and even when they made eye contact Roze didn't look away or pretend that she was doing something else. Fighting the urge to look away, Yelena raised her head, "What are you looking at?" Which is a pretty silly question, considering she's staring right at me. Why is it that my intellect fails me just when I need it most?

"Your mind wasn't on task just now, was it" the answer was a statement and didn't give Yelena the option of denying it.

"I tried to see if I could turn the page of the book using magic", she lied hastily before embellishing the story slightly, "I just wanted to see if I could because I'll admit that my attention may have wander a little, I mean this –"

"As a powerful Magician I can tell when someone's lying. What were you really thinking about?"

"I, um..." Yelena floundered for a few more seconds before coming up with something else, "I was communicating with Kiki, you know that we have a mental link."

"I am aware of that, but once again you're lying"

Panic started to grip her now, Roze could read everything that she said. It was hopeless, "I don't know what you want from me. That is what I was doing"

"Hmmmmm" Roze smirked, before reaching out her hand and beckoning for Yelena to come closer.

Obediently, if reluctantly, Yelena rose from her chair; making the journey take as long as she could. Stopping a few feet from her tutor but Roze made the same hand gesture, indicating for her to come closer still.

Rising to meet her, she whispered, "Where you perhaps thinking about kissing me?"

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