They talked for another hour about her lessons and even some things about Rak. He listened but didn’t say much about where he went or why and she didn’t press him. She didn’t want to argue with him so close to her birthday.

She got to the fountain right at sunrise, it was a family tradition to gather at sunrise to begin the day of celebration. She was nineteen now, a woman capable of marrying. Though she wasn’t interested in marrying any time soon. The fact that she wasn’t home with her family hit her harder than she thought, but the knowledge Jaden was with her made it a little easier. She wore a dark blue dress even though Mistress Clara argued it wasn’t a proper color for a celebration. Lilly wasn’t sure it was a day she wanted to celebrate as a new beginning, but an ending. It was the end of her pretending that everything wasn’t going to change.

The sun rose to its peek and still he hadn’t come, she waited all day until her stomach gurgled from hunger and the sun was beginning its decent to the horizon. She heard someone coming and in hopes it was him she turned. “Mistress Clara.” She greeted her trying not to let the disappointment into her voice.

“I have something for you dear.” She offered her a package. “I received it yesterday but I thought it would mean more if I waited to give it to you today.”

Opening the paper she saw a dark wooden lacquered box and opened it revealing a pale golden locket. She took it out letting it glint in the sun holding back the tears. She knew then she was alone, it was her nineteenth birthday and she was alone. Opening the locket where three different colored pebbles lay nestled securely inside.

“Stones?” Clara asked looking at the piece of jewelry.