A/N: Thank you again for the reviews. I'm actually really suprised - I didn't think you guys would like it this much. I have now finished the 7th chapter. More is on the way! This chapter is about when Sonea tells Lorlen about what happened...

To GoluxOracle : Thanks for the comment and the advice! It'll help me to make the story better.

To Lily-x-Lily: Thanks! I like Akkarin too. Yep, I like Lorlen, I don't think there are enough fics with him in. Yeah Sonea, I think she cries a bit much in this, I dunno I'm not sure. But she won't cry again for the rest of the story now, after this chapter that is.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except the plot. Which is entirely mine D.

6

Sonea let out a deep breath to calm herself. Her eyes flickered open and she began.

'When I started as a novice, even at the acceptance ceremony, I could tell we wouldn't get on.' She started in a weak voice. Sonea continued to describe Regin and her classmates, about Rothen, when her classmates attacked her in the forest. She only briefly explained how Regin got caught thanks to Dorrien and Lorlen realised that Regin was not the only person she didn't really want to talk about. Lorlen smiled. He had seen the way her eyes lit up when she talked about Dorrien. Lorlen was also glad to see her looking better than before. And then Sonea started to talk about the time Regin flirted with her. Lorlen thought that it was strange how she suddenly became depressed at this part more than any other.

Perhaps, that has something to do with why she was crying…

Feeling the colour slowly drain from his face, Lorlen pushed the thought aside and listened to Sonea.

Sonea gulped loudly and took a deep breath.

This is it, they both thought at the same time.

'Earlier this evening, I received a message from Lady Tya, saying the High Lord wanted to see me in Lord Yikmo's room.' Sonea looked at the floor and her voice began to break.

'It was a trap. He wasn't there – only Regin, his friends and some other novices. They started attacking me with strikes.' She paused to gulp again 'There were 10 of them. I couldn't keep my shield up for long.'

Lorlen had his eyes closed in understanding.

An outnumbered novice, with no magical power and an enemy that hates her. No teachers, no staff – they could do whatever they wanted and no-one would ever know.

He remembered back to the time when he had been exhausted after several novices were put against him. If anything had happened, he wouldn't have had the strength to fight back.

'I was exhausted. I fell unconscious.'

Lorlen nodded.

I knew it. But why didn't she call out?

He sighed.

Because she had no-one to call out to. She can't speak to Rothen and she won't talk to Akkarin because she hates him.

Lorlen felt admiration and respect for Sonea. Most people would have called out.

But not her.

'And then…Regin healed me.'

Lorlen's eyes flicked open in alarm.

What?! But, that doesn't make sense! Unless…maybe Regin is not as bad as we had thought.

Lorlen smiled sadly,

'Well, I can understand your distress. Being exhausted and left defenceless is not an ideal position. But Regin helped you out.' He smiled. 'Maybe, he is not so bad after all.'

Sonea shut eyes and her head bowed towards the ground. The silence stretched onwards. And then he realised. There was more.

Sonea's breath was ragged.

'He healed me. But…he wasn't finished with me yet.'

Lorlen's face was one of fearful recognition.

'His friends pinned my arms and legs to a wall and Regin…he…he flirted with me and he kissed me.'

Lorlen's face relaxed slightly, but then an uneasy confusion settled in.

She's upset because he kissed her?

'I tried. I tried to make him stop, but I couldn't. So I insulted him. And he got offended.'

Lorlen's head was in his hands – he groaned softly. That was not a smart move, but she couldn't sit there and do nothing…

'So he kissed me again, but it was more…violent.' Sonea's voice cracked under the pressure of holding in the tears. Her voice rose. She took a deep breath and let it out again.

'I had to make a choice between Regin and Akkarin…'

Silence followed. Lorlen looked onwards with a confused, puzzled look on his face. And then the truth hit him like a slap on the face. He jumped to his feet and glared at her desperately.

'Please Sonea. Please. Please tell me you didn't let him.' He whispered hoarsely, his blue eyes haunted.

Sonea met his gaze and then it dropped and she bit her lip to keep back the tears and shook her head repeatedly.

'I'm sorry, Lorlen.' A single tear rolled down her face.

For a few moments, he was unable to say or do anything.

He was still in shock.

How could Regin strike the High Lord's Novice, until she was exhausted and defenceless and then heal her just so her could – rape her?!

Lorlen had to mentally choke out the word 'rape'. It was disgusting. He deserved to be publicly disgraced! But looking back at the crying girl on the chair, he knew he couldn't. If he disgraced Regin, he would disgrace her as well. Still feeling sick, Lorlen slowly made his way over to Sonea and spent some time, just looking at her. He felt a mixture of feelings. Frustration, anger, sympathy and fear being the main ones.

Noticing him there, Sonea wiped her eyes and looked up at the towering figure, who reached out his hand. Sniffing, Sonea took it and Lorlen pulled her up into a big, fierce hug. Sonea buried her face in his shoulder once more and Lorlen rested his head on the top of hers, as he tried to get her to calm down. A single tear landed on Sonea's head. Pulling apart, they both looked at each other. Lorlen managed a small smile and wiped away Sonea's tears.

Lorlen's expression suddenly became serious. Taking hold of her shoulders, he shook them gently and stared at her intently.

'I'll always be here for you. I'll never abandon you. And if you have any problems, just come and talk to me.' His eyes sparkled. Sonea beamed back.

'Thank you.'

She sighed.

'I should be getting back now – it's almost dawn, lessons will start in a few hours. And the High Lord will probably have sent out search parties for me.'

They both laughed. Lorlen smiled.

'Take care, Sonea.'

'I will.' She cleared her throat.

'Goodnight Administrator.'

The corner of Lorlen's mouth turned upwards.

'Goodnight.'

He realised now, as he watched the sky clear to the colour of forget-me-nots, that he loved Sonea. He loved her truly and deeply. But not a romantic kind of love. But a caring love. He smiled as headed towards the door, and once again locked the door and headed off back to his room in the Magician's Quarters.

Once again, neither of them noticed him emerge from the baths. He saw the smiles on both faces and grinned broadly himself.

These grins must be contagious, Regin thought.