Disclaimer: My name is Tamora Pierce. I love to write, and all girls love my books. I have a whole lot of money, and you all should bow down.......uh, hi, Mr. Lawyer. Um, yeah. I'll be leaving now. (FYI I AM NOT TAMORA PIERCE!!!!)

A/N: I hope you like it! Sorry it took sooooooooo long to get up. I went on vacation. As the darkings would say, "FunFunFunFunFun."

"Magadalene, darling, my love, will you marry me? Will you consent to be my wife and live with me until the end of time?"

"Brenson, dear, I'd follow you all the way to the Black God's realm and beyond. Yes, I would love to be your wife. I shall go tell Russ the good news. Oh, he shall be so happy for us!" She started to flounce happily down to her brother's chambers, only to be stopped by Brenson's strong grip on her waist. He spun her around, pulling her close to him.

"Sweet, I need to say something first. I sent word to your father, asking for your hand in marriage. He refused my love for you, worthy suitor that I am. If you go now to your brother, you will ruin any chance we have to be wed." He relaxed his grip on Magdalene's waist, certain that she wouldn't go to her brother now. "It is your decision."

Magdalene drew herself up. "Bren, you know I wouldn't risk it." Her mood switched suddenly. "But it's just like father to not know enough about my life to deny me my heart's desire." She changed from lion to lamb. "Which is you, love. And if we could go anywhere together, where would you go?"

Brenson thought a moment. "I have always wanted to go the Songern with you." Seeing the quizzical look in her eyes, he went on. "Songern is a little island off the coast of Gilboa. Very romantic, I assure you."

"Then that is where we shall elope to. Does that suit you, dear?" Seeing his nod, she smiled. "Wonderful. Now we need rings to seal our agreement."

"That is why I picked these up on the way here." He got down on bended knee and opened a small box of gray damask. In its silken bed was an amethyst ring, matching her Gift. The only thing that differed from her gift was the inside of ring. Magdalene peered closer, and was astonished to see multitudes of swirling colors. The light it seemed to radiate from it made her dizzy, for Brenson pulled out another, larger box. This one contained matching necklace and earbobs. The swirling colors in these pieces swum in unison with the ring. They were wonderful, nicer than anything that Magdalene had ever seen.

"Brenson, they're GORGEOUS!" she gushed. He looked so happy.

"I knew that you would like it. I picked it up from a little street peddler. Funny little thing she was. She practically gave the jewels to me....uh, I mean I sold my fortune, my life, my every last copper on them." Finally he stopped chattering. A deafening silence rose between them. Magdalene was the first one to break it.

"Well, now. When would you like to leave for that Sonhaveng- place?"

"Immediately, if you wish. I can book a boat as soon as I leave."

"You haven't got the money to. You said so yourself that you spent your 'every last copper' on my jewels, did you not?"

"True." Brenson's lie was starting to catch up with him. "Your father has money. Try to find where he keeps it, love. For me."

Brenson slipped the ring on to Magdalene's finger. She turned around and raised her hair off the back of her neck so her fiancé could slip the necklace and earbobs on her more easily.

Once the jewels were on, she bit back a scream of fright. The jewels were especially heavy on her, and the necklace and ring seemed to bite her where they touched her skin. Her necklace seemed to put something into her, while the ring nursed eagerly on her blood. But Brenson swept her up into a kiss, and she just didn't care about that anymore.

She eased into wakefulness, and opened her eyes. She screamed, and her rich and fluffy pillows muffled the noise. The jewelry that Brenson had put so carefully on her in the dream was still on her, though her wedding was a dream. 'That's odd,' she thought. 'I don't even know a Brenson.'

A shimmering yellow light appeared by her bedside. Quickly she got up a performed a small curtsy. The Goddess spoke to her in soothing tones. "You mustn't be worried. Your beloved Brenson will find you, but first you must go on a journey for me. You like him, even love him, no? Good." Her voice changed, chanting. She took a jewel out of her cloak, much like the ones Magdalene had, only blood red. "You will go on a journey." She repeated. "I admit it, it's a tough challenge. You, my kitten, can do it, and in return I will give you a handsome husband, along with riches only the richest queen could enjoy. So you shall be a great queen, with an even greater king. Brenson will do for that position, but he has not been born yet. I will speed the time for him, so he will be only a little bit older than you when you wed." She caressed Magdalene's curls that framed her pretty face. "You must follow your heart. The jewels you wear will pull you to do things that might make you uncomfortable. Let them, or you will not get your heart's desire." With that, she disappeared, leaving only shimmering air that swirled like the jewelry they both wore where she had been.

Magdalene settled back into her pillow, pondering what the Goddess had said. She smiled. Now she had something to live for.
A/N: Did you like it? Please tell. Read and Review!!! Special thanks to Kassi for BETAing!! You rock! hugs