Pillows are like best friends.

Lily buried her head into her pillow, breathing in a hint of flowery laundry detergent. Right now, this blue and green cushion was her only comfort. It was soggy and warm from tears, but it felt nice against her face.

She rolled over onto her back, still pressing the pillow against her head.

Pillows were quiet friends. They didn't question you, or squirm away when you hugged them. They listened to everything and comforted you when you were upset.

Pillows also didn't magically enchant your boyfriends to never want to see you again. Or take away your phone so you couldn't explain what was going on. Or ban you from leaving the house.

No, those were jobs reserved by Aunt Paisley and Aunt Paisley alone.

There was a knock on her door.

"Lily? Sweetheart, can I come in?"

It was her mother's voice, coming through the door. She sounded tired.

Lily considered saying no, or not responding at all. It would be so easy to refuse to see her mom, to continue to mope in her bed alone.

But it wasn't her mother's fault. None of this was.

"Yeah, come in," she said dully, pulling the pillow off of her face.

The door slid open and her mother's face peeked in.

She had been crying. Lily could tell right off the bat from the redness rimming her eyes.

Her mother came over and sat on the edge of the bed, uncertain. Then she reached out a hand and began playing with her daughter's hair. Lily scooched over and laid her head on her mother's lap.

They were quiet for a moment, mom and daughter. Both in thought. Both unsure of what to say.

"I'm sorry you have to go through this," her mom finally said.

"It's not your fault," Lily mumbled, fingering her jacket sleeve.

Her mother did not respond at first. Then she let out a small sigh. "No, I suppose it's not. But I'm still sorry for what has happened. I personally liked Tristan."

Lily grimaced. Even just hearing his name aloud hurt.

"Once you turn eighteen and your abilities still haven't surfaced, all this nonsense will go away," her mother said soothingly, stroking her head.

Once. Not if. It was as though her mom already knew she was a failure, that she would never become a Minstrel. That she had been born without the magic.

"Don't worry hon. Magic really isn't worth it. All the family drama associated with Minstrels is no fun either."

She was trying to be supportive, but everything she was saying just tore Lily down. Her mother didn't know what it was like- she was a wonderful Minstrel, who Performed spells with ease and grace. She didn't know what it was like to have everyone look down on you.

They sat in silence a moment longer. Then her mom leaned down and planted a motherly kiss on Lily's forehead, and left the room.

*****

"A foster cousin?"

"Yes," her father grunted with a nod from behind his newspaper. Then, seeing Lily's bemused face added, "I had no idea until now. I'm just as surprised as you are, honest."

Minstrel family's had trouble with children. Something about the magical properties in their bodies made bringing children into the world very... difficult. Lily's mother had been very lucky to have her, and greatly struggled with the pregnancy.

But to adopt, or even foster a kid, was pretty unheard of, especially considering that Minstrel families were magical. How in the world do you explain to an adopted kid that you can Perform magical spells through enchanted instruments?

Yes, the Minstrel world was very secretive- and also a dying one. The difficulties of childbirth and the unlikelihood of getting pregnant in the first place made for few heirs to the Minstrel name. Not to mention the countless rivalries between families, which more often than not resulted in bloodshed.

Why on earth had Uncle Aaron and Aunt Misty decided to take in a foster kid?

"So, we're meeting her tonight?" Lily asked.

"Yes, they've invited us over for dinner." He glanced up from the newspaper and fixed her with a stern expression. "I don't need to tell you to be on your best behavior. You know how important appearances are in front of them."

Lily rolled her eyes.

"Come on dad," she complained, "I'm seventeen. You can say it: Be good or they'll cut us off financially."

"Lilian," he growled warningly, but returned to reading his paper.

It was no secret. Uncle Aaron, brother to Lily's mom and Aunt Paisley, was the main source of income in the Tierwood family. They had supported them ever since her father had injured his back in the car accident.

That was one of the main reasons Lily put up with Aunt Paisley. Uncle Aaron had been the one to initiate Aunt Paisley's lessons in Performing and Composing. If Lilian refused the tutoring, she wouldn't be surprised if the family saw less and less financial help from her Uncle.

For Lilian had Ellington blood in her veins. And to an Ellington, being a Minstrel was everything.

Which brought her train of thought back to the whole foster kid thing. If being a Minstrel was the most important thing to her Uncle and Aunt, why had they brought in a plain-blooded girl?

Curiosity killed the cat, Lily reminded herself, shuffling into the kitchen to get breakfast. Even though I hate cats, I won't pry into this one.

"Good morning dear."

Lily froze, her hand reaching up to the cupboard.

"Good morning Aunt Paisley," she mumbled, swallowing. She brought out a bowl, keeping her eyes down.

"I trust you are much better this morning?" Her aunt asked, coming in the kitchen to stand beside her.

"Um," Lily said, her mouth dry. "Yes. Thank you."

She hurriedly grabbed her cereal and the milk and exited the kitchen, unable to bear even the thought of standing in the same room as her aunt.

She was seething inside. Absolutely seething. And if she had to interact with Aunt Paisley any more than necessary, she might snap. She knew her family couldn't afford that. Aunt Paisley had a direct line to Uncle Aaron.

Hunched over on her bed, Lily shoveled cereal into her mouth, chewing with ferocity as she glared at a nondescript envelope on the edge of her bed.

Wait...

Lily frowned. That envelope hadn't been there before. Setting down her bowl on the nightstand next to her bed, she reached out and pulled it over. "Miss Lilian Tierwood" was written in perfect cursive on the back.

She carefully slid her finger through the flap and slit the envelope open. The letter tumbled into her lap.

Picking it up and holding it up to her face, she began to read.

Dear Lilian,

Hello! I'm not sure that you remember me, but I'm Adam Stone, from the Fleetwood Summer Program. You and I had a Composing class together.

I'm writing you personally to let you know I'm in your area this fall- under the apprenticeship of your father, no less! Your Uncle has graciously agreed to let me board in his home while I learn under the direction of your father.

I'm sure I'll be seeing you quite a bit the next few weeks, but if not, we should meet up some time- maybe Perform a spellsong or two!

I'm sorry if this comes off as forward, but it's really nice to have someone I know in the area. I hope to learn a lot from your father!

Well, I suppose I will be seeing you soon. Cheers!

Sincerely,

Adam Stone

Lily's mouth parted in shock. Adam Stone? Oh heavens above, of all the people-

"You really ought to give the boy a chance." Lily's head shot up as Aunt Paisley waltzed into the room. "He came by this morning and hand delivered the note. Not only is he a gifted Minstrel Composer, he's also quite charming. I would snatch that one up before he leaves."

"My romantic life is none of your concern," Lily wanted to say. "You should stay out of my life and let me make my own decisions.

But she didn't say that. Instead, she bit her lip and looked away.

She waited in silence for her Aunt to leave. When the woman finally stepped away, Lily tore up the note and began to sob into her pillow.

Author's Note: And so it begins. Though they have not yet met, Brianna and Lilian have already connected. This chapter seeks to set up some things you may not have known about the Minstrels- and to delve a little further into Lilian's emotional issues.

Who do you like better? Brianna and Lilian? What sorts of things would you like to see in a spellsong? What is your experience with music? Comment below!

Next time: A family dinner, a meeting and exploration at its best.