“Hello Fitz,” Taron scowled. “I should have realized it was you.”

“Sophie, I don't understand, why is he here and what is going on? Was it all a joke to you? I thought we had something, and seriously you are here in this spot with him? I can't even believe this.” Fitz said the confusion turning to anger rapidly as he took in the scene. “I guess I was wrong.”

Before Sophie could say anything Fitz dropped the box he was holding and grabbed his home crystal catching a beam of light and was gone.

“What just happened?” Sophie said aloud. Jumping up to where Fitz had stood only a few seconds ago. Reaching down to pick up the box he dropped her mind was pulled back to clarity.

“You,” she turned pointing at Taron. “What did you do to me?”

“Taron you didn't.” A soft trembling voice came from the other side of the tree. “You promised me you wouldn't mess up anything and that you wouldn't use your ability. How could you?”

“Rina, I didn't mean to. I just couldn't help myself. You know how it is sometimes.” Taron said the voice from the morning returning.

“Will someone explain this to me? What just happened?” Sophie questioned.

“Taron is a beguiler. He used his voice to make you do things.” Rina explained. “He didn't manifest until 5th level which is unheard of so he hasn't had a lot of training. In fact most people don't even know that it is his ability.”

Sophie's confused face came to clarity. Fitz would have to understand, it wasn't anything. She just had to explain everything to him. She reached for her Pathfinder but her pocket was empty, realization hit that she had left it in her room. Still holding his box she raced for the cliff to jump off to teleport to Everglen.

Taron and Rhina stood in silence clearly shook from seeing Sophie jump off the cliff. Taron finally asked “Did she just jump off the cliff?”

“Yes, she has told me about it but seeing it in person is way different than I imagined it.” Rina replied quietly.

“Let's go home, I think it would be best if we leave. You can hail her later.” Taron said pulling out his home crystal. Rina nodded and grabbed his hand.

******

Sophie successfully teleported to the Vackers front door and was pounding on it, hoping someone would hear her and answer it, she had been there lots of times but it still felt wrong to just walk in.

“Coming, coming.”

She heard Della's voice from behind the door. Taking a step back Sophie clutched Fitz's box to her chest and willed the tears that were close to falling to stay put.

“Sophie dear what is wrong? Why aren't you with Fitz?” Della's eyes sweeping over Sophie's face.

“He isn't here?” Sophie whimpered.

“No the last I saw he was heading to see you, he was so excited to give you his gift. Which I see you have so what happened?” Della asked still a little bewildered by the emotional girl in front of her.

Sophie broke down sobbing. Della instinctively grabbed Sophie and tried to comfort her. After it seemed there were no more tears to cry she started tell Della everything that had happened with Taron starting with that night in Eternalia ending with he was a beguiler and tricked her but Fitz didn't know that and left. “I haven't even opened his present, I just want to talk to him and explain what happened.”

“Have you tried to reach him telepathically?”

Sophie shook her head, “I just teleported here and ended up at your front door.”

“Well why don't you come in and we can get you cleaned up and see where he is.” Della said pulling Sophie into the house. “Trust me those beguilers are nothing to stress over. Once Fitz knows the truth it will be fine.”

Sophie hopefully nodded and followed Della into the house ending up in Biana's room. “I'm sure she has some puff snuff to help your eyes not look like you have been crying and a little flush crush to hide the red.”

Sophie looked around, wondering where Biana was.

“Biana is out with Linh and Marella getting ready for the party tonight.” Della answered not even looking up from Biana's elixir collection.

“How did you know that I was wondering where she was?” Sophie asked finally distracted from why she was there.

“Don't worry I didn't manifest as a telepath, I'm just a girl and I know how we think!” Della answered with a laugh. “Here it is!”

Sophie reached out to grab the bottles. Within minutes she looked like herself again and smiled in the mirror over Biana's vanity table.

“Why don't I give you a little privacy so you can find out where Fitz is. I will be down in the kitchen, getting some snacks together, you must be starving. Come down when you are done.” Della said blinking in and out as she made her way out of the room.

Settling on Biana's bed Sophie collected her thoughts and reached out to Fitz telepathically.

“Fitz, can we please talk. I need to explain what happened.”

“Not now Sophie, I think it is pretty obvious what happened. I'm busy helping Keefe. Don't bother me again.”

With that he cut their transmission. Sighing Sophie grabbed the box he left at went downstairs to talk to Della again.

“That was quicker than I thought, did you get it all figured out.” Della said when Sophie walked in the kitchen.

“No, he didn't want to talk to me. He probably hates me and wants his gift back.”

“Oh honey he may be upset right now but trust me he can't hate you.” Della said confidently. “Why don't you sit down and open the box. I think it will explain things way better than I ever could.”

Puzzled Sophie sat down and opened the card Fitz had slid under the teal bow.

My Sophie,

I know you have trouble seeing yourself for the amazing person you are. I hope that this helps you see yourself how I see you.

Your Fitz

Confused at what he meant Sophie untied the bow and pulled the lid off the box. She wasn't sure what to expect sitting in the box but it certainly wasn't what she saw. Nestled in a bed of the softest teal fabric Sophie had ever touched was a simple but stunning brown book. She pulled it out and turned it over in her hands before opening it.

Inside Fitz had included another note.

I wish I had a photographic memory like you so you could see just how incredible you are.

With all my love,

Fitz

Sophie turned the page and a huge smile broke across her face.

A blurry but very distinctive picture was on the page. In his perfect handwriting Fitz had captioned the projection.

I was surprised by the brown eyes but even when I thought you weren't the girl I was searching for I still wanted to talk to you and all I could come up with was to talk about a dinosaur. You are by far the prettiest girl I have ever seen.

The next page featured another projection of him holding her and her crying with a heartfelt caption of her bravery.

Each page was filled with a projection and caption that explained exactly how Fitz felt about her. Page by page her heart swelled and she laughed at funny memories and ahhed at little things she was sure Fitz hadn't even noticed but he had. As the memories got more recent the clarity of the projections became clearer and the captions more touching. The last page was not a memory but a simple inscription.

Sophie,

I am so happy that I have all these memories of you but what I want is to know we have a future together. I don't care if we are each other's number 1’s or 500’s, I don't even care if we are a bad match because spending time apart from you has made it clear to me that I would never choose to be away from you. Forever with you is not long enough.

I am in love with you Sophie and I choose you, I want you to always be in my life. Please choose me.

Fitz