Disclaimer – I do not own BMT world, it belongs to Trudi Canavan
Marriage ProposalThere was absolute silence after the King had finished speaking. Akkarin, for once, looked completely surprised. He took a large swallow of his wine, then gave the King a wary look.
"You want me to be what?" he asked, as if he hadn't heard properly.
Merin looked very pleased with himself. It wasn't often he found Akkarin lost for words. "I have copies of the relevant parchments here somewhere," he said as he rummaged around in his desk drawer. "Ah, yes, here they are. It's quite legal, Akkarin. It was part of the original agreement when the Guild was set up. I think it wasn't meant to be used regularly, only if the King deemed it necessary. As I said, it hasn't been used for hundreds of years, but the law has never been rescinded. I've had it all thoroughly investigated by my Legal Advisor and it's clear that I can do this. There's nothing Balkan can do about it either."
Akkarin picked up the documents Merin pushed towards him and read through them in silence. Merin's gaze was fixed on his face, and Sonea could see the barely hidden excitement in it. Akkarin checked one or two of the parchments again, then looked up.
"Congratulations, Merin," he said with a smile, "you have worked very hard on this. I wonder why I never came across any reference to this in the Guild's records, probably because it wouldn't be a very popular appointment as far as the High Lords were concerned. To be frank, Merin, I'm not sure just how far your protection would run, once your Magician was inside the Guild."
Merin didn't look as disappointed at Akkarin's reaction as Sonea had thought he might. The reason soon became clear. "There is another way to increase protection for you," he said, then paused, flicking a brief glance over at Sonea, before adding, "I can extend my protection through marriage."
Sonea stared at him, Marriage? What did he mean? But she knew exactly what the King was proposing and it would have been foolish to try to convince herself otherwise.
"That is not an option, Merin," Akkarin's voice was cool.
"But you are not married, are you Akkarin?" Merin asked carefully. "My cousin, Princess Anyetta, is of marriageable age. A marriage between you would make you a member of the Royal House. No one would dare to attack you in those circumstances."
"No, Merin," Akkarin replied firmly, "I will not marry your cousin."
The King's face took on a stubborn look, "I can't see why not."
"Sonea is the mother of my son, Merin. That's why not."
"But you haven't married her, have you?" The King's voice had an undercurrent of triumph mixed with anger. "I am sure a suitable settlement can be made for her and your son. You could even raise your son after your marriage…..I'm sure Anyetta would be accommodating."
All the while this conversation was going on, Sonea sat as if frozen. She could feel her heart thumping in her chest and her mouth was dry. Marriage into the King's family! Of all the things she might have expected from today's meeting, that was the last thing she'd thought of. A dwell wouldn't think of marriage as an alliance, she thought bitterly, and that's what I am, in the end, just a dwell. But for the King and members of the Houses, this sort of thing went on all the time. She could see the neatness of Merin's scheme. An official appointment as the King's Magician to get Akkarin back into the Guild and membership of the Royal House to provide not only greater personal protection, but also a network of allies, all eager to prove their worth to the King.
"You really haven't thought this through, Merin," Akkarin's voice intruded into her whirling thoughts. "I was convicted and disgraced. You might be able to use this old appointment to get me back into the Guild, you might be able to overturn my conviction, but the Houses would never accept my marriage into your family. You risk accusations of being part of what I did, of encouraging me to learn what is forbidden, you risk turning the Houses against you. It cannot be done!"
"No, wait!" Sonea heard her voice come faintly, as if from a long way away, but she was determined to speak. "Don't dismiss it out of hand, Akkarin. The King is right, it would give you protection and status. It would keep you safe and that's all that matters."
I only want what's best for you, she sent before he could reply. That's all I've ever wanted.
I will not do this Sonea.
Akkarin rose to his feet and looked down at the King, "I will think about what you have proposed. I cannot give you an answer now and I'm sure you don't expect me to. Sonea and I will return tomorrow and you will have your answer then."
"I have a room prepared for you," Merin said quickly. "I hadn't thought you would bring a companion, but it will do for two. A servant will come to tell you when the evening meal is ready. In the meantime, think carefully about what I offer you."
Merin rang a bell and almost instantaneously the door opened and a servant appeared. They followed him out on to the landing. He led them up another flight of stairs and stopped before a door.
"In there," he said gruffly and quickly disappeared back down the stairs.
"Well, he's not one for courtesy, is he?" Sonea said with a credible attempt at a laugh as she opened the door.
The room was not large and, like the rest of the house, was plainly furnished. Apart from the bed, a side table and a chest of drawers, it was empty. There was another door and when she opened it, Sonea found herself in a tiny washroom. It didn't take long to explore and when she came back into the bedchamber, she found Akkarin lying on his back on the bed. His eyes were closed and he wore his distant look. She knew by now that meant he was thinking. She climbed on to the bed and lay next to him, putting an arm around him. She didn't say anything, but waited to see what conclusion he would come to.
After a while she heard his mental voice, I shall not marry, Sonea, have no fear of that.
But you will return to the Guild?
There may be something I can do and it would seem Merin has found a way to get me in without challenging Balkan.
You could be killed. If you were part of the King's family, no one would dare to attack you.
I don't believe that. If someone wanted me out of the way, King's cousin or not, they would do it.
I want to come with you.
Sonea, that is not possible.
She smiled and let her amusement show in her mental voice, You forget, I made a promise to look after you. That was a lifelong commitment.
Akkarin rolled over and held her against his body. "You and your promise," he whispered in her ear, "it's your answer to everything."
"Yes," she agreed, "it is."
They passed time very pleasantly until Sonea decided she needed to tidy herself ready for the evening meal. There was plenty of water in the jug in the washroom. She heated it with magic and enjoyed a good wash. She took the creases out of her clothing, again with magic and dressed herself while Akkarin took his turn in the washroom. She sat in front of a mirror and stared at her hair. She was just not practised enough in dealing with long hair and she wished it were still the short curly mop it had been for most of her life. But Akkarin liked long hair on a woman, so she had grown it to please him, but privately she considered it to be a nuisance.
She was still staring at it when he emerged from the washroom. He came and stood behind her, "What's the matter?" he asked.
She confessed her inability to deal with her hair and he smiled at her reflection, "Let's see what I can do."
Privately she thought he wouldn't make a good job of it, but to her surprise he brushed her hair into separate sections and deftly pinned them up, with the help of magic. When he'd finished, her hair formed a natural coronet around her head. He had even created some small white flowers which he placed randomly among the coils.
"Wherever did you learn to do that?" she asked.
He had been smiling at her surprise, but as she asked the question, his expression altered to its old familiar mask.
"Slaves learn many things to please their masters," he said calmly.
It was something she had heard from him before in the years they'd been together. Although she was still curious about his life with the Ichani, she knew from previous experience he would tell her no more. One day, she thought, he will trust me enough to tell me everything. One day…
Not long afterwards, the servant rapped on their door and summoned them to the meal. They followed him in silence down the stairs to the now familiar landing. This time, he took them to another door, and opened it this time to show them into a pleasant dining room. Akkarin stiffened as he glanced at the table. Sonea followed his gaze and saw the table had been set for four people.
Who….? was as far as her thoughts got before the King arrived. He had changed into more ornate clothing, but still nothing like the royal robes he wore at Court. Sonea didn't have much time to consider his outfit because it was his companion which drew her eye. The young woman, whose arm was resting lightly on the King's, was tall and slender. She had fair hair which tumbled down her back from beneath a wreath of pale yellow flowers. Like Sonea, she was wearing green, but her richly embroidered gown flowed in pale silvery green folds, tiny jewels catching the light as she moved, rather than the dark green of Sonea's clothing. She looked like a forest sprite and made Sonea feel awkward.
Once again Merin ignored her and moved towards Akkarin, bringing the woman with him.
"May I present my cousin, Princess Anyetta," he said with a smile. "Anyetta, this is Lord Akkarin of family Delvon, House Velan."
Anyetta spread her skirts and made a fluid curtsy while Akkarin performed a Court bow.
"Princess," he said in a courteous but cool tone.
There was a moment's silence before Sonea, realising that no one was going to introduce her, said, "I am Sonea."
Anyetta turned towards her and smiled, "Lady Sonea, I am pleased to meet you."
Sonea decided to let the undeserved honorific pass. Anyetta had the sort of warm, lilting voice which went with the rest of her appearance, the sort of voice which made you want to speak more with her, just for the joy of hearing it. Sonea risked a sideways glance at Akkarin. He was not looking at the Princess, but was staring at Merin and it wasn't a pleasant look.
Merin coloured faintly and turned towards the table, indicating where each should sit. Sonea found herself opposite the King, while Anyetta faced Akkarin. Merin must have made some sort of signal, for the door opened and a servant brought in the first course.
There was plenty of wine, water and fruit juice on the table. Sonea ignored the water and fruit juice and poured herself a large glass of pale yellowish wine. She took a mouthful. It was crisp and refreshing in her mouth, so she swallowed and took another large mouthful. As it went down, it spread a feeling of warmth in her stomach and calmed the fluttering which had started the minute she'd seen Anyetta.
The meal passed in a succession of delicious tasting dishes, washed down by many glasses of wine, but Sonea barely tasted the food in her mouth. Her thoughts were bound up with Akkarin and Anyetta. Earlier, she had been, if not happy, at least at ease, with the thought that Akkarin's safety would be assured by his marrying into the Royal House. Her love and desire to protect him were greater than her need to have him for herself alone.
She had assumed that the King's cousin would be similar to Merin himself, pleasantly featured, but not handsome, with conversation perhaps limited to what went on at Court or the latest fashions. But Anyetta wasn't like that cosy picture at all. Not only was the girl a beauty, but also the snatches of conversation Sonea registered were on a range of subjects, including magic, which the Princess confessed herself to be fascinated by. She was also quite young, younger than Sonea by several years.
Sonea had almost persuaded herself that Akkarin's marriage would be no threat to their own relationship, that perhaps it would be a public marriage only, and they would continue to be lovers. Now, however, having seen the charming Princess, she was having second thoughts. How could anyone fail to fall in love with her? she thought. She is everything I'm not…..