"No, but you could use more fun. When I heard you were away, I was so happy thinking you might meet someone and⁠—"

The mood instantly changes as Thea's face drops. Wyn notices this too as she quickly amends with a blush. "Well, you met Luce. Our parents will be happy too. Mother's been worried sick when you were gone for so long."

"Were they too angry?" Thea asks tentatively.

"They were when they first noticed you were missing. But Cer assured them you were fine and that he was with you. You know how much Father trusts him."

"Right." Thea forces a smile. "He's the favorite."

"Oh, don't say that. Even with his assurances, Mother was constantly thinking of you. She tried to reach you countless times and she couldn't, so you'll have some explaining to do for that."

"I'm prepared for their lengthy speeches, trust me." She sighs.

"Don't worry too much." Wyn winks at Thea. "With my ball coming up, there's so much to plan and discuss, I'm sure they won't mind your disappearance too much."

"But that's just the thing, Wyn. Your ball is just another opportunity for them to make me meet eligible males. And you know how much I hate that."

Wyn sighs.

"I know, but I'll make them promise not to try anything. I'll tell them I don't want you to steal my shine." She giggles.

"You're a gem, Wyn." Thea smiles.

"In return, you must do something for me," her sister adds conspiratorially.

"What do you want?"

"You must ensure that Aethon will be present at my ball," Wyn says bashfully, her cheeks tinted with pink.

Aethon? The Aethon that is missing?

"Wyn, we've talked about this before." Thea purses her lips. "He's too old for you."

"He's not!" Wyn exclaims. "Why, Father is several thousand years older than Mother and their union was perfectly acceptable."

"We're talking about more than several thousand years," Thea adds in an exasperated voice. "He's close to fifteen thousand years old."

"So?"

"It's just a crush, Wyn. You'll get over it when you meet other males—more suitable ones."

"No." She shakes her head. "It's not just a crush."

"Wyn." Thea sighs. "He hasn't taken a mate in all this time. What does that tell you?"

"That he's been waiting for the right female to come along." Wyn bats her lashes. "As in, me," she says as she does a little twirl. "He just needs to come to my ball and see me all dolled up, and I'm sure he'll propose," she adds dreamily.

"I'm sure there's nothing wrong with her crush," I interject, unable to keep silent as I witness Wyn's enthusiasm.

Thea shoots me a warning look.

"There's plenty wrong with her crush. I don't want her to get her hopes up and get heartbroken."

"I won't!" Wyn protests. "He's the right male for me. I know it."

"He's not right for you, Wyn." Thea sighs.

Wyn takes a step back, her shoulders slumping.