Page 253 of The Wishing Game

Another pause, and I imagine he's debating whether to push his luck or not.

"Alas, I shall go back to battling my demons. If you require anything, I am but one thought away,"he murmurs softly.

"Got it. Thanks,"I reply absentmindedly, making my way deeper into the courtyard.

My attention is firmly placed on the priestesses on the sidelines, eyeing them surreptitiously. Despite my seemingly confident front, I still expect them to single me out any moment and tell me what an impostor I am.

I'm so busy making sure they don't find out about my charade that I unwittingly bump into another girl. We both lose our balance, and I teeter forward, grabbing onto her robe as I fall to the ground.

Damnation!

There goes my quiet and unassuming presence.

"I'm so sorry," I murmur as I wobble to my feet, dusting my dress and trying to do the same for the other girl. But as my gaze meets her startling green one, my eyes widen in shock.

"Wyn?" I whisper.

Her eyes flare in alarm as she brings her finger to her mouth, telling me to be quiet. Hooking her arm through mine, she takes me to a more secluded spot where no one can hear our conversation. We take a seat on one of the benches by the side.

"What are you doing here, Luce?" she asks as she pulls her hood lower to obstruct her features.

"I..." I stammer. "I can't tell you. I'm so sorry. But I'm not doing anything bad. On the contrary, I'm just doing a favor for someone," I quickly say.

She watches me intently for a moment before she nods.

"You are aware the first test will measure your spiritual power," she speaks slowly.

I nod.

"You are also aware you are human."

I nod again.

"What did you get yourself into, Luce?" She shakes her head at me. "Does Thea know?"

I shake my head.

Wyn sighs.

"I hope you know what you're doing. The temple isn't a playground, and the priestesses can be...harsh."

"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine, truly."

She stares at me for a moment before she nods as she releases a sigh.

"But what areyoudoing here? Isn't the priestess position for a minimum of five hundred years? You're just making your debut into society... If you join the temple, wouldn't that be for nothing? You've been waiting for your ball for so long..."

A sad smile pulls at her lips.

"Precisely why the positionmustbe mine." She purses her lips. "I reckon Thea told you how hard our father has been trying to get her married. She's considered an old lady already." She lets out a dry laugh. "Not that it matters as long as he can find someone for her. But I know my sister. She's never going to go along with his plans. I also know that..." she trails off, shaking her head. "If Thea will not marry, I will have to. Otherwise, our family will be greatly shamed for having two unmarried daughters. My father knows this, which is why the moment I am out in society, he will start introducing me to eligible males. In a few months, or if I'm lucky, a few years, he will find someone for me and I will be unable to say no since it is expected of me."

"Wyn... I'm so sorry."

She half turns away, her lips trembling as she takes a deep breath.

"If Aethon is gone..." Her voice breaks. "If he is truly gone, I cannot marry anyone else. I willnothave anyone else."

"So you're going to give up five hundred years of your life to the temple?"

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