Lillith was in her father's library with Guinevere. For all her life, she had believed that her position as Rowan's future wife could not be usurped by anyone. Now with a heart full of doubt, she began to read up on the history of Eos' champions and the partners that had been chosen for them. "

"Champion Karl, at thirteen years of age, he saved his village from demons. At twenty, he married a silver-eyed priestess of a neighbouring kingdom," Lillith read out to Guinevere. 

"Champion Ash, he rid his kingdom of bandits after starting a crusade against them when he was eighteen. He married a silver-eyed priestess who arrived from another town to enter the choosing ceremony." 

They both looked at each other. "Guin, it's the same story for every single champion chosen by Eos." Lillith had dark bags under her eyes. They came about after two nights of insomnia. Rowan's rejection of her love had hit her so hard that she was unable to rest. Hair rolled up in a loose bun, she looked tired but still elegant. 

"This should be proof to you that Eos has chosen you whether Rowan likes it or not," her friend replied. "I say it's a good idea to let Syryn participate. He will be humiliated when you get chosen." 

Lillith slammed the book shut and closed her eyes as her head reclined against the top of her seat. She felt like she was living in a nightmare. Her life had been so perfect. She had everything anyone wanted in life - loving and healthy parents, a luxurious lifestyle, power, beauty, intelligence. And she thought she also had the perfect future husband. 

"If Syryn gets chosen, I will be humiliated." 

Guinevere tutted in disapproval. "Why will he get chosen? Does he have silver eyes?" 

No, Lillith thought. Syryn had exotic violet eyes. 

"Rowan might reject me even if Eos chooses me." 

"He won't dare to. The choosing ceremony is a directive from the goddess. So unless Rowan is in a hurry to a meeting in the afterlife, he won't dare to anger the goddess." Guinevere couldn't imagine a scenario where Rowan refused the goddess. It just wasn't possible. 

"You're right," Lillith answered. Guinevere was making a lot of sense. "Rowan cannot refuse Eos." 

____

Syryn had been locked up for a night and a day. And now for one more night, he was inside his prison eating a delicious meal that Dionys' guard had brought to him.

You're going to get fat if you keep eating and sleeping. 

[Mind your own business.]

"Already started eating?" A voice asked him through the bars of his prison. It was Dionys, and he was carrying a dinner box of his own. 

"Why? You wanna have dinner with me?" Syryn asked after noticing the box wrapped in a black cloth. It had the same symbol that was stamped over his own meal box. 

Dionys placed his dinner on the table where Syryn was eating. "Do you look like your mother or your father?" He asked as he sat and down opposite Syryn. 

"I thought you weren't supposed to interrogate me only in the presence of Artemus." 

Dionys opened his box and revealed five beautiful white buns that were still steaming. "This isn't an interrogation, Syryn. I'm curious because of how attractive you are." 

You look like your father. 

[And how do you know that?] 

Your mother has an ordinary face though I can't tell much from your memories as a toddler. 

"My mother looked like an ordinary village woman. So I suppose I got everything nice from my father." 

Dionys nodded. He still hadn't touched his food. 

"Do you have siblings? Aside from Lucien." 

[Well?]

None from your mother. The demon that sired you probably raped a lot more women. You could have a lot of stepbrothers and stepsisters.

"None." 

"Tell me more about your childhood and the time you spent with your teacher. Do you remember his name?" 

"He called himself the Sage." 

As it should be. 

"The sage?" Dionys lifted his brows. 

[You have such a pretentious moniker and even Dio realises that.]

"Yep. He taught me everything I know." 

Syryn glanced at the buns that smelled delicious.

"And where is he now?" 

"I don't know. Your buns are getting cold." 

Dionys looked down at the fragrant meat buns. They were indeed getting cold but he wasn't feeling very hungry. In his mind, he was forming a picture of Syryn. And the task was a lot more interesting than food. 

"You can have it if you're still hungry," Dionys offered to Syryn. 

"Don't mind if I do!" 

Dionys watched as Syryn shoved a full bun into his mouth. Syryn had a soft-looking mouth that curved sensually when he smiled. And right now, he was smiling at the anti mage who thought it was a tragedy that Syryn and he had to meet this way, on opposing sides.

"How did you meet Lucien?" Dionys asked. Syryn's cheeks were full and round as he pushed in more meat buns. 

"Fu-ffu-" Syryn tried to speak but his mouth was stuffed. He swallowed it all down and reached for a glass of water.

"Saved him from a slaving caravan that came to Maple." 

Through the bars of the prison, another mage hunter could be seen approaching them. 

"Sir, a priest is here to meet prisoner number two two nine five seven eight." 

"Tell the priest to go back to where he came from," Dionys replied. Saint's moon had sent someone; he was sure of it. The anti mage was returning a favour he owed them. It was why he got involved with Rowan and Syryn's mess. 

"Yes sir!" 

Dionys faced Syryn once again.

"Why aren't you letting the priest meet me?" 

"It will serve no purpose to their plan," Dionys replied.

"What plan?" Syryn canted his head. 

Dionys tapped his fingers on the table in a rhythm. He did that when he was thinking. 

"The plan to keep you away from the choosing ceremony."