Chapter 9


Sonea bit hard into her stale bread and resisted the urge to sigh. Her and Akkarin had been put into one cell together, but the silence stretching between them was almost exceeding awkward. She didn't know what it was that was making them feel awkward, but she wasn't going to ask.

She looked over at the bed they were expected to sleep in and shivered. Folt may be a cruel man, but he still had given them a reasonably comfortable cell. The double bed looked strangely comfortable, but she had avoided the question of who will sleep in it for the entire evening. She looked around the rest of their cell and let out a sigh. Akkarin and her were prisoners and there was nothing she could do about it. They would have to wait for the friendly magician to put his plan into action. But they didn't know what that plan was just yet. Folt obviously had no idea that he had someone who was prepared to double cross him, standing alongside him.

Sonea frowned at the scar that rested along the palm of her hand. Folt was planning to keep Akkarin and Sonea for the use of his own, feeding off of them for as long as he could until they was no use to him anymore. He had forced them to give him power earlier that evening and both she and Akkarin were weary and tired. They had given each other occasional glances to see which of them would crack first and ask about the bed. However, whenever Sonea looked over at Akkarin, he didn't seem to be bothered by the situation.

"I'm going to bed. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow and sitting here isn't doing us any good." Akkarin said, standing up to his feet. Sonea nodded and looked at the bed again. Akkarin saw her staring at it and chuckled.

"Looks like we'll be sleeping together then." He smiled at her and head off into the small, shabby bathroom that led off from their room. Sonea stared after him in shock. He had brushed it off like it was nothing. She smiled to herself and shook her head. Akkarin had surprised her too many times before and she was only just beginning to get used to it. She pulled off her trousers and pulled on a pair of shorts that the friendly magician had passed to her along with her food. He seemed to want her out of this place more then she did herself. She smiled. Mysterious men were always the best, and she didn't even know the magician's name.

She walked over to the bed, running her hand along the smooth fabric as she did so, and pulled over the corner of the quilt. She stepped in and laid down, sighing as the smooth fabric brushed against her legs. Before she knew it, the warmth was overtaking her and she was just nodding off when she heard the door to the bathroom open and Akkarin strolled in. She turned to greet him, but found herself staring at his damp chest and wet hair instead. She turned away, feeling warm in places she know she shouldn't. She had seem him before like that, why did it have such an impact on her now?

You love him, a voice inside her cried out. Sonea frowned.

I don't. I couldn't. He's done so much to harm me.

Oh, but he's done so much to help you too, her conscious cried in return. She shivered as Akkarin lifted up the quilt and cold air was let in, and stiffened as he slid down beside her, brushing against her skin. She felt her skin rise up in goose bumps and she once again felt herself burn. She stiffened even more when she felt Akkarin lean over, his damp hair brushing against her slightly and whisper in her ear.

"Sonea, are you awake?" He asked, resting a hand on her bare shoulder. Her vest top was thin and she could feel the heat radiating off of his body onto hers. She turned to face him, her shoulder prickling from his touch.

"Yes." She answered, covering the desire in her voice. Akkarin smiled at her.

"I can't sleep." He whispered, edging away. She turned her whole body around to face him and they lay face to face in the dark, like you would at a sleepover.

"I can't either." She replied coarsely. She wanted him to touch her again, just so she could be sure that her feelings for him wasn't a lie. He laid there and stared at her for a moment.

"Do you think that magician will help us?" She asked him, her voice still lowered down into a whisper. Akkarin relaxed slightly and his lips curled upwards.

"Yes. He is the brother of Takan. But Folt does not know this." He replied. Sonea's heart filled with hope and her heart went out to the magician.

"Jaime is indeed an impressive magician. He seems to have taken a liking to you too." Akkarin finished bluntly. Sonea flinched at the cold tone in his voice and realised the slight hint of jealousy. Surely Akkarin didn't feel the same way towards her...

"Yes, I seem to have taken a liking to him too." Sonea replied, dreamily. Akkarin frowned and Sonea held back a giggle.

"In fact, I was going to ask you whether we should bring him back to the Guild so he can be reunited with Takan again. He can live in my room." She said, off the top of her head. Akkarin stiffened and Sonea couldn't help but grin at him. He glared at her, which only made her giggle.

"Sonea, you really do worry me." Akkarin replied, trying as best as he could to sound stern. He couldn't help but chuckle with her. Sonea finished laughing and smiled at him.

"It seems unfair for Jaime to have to follow Folt around. It's the least we can do for him. But we can let him sleep with Takan, I'd rather have my room to myself." She quoted. Akkarin relaxed and smiled at her. Sonea yawned and shut her eyes, weariness taking over her body at last. She began to nod off and only awoke for a moment when she felt Akkarin's body brush against hers.

"Goodnight Sonea." He said, kissing her on the forehead. Sonea opened her eyes a little and watched as Akkarin gazed at her for a while, then he turned over, put his head on his pillow and went to sleep.