He came down the dark forest road, for those to be Proven always deal with Shadows, with nothing more than the clothes on his back. He had dark hair that shifted as wildly as the leaves above him. I could see nothing more, for he was looking down, and right then my father pulled me back from the window.

He had flaming red hair, swirling gray eyes, and the form of a Norseman. Normally his gray eyes were calm, but now as I gazed upon them, lightning flashed across their depths. “You are not to stare child. Go to your room. I will speak with the boy and then leave you be.”

I started to shake my head in defiance, but he rose his voice in a deeper warning. “Now! I will not tolerate such foolishness.”

I scampered off to my room. The darkest wood formed my furniture and the colors purple and black were everywhere. I turned to look into the mirror, a luxury permitted not until recently.

My hair contained all the colors, and changed with the seasons. With winter approaching, my hair was beginning to darken. My eyes held the red brown of the trees, yet they looked black to those who kept their distance. I was often told that I looked like one of the Fae and may have been a little too proud of that fact. I wore a green tunic and walked barefoot. I have walked barefoot since I was little to strengthen my connection with Mother Earth.

I heard the trap door open, and heard my father help the boy up. I was tempted to use magic to eavesdrop, but my father contained enough himself to sense such things. My father coughed. “Well boy, I see that you have arrived safely. We have provided clothes and personal items for you.”

The boy nodded. Had I been able to see his face then, I would have seen a river of tears making its way through the muck on his face.

My father reached down to wipe them from his face and smiled the best he could. “She is very special to me, watch over her." Almost asan afterthought he added,"Do not worry, you will get used to the solitude.”

The boy dared a glance at my father. “Excuse me sir, but I have been told nothing of your daughter.” His voice trembled slightly. “Nor what it is I am to be doing here.” He stood silent waiting for answers, but none came.

The boy did not know what I was? Where was he from? All in Hanya knew about the Proven. Who was he?

My father took the boys hand and patted it. “I wish you luck with my daughter. She is a spit-fire, that one is.” He chuckled and left through the trap door without another word.

I ran out of my room immediately, for when my father left, we were not safe to leave the door unlocked. I locked the door up tight and used my magic to seal it.

I stood up and turned to meet the wide eyed gaze of the boy before me. He was small for his age, and his hair was slightly lighter than I thought. His eyes were a violet blue, that made me stare at him open-mouthed as well.

Remembering how my father gave me rings for the occasion, I withdrew my gaze and went over to the mantle. Above the fireplace was a box made from rose wood, inlaid with the designs of the Fae. Inside laid bands handcrafted by the Ancient Ones.

I was slightly afraid, for the bands flashed blue if the match was a holy one, and red if it was not to be. Sometimes it did nothing, which I hoped it would for us. We were too young to know of love. I took out the rings and walked back to him.

He managed a weak smile which only deepened the dark circles under his eyes.“I'm Raylen. What is your name?” My face must have betrayed my sadness, for he quickly said, “I’m sorry. Did I offend you?”

“No. It’s just that I have no name.” He nodded and acted as though that was the most normal thing in the world.

I reached out and grabbed his hand, but quickly drew it back. This boy was not all human. I glanced at him in question and resolved that he knew not of his heritage. I reached out for his hand once more and led him to his room.

“This is to be your part of the house. You can go in any room as long as the door is not closed. The door with the black wood is not to be entered under any circumstances. Here, this is yours.” I held out the ring to him and he slipped it on his left ring finger without realizing it. I did the same. I inwardly sighed with relief as the rings did nothing. “You can stay here in your room, or you can have breakfast with me if you like.”

He said nothing, so I turned to leave.

I was almost out of the door before he spoke.

“What are you?”

I stopped dead in my tracks and turned around. I answered him truthfully. “I don’t really know.” I turned back around and walked to the kitchen.

-()-()-()-

I stood in the kitchen, using my measly supply of magic to heat the water for hot chocolate and light a small fire for biscuits. My strong points were earth and wind and I gladly made use of them whenever I could, but the power of fire still seemed to allude me.

I could make out footsteps coming towards me. Without saying anything, Raylen pulled out a chair and sat down. I turned around to meet his gaze.

He had a boyish grin and seemed to be watching me closely. I rolled my eyes and turned back around. How quickly this boy changed. Had he not just been crying?

“What?” I said much more harshly then I meant too. He walked up and wrapped his arms around me. I was so shocked I couldn’t even react.

“Listen here Witch. I know what you are and what you are trying to do with me. Don’t you dare even think about trying anything. And if you think I’m going to bend to your will so easily think again.”

He had a grip on me and I could not turn around. What did he think he was here for? “Is this what you think of me? I am no Witch you fool. I am to be a Proven. And I am not bound to such silly superstitions.”

His grip loosened slightly.

“Have you not been told of our arrangement?” I asked.

“No.”

“Please release me and I will tell you.” I growled. He released me reluctantly and sat back down. Once again I turned to face him.

“Care to explain yourself?" His voice spilled over with venom.

“You were brought here to be my companion, and to become my betrothed.” His mouth opened to speak but I held up my hand and he silenced himself. “I don’t like it anymore than you do, but that is my father’s choice. At a young age I was Chosen to be the next Proven. We are in no way Witches. We have far greater abilities then them. While the witches are my Brothers and Sisters, we are not the same. I am not to be named till I have passed my test. I…”

Before I could continue, he got up, stormed out of the room, and went off to his own.