Chapter1

Where is she? A very angry Clef thought. She was supposed to be here half an hour ago! Clef heard laughing and at once recognized the laugh of his missing student.

"Alcyone-" Before he could further his statement she had hugged him.

"I'm sorry, I really am." Her dark blue eyes glistened as she pleaded her case. "I promise it won't happen again." She bit her lower lip, as the mage grinned.

"You say that all the time and you are always late." He said teasingly with a smile that melted Alcyone's heart.

He took her hand and led her down the hallway. Alcyone had grown up so much. He smiled inwardly at the thought of how she had changed. He let a small whim of humor escape him.

"What?" Alcyone looked down at him.

"Nothing." He answered quickly setting a quicker pace.

She has changed so much. I can hardly believe that today she will take her oath. Clef was proud of her more than anything. He placed her hand in his and led her to a large tower. He watched the expression on her face.

"Alcyone…um… I am proud of you." Clef looked straight ahead and used his ring to open a large wooden door. "From this point on you are no longer my student, you are a mage for our pillar."

Alcyone smiled and followed Clef into the large room. There she stood in front of the high council. Breath just breath. Alcyone felt very nerves she was going to commit her life to the Pillar. Do this for Clef; it's the only way to stay near him.

"Alcyone today you are nineteen and are able to pledge you life to the Pillar of Ciephro."

The older man looked down at the young woman. "Will you do so?"

Alcyone bit her lower lip then raised her head. "I will."

Clef drew a breathe of air, it was cold to his lungs and he quickly let it out. He watched her take the oath. He knew that he should have stopped it. It was not fair to ask her to give up her life, to gain one in the shadows.

"Clef you must now join us for the receiving of the robes." The councilman spoke hollowly.

Clef rose and stood by her. The robe was handed to Clef, who closed his eyes and thought of the young seventeen year old that had been scared and hated him for taking her away from her mom.

Alcyone kneeled before Clef, "Alcyone you don't have to do this you can still say no." Clef informed her, as he stood ready with robes.

"I know but I want this." I want to be near you. Her heart added.

Clef placed the robes on her, and bid her to raise and to go stand by the Pillar.

Emeraude was tall and looked like a pre-teen. Her golden blonde hair was almost to the floor. Alcyone thought that she was beautiful.

After the ceremony Emeraude insisted that she walk with Alcyone. Alcyone looked as if all life had been sucked out of her. Emeraude knew that she was hurt by the fact that she could not be with Clef. Her heart broke for Alcyone.

"Alcyone, you know that you can resign with my blessings in a year." Emeraude tried to offer comfort.

"Why would I do that?" She slightly coughed keeping a sob from escaping her throat.

"Because you would only torture yourself." Her hand fell gracefully on Alcyone's shoulder. "I can see the way you look at Clef…I can tell you love him."

Alcyone's heart stopped beating her face became flushed. " Princess, I can't! I would fail him, and I can't do that." Tears burned her face; "I can't do that to him!"

Alcyone turned away from her and ran off.I love him I can't be with him but I have to be near him. She raced towards the courtyard, down towards the castle gates. Tears still trickled down her face.

Her heart was pounding against her chest. She felt that life was doing this to torture her.

"Alcyone!" Clef's voice echoed in his heart.

She turned to face him, "Clef."

"Alcyone you must fight this infatuation for me. We could never be." Clef walked to her, "Let us be friends."

His words cut her soul out; she never wanted to hear that ever again.