She watched as Eon searched for stones in the river. This had become their routine. They would escape to the woods and play by the river.
She still hadn't told him. Today, she would be leaving. Their time in the woods would be no more. She clutched her hand to her chest.
Eon brought her a shiny indigo stone that fit into her palm. She tried to fake a smile to hide the pain in her heart.
"This one matches your eyes." he smiled like he had given her a great gift.
"Eon," she said, "I was selected."
His face instantly fell into a frown. "Are you leaving?"
This was what she wanted to avoid. She clutched onto the small indigo stone as she stood up.
"Tonight is my last night in Vale."
Tears streamed down her face as she ran away from him. Her body was acting on its own.
Just last week, she had fantasized about becoming a couple with Eon.
Sure, they were only fifteen, but it was still late for someone to be selected. Her whole life had changed with the glow of a magic stone.
Her parents were proud. Everyone in her life was proud of her. It was a great honor to be selected.
Only one person acted sad at the thought of her leaving forever.
Families of selected children were treated well and were well compensated. Of course; one would take good care of a potential Ruler. The thought tasted bitter in her mouth as she ran.
That is why each family who had a child between the ages of twelve and seventeen was tested by traveling mages each year, to determine who had the gift of magic to serve their Kingdom.
Most children were selected at thirteen. They say magic awakened at that age. It was almost unheard of to be selected later.
'I suppose that is why we are tested until seventeen,' she thought, bitterly.
She held back her tears as she secretly wished that the stone had laid dead in her hand.
This past year, Rielen's relationship with Eon had changed considerably. Her childhood friend, who she had spent nearly every day with, had changed.
No, he hadn't changed; her thoughts of him had. She bit her lip as she remembered the look on his face when she told him.
With one sentence, she had sucked all of the happiness from his face. She hated herself for it.
"Rielen, dear, come help me finish packing your things. You are leaving at the first bell with the magistrate," her mother, who was busy stuffing anything of hers that would fit in the only suitcase that the family owned, called to her.
There was no use arguing with her. It was against the law to ignore the summons after a selection.
Even if Rielen secretly hid in the forest, they would send a search party for her. She couldn't bear the thought of her family paying for her actions.
She placed the small indigo stone in her jar of shiny stones Eon insisted on finding for her.
It was just a jar of stones that looked pretty, but to her, it was a warm feeling inside her chest. She wrapped it in a dress and placed it gingerly in the suitcase.
"Dear," her mother empathized, "I know it's hard, suddenly being expected to leave all you know. Just think of all the new things you will get to see in the Capital!" Her mother had been trying to cheer her up for a while now.
She was trying to act concerned, but her cheerfulness was shining through.
The dark thoughts of leaving everything must have shown on Rielen's face, because her mother told her, "I am making your favorite for dinner. Do try to finish up here. It will be ready soon."
She waltzed out of the room, finally leaving Rielen alone, as she decided what parts of her life could be left behind, and what parts she couldn't part with.
She felt the hot tears fall down her face. Leaving for the Capital had never crossed her mind. She had only ever been in Vale.
How was she just expected to leave?
Mages were a valuable resource. They didn't get to visit their family, ever. Which meant she would never get to see Eon again.
She took a deep breath to refocus her attention on her family, who were waiting for her in the kitchen.
Her mother was always the optimist. Rielen considered herself a realist. The future with Eon she had envisioned was crushed entirely.
The only thing she could do was grieve its loss before putting herself back together for her last family meal.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The family dinner went by quickly. Everyone was toasting her good fortune. Rielen was a good daughter.
This was one of the best things that could happen to a family with no sons. She smiled and looked at the part, but her heart wasn't in it.
She escaped at the end of the party to catch some fresh air. Stepping outside, she noticed that Eon was waiting by the step.
"I will find you again," he said. "I promise."
Her cheeks burned at those words. He kissed her cheek, then blended into the darkness.
'Did I imagine that? My mind must be playing tricks on me,' she thought.
This was the first time in her life that her heart pounded so hard. Her thoughts swirled with this new feeling before she noticed something hard was in her hand.
In her hand was another stone! Shining green this time.
'How is he going to find me?' she wondered.
Before she could ponder too long, her mother rushed her back in to say goodbye to their relatives, and before she knew it, her pillow drifted her into a dark sleep with no dreams.
******
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