You've been gone three days, Syryn. Do you understand what's happening to your body every time you get pulled into her pocket dimension?

What?

Syryn's mindscape was distinctly gloomier than usual.

It affects your lifespan. Jumping through dimensions isn't without its price so you have to keep in mind just how many times you go in there.

You know, the child pulled me in without my permission. I am powerless to stop it from happening when they decide to call me again. They know about your existence by the way.

It was inevitable that I would be found out eventually.

Why did you put up a wall between her and us?

She is a powerful entity whose intentions are unknown.

And yours are? You might be plotting world domination for all I know.

If I wanted that then I would erase your consciousness and take control of your body. Believe me, you'd have no way to stop me from body snatching. I just choose not to because we can both benefit mutually by cooperating.

Then prove it. Show me that I have no control-

Syryn felt his body go lax and then he was no longer in control.

The sleeping mage opened his eyes and sat up. It was early afternoon.

"Ryn, you're finally awake. How do you feel?

"

Okay, you've proved it. I believe you.

"Ryn?

"

Syryn stood up and stretched his body like a feline. He then solemly turned to the anti mage whose brows were furrowed in concern.

"Rowan, I've realised that I'm no longer into men. I'm straight now.

"

What?!

"Are you messing with me?

" Rowan asked after a beat.

"I'm sorry, this is it between us. I have to go conquer a thousand beauties from every kingdom in the world. My seeds are crying out to be sowed in the wild.

"

Are you kidding me?! Shut up!

Rowan went from concerned to shocked.

"Ryn, sit down. Let's talk about this.

"

The mage began to put on his boots.

"You can't stop me, Rowan. I'm starting with your sister. Do you have one?

"

Oh God! Fuck! Sage, Old man, I'm sorry! Please!

The anti mage was speechless. His confused blue eyes blinked at the mage like he wasn't sure what to say.

"No? Pity.

"

"You're not Syryn,

" Rowan finally said to the mage, a tight frown on his face.

Thank you! Rowan, you really are my fiance!

It was fun while it lasted.

Syryn breathed a sigh of relief when he regained control of his body.

We're going to talk about this after I've had an important conversation with Rowan.

I sense a domestic disagreement in the making.

Shut up, old man.

"Rowan, I'm sorry about what just happened. That was the sage. He wanted to prank you and that happened.

"

"Are you sure it was just a prank?

"

Syryn thought that Rowan was too perceptive.

"Anyway, you kept important information from me. Why did you? I believed and trusted everything you told me, Rowan.

"

Syryn was getting worked up just thinking about how he had to find out everything through a third party.

"Ryn, before you say anything else, listen to my explanation.

" The anti mage had his hands up in a placating gesture. Syryn had just woken up from another one of his comas so it was highly likely that he was disoriented.

"Go on then.

"

The anti mage wasn't sure what information Syryn wanted from him. Arms crossed and leaning against the window, Syryn patiently waited for Rowan to say something.

"There's a lot that's happened between us,

" Rowan began.

"World-changing events, deaths, misunderstandings, so much, Ryn. When I found out you'd forgotten everything, I rationalised that it would have been too much for you to learn about and accept in one sitting. I wanted to gradually tell you about it and let you remember.

"

It had been quiet at the beach house but a sudden influx of noise disturbed the peace that Syryn was wrapped up in as he thought about Rowan's explanation.

"Does that happen often?

" Syryn asked the anti mage.

"What?

"

"The screaming.

"

Syryn had accepted Rowan's explanation and there was no longer any need to dwell on it.

"The Queensmen have made a camp not too far away from here. They bring in captured members of other factions and execute them at the beach so that their bodies can be piled and burnt away from the town.

"

"Sounds like torture to me,

" Syryn replied as he heard more screaming.

Rowan nodded.

"There's a sadistic mage amongst them who has a predilection for dismembering people alive.

" The anti mage frowned when he thought about how cruel humans could be if given enough power over others.

"Why don't you stop them, Rowan? Aren't you here to save the world?

" Syryn asked.

The anti mage couldn't understand what Syryn was trying to accomplish by asking him such a question. It almost seemed like the mage was testing him.

"Do you want me to?

"

"No. I don't care, Rowan. I'm a half-demon, aren't I? What about you? Why don't you care?

"

Rowan shrugged.

"I'm just a merchant trying to stay alive amidst a war.

"

The mage snorted. He suspected Rowan cared but couldn't do anything about it because if he killed the killers and left witnesses then Bella would find out about them. In order to not leave any witnesses, the entire execution camp would have to be wiped out which would again bring Bella's attention to it, and maybe towards them as well. It was in their best interest to stay out of sight and out of mind.

"Do you think I'm heartless, Syryn?

"

"I don't know.

"

"Then why did you ask me those questions?

"

Because Syryn wanted to gauge Rowan's conscience. Despite his non response to Syryn's initial question, the blond's body language had revealed enough about his feelings on the matter.

Syryn sighed and splayed his fingers out to look at the ring on his finger. Did he trust Rowan? Maybe. He just wished he could remember things fast so that he wouldn't feel so conflicted about the decisions he was making.

"Tell me everything, Rowan. Start from the beginning, without leaving out a single detail. And this time, I don't want you to make unilateral decisions about what I need or needn't know. As painful or ugly as it is, that was my life and I have every right to know about it when I want to.

"

A cacophony of screaming began again.. It was a fitting background to the bittersweet tale of how Rowan and Syryn's friendship had begun.