A large desk stood at one side. The walls were covered in bookcases. Two large chairs and a small table were arranged at the center. Akkarin was sitting in one of the chairs. As she bowed, he gestured to the other, where a small book lay.

"This book is for you to read," he said. "It will help you with your studies on the construction of buildings with magic. I don't think I need to tell you how valuable that book is," Akkarin said quietly. "It is rare and irreplaceable and," his voice deepened, "is not to leave this room."

Sonea looked at him and nodded. His expression was serious, and his dark eyes bore into hers. "You will not speak of it to anyone," he added softly. "Only a few people know it exists, and I would prefer it stayed that way."

"Yes, High Lord." Sonea bowed, expecting him to leave. She was intrigued as to why this could not wait until the morning – there must be more to this book than simply an addition to her studies.

The door behind her closed softly, and she glanced back in surprise. Takan had silently left the room, and Akkarin was still sitting in the chair, gazing at her intently with his long, elegant fingers steepled at his chin.

"Do you remember the vows novices are expected to uphold, Sonea?" he asked quietly.

Sonea hesitated, unsure where this was going. "Yes, High Lord. Obedience to magicians; refraining from using magic without permission; and the defence of Kyralia and the Allied Lands."

Akkarin nodded, standing up in a swish of black robes and turning his back to Sonea. "Those are the vows all Guild novices are expected to make, yes. Historically, there have also been certain… additional expectations of some novices."

He was facing the bookshelves behind him, and his tone was neutral. Sonea wondered what this was about. Was he displeased about her studies? She frowned. Given her mediocre Warrior Skills, he was probably concerned that, the longer she displayed no exceptional promise, the more other magicians may question his guardianship of her. "I know that magicians rarely take on the guardianship of novices, except where the novice may show exceptional talent. Any chosen novices are held to high standards."

"That is true," Akkarin said quietly, turning around to face her. Sonea was surprised at the expression on his face. There was almost a hint of… uncertainty? "But that is not what I meant by expectations."

He cleared his throat and rested his hands on the back of the chair between them. "The High Lord's novice has customarily been mentored in more advanced magical practices, ahead of their year group. It is an acknowledgement of their promise, but it is also a responsibility. Given a High Lord's chosen novice tended to be the most magically powerful one in the Guild at any given time, it became imperative to ensure that their advantage would be tempered by complete loyalty to their guardian. You can see why, given the power the High Lord's novice would wield over their peers."

Sonea nodded, feeling her face heat. I am currently the most powerful novice in the Guild?

"And the novices' vow is the expression of loyalty to the Guild?" she asked.

"Yes, and no." Akkarin walked around the chair, and stood closer to Sonea. At this distance, she could see a slight frown line between his eyebrows, and smell something pleasantly spicy – wine? – on his breath. "It is traditional for the High Lord and his novice to complete an… intimate initiation within the first month of the guardianship. While its renewal on a weekly basis is no longer enforced as it once was, the first symbolic act remains compulsory."

Sonea's mind momentarily went blank. An intimate initiation? She had heard stories told in the bolhouses, but assumed they were bawdy tales made up by dwells who hated magicians. Surely he couldn't mean…

Akkarin's steady voice did not entirely match the hesitation in his dark eyes. "The initiation requires the novice submit his or her body to their guardian, as proof of complete fealty."

Breath catching in her throat, Sonea's eyes widened as realisation hit her. The stories were, at least in part, very true after all. I am expected to bed Akkarin. Did everyone know this already?

"I – I…"

"I was under the impression Lord Rothen would have explained to you the rules of the Guild in full," Akkarin said. "But perhaps he thought this outcome highly unlikely. I have never taken on a novice, and knowing may not have helped… your initial distrust of the Guild."

A heavy silence stretched between them. Sonea could only stare at the black folds of Akkarin's robes where they met the floor. A slight patter of raindrops on the dark windows of the library jerked her out of what felt like a mental trance.

"Novices from the Houses are usually told of this slim possibility before they take their vow," Akkarin added softly.

I already made the decision to join the Guild a year ago. I cannot turn back now, Sonea thought. Her insides felt like lead at the thought of having her powers blocked if she refused, returning to the slums as no use to anyone.

She took a deep breath and looked up to meet Akkarin's gaze. It was intent, but not cold. For the first time since walking into the room, Sonea noticed the decanter on the table that usually held his favourite, Anuren Dark, was empty. It was hard to imagine Akkarin needing to pluck up the courage to have a conversation.

The thought fluttered something in her stomach. Perhaps this is as hard for him to consider as it is for me.

With trembling hands, she reached for the sash at her waist and slowly began to remove the top half of her brown novices' robes.

"Not now, Sonea," Akkarin said, his voice almost gentle. "It is late, and there are certain preparations that must be made before the… act." He stepped close, pulling her robe back over her shoulders and across her undershirt. He re-tied the sash deftly.

His fingers brushed over the sash, now secure, for just a moment. Then he quickly stepped back, strode past her and placed a hand on the door's handle. He didn't open it, but looked back at Sonea. His expression was inscrutable.

"This coming Freeday will mark one month since I assumed your guardianship, before which the initiation must take place." His tone was carefully neutral. "Please leave the previous evening free, and come back to my residence promptly after your final class. Takan will prepare an early dinner."

Sonea knew she was staring, frozen to the spot since his hands had re-dressed her. It took a moment for her to lower her gaze respectfully and remember to bow. "Yes, High Lord."

"Goodnight."

For a moment, she feared her legs wouldn't obey her, but she managed to walk past Akkarin and out of the room without making eye contact. Sonea only released the breath she was holding when she heard the library door shut, leaving her alone with her racing thoughts in the dark corridor.