A/N: Just wanted to say thank you SO much to Azlira, who has reviewed from the very beginning – it's much appreciated! And Laura Scofield – I miss you, where have you disappeared to? Anyway, this chapter may make you think that you know which way the story's going to go, but you don't – especially as I've changed the ending entirely now. Hehe, I love keeping you all in suspense. Please review!

Aurelia looked at Sonea from underneath her tangled blonde hair. She needed to talk to Sonea, desperately, but she kept putting it off. And now that Rothen knew everything, it would be harder to keep this latest development from him. But she had to tell Sonea first – Sonea, who always knew what to do and say.

She had told Sonea and Rothen of the argument that she and Dannyl had had, and Rothen had been horrified by how harsh Dannyl had been – he was very fond of Aurelia, and didn't like to see her upset. She had grown so much since those first few weeks, when she had been awkward and nervous, easily upset. She had grown into a confident young woman who was trying with all her might to bear the weight of sadness on her shoulders and escape the shadows of her past, and Rothen admired her for it. Sonea wanted to confront Dannyl, as she felt almost maternal to Aurelia nowadays, but instead just made more of a fuss of her than usual, and encouraged Lorkin to do the same. She knew that Aurelia had always found great joy in her young cousin.

But this was different. Aurelia appreciated how much Sonea and Rothen cared about her – no-one else ever had, not since Uncle Akkarin – and she loved them for it, but would they love her after she told them of her fears?

"Did you have a good day?" Rothen asked after a few minutes of this quiet contemplation, "You were quiet in Alchemy" he was leafing through her class' written books as he spoke.

"It was alright" Aurelia shrugged, "And I know, sorry. I did understand it all, I just didn't feel like answering all that much. You don't mind, do you?"

"Well, you've got a lot on your mind" said Rothen slowly, willing to let her get away with anything, "But it would be good if you could speak up a little more. You're easily one of the best in the class"

Aurelia smiled, "Thank you. I will, I promise"

"How's your friend Elle?" Sonea asked. Aurelia laughed.

"Oh, she's very well. She loves hearing about my misfortunes – she's not very comforting, just tells me what I did wrong...but it does make me laugh" Aurelia brushed back her hair, a gesture of agitation, "Can I speak to you both about something?"

Lorkin suddenly decided it would be fun to climb up Aurelia's leg and clamber onto her lap, sensing that she needed a cuddle. She squeezed him tightly, smiling down at the little boy – they'd gone through a lot lately, her and Lorkin.

"Anything" Sonea responded at once.

"We'd be glad to help you" Rothen agreed.

Lorkin squeaked his agreement, rambling in baby talk as he pushed her cheek with his fat little palm.

Aurelia took a deep breath.

"I think I might be...expecting"

"Expecting what?" Rothen frowned, not wanting to read deeper into the word. Sonea gasped.

"Aurelia! I – I don't know what to say!"

"Oh God, she doesn't mean that, does she?" Rothen groaned, burying his head in his hands, "Not another one"

Aurelia winced, "I'm so sorry. I didn't know when to tell you...I've been thinking, if it's true, if I am, I understand if you don't want me to stay here. I'll go back...to my mother"

"No you won't!" Sonea protested, "If you're right, you'll stay right here with us"

"She's right, Aurelia. I didn't desert Sonea, I'm not going to desert you" Rothen added, his voice muffled behind his hands. Aurelia looked between them anxiously.

"This might all be a big fuss over nothing, I don't know that it's true"

Sonea moved towards her and rested her hand over Aurelia's stomach. She used her Healing senses to enter Aurelia's body with her mind, searching for anything unusual. Aurelia's organs were working fine (she thought she'd better check, while she was there) and she was very healthy. But then there was something else, something lingering...another presence.

She pulled her mind back to the present, eyes wide, "Aurelia, you're right. You're going to have a baby"

"Oh my. Oh my God. Oh hell" Aurelia gabbled, stunned, "What am I going to do? Oh my God"

"You mean you don't...want the baby?" Rothen asked tentatively. Aurelia stared at him, horrified.

"Oh no, that isn't what I meant! Of course I do...I mean, it isn't ideal, but you know how much I love children. You've seen how I dote on Lorkin, I've always wanted this. Just not now...not like this. Oh God. What am I going to do about Dannyl?"

"You're going to tell him!" Sonea cried as if it were completely obvious, "You're going to tell him right now!"

"You're angry with me" Aurelia mumbled, looking greatly distressed, "I thought this would be too much, I'm so sorry"

"Aurelia, we're not angry with you in the slightest" Rothen promised. Sonea nodded, grasping Aurelia's hand.

"I didn't mean to sound angry. It's just that I never got the chance to tell Akkarin that he was going to be a father; I don't want you keeping this from Dannyl. We all love you, Aurelia, we're your family now...and trust me, we've gone through this before, we can do it again"

Aurelia smiled warmly, her eyes tearing up, "I can't thank you enough"

"You can" said Rothen gently, "You can go and tell Dannyl, right now"

Aurelia was certainly wary of seeing Dannyl again, especially after their argument of a few days previously. But she knew that Sonea and Rothen were right. Even if she did try to keep this from Dannyl for a while longer, it would only snowball into something even bigger and even less welcome to him. But she was terrified, not only of how he would react – what about the Higher Magicians? Dannyl had said before that if they ever found out just about the kiss, they would both be in massive trouble. A baby would hardly be welcome news!

"Oh, Aurelia. Come in" Dannyl held back the door, trying to avoid looking at her. He'd been hoping that she'd show up – once again he had avoided the rooms she frequented with Sonea and Rothen, inviting the two of them to visit him in his rooms instead. But he had something to say to her that just had to be said.

"Good evening, Dannyl" she said politely. She looked a little pale, and she was avoiding his eyes too.

"Aurelia, I need to say – "

"Honestly, Dannyl, I think what I need to say is a little more impor –"

"No, really, Aurelia, You'll have to wait, I need to say this"

"But – "

"Aurelia!"

"Alright! What is it?" she looked at him tersely, worriedly. She was scared of what he was going to say. Had he guessed? What if Rothen or Sonea had told him through mind communication before she arrived?

"I'm really sorry that I told you I don't love you. It's the truth, but I shouldn't have been so rude about it...I should have spoken more kindly. I'm very sorry about that"

"It doesn't matter, honest – "

"I haven't finished yet! I don't love you, I know it in my heart, but I do still...want you. And I don't think I can resist it any longer"

Aurelia's eyes widened, "What? I don't understand – " she was interrupted when Dannyl kissed her fiercely. She was so confused. If he didn't love her, then she shouldn't let him use her like this. And she was supposed to be telling him that she was pregnant! But she still felt kind of dizzy when he kissed her...and she wanted him too...not like this, but it would do...

She'd tell him later.