#ceryni

thenarr4tor requested: The Black Magician Trilogy + Most Badass Character

She had a much better relationship and dynamic with Cery. Ceryni clearly had feelings for her in the first book and she reciprocated. However, because she had to go to the Guild, neither of them confessed. Whilst it is realistic that her friend did not appear much in the second book due to Sonea learning magic in the University, I did not like how we did not get anything on how things stood between them after a year had passed. We did not even get a proper reunion, only a brief meeting between them in the second book. It is not until the last book that they meet again and we finally see how he got on. But after that, because Sonea was favoured by Akkarin as a novice, they did not interact much, if at all.

Dorrien was also a good match for her. Rothen's son had feelings for her and she returned them. They got to know each other quite well through spending time together. He helped her when she was getting bullied and ostracised by students and teachers alike which boosted her morale and determination.  They had the potential to become a couple but Sonea was forced to bury her feelings for him and tell the Healer they could only ever be friends. Even though it broke both their hearts, there was no choice. She had to keep him safe from Akkarin. His welfare was more important than their blossoming relationship. Still, Dorrien sensed something was afoot because he did not try to get over her despite backing off; he continued to give her his support, all the while suspecting that she had done it for his benefit and not because she did not return his affections. He reckoned her sudden attempt to cut ties was due to her new Guardian.

Ceryni and Dorrien remain in love with Sonea in the last book. Although Cery eventually moves on and finds happiness with another girl, I think he knows deep down he will never love anybody like he loved his childhood friend and that those feelings will never truly fade away. She was his first love. Dorrien's feelings stay the same even though he keeps his distance and his interactions with Sonea remain friendly (never crossing the line between friendship and romance). He still supports her every way he can like he did in the second book, even after she falls for the High Lord. However, when Akkarin dies, he is there at her side and is no longer watching from afar. Dorrien aids her in her new goal and gives her purpose.

I find it disturbing that she would fall for someone like the High Lord, especially after what he did and how he treated her. She and Cery had so much potential to develop their dynamic further and become a couple but that was cast aside for Canavan to have her get together with Akkarin, somebody who is not only thirteen years older, but has made her suffer. Whatever backstory he has, it does not negate the terrible things he did and what he inflicted on the poor girl. Dorrien had great potential as another love interest for her too.

Even though Akkarin taking over her guardianship and her being a couple with him is canon, I like to think that Rothen became her guardian again and that she got together with Cery or Dorrien after the High Lord died. Either that or I like to fantasise about her never having feelings for the High Lord; her love for Ceryni or Dorrien was what developed instead and Rothen was always her guardian. In my head, she and her boyfriend eventually had a child together once they were older and got married.