n

n

n

"What? When did you promise me anything?

"

nTry as hard as he could, Syryn could not recall any promise of significance made between them. There had been the offhanded promises to bring him food he liked, books he had wanted, and other silly pledges that one would make with a friend. What Rowan spoke of was no doubt a meaningful promise. Syryn understood that much.

nThe anti mage though was not forthcoming with an answer.

"Do you know what Traxdart has been up to?

" He asked instead.

nSince that day he had turned up at their doorstep, the demonic emperor was silent on his end. Syryn shook his head at the anti mage's question.

"I gave the mage hunters a map of the approximate places where the horns would be found. The last I heard, there was only one horn left to be found. Barring that, I have no news of Traxdart's movements.

"

nThe horns had been Traxdart's gateway into the world. With that taken care of, Syryn did not know what the emperor might do to gain entry into their world.

n

"We destroyed the final horn,

" Rowan replied.

"Mage hunter teams were given the missive to find the horns. My team received a location since we were closest to the hiding spot of the third and final horn.

"

n

"Why wasn't I told about it by Artemus then?

"

nRowan pulled aside the curtain to his carriage window so he could look at how far they'd come.

"We placed a decoy at the spot where it was found, a replica that might fool the demons. Only the ones who put it there know about it.

" Through the anti mage's side of the window, Syryn could see an empty and unrecognisable street.

"It'll take them a while before they realise that the horn is a fake.

"

n

"Do you think he'll find another way?

" Syryn asked. Traxdart was a shrewd demon and the teen could not discount his ability to find opportunity in the most unlikely of places.

n

"Even if he does, we'll stop him.

"

n

"We?

" Syryn raised his brow at Rowan.

"I plan to dump this on you and Lillith. You're the chosen one so why the hell should I get involved again? I'd rather take a vacation and have lots of sex with as many people as I can since I missed out on that in my last life, which was all your fault by the way.

"

nThough his glance was friendly, Rowan's tone was frosty.

"Don't provoke me, Syryn. I'd like for us to reach home without incident.

"

n

"Are you threatening me?

" The teenager smirked at the anti mage. He was an insufferable brat and Rowan was tempted to shut him up.

n

"Yes, I am. Is it working?

" Rowan leaned forward, his broad shoulders taking up the space between them. The anti mage didn't miss the way Syryn reacted to his words. The teen had clammed up and there was a slight blush dusting his cheekbones.

n

"Is that what you like, Ryn?

" Rowan curiously pushed further.

"I could lock you up again and educate you, thoroughly, on everything you missed out. After all, It was my fault that you were deprived of sex with numerous people, wasn't it?

"

nSyryn had never gone from zero to turned on so fast in his life. His cheeks were getting hotter with every second that passed by as Rowan silently regarded him. The blond was looking at Syryn through eyes that were at half-mast. Flustered and embarrassed, Syryn was locked in place by Rowan's gaze - invisible chains that pressured the mage. This was a side of Rowan he hadn't seen in their last life.

n

"Syryn, I asked you a question,

" the anti mage said in a deceptively gentle voice.

"Answer me.

"

nTaking a shaky breath, the teen responded.

n

"Yes.

"

nRowan hadn't expected the honesty. Such a simple answer and it was loaded with hard implications. Something changed in his eyes and the anti mage smiled, a wicked lilt of his lips that had Syryn's heart beating even faster.

n

"Come here, Ryn.

" Rowan's lap was parted just enough for the alchemist to sit comfortably on.

"Or would you prefer that I lock you up first and pretend we're still in the tower?

"

nSyryn covered his red face but the blush was trickling to his ears. He was mortified that Rowan had caught on so fast to his fantasy. What thrilled him was the forbidden nature of such a relationship with Rowan, especially in the context of the circumstances that prevailed when they were still in the tower. The anti mage had been so painfully unavailable to him - married and marked by Eos, never showing any interest beyond their friendship. The illicit flavour of it went straight to Syryn's nether regions and he was undone. Even without touching him, Rowan had so much power over the alchemist.

n

"Shut up, Rowan.

" Syryn tried to play it cool but the blond wasn't buying it.

n

"Come shut me up.

" Rowan's reply was a low drawl that liquified Syryn's insides. The alchemist was convinced that an incubus had possessed Rowan's body.

nTaking up the anti mage's invitation, Syryn hesitantly leaned forward.

"I might die if Eos-

" Rowan yanked Syryn forward so the mage fell sideways into his arms.

n

"Don't mention the Goddess,

" Rowan told him, eyes dark and hungry, as he lowered his head to seal Syryn's protesting mouth.

nThe kiss came as a shock not because Syryn wasn't expecting it. It was shocking in the way one expected rain but was swept up by a storm. Rowan's kiss was devouring him whole. The anti mage slid his tongue along the roof of Syryn's mouth, ran it along his teeth, sucking and biting at his lips - wet, hot, and depraved. The teen had unleashed something inside Rowan and he was paying for it in the bruising way that their lips moved. He found that he liked it very much.

nRowan was soon rock hard against Syryn's thigh. The teen squirmed against it, wanting to touch but afraid of the divine consequences he might incur. Two lifetimes of carrying his virginity with the reluctance akin to that of dragging a millstone around his neck had reduced the half-demon to a desperate mess.

nSyryn was gasping against Rowan's lips, dizzy and hot because the anti mage was taking him apart with his tongue. Hand cupping Syryn's cheek, Rowan taught the teen what it meant to be thoroughly ruined for anyone else by a lethal mouth.

n

"Ro-mmmmph-

" Syryn needed more. He just had to get the words out but the anti mage wasn't letting it happen. A roving hand palmed the flat part of Syryn's abdomen and slipped lower to dangerous territory. But before he could rejoice, Rowan broke the kiss. They were both breathing hard. The teen had a dazed look in his eyes, lashes wet and dark. A thumb swiped past his puffy bottom lip and Rowan made a sound of appreciation.

"Do you know how beautiful you are, Ryn?

"

nSyryn knew he was beautiful, thank you very much. He couldn't say it though because the question was rhetorical. The anti mage once again claimed Syryn's lips, driving it home just how hungry he was for the alchemist. As far as kisses went, the alchemist had never had one so intense. He closed his eyes and moaned into the delicious feeling of being ravaged by Rowan's mouth. Syryn's aching member was tenting his pants, begging to be released.

n

"Fuck,

" he exhaled against Rowan's mouth after forcing the blond to release his lips. The anti mage breathed in the scent of syryn and dragged his mouth down the side of the teen's neck. Then he sucked, mouth closing over pale skin, nipping at it till Syryn moaned.

n

"Rowan, please say you're gonna ** me when we get home.

" Syryn's voice was hoarse with need.

n

"No.

" The anti mage continued to tease Syryn's neck with kisses.

"Not until you remember.

"

nSyryn was suddenly overtaken by a spirit of depression when he heard Rowan's reply.

"What the ** does your promise have to do with you putting your dick inside me?

" He snapped at the blond who was amused by Syryn's boldness.

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"Everything,

" Rowan replied. He lifted their intertwined fingers and pressed a soft kiss on each knuckle of Syryn's hand. It had the teen's heart aching pleasantly.

"When you remember the promise, you will find the pieces of yourself that were taken away.

"

nAll the happy feelings inside Syryn's chest vanished like the mist dissipating in the sun. A hollowness coiled and settled itself in the space between his ribs.

"What are you saying?

"

nRowan held him like he expected Syryn to bolt.

"You are missing pieces of yourself.

" Syryn searched Rowan's eyes for deception. There was none.

"You'll remember. And until then, I'll wait for you, Ryn.

"

n

"No!

" Syryn declared. He was panicking.

"I died Rowan. There is nothing to remember when you're dead.

"

nEverything that Syryn had thought he knew was torn apart by Rowan's revelation.

"I died. I came back here. That's it.

" Syryn refused to believe that he was missing memories. He recalled everything from the beginnings of his childhood to the last blurry image of Rowan that had hovered before his eyes when he passed away. There were no cracks in between, no gaps to fill, nothing but vivid memories to the end. Were his memories lying to him?

n

"Why has this happened to us?

" Syryn asked because he couldn't accept what the anti mage was implying. He didn't expect Rowan to know the answer. He was wrong.

nWhat other nasty surprises was Rowan waiting to spring on him tonight?

"Ro, you do know,

" the mage slowly said out loud even as his mind comprehended the confirmation in the blue eyes.

"You know why it happened.

"

nRowan's complete silence, his lack of denial, the hard look in his eyes - they spoke louder than anything he could have said.

nSyryn clambered off the anti mage to better process the shock that had gripped him so abruptly.

"Why aren't you telling me?

"

n

"You'll remember, Ryn.

" Rowan's tone indicated to the alchemist the finality of his answer. But why? Syryn questioned. What was the reason for Rowan's silence on the matter?

n

"Then what can you tell me?

" He tried again. This time, the anti mage smiled and it was sharp enough to cut glass.

n

"I can tell you that Traxdart isn't your only enemy.

" Rowan's eyes were fixed on him - cool, focused - like he needed Syryn to understand how important it was to pay attention to what the anti mage was saying.

"Trust your guts and keep your sights planted firmly on the objective. And above all, believe that I-

" hesitation stopped his sentence. Rowan took back the words he had wanted to release.

"Believe in me, Ryn.

"

nA chill descended upon Syryn.

"And what is the objective, Rowan?

"

n

"To kill Traxdart. The real one.

"

nThe alchemist sucked in a shocked breath. Traxdart's puppet form was already so powerful. How could they possibly kill the real one? How would they even gain access to the demonic kingdom and then pass all the guards to lay assault on the Emperor? It was a suicidal undertaking.

n

"We're all going to die, aren't we?

" He felt numb from imagining what all lay ahead of them.

"Oh my God. What the hell happened, Rowan?

"

nThe anti mage's reply was ominous.

"Ignorance is bliss. Be glad you don't remember.

" Large palms reached out to grasp Syryn's cold hands.

"And when it all comes back to you, know that you have my word, Ryn, I will save us.

" Even if it kills me.

nFear was a feeling that Syryn was accustomed to. It came and passed with the vicissitudes of life. Terror though, the kind that clawed and scooped into his heart with its freezing fingers, wasn't something that he reacted to with cowardice. Terror was physiological, just as it was psychological, a response to a level of danger that no longer allowed him room to flee. There was only one way to survive and that was to fight. His body made the decision and he couldn't stop it.

nA shudder went through Syryn and he closed his eyes.

"Oh Rowan,

" he whispered - mouth forming a wide, mad, smile.

"You've really done it.

" Glowing indigo eyes were fixed on the blond.

"What am I going to do about this now?

" Ivory claws scraped at the carriage seat, slicing through the leather cover like it was made of butter. Syryn was fading away but he heard the last of Rowan's words.

n

"We'll make do, Ryn. Just like old times.

"

nRowan's anti mage field descended upon the demon with all the force of a falling star.

"Try not to destroy this carriage. It's our only way home.

"

nSyryn spread his wings and it was already too late for Rowan's warning. The anti mage pulled out his divine staff, a frustrated sigh leaving his mouth as he caught the demon trying to escape the confines of the carriage. Syryn was a jerk, he decided.

n