The first time Elise saw Loriel through the crystal ball, Loriel was reading a book in the library. The twelve-year-old boy looked so intelligent and imposing for his age. Elise rested her chin on her two hands and observed the boy.
He was so handsome with a serious expression. His blue eyes looked so pale, almost like silver, and his hair was messy and had the color of ash.
Elise heard his family name was Ashborn. It suited him really well, she thought.
"His name is Loriel Ashborn. Your mother and his mother are best friends. They vowed to match their children in marriage if they have a daughter and a son," her grandmother explained. "As it happened, you are the only daughter in our family, and he is the only son of his family."
Elise was an only child. Years later she found out that her mother died when giving birth to her. Her family hid this knowledge from her throughout her life because they didn't want her to feel guilty.
