Chapter 4:

Dawn light filtered through the window which Sonea stood gazing out of. She had woken early, and watched the sun rise over the edges of the Guild. She had not dreamt of the Ichani woman, and was glad of it. Outside servants ran back and forth as the Guild started to wake up. A streak of green caught her attention, and she immediately knew who it was. Dorrien was always an early riser. Eager to know why he hadn't come that night, she ran down to catch him. "Sonea?" She missed Akkarin say to her, feet already out the door and heading towards Dorrien. "Dorrien!" She panted, finally catching up to him. "Sonea." He replied coldly. He never met her eyes and she pulled him to a halt. "What's wrong Dorrien?"

"What's wrong, you ask? Well I thought you would know that."

"If I knew I wouldn't ask. I don't understand why you are acting like this!" Dorrien looked at her angrily, and decided to tell her anyway. "I came to see you last night. And I saw what you were doing with him. You could have just told me you don't want to be with me instead of doing something like this!" His bright blue eyes were now steely and filled with anger. Sonea wasn't sure how to respond without him asking too many questions. "Dorrien." She started carefully. "If you are referring to the hug I got, then your anger is misplaced. It was just a hug."

"It was more than that!"

"No it wasn't! You wouldn't have battered an eyelid if it was Rothen instead of Akkarin." Dorrien bit back a retort and looked away. "If that is so," he replied controlled, "then you wouldn't mind denying you have any feelings for him." Now what do I do? Sonea said to herself frantically.

Akkarin sat down in the gardens impatiently. He had followed Sonea out of the Residence wondering where she had gone, but had no luck. As he was walking back he heard her mention his name and he stopped to eavesdrop. He felt like he was betraying her by listening in, but he had to make sure she wasn't going to say too much. Or so he told himself. You just want to know what she thinks of you. His mind whispered at him. He decided to hear her say she had no feelings for him and then leave, that would squash the feelings he had tried so hard – and failed – to push away. As the seconds ticked on he grew more impatient and part of him wondered what she was thinking. When she started to speak again, Akkarin's heart beat faster in anticipation. And for another reason. His mind played at him. "Dorrien." He heard her start softly. "Obviously I care about him as a guardian." Come on! He shouted inside. "But," she carried on, "I cannot lie to you. I think I do have some feelings for him." Akkarin froze, yet his heart leapt inside. Takan was right! I ought to leave right now, but I can't make myself move! "I saw your face when he spoke to you mentally Sonea. I know you like him differently to me and nothing can happen between us any more." He heard Dorrien say painfully. "Dorrien!" Sonea cried out. Part of him wanted to go to her to hold her, but he couldn't. If I let her know I eavesdropped she won't trust me. And... I need to think this over. He bantered. Treading softly, he painfully walked away from Sonea's soft crying.

Sonea couldn't believe what was happening. A few days ago everything was normal. Or as normal as possible with the circumstances. Now she was sat crying in the gardens and Dorrien was angry at her. I should talk to him now before he goes away. She decided confidently. Wiping away her tears, she heading towards the Residence for her box in case she had no time to return for it. She didn't see a figure appear out of a hedged intersection until it was too late. "Ouch!" She yelped as the figure bumped into her. "Sonea!" It cried. Nursing a slightly bruising head, she looked up to find Akkarin staring at her. What if he heard me! She panicked. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." He carried on. "It's ok. You startled me more than anything." She replied smiling. He smiled back warmly, but looked confused. "Have you been crying?" He asked softly. Sonea blushed embarrassed. Maybe he didn't hear then. " Yes I have." She mumbled admittedly. Sonea could not work out the expression Akkarin bore now, and eventually he replied "Do you want to talk about it?". She couldn't believe what he said. Gone was the imposing High Lord. He really did want to help her. Before she could answer, she found herself being guided back to the Residence anyway. Inside she sat down in the guestroom and was surprised to see Akkarin pour himself a glass of wine. "You are drinking wine at this time in the morning?"

"Yes," he said amused "it's about the only thing I drink nowadays. I take it you don't want any then?" He said to her with a small smile creeping upon his lips.

"No I do not, thank you." Akkarin just chuckled at her and then sat in a chair opposite. "So then, would you like to tell me what is wrong?" Sonea's mind returned back to the events, briefly forgotten by Akkarin's antics. "Oh that. It was just Dorrien." She said, trying to avoid any details.

"Dorrien made you cry?"

"Yes."

"Maybe he isn't as nice as I thought he was."

"No! It's not like that!" Sonea replied too hastily.

"Oh?" Akkarin said, trying to make her continue on. Sonea blushed scarlet as she replied.

"We were kind of... Together. And err, he came up here last night and saw you holding me and thought... " Sonea couldn't believe she was telling Akkarin about this.

"Well I am assuming you corrected him."

"Yes, but he didn't believe me. And now he doesn't want to be with me." That's close enough to the truth. She thought. I can't say any more, he would think I am crazy. But what about his feelings? As her mind bantered Akkarin was watching her carefully. He wasn't sure how to continue the conversation, as he had never done well with women – despite them flocking to him. He could do the charming and flattering, but could never make a proper relationship work. But none of those had intrigued him like Sonea. She looked up at him now and quickly stalled "I wouldn't worry too much about it." She shot him a slightly horrified look, but he continued before she could speak. "Because if he is too blind to see what is in front of him, then maybe he does not deserve it in the first place. Plus, I am sure there is someone else who would want you, in time."

"But I don't want them!" Sonea blurted out.

"You want Dorrien?" Sonea looked away and felt her face fluster once more. "You want someone else..." Sonea averted his eyes and looked out the window to see it was later than she thought.

"I should go. I don't want to miss my lessons." Standing Sonea went to leave, but Akkarin blocked her path. "Me?" He asked softly. Sonea could barely believe what was happening, she continued to avoid his eyes and sidestepped, luckily this time he didn't stop her and she rushed out of the Residence. Now what am I going to do!