Lena was running through the forest. As the trees began to thin, a gleam of water came into view. Lena found herself once again at a clear blue lake. Standing on the boulder that protruded from the water was not Enigma this time, but Etna. Etna turned as Lena approached, diving from the boulder into the deeper water before swimming toward Lena.

"Come in!" Etna called. "The water is perfect!"

Lena slowly waded into the water, adjusting to the cool water. The sun above them was warm, and the water was refreshing. Etna swam backward as Lena approached until the water was deep enough that Lena could no longer stand on the bottom. Etna smiled as she swam toward Lena, reaching out a hand and taking Lena's. Lena didn't resist as Etna pulled her closer, embracing her in the water. Etna caressed Lena's cheek with a gentle hand before pulling her into a kiss.

Etna ran her hand through Lena's long black hair as Lena pulled her closer. They slipped below the surface of the lake but did not break the kiss for a long moment until Lena pulled away and swam upward, Etna surfacing seconds later with a huge smile lighting her features.

"I liked that..." Lena panted.

"As did I," Etna replied.

"Come here," Lena reached her hand out to Etna, and together they moved to where the lake was just deep enough for them to stand.

Lena pulled Etna into a sweet yet firm kiss. Seconds stretched into minutes. Neither of them wanted to pull away first. Slowly Etna began to trail kisses down across Lena's cheek to her neck, continuing down as she dipped underwater. Etna continued to trail kisses across Lena's skin as her hands gently caressed Lena's side and back. Etna's hair swirled around her in the water with her movements and Lena felt her heartbeat quicken. Etna was beautiful.

Etna was hers.

A minute passed before Etna came up and kissed Lena deeply. Lena melted into it before separating to gaze into Etna's bright green eyes.

"I love you," Lena whispered.

"I love you too," Etna replied, though Lena could see that a shadow had passed through Etna's eyes. Etna seemed to realize that Lena had seen a change. She smiled at Lena, but this time it didn't fully light her eyes.

"What is it?" Lena inquired.

"Nothing. I just..." Etna sighed and shook her head. Lena reached out and pushed a wet strand of Etna's hair out of her face.

"You can tell me."

"I..." Etna shook her head slightly, seeming to gather herself before continuing. Her eyes did not meet Lena's.

"If you got to choose, how would you want to die?"

Lena's eyes snapped open and she gasped. A bright light blinded her, and she blinked. Sunlight streamed in through her window. She was in her bed. It had all been a dream. Or had it? Lena really couldn't tell anymore with her dreams.

"Lena?" A voice called, accompanied by a quiet tapping on her door. "Are you awake?"

"Yeah," Lena mumbled. "Just a minute."

Throwing off her blanket. Lena staggered to her door, rubbing her eyes tiredly. She opened the door to find her parents standing there.

"Happy birthday, sweetheart!" Ivy said, pulling Lena into a hug. Lena gaped for a moment before the realization hit her. It was her eighteenth birthday already.

The time since she had arrived in Erinaea had passed in a blur. Already several weeks had passed since that night on the tower with Etna. At first, Lena had been terrified that Etna would tell someone, but it seemed Etna had stayed silent about it.

Lena had hardly seen Etna in the past few weeks. She had continued to practice archery with Enigma, and Katya had begun schooling her on the history and geography of Erinaea. Katya, Cyran, and Enigma had all been teaching her about the royal duties and expectations she was expected to know. Enigma told Lena that she would begin her lessons in swordcraft shortly, but other than a few glimpses of each other in the halls in the days immediately following the kiss, Lena hadn't seen Etna at all. Based on some fragments of conversation that Lena had overheard between Enigma and Katya, Lena had reason to believe that Etna currently wasn't at the castle at all.

"Lena?"

The voice of her father snapped Lena back from her thoughts.

"Sorry. What were you saying?"

"Looks like someone is still tired," Ivy chuckled, ruffling Lena's hair. "Did you just wake up?"

Lena nodded and covered a yawn with her hand, happy to have an excuse for her distraction.

"Yeah. I only woke up when you knocked," Lena replied.

"I was asking if you're ready for breakfast?" Ailan asked. "Katya had it made special for you this morning."

"I'd love to," Lena smiled as she took her mother and father's hands in hers and they walked down the halls together.

*******

"Lena, my child! Happy birthday!" Katya said, standing to greet them as they entered the dining hall.

"Thank you!" Lena said, crossing the room to Katya and embracing her in a hug. Although Lena still didn't see Katya as quite as much of a mother as Ivy, Lena had grown very close to her in the time she had been in Erinaea.

The four of them sat down together and it quickly became apparent that Katya had gone all out. There were plates of fresh fruits and berries, pastries, bread, meat in a sweet glaze sauce, and chocolate croissants.

Of course. Lena thought to herself when she saw them. She found it somewhat endearing how much Katya enjoyed them.

In addition to the food, there were also several pitchers of beverages. Chilled water with lemon and berries, fruit juice, and steaming hot chocolate were among them.

"Thank you so much for this Katya," Lena said as they all began to eat.

"You're welcome. Tonight if you would like, you can have a party with anyone you would like to invite. You and Enigma seem close now, and if there is anyone else, it would be wonderful to have them too. Music too. I can get music," Katya said eagerly.

"That sounds amazing Katya! Thank you," Lena smiled. She could tell that Katya was trying to make her day perfect. After all, this was Lena's first birthday that Katya could actually spend with her daughter.

Ivy, Ailan, Katya, and Lena all talked and laughed while enjoying the food. When they had finished, Lena was surprised when the three of them stood and faced her.

"Before we go, we have something for you," Ivy said.

"Katya and I had this made years ago, and it is time you have it," Ailan said, smiling.

"I've kept it safe for eighteen years," Katya said, leading Lena to a corner of the room where something rectangular leaned against the wall, covered in a cloth.

"Go ahead," Ivy said, motioning for Lena to uncover it.

Lena grasped a corner of the cloth and gently pulled it off. Lena felt a wave of emotion sweep through her as she saw it.

It was a beautiful painting. A forest background was painted in exquisite detail. In front of the trees, looking younger, but still unmistakable, Katya and Ailan stood together, Ailan's arm around Katya's shoulders. Both wore loving, proud smiles as they gazed down at the baby in Katya's arms. The artist's skill had perfectly captured the shape of the baby's dark eyes, the soft black hair, the tiny pointed ears.

Lena recognized herself in the painting, and the reality of all that Katya and Ailan had given up for her overwhelmed her. She had never felt so loved as she did at that moment.

"I love you," Lena said, throwing her arms around Katya and Ailan. "Thank you so much for everything."