Disclaimer: I do not own TBMT world – it belongs to Trudi Canavan

The Night Before

Merin stared at his soup, it was thick and green and looked particularly unappetising. He sighed and pushed the bowl away. He picked up some bread and began to crumble it on his plate. He was not feeling at all hungry, yet Jinevra had insisted that he eat with her and it wasn't worth starting an argument.

He could hear Jinevra talking, but didn't really pay much attention. He had developed the ability over the years to tune her out, so he could think about more enjoyable things. They were dining alone this evening, which was always a burden for him; no one else to share the conversation, no one else to introduce new and interesting subjects. It also allowed his Queen to discuss personal things without having to be careful of preserving the fiction that as King, he was the most powerful person in the room and couldn't be disagreed with.

"Merin! Did you hear what I said?" He looked up to find Jinevra looking annoyed.

"I'm sorry, my dear," he said, "I was thinking about something which happened earlier today."

Jinevra sighed, "I do wish you'd listen, sometimes. And why aren't you eating your soup? You haven't been eating properly for weeks and you need your strength." She pushed the soup bowl back towards him and her voice softened, "Come on, try to eat it, you'll feel better."

Merin wearily took his spoon and obediently swallowed a few mouthfuls. That was another irritating thing, he thought, Her insistence that he should eat up all his food, just as if he were a small boy who wasn't able to think for himself.

"I was talking about the Guardianship Hearing tomorrow, Merin. Lady Alechia came to see me today. She is so worried, poor thing. She thinks the Guild might try to prevent her family claiming the child, because it might have strong magic. I told her you were a strong defender of the law and wouldn't be swayed by anyone else."

Only Jinevra would refer to the dragon of family Delvon as "poor thing", Merin thought. He had been frightened of her when he was young and kept out of her way as much as possible. He still tried to avoid her at social events even though he was now King. He quite liked Lord Lukon, who had been a boon companion of Merin's father, but he didn't care much for the rest of the family now that Akkarin was gone.

He suddenly realised that Jinevra was still talking, "…unsuitable person, you must agree Merin? After all, what does she know about the duties of noble families and the responsibilities they have?"

Merin assumed she was talking about Sonea, "If you met Black Magician Sonea, my dear, you would not know she was born in the slums from her behaviour. She has learned a lot from her years in the Guild, mixing with nobles. High Lord Akkarin would not have become involved with her if he did not think she was a suitable person."

Jinevra laughed coarsely, "Oh, Merin, you are so naïve, lots of noble men have taken up with the most unsuitable women. I don't think they were looking for fine behaviour and good manners! No, I am sure High Lord Akkarin was a man like any other and would take his pleasures where he wanted without thought for his honour and family."

Merin suddenly had the urge to grab the Queen and shake her soundly while shouting in her ear that she knew nothing about Akkarin, nor how he behaved, whereas her precious Lady Alechia was a vicious bully who terrorised her children and anyone else who didn't do what she said. But of course, he wouldn't do anything of the kind.

Jinevra was still talking, "It must be so hard for the family to be suddenly without their son. Now they have a chance to raise his child. who will help to fill the gap left by his loss. Alechia was talking so fondly of the High Lord when he was a little boy and how she missed him. She's hoping for another boy, of course, but even if it is a girl, she said she would feel just as fond of her as she had been of her son."

Merin stared at her, How could she be so taken in by Alechia? he thought. Many's the time I saw the bleeding welts on Akkarin's back from the whippings she ordered. If he hadn't been able to Heal himself, his back would have been criss-crossed by hundreds of scars.

The Queen said sadly. "I feel so sorry for anyone who has lost a child. If they can find another to help them over their grief, then it can only be a good thing."

Merin was struck by remorse. He had failed to give his wife a child and perhaps that was why she had turned into such a bitter woman. He could not blame her for his own reluctance to share her bed. He smiled at her kindly.

"Rest assured, Jinevra, that I will listen carefully to all the arguments from both Akkarin's family and from Lady Sonea and I will follow the law, when making my decision.

Lord Lukon was sitting in his study, staring sightlessly at the pile of papers on his desk. Amongst them were the notes of the speech he intended to make tomorrow at the Guardianship Hearing. He was feeling quietly confident. The law was on his side and Alechia had been very pleased with her meeting with the Queen who was completely sympathetic. Lukon suspected that the tiny Queen had quite a strong influence over her husband, so her support could only be a bonus.

The door opened quietly and Alkaria put her head round the door, "Can I come in father?" she asked with a smile.

Lukon gazed at her fondly. He knew it was wrong, but he did love the child much more than either of her brothers. She had a sweet nature at heart, although some of her behaviour annoyed him. She was pretty, too, reminding him of the young Alechia he had fallen in love with all those long years ago. Perhaps that's why she can twist my heart around her little finger, he thought.

Alkaria came over and sat on the corner of his desk. She was attractively dressed, as always, in a bright scarlet dress, embroidered in heavy gold thread, and with tiny jewels sewn into the stitching, so that she shimmered with each movement. She looked at all the papers, picking up one or two and casting her eye over them.

"Why are you still working, father, it's late and you should be having a nice glass of wine in the sitting room with the rest of us."

"I've been thinking about tomorrow, Alkaria. It is very important that things go the way I've planned and the child is brought here as soon as it is born. I don't want anything to go wrong. We need the child."

"But surely nothing can go wrong, can it?" she looked at him under her lashes, twinkling eyes looking into his own, "the King will do what you want won't he?"

"He should, our case is strong, but you know, Merin makes some odd decisions at times. He was always fond of Akkarin and we don't know what that woman has said to him." Lukon frowned as he remembered Sonea's visit to their home. "She's a strong woman and very determined, I think."

"Yes, what did you think of Lady Sonea? She's a lot prettier than I thought she would be and she had such graceful movements."

Lukon glanced at her sharply, "Now don't you start getting any of your strange fancies! Lady Sonea is our adversary in this matter and she is bound to put up a strong case. When we win, she will be very angry. I don't want any members of this family having anything whatsoever to do with her or the Guild. Is that clear, Alkaria?"

She coloured a little and nodded, "Yes father, perfectly clear."

Sonea lay in Akkarin's arms listening to his heartbeat. She so loved that sound, it made her feel safe and protected. After all the anxieties she had endured over the past week, as the date for the Guardianship Hearing drew closer, being able to lie quietly in her lover's arms was absolute bliss.

It's agreeable for me too, he sent.

His hand drifted slowly over her body, leaving a trail of tingling sensations in its wake. She snuggled closer to him and permitted her own hand to wander, feeling his flesh tremble under her fingers. She let her lips trace the journey of her fingers and felt his desire for her blossom in her mind. They were careful in their lovemaking these days, and she was content to follow his lead. He had already made love to her earlier in the evening and she knew it would not happen again this time.

I shall be pleased when the child is born, she thought. So much will be different, then. There will be no need to be so careful.

Akkarin laughed softly as his fingers slid under her chin to raise her face, "You are an eager lover, Sonea," he said. He lowered his face to hers and time slowed as they exchanged long sensuous kisses.

Sonea found her mind drifting pleasantly, all worries and concerns seemed so far away; it was difficult to believe that the Guardianship Hearing was tomorrow.

This time tomorrow night, it will all be over and I shall know what the King has decided. I have done all that I can to prepare and I must trust in the Eye to bring me good luck, she thought.