Shout outs:

Lady11Occult: Actually Phayaton will never meet Jaenelle but you'll see. (wink wink).

Hytomi: I'm so glad you like it. I've also posted a Black Jewels Trilogy Fanfic Foramen. kesterel2106: I'm glad you enjoyed this and later I will explain why it makes sense that the land kills. Sorta. Yeah it is a horrible thing but… it just is.

! Thanks for your support. I'll be updating regularly and already have an ending in mind. Suggestions and constructive criticism is welcome. !

Coins clicked on the counter and Phayaton gathered her packages. Inside were buttons to mend a blouse, seeds for her garden, and lovely purple fabric that she had many plans for. Lonz also had a package but a package but he wouldn't tell her what was in it.

They had passed the day in merry concord but now the sun was setting, and she had to go home. It was her thought that, as she headed up the path to her house, Lonz would follow her, would walk her to the door, say a pleasant goodbye and then leave. The only flaw in her plan was, when they got to her house, he had other ideas.

"Phayaton, I know I've really been a jerk in the past, in fact a real asshole, but I hope your thoughts of me have changed today."

His expression reminded her of a puppy who knew he did wrong but came back to his master anyway. She didn't understand all this; she had no grudge against him just an awareness.

"Lonz, you've committed no crime, no real reason for me to grieve. You just got out of hand sometimes but you've never harmed me."

"I know." He was suddenly so uncertain, and his eyes danced everywhere without resting on her. Maternal instincts kicked in and she found herself reaching out to take his hand. As if woken up from a dream, he looked at her with sudden realization and smiled. "I have something for you. I know it is sort of personal and you might not use it- or like it," He gave up, "Here."

He thrust the parcel at her and she looked at the brown bundle startled; this was surprising, he had never given her a present before. Slowly she unwrapped it, knowing that he watched her with his bright golden eyes. When a glint of silver chain caught her eyes she knew exactly what it was before she pulled it out. It was a necklace with an empty setting meant to hold a jewel; her jewel.

"When you make the Offering," Lonz shrugged, "I thought you might like a new setting, but like I said it is kind of personal. If you don't like it they'll be no hard feelings."

Phayaton wasn't listening though; she was too entranced by the setting that she now noticed on the end of the necklace. It was fashioned into the shape of a sun that shared the same face with a crescent moon, and a bramble bush spread across the center that was to hold up the jewel. It was identical to her birthmark, but how did he know; there was no way he could have known.

Looking up at him she observed that he was staring at her, a smirk scrawled across his face. It was no wonder for she had been standing there, her eyes transfixed on the necklace and her mind completely shut down. She found herself blushing uncontrollably and she never blushed, what was going on.

"I don't know what to say." Honestly she didn't, her mind was a complete blank.

"You're not obligated to say anything." Lonz chuckled at the pretty hue that had risen in her checks.

"I- I love it, it's perfect. Beyond perfect."

"I'm glad. I saw it out of the corner of my and just knew it was for you." They had somehow gotten real close over the course of the conversation, and this closeness caused a hitch in her breath. Suddenly he reached out and fingered a wisp of her hair. "Silver is your color."

He stared at the silver strand in his fingers it was so soft; the rest of her must be soft too he thought. Fingertips traced her jaw, the jaw of a female being a beautiful thing, only to stop at her lips. The touch was light like feather and for a moment, as they looked at each other, Phayaton felt her heart stop and it seemed that his did too. They stayed like this for a while allowing time to pause for an instant; this was too close though and too personal, she didn't like it. As if sensing her discomfort he withdrew his hand and backed away.

To break the silence he brought up an innocent enough topic. "So you'll be making the Offering soon right, I mean you can't wait forever."

He meant nothing by it but Phayaton stiffened despite herself. Know she remembered why she hadn't gone through the Offering yet, two words, Virgin Night. Never being involved with a male she retreated from any contact out of fear, which in fact was silly being that she'd have too one day. Only all the stories she had heard resulted in one thing, males could hurt a witch in more ways than one. A shudder ran through her.

"Lonz- I," She closed her eyes what was wrong with her, "You have to go. Goodbye."

Turning around she cast the hurt look on his face out of her mind, and entered her house. His words echoed in her head though, "You can't wait forever", and she knew she couldn't. Suddenly she noticed that she wasn't the only one in her living room, six pairs of beady black eyes stared up at her.

A/n: To all who didn't read the above shout outs, if you like this story you might want to check out my others. Foramen and Red Jewel are two that you might find interesting. I know this is short but more is to come. Love ya.

Bye, Callie