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 are you doing 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 position must be 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 will not have anyone else."

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

"That is merely the beginning. If I have it my way, it will be until the end of my life."

"What?" I blurt out. "I understand that you have a crush on him, but surely... Why would you give up your entire life for someone you've never even been together with?" I ask, dreading the way my words sound—as harsh as her sister's.

Her eyes widen and she flushes a pretty pink.

I stare at her, my intuition telling me there's something more at play.

"Wyn... Did something more happen with Aethon? Something you didn't tell Thea?" I ask tentatively.

"I... It isn't like that," she murmurs, averting her gaze.

"I won't tell your sister if that's what you're worried about. Whatever you share with me will remain in confidence," I assure her.

Her lips tremble as she swallows audibly.